Spanish (with Portuguese)
In all-important senses, in terms of demography, the extent of its administrative use, and its cultural impact, Spanish is one of the world's major languages.
It is one of the two main languages of the Latin American countries, the principal one of Spain, and the most widely spoken language after English in the United States. It is used by more than 400 million people. It is the medium of such major works of literature as Don Quixote and One Hundred Years of Solitude, and such well-known film directors as Pedro Almodóvar and Luis Buñuel.
The Spanish Program provides a comprehensive range of subjects within the general area of Hispanic and Iberian studies: that is, Spanish language, literature and culture at a number of different levels and the main form of Portuguese language (those of Portugal and Brazil, spoken by more than 150 million people). Latin American literature and culture occupy an equally important place in the program’s offerings.
Spanish language subjects cater separately for all levels of Spanish: from the complete beginner, to the student from a native-speaking background, to students with an advanced knowledge of Spanish. Portuguese is offered for both beginners and for students with an advanced knowledge of the language.
Unless otherwise indicated, the taught language is the principal medium of communication.
All core language subjects contain elements of general culture and civilisation analysed through the study of written, audio and visual material. A great deal of emphasis is placed on competence in the language (or languages) studied, but linguistic competence is not the sole aim of study.
Students are encouraged to develop an interest in a specific area of Hispanic studies (such as in the fields of literature and/or culture) that fall within the program’s ambit, or in related disciplines taught in other programs and disciplines (for example, Latin American studies, European studies and linguistics).
Students may apply to do in-country study programs in Spanish (and Portuguese) through the university’s exchange programs. These are available both in Spain and in various Latin American countries. Students contemplating honours studies are particularly encouraged to pursue these opportunities as part of their pass degree.
Programs of study
Spanish Major
To complete a major in Spanish students must complete:
- 30 credit points at first year level and,
- at least 45 credit points at second-year level and
- at least 45 credit points at third year level.
Students undertaking a major in Spanish are encouraged to include at least one semester of Portuguese.
ENTRY POINT 1 - (minimum requirements for a Minor or Language stream for ESL teaching method)
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 1 | SPA1001 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 12 | SPA1001 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 2 | SPA1002 |
| Second year core subject (15 credit points) (new in 2014) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 3 | SPA2003 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 4 | SPA2004 |
| Third year core subject (15 credit points) (new in 2014) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 5 | SPA3005 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 6 | SPA3006 |
ENTRY POINT 2 - (those with some prior knowledge)
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 3 | SPA1003 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 4 | SPA1004 |
| Second year core subject (15 credit points) (new in 2014) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 5 | SPA2005 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 6 | SPA2006 |
| Third year core subject (15 credit points) (new in 2014) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 7 | SPA3007 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 8 | SPA3008 |
ENTRY POINT 3 – (those with prior knowledge including VCE Spanish or an equivalent qualification)
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 7 | SPA1007 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 8 | SPA1008 |
| Second year core subject (15 credit points) (new in 2014) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 9 | SPA2009 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 10 | SPA2010 |
| Third year core subject (15 credit points) (new in 2014) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish 11 | SPA3011 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish 12 | SPA3012 |
Other subjects for a Spanish major available in 2013
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| Second year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Portuguese 32 | PTG2003 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Portuguese 52 | PTG2005 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Postcolonial Identities | SPA2PCI |
| TE-SEM-2 | Cuba: The Special Period | SPA2CSP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Portuguese 42 | PTG2004 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Portuguese 62 | PTG2006 |
| Third year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Portuguese 52 | PTG3005 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Portuguese 72 | PTG3007 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Postcolonial Identities | SPA3PCI |
| TE-SEM-2 | Cuba: The Special Period | SPA3CSP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Portuguese 62 | PTG3006 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Portuguese 82 | PTG3008 |
Key 2 Subject to enrolments, staff and funding availability.
Faculty reading subjects
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| Second year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1&2 | Humanities Reading Subject 2A | HUS2RS1 |
| TE-SEM-1&2 | Humanities Reading Subject 2B | HUS2RS2 |
| Third year core subject (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1&2 | Humanities Reading Subject 3A | HUS3RS1 |
| TE-SEM-1&2 | Humanities Reading Subject 3B | HUS3RS2 |
Subjects not available in 2013
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| Second or third year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | European Languages in Context: issues in language | SPA2ELC/SPA3ELC |
| TE-SEM-2 | Trans European Translation | EST2TET/EST3TET |
Honours
The Spanish fourth year honours program consists of a research essay of 15,000 words on an approved topic and two subjects at fourth year level. Depending on staff availability and expertise, students may undertake an honours program in aspects of Hispanic, Portuguese, Catalan or Galician literature, language and/or culture.
Students wishing to enter fourth year honours in the Spanish Program will normally have completed a major in Spanish or equivalent and have at least a B-grade average in their Spanish subjects. Students are encouraged to include additional Spanish subjects, subjects that will broaden their knowledge of Spain and/or Latin America, and to consider in-country study during their undergraduate course.
Students considering honours should consult the Honours Convenor before re-enrolling for their third year, in order to plan a suitable course structure on which to base an honours year. Towards the end of the third year, intending honours students should consult the Honours Convenor concerning the composition of their honours year, the thesis topic and the supervisor.
For further information about Spanish, please contact the School of Historical and European Studies either by email at spanish@latrobe.edu.au or by telephone on (03) 9479 2428.