The UK s European university HISPANIC STUDIES. Canterbury. Undergraduate study

The UK’s European university HISPANIC STUDIES Canterbury Undergraduate study 2 Hispanic Studies ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING K...
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The UK’s European university

HISPANIC STUDIES Canterbury

Undergraduate study

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Hispanic Studies

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING Kent is one of the UK’s leading universities, ranked 16th in The Guardian University Guide 2016. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, Kent is ranked 17th* for research intensity, outperforming 11 of the 24 Russell Group universities. Spanish is a language of great cultural and commercial importance, being the world’s second most spoken language. Studying Spanish and Portuguese opens up many opportunities, not just in European countries but also in Latin America. In the National Student Survey 2014, Hispanic Studies at Kent was ranked 1st for student satisfaction. Our students benefit from a year abroad as well as state-of-the-art language facilities.

World-leading research Research in the School of European Culture and Languages (SECL), is highly rated. In the 2014 Research Assessment Framework, modern languages and linguistics at Kent was ranked 3rd in the UK for research quality.

* of 122 universities, not including specialist institutions

Our academics are at the forefront of their fields and have expertise in cultural, political and social issues in both Spain and Latin America. Research in Hispanic Studies covers a range of areas, including: contemporary Spanish drama, film and poetry; Latin American literature, history, culture and politics; and Cuban literature, film and visual art. The School hosts many research events including conferences, seminars and lectures, which students are invited to attend and take part in.

Passionate teaching Hispanic Studies at Kent allows you to develop your language skills whether you have an A level, a GCSE or are an absolute beginner. For your language modules, you are taught by staff who are native speakers of Spanish; they help you to develop all four skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Alongside your language skills, you increase your understanding and knowledge of Hispanic culture, taught by lecturers whose passion for their subject is inspiring. You are encouraged to voice your opinions about political and cultural issues and are challenged to support those views with evidence gathered through your own research.

A global outlook Kent is known as the UK’s European university because of our UK locations close to the European mainland, and our postgraduate centres in Paris, Brussels, Athens and Rome. We also have strong links with top-ranking universities and research centres in Europe. On campus, students from mainland Europe make up 11% of the student population; in addition, a high proportion of our teaching staff come from other European countries. This gives you plenty

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of opportunities to practise your language with native speakers and discover more about the cultures of other European countries. The University expects all of its students to develop their studies in an international context. For Hispanic Studies, this approach is particularly appropriate. Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world – outside Spain, it is the official language of nearly all countries in South and Central America and is widespread in many parts of North America. The opportunity to learn Portuguese furthers your opportunities in Latin America, as this is the language spoken in Brazil.

Supportive community The School is welcoming and friendly, so students and staff get to know each other very quickly. SECL also houses French, German, and Italian, so you become part of a

community of language students, sharing interests and experiences. The close working relationships you develop with lecturers and seminar leaders help you to succeed in your studies. Within SECL, we have a dedicated student support team, who are able to provide pastoral care and help you with your academic needs. The University also offers a variety of support services. For details see: www.kent.ac.uk/studentwellbeing or www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport

A year abroad For your year abroad you can either study at a university in Spain, Peru or Uruguay, or work as a language assistant in a school in Spain or Latin America. You can also spend your year working in a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking country. For more details about your year abroad, see p15.

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A successful future As well as providing a first-rate academic experience, we want you to be in a good position to face the demands of a tough economic environment. The ability to speak another language is a real asset in the employment market and many prospective employers value the fact that you have spent a year studying or working in another country. We also offer an advanced language module, focusing on vocational skills such as translation and interpreting. If you are interested in going into teaching, you can gain valuable experience with our module Languages in the Classroom (see p17) where you work with local schools. In addition, you develop the key transferable skills which are essential for a successful graduate career. For more information on the careers help we provide, go to p8 or see www.kent.ac.uk/employability or www.kent.ac.uk/secl/employability

DID YOU KNOW?

Modern languages and linguistics at Kent was ranked 15th in the UK for student satisfaction in The Guardian University Guide 2016.

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SUPERB STUDENT EXPERIENCE Our Canterbury campus provides a stunning location for your studies with first-class academic and leisure facilities. The campus is within easy reach of mainland Europe and London, and it offers an excellent library and a state-of-the-art multimedia language lab.

Top-class facilities For language students, Kent has extensive technical facilities including computer-assisted language learning. The School’s multimedia laboratories offer a variety of interactive languagelearning applications and dictionaries, as well as access to foreign-language television services. Our media library also provides a selection of audio and video recordings; they can be accessed via the School’s streaming service which is available across campus, including in study bedrooms.

