Outline

Overview

Are there alternative frameworks (transnational and/or diasporic) that can better enhance our understanding of the interconnected histories of Spain and Latin America The unit is a conceptual and thematic exploration of the forces that have shaped Spanish and Latin American identities, networks of migration, among Afrodescendant, Indigenous and other ethnocultural groups, in Spain and the Americas, historically and in the present day. Images and discourses found in narrative, music and film, and theoretical concepts and methods from social research, are explored.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Spanish and Latin American Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	SPAN3001 or SPAN3611
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	SPAN3006
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Fernanda Penaloza, fernanda.penaloza@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Fernanda Penaloza, fernanda.penaloza@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Participation Participation	10%	Ongoing	Ongoing throughout semester	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Online Reflection Online Reflection	5%	Week 05 Due date: 07 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 07 Sep 2025	250wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Audio-visual presentation Digital Storytelling	20%	Week 08 Due date: 28 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Sep 2025	1000wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Online Reflection Online Reflection	5%	Week 09 Due date: 12 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Oct 2025	250 wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Portfolio Narrating Migration	20%	Week 11 Due date: 26 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 26 Oct 2025	1500wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Report Integrating concepts and methods	40%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Nov 2025	3000wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

2x250wd online reflections(10%), 1x1000wd audiovisual presentation (20%), 1x3000wd research report (40%), 1x1500wd research portfolio (20%), participation (10%)

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Text displayed in PDF unit outlines: The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or exclude late penalties only if expressly stated below.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Approaches to Diaspora and Migration I	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Approaches to Diaspora and Migration II	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Histories of Migration I	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Histories of Migration II	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Exile I	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Exile II	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Sexuality and Gender I	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Sexuality and Gender II	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Race and Ethnicity I	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Race and Ethnicity II	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Crossing Epistemic Borders I	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Crossing Epistemic Borders II	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand the most important issues regarding migration to and from both Spain and Latin America
LO2. Further develop critical thinking the field of Spanish and Latin American Studies through a more in-depth knowledge of theoretical lenses for the study of chosen and forced migration.
LO3. Develop increased ability to apply analytical skills to understanding real world processes.
LO4. Build on and further develop skills in written and oral communication in Spanish and English.
LO5. Develop a nuanced and historicised understanding of waves of migration from/to Latin America and Spain.
LO6. Learn to think creatively and critically on questions of borders, identity, culture and citizenship.
LO7. Develop an in-depth understanding of the role of immigration/diaspora/exile in the formation of Latin American and Spanish diverse cultures and the role of these in global migration flows.
LO8. Compare and contrast the historical development of forced and chose migration across different geopolitical spaces.
LO9. Critically analyse the migrant experience in terms of significant issues, theories, current challenges and opportunities.
LO10. Feel confident in explaining the cultural, economic and political forces that impact on peoples' mobility across borders in Spain, Latin America and beyond.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit is being offered for the first time

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SPAN3621: Visions of Diaspora

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links