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Unit of study_

SPAN3624: Spain: A Nation of Nations?

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Contemporary Spain is a very diverse country with several distinct cultural and linguistic groups. In some cases, this has given rise to minority nationalisms that challenge the sovereignty and hegemony of the Spanish state. This unit introduces students to the advantages and challenges of such diversity, including some of its political aspects. Specific topics include language planning, regional cultures, ethnicity, minority nationalism, and independence movements. No knowledge of Spanish is required to take this unit.

Unit details and rules

Unit code SPAN3624
Academic unit Spanish and Latin American Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
SPAN3001 or SPAN3611 or 12 credit points at 2000 level in European Studies major
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Macarena Jimenez, macarena.ortizjimenez@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Luis Angosto Ferrandez, luis.angosto-ferrandez@sydney.edu.au
Macarena Jimenez, macarena.ortizjimenez@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Oral presentation
Oral presentation via zoom
30% Multiple weeks 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Class participation
via zoom
10% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essay plan
Written task
10% Week 06 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Research essay
Essay
50% Week 13 4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to SPAN3624 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Contemporary Spain Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Is Spain a nation? Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Nations and regions Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 The languages of Spain Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Basque and Galician Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Language planning and bilingualism: overview Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Language planning in Catalonia Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Language planning and bilingualism: case study Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentations Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 The cultures of Spain Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Cultural identities (Catalonia and the Basque country) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Identities in Spain ( regional, national, supranational) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Identities in Spain ( regional, national, supranational) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Extra readings may be distributed in class for this week, depending on the subjects chosen by the presenters for their case studies Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentations Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Approaching the 'national question' through the analysis of political symbols: flags and mausoleums (I) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Approaching the 'national question' through the analysis of political symbols: flags and mausoleums (I) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Approaching the 'national question' through the analysis of political symbols: flags and mausoleums (II) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentations Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Approaching the 'national question' through the analysis of political symbols: flags and mausoleums (III) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Approaching the 'national question' through the analysis of political symbols: flags and mausoleums (III) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Regional politics in national key: what the Spanish crisis reveals about people's motives for mobilisation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation(s) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Cataluña-España No readings - preparation requires watching the film (available in the Library) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Debate and conclusions Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • 1 two-hour Zoom tutorial/ week

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available in the Canvas site for this unit.

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.

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

  • LO1. explain and critique the central issues in contemporary Spain that arise from its linguistic and cultural diversity
  • LO2. appreciate and analyse cultural differences within the Spanish nationstate (and, by extension, all nationstates)
  • LO3. explain the main concepts surrounding nationalism and regionalism and how these relate to questions of political and cultural identity in Spain
  • LO4. critically engage with different academic approaches to questions of cultural identity and use a wide range of sources of information on this topic both critically and selectively

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

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