International community Kent offers an incredibly diverse campus – we have students from 149 nationalities and 38% of our academics come from countries outside the UK. Paris and Brussels are only two hours away by train.

Excellent study resources The study resources on campus are excellent. The Templeman Library has extensive print and electronic collections to support the courses and subject areas taught at Kent.

There are also over 1,000 PCs on campus and a range of support services for help and advice. Our Student Learning Advisory Service also provides information on effective learning and study skills. See www.kent.ac.uk/learning for more information.

You can find everything you need within walking distance on campus, including a general store, a bookshop, banks, a medical centre and a pharmacy. From campus, it’s a 25-minute walk or a short bus-ride into town.

Attractive location Beautiful green campus Our campus has plenty of green and tranquil spaces, both lawns and wooded areas, and is set on a hill with a view of the city and Canterbury Cathedral. The University has a reputation for being a very friendly place with a cosmopolitan environment. The Canterbury campus has its own cinema, theatre and student nightclub; there are many restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as a sports centre and gym.

Canterbury is a lovely city with medieval buildings, lively bars and atmospheric pubs, as well as a wide range of shops. The attractive coastal town of Whitstable is close by and there are sandy beaches further down the coast. London is just under an hour away by highspeed train.

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STUDENT PROFILE Amanda Ajomale is in her final year of studying Hispanic Studies. Why did you choose to come to Kent? It was a combination of things – Kent’s known as the UK’s European university and it’s on the south coast, which I liked. When I came for an Open Day, I was shown around the campus and fell in love with the place. I also looked at all the modules about Spain and Latin America: it wasn’t just the language I wanted to study, it was the history and the culture as well.

How did you find your first year of studying at Kent? My first year was good: I enjoyed the whole thing of being with new people and it was a supportive environment. My first culture module was the biggest challenge – Introduction to Hispanic Culture. It wasn’t just looking at modern Spain, it went all the way back to the Middle Ages when Spain was created. I’ve actually referenced that module a lot, even in my most recent essays so, looking back, it was a really good grounding.

How are your studies going now? You always learn so much but it doesn’t feel like you’re learning. It’s so much fun. As well as doing your essays, you’re watching films and reading books. The second year was the best because I could explore all aspects of Spain, Portugal and Latin America.

Are there any modules you’ve particularly enjoyed?

How did that affect your language skills?

Contemporary Spanish Cinema was good. It helped me to see Spanish films in a different light; they are very different to English films. We studied cinema from the post-Franco era and I loved Pedro Almodóvar. He is such an amazing director and it was interesting to see the trajectory of his work over a range of films.

About 90% of the time I was speaking Spanish, so now my Spanish is much more fluent and natural. Sometimes, when I’m chatting with friends, we’ll switch over to Spanish without even realising it.

The Legacy of Inequality was also a really interesting module. I did my essay on Cuba and Brazil, and how the African influence created the culture they have today. You can see it in almost every aspect of Brazil – there’s carnival where it’s in the music and dance, and Capoeira, which is a martial art that originally came from the African slaves. Portuguese was another one of my favourite modules. I’ve been learning Spanish for a long time, so to try and get to the same level in Portuguese has been quite challenging – but challenging in a good way!

How was your year abroad? I went to Spain, to a little city called Almería. I did a language assistantship and was working with children so making lesson plans and helping in the classroom. The kids had this amazing energy about them: they were so eager to learn. I also went to the local university to enrol in some of their Erasmus activities and meet people my own age. By the end of the year, I couldn’t leave the house without bumping into people I knew.

What are your plans for the future? I’m planning to go to Brazil for the summer. I’ll be volunteering in an orphanage in Rio. And then, for next year, I’ve applied to do another teaching assistantship in Belgium. I’m hoping to be based in Brussels because my ultimate goal is to work as an EU translator.

What do you do in your spare time? My friends and I go to K-Bar a lot and do things like walking to the beach in Whitstable. I go to London for shopping and the West End shows. I’m also a mentor within the School – I have first-year mentees in Hispanic Studies. It can be really nostalgic, remembering what it’s like to be a first year.

Any advice for students thinking of coming to Kent? Come with an open mind! It’s not just about mastering the language. Being at university can give you the confidence to do so many things.

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A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE Kent equips you with essential skills to give you a competitive advantage when it comes to getting a job. Six months after graduation in 2014, less than 6% of Kent graduates were without a job or further study opportunity. A fluent command of Spanish, combined with knowledge of the cultural development of the Spanish-speaking world, opens up many opportunities not just in parts of Europe, but also in Latin America. If you have also learnt Portuguese during your studies, this opens up further opportunities in Portugal and Brazil.

