Spanish and Latin American Studies
About the major
Spanish, the third most spoken language internationally, engages you with the world. Our Department’s units of study grow from ongoing research and teaching expertise and intellectual engagement with both Spain and Latin America. Our major will equip you with a deep and applied knowledge of the Spanish language, its social and academic contexts and uses, as well as the tools to examine and understand past and contemporary forms of politics, society and culture focusing on specific case studies. Our exchange program enhances this by offering unique in-country exposure to the diversity and complexity of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Our program reflects the depth and breadth of our expertise on different locations across the Spanish-speaking world in a wide range of areas including film and literary studies, social and indigenous movements, gender and sexuality, translation, comparative cultural studies, and migration. With units that innovatively integrate language, history and culture within a strong tradition of interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning, language in our department becomes not only a tool to communicate but also an opportunity to engage in a meaningful way with real world issues. You will benefit from a variety of teaching and learning styles and the knowledge and experience of our tutors will assist you to gain skills that are valued in diplomacy, journalism, arts, education, business and the law, in other words, in all areas requiring cross-cultural competence.
The language units we offer are based on a recognition of the lived and social nature of language and its contexts. You will participate in Spanish via group work, role plays, creative project-based work, online quizzes, discussion, as well as skills tests, exams and essay writing. The units you choose for your major involve both language and culture subjects, wherein you explore modern and contemporary culture (film, media, music, for example), literature and society, state and social change.
Requirements for completion, Introductory Stream only (see below for sample Intermediate and Advanced Streams)
A major in Spanish and Latin American Studies requires 48 credit points from the Unit of Study including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level language units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level language units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level culture units
(iv) 12 credit points of 3000-level language units
(v) 6 credit points of 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project units
A minor in Spanish and Latin American Studies requires 36 credit points from the Unit of Study table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level language units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level language units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level culture units
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level language units
First year
You will acquire foundational skills, knowledge and tools of a beginner level of Spanish language proficiency. Through the integrated study of language and culture using a wide range of basic Spanish language texts, audiovisual, and other study materials, and online and in-class activities, you will gain an overview of historical periods and issues related to Spain and Latin America.
Second year
You will develop further language knowledge and tools to develop an intermediate level of Spanish language proficiency. With the opportunity to choose from different units of study that focus on cultural, political and social phenomena related to the Spanish-speaking world you will gain a more in-depth understanding of the cultures and histories of Spain and Latin America. You will have the opportunity to read interpret, and analyse cultural production in specific, social, historical, and political contexts using your language and analytical skills.
Third year
You will consolidate your skills and acquire a high level of competence in Spanish language and gain effective understanding of the cultures, histories, and societies of Spain and Latin America. By engaging critically with and pose questions on a wide range of issues in Spanish language using theories and approaches from Spanish and Latin American Studies, you will be well equipped to undertake further study at Honours level or developing professionally in related areas in the job market.
Honours
If you commenced your degree prior to 2018, admission to honours requires a major in Spanish and Latin American Studies with an average of 70% or above.
If you commenced your degree in 2018, admission to honours is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies and requires the completion of a major in Spanish and Latin American Studies with an average of 70% or above. You will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units and a second major, prior to commencing honours.
Honours consists of taught seminar courses on topics in Spanish and Latin American culture and society, advanced language support, and a thesis on a topic of your choice in consultation with the department.
Advanced Coursework
The requirements for advanced coursework in Spanish and Latin American Studies are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.
Contact and further information
A comprehensive overview of the Spanish and Latin American Studies program is available on the website: sydney.edu.au/arts/spanish_latin_american
Chair of Department
Dr Vek Lewis
Undergraduate Coordinator
Dr Rubén Pérez-Hidalgo
First year language courses:
Level 1 & 2: Dr. Rubén Pérez-Hidalgo
Second year:
Level 3 & 4: Dr Fernanda Peñaloza
Third year:
Level 5 & 6: Dr Vek Lewis
Level 7 & 8: Dr Vek Lewis
Levels 9 & 10: Dr Fernanda Peñaloza
International Exchange Coordinator
Dr Luis Fernando Angosto Ferrández
Honours and Postgraduate Coordinator
Dr Vek Lewis
Example pathways
The introductory pathway
2 language units at level 1000; 2 language units + 1 culture unit at level 2000; 2 language units + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level
Year 1: SPAN1621 + SPAN1622
Year 2: SPAN2611 + SPAN2612 + 1 culture unit at level 2000
Year 3: SPAN3001 + SPAN3002 + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level
The intermediate pathway
0 units at level 1000; 2 language units at level 2000 + 1 culture unit at level 2000; 4 language units at level 3000 + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level
Year 1: SPAN2611 + SPAN2612
Year 2: SPAN3001 + SPAN3002 + 1 culture unit at level 2000
Year 3: SPAN3611 + SPAN3612 + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level
The advanced pathway
0 units at level 1000; 1 culture unit at level 2000; 4 language and 2 culture units at 3000 level + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level
Year 1: SPAN3001 + SPAN3002
Year 2: SPAN3611 + SPAN3612 + 1 culture unit at level 2000
Year 3: SPAN3613 + SPAN3614 + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level