This unit exposes students to critical research methodologies and theories central to socio- political inquiry into subjects and cultural phenomena pertaining in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Some of the models and approaches have arisen outside the Spain and the Americas and some are particular to Spanish or Latin(o) American contexts. Detailed exposition of applied methodologies and theory in social and cultural research is undertaken, and in each session we examine articles or projects that have used these models, or a combination of them.

In this unit, students will be given an overview of the central paradigms and applications of cultural studies as they have arisen in multiple locations such as Western Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Cultural studies can be conceived as an interdisciplinary practice, located at the intersection of sociology and anthropology, literary theory and philosophy. It is concerned with power, representation, identity and knowledge. Cultural studies engage with a very wide range of cultural forms (including, for example, crime fiction, rap music, soap operas and Bollywood films).

In this unit you begin a substantial, independent research project in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Regular meetings with a supervisor approved by the Spanish and Latin American Studies Honours Coordinator will guide your progress. You will develop a plan for researching and writing the thesis, submit an ethics application if appropriate, familiarize yourself with disciplinary conventions and standards, engage with relevant literature, theories and methodologies, and submit drafts at agreed times.

In this unit you complete and submit your substantial, independent research project in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Regular meetings with a supervisor approved by the Spanish and Latin American Studies Honours Coordinator will guide your progress. You will continue to submit drafts at agreed times, and develop your expertise in relevant research methods and analytical skills as well as in the subject matter of your specialist topic.