Wide-ranging professions There are many career options for a linguist – the ability to speak Spanish is increasingly useful in a variety of professions across the world. Many language graduates begin their careers by working abroad. In recent years, our graduates have found employment in translating and interpreting, teaching, marketing, journalism and publishing. Within the commercial sector, the most popular destinations are sales and export, international marketing, the travel industry (where language skills are clearly at a premium), banking and financial services (including insurance, investment analysis and tax consultancy).

Another popular choice for our language graduates is to continue on to a Master’s degree in an academic or vocational discipline, or prepare for a professional qualification in subjects such as law, accountancy, human resources, finance, librarianship or business administration. Teaching is also a career that appeals to many of our graduates – either language teaching in a British school or teaching English as a foreign language in the UK or abroad.

SECL employability

Master transferable skills

Kent’s award-winning Careers and Employability Service can give you advice on how to choose your future career, apply for jobs, write a good CV and perform well in interviews and aptitude tests. It also provides up-to-date information on graduate opportunities. For more details, go to www.kent.ac.uk/employability

Studying for a degree is not just about mastering your subject area. Nowadays, employers are looking for a range of key skills and you are encouraged to develop these within your degree programme. Dealing with challenging ideas, thinking critically, the ability to write well and present your ideas clearly are important skills that you gain at Kent.

SECL has its own employability events to enhance your job skills and vocational awareness during your studies. A large number of our students develop professional skills and gain hands-on experience through our wide range of paid and voluntary work opportunities. For more information on employability support within the School, see www.kent.ac.uk/secl/employability

Careers advice

Classroom modules The School of European Culture and Languages (SECL) has developed classroom-based modules that provide you with the option to combine your studies with work experience. This means you gain credit towards your degree while working in a school. The module gives you an insight into a teaching career while extending your experience and abilities to enhance your future work opportunities.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Complete University Guide 2016 ranked Iberian Languages at Kent as 6th in the UK for graduate prospects.

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GRADUATE PROFILE Connor Puhalo-Grover graduated in 2013 with a first-class degree in Hispanic Studies. Why did you choose to study Hispanic Studies at Kent? My school was a language college so I’d always liked languages. The course at Kent offered a lot of history-related modules, which I thought I would enjoy – and it turns out I did. What sold me on the University though was the campus. After coming to an Open Day, it became my top choice.

What was your degree like?

Could you describe your career path since leaving Kent?

How has your degree course helped you in your current role?

It was great. The lecturers really know their stuff and the School of European Culture and Languages is a charming school. The year abroad was an amazing experience. I spent a lot of time socialising with Spanish people so my language skills really improved.

I worked throughout university at a well-known pub chain. I stayed on there after graduation and was promoted to a deputy manager position. The people skills I developed and the level of accountability I enjoyed helped me to move into my current role.

I actually work within the international team and have fairly regular dealings with Spain. I was placed in this function because of my language skills.

What extra-curricular activities did you get involved with? I was a member of the Hispanic Society in my first year – it was a lot of fun as we had the opportunity to interact with the Erasmus students over from Spain. I also participated in the Peer Mentoring scheme in the first term of my final year.

I am now working for Hobson Prior as a Recruitment Consultant. My role involves finding candidates for specific job roles, so I speak to people on the database who hold the right skill set. I also spend time headhunting and I post job advertisements online daily. I’m about to make my first job placement and have a couple of interviews in the pipeline, too. It’s a really fast-paced environment, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s next for you? I plan to keep moving up. There is great potential for progression in my job and the financial rewards are good, which is a nice perk.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone thinking of coming to Kent? Do it! The University is excellent, the campus is beautiful and Canterbury is a lovely place to live. If you need proof, I graduated almost two years ago and I’m still living here!

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CHOOSING YOUR PROGRAMME Not sure which programme to choose? Here’s a quick guide to the degrees on offer.

Single honours Hispanic Studies is available as a four-year single honours degree. Our range of literature, film and culture modules cover a wide variety of topics, from theatre to Spanish and Latin American film, to race and ethnicity in Latin America. In this programme, you also learn Portuguese and spend a year studying or working abroad.

Joint honours You can combine Hispanic Studies with another subject. Some are listed below with their UCAS codes, but more are available; please ask for details. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Art History (RV43) Asian Studies (TR44) Business Administration (NR24) Classical & Archaeological Studies (QR84) Comparative Literature (QR24) Computing (GR44) Cultural Studies (R4V9) Drama (WR44) English and American Literature (QR34) English Language and Linguistics (RQ43) Film (WR64) French (RR14) German (RR24) History (RV41) History and Philosophy of Art (VR34) Italian (RR43)

• Philosophy (RVK5) • Religious Studies (RV46) • World Literature (subject to approval) Our joint honours are four-year programmes with a year working or studying abroad. Study is normally divided 50:50 between your two honours subjects. To download a leaflet on your chosen joint honours subject, go to www.kent.ac.uk/courses/ undergraduate/leaflets

European Studies (Spanish) In this degree programme, you study European society and politics, and European culture with literature or history, plus Spanish. You spend your third year studying or working abroad.

Assessment Stage 1 modules in Hispanic Studies are assessed by 100% coursework (essays and class participation) in the first half of the year, and a combination of coursework and examination in the second half of the year. For Stages 2 and 3, depending on the modules you select, assessment varies from 100% coursework (extended essays or dissertation), to a combination of examination and coursework.

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STUDYING AT STAGE 1 Stage 1 represents your first year of study. In the first year, you take two core modules, including a language module appropriate for your level. Teaching is by a mix of lectures and seminars. You also use audio, video and computer-assisted language learning facilities. The language modules include small group seminars, conversation classes run by a native speaker, short lectures in Spanish, work in a language laboratory and work on computer-assisted language learning materials. The culture and literature modules normally involve a weekly lecture and seminar. Please note that the module lists below are not fixed as new modules are always in development and

choices are updated yearly. Please see www.kent.ac.uk/ug for the most up-to-date information. All students take one of the following core language modules, depending on their abilities to speak Spanish: • Intensive Learning Spanish 1: Beginners • Learning Spanish 3: Post A Level. You also take: • Introduction to Hispanic Culture. You also choose at least one module from the following: • Introduction to Contemporary European and Hispanic Cinemas • State-Building in Latin America. You supplement these by taking additional modules from elsewhere in the Faculty of Humanities in

languages or a cultural subject. There is also the option to start learning Portuguese at this stage (see p13). Joint honours students take the required modules for their other subject.

Modules: Stage 1 Intensive Learning Spanish 1: Beginners This is a highly intensive module in Spanish, designed for students who have no prior knowledge of the language, and is also suitable for those with a basic knowledge or a GCSE in Spanish. You focus on gaining a sound knowledge of Spanish grammar while developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

Learning Spanish 3: Post A Level If you have gained the equivalent of an A level pass in Spanish, this module expands your knowledge of Spanish grammar and enables you to gain a high level of skill in speaking, listening, reading and writing. You also learn more about the history and culture of Spain.

“My degree was fantastic. The lecturers were true experts in their fields and instigated some interesting discussions in seminars. They encouraged me to find areas of personal interest and explore these in greater depth.” Jamie Taylor Hispanic Studies graduate CONTINUED OVERLEAF

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Hispanic Studies

STUDYING AT STAGE 1 (CONT)

The module includes a series of mini-lectures in Spanish which help to develop your listening and note-taking skills.

Introduction to Hispanic Culture The key stages in the development of modern Spanish and Spanish American culture are examined in their social, political and historical context. You gain knowledge of key figures and events in history from the Middle Ages to the end of the 20th century, and an understanding of the factors influencing social and political change during this period. This allows you to place social, political and artistic events in context, and to evaluate a range of texts and topics relevant to the main historical and cultural movements.

Introduction to Contemporary European and Hispanic Cinemas You are introduced to a range of films produced in European and Latin American countries between the late 1980s and the present day. You focus on dominant trends and themes in contemporary European and Hispanic cinemas, and examine the role that cinema has played in the cultural life of Europe and Latin America. The importance of cinema in establishing national and supranational identity is considered along with the ways that international relations can be expressed through film production. The module gives you an overview of European and Latin American cinema, as well as providing insights into the cinemas of the UK, Germany, Denmark, Poland, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Cuba.

State-Building in Latin America Latin America can be studied through the lens of state formation, by examining the end of the colonial period in the 19th century, followed by independence, through to the decolonisation of Cuba. Here, you focus on the cases of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. Topics include: the recurrence of internal and external wars; tensions between the centre and regions; the development of export markets and how that relates to the creation of stability; caudillismo; and the importance of ideology in state building.

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STUDYING AT STAGE 2 You may take wild modules from elsewhere in the University, subject to requirements in Hispanic Studies being met. If you are taking a joint honours programme, you must also select the required modules for your other subject.

Modules: Stage 2 Learning Spanish 3: Post A Level For full module description, see p11.

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Stage 2 is the second year of your degree programme. In your second year (Stage 2), language modules concentrate on the four skills and you have regular sessions with native speakers of Spanish. Please note that the module lists below are not fixed as new modules are always in development and choices are updated yearly. Please see www.kent.ac.uk/ug for the most up-to-date information. If you took Intensive Learning Spanish: Beginners at Stage 1, you now take the following module: • Learning Spanish 3: Post A Level. If you took Learning Spanish 3: Post A Level at Stage 1, you now take the following module: • Learning Spanish 4.

Single honours students in Hispanic Studies also take the following modules in Portuguese (available as optional modules for joint honours students): • Learning Portuguese 1A • Learning Portuguese 1B. In addition, you choose at least two additional modules from a list of culture, literature and film options, all based in the modern period, particularly the 20th and 21st centuries. These include: • After Dictatorship: Spain and Latin America • Barcelona and Havana: Icon, Myth and Identity • Catalan Culture • Contemporary Spanish Cinema • The Legacy of Inequality: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America • Second Year Extended Essay • Spanish Literature: Identity.

This module develops your communication skills, with much of the emphasis being placed on speaking and listening, but also involving a fair amount of writing. It focuses on the ability to operate in a variety of registers and respond adequately to different styles of discourse. You attend language seminars, language lab classes and conversation classes.

Learning Portuguese 1A Introducing you to the basics of Portuguese language, this module teaches key grammatical structures, vocabulary and the use of spoken Portuguese. You learn how to ask and answer simple questions on familiar topics or to address an immediate need; how to describe people, places, and things; and develop the skills to read and write short texts. The culture element of the module focuses on the different Afro-Luso-Brazilian cultures.

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Hispanic Studies

STUDYING AT STAGE 2 (CONT)

Learning Portuguese 1B Following on from Learning Portuguese 1A, you expand your basic language skills through writing, listening, reading, and speaking exercises. You gain a basic knowledge of grammatical structures, including tenses, and absorb enough vocabulary to ‘survive’ and deal with predictable and/or specific information in simple everyday situations.

After Dictatorship: Spain and Latin America Several Spanish-speaking countries have made the transition from dictatorship to democracy in living memory. This module provides an overview of such political, social and cultural developments. You study the case of Spain from 1975 onwards and Latin American countries (such as Chile, Argentina and Peru) from the 1980s and 1990s. Combining history, literature, film, journalism and comics, your studies take an interdisciplinary approach.

Barcelona and Havana: Icon, Myth and Identity Barcelona and Havana are the iconic capitals of Catalonia and Cuba, respectively, both with rich cultural histories. Many of the key events and movements of the past century are intimately linked to these two cities, such as the collapse of the Spanish Empire, the birth of the new Latin-American republics and the emergence of nationalism. Other topics covered include the development of alternative modes of self-government and their

engagement with modernity. The shifting political, social and physical landscapes of Barcelona and Havana are traced by studying representations of both cities in texts and films from the mid-20th to the early 21st century. You also consider theoretical texts on the city and the contribution of urban life to modern Hispanic culture. Central themes are urban anonymity and liberation versus alienation and uniformity; the interplay of the individual and the collective; and multiculturalism and migration.

Catalan Culture This module introduces Catalonia, placing it within the wider context of Spain. You explore aspects of Catalan life and history; for example, the language, the arts and the relationship between Catalonia and the rest of Spain.

Contemporary Spanish Cinema Cinema provides a fascinating insight into contemporary Spanish history and culture. You look at issues such as national stereotypes, gender and sexuality, social transformations, as well as concepts in film studies such as genre, representation and spectatorship. You study directors such as Pedro Almodóvar, Alex de la Iglesia and Icíar Bollaín, and analyse how their work represents major developments in Spanish cinema.

The Legacy of Inequality: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America How has knowledge of indigenous populations and slavery been incorporated into political life in

different Latin American countries? This module examines this legacy from the colonial period to the present day. It focuses on two main issues: the relationship between the state and indigenous populations, and the process of the abolition of slavery. These topics are explored by adopting a comparative perspective with the aim of understanding the legacies of unequal societies and their impact on current realities.

Second Year Extended Essay You write an extended essay of 4,000-5,000 words on a topic of your own choice. The topic will be on a Hispanic (Peninsular or Latin American) literary, linguistic or cultural subject and may be related to another module you have chosen. You are given guidance by a supervisor with meetings in which the aims and objectives, critical approach, bibliography and drafts of your essay are discussed.

Spanish Literature: Identity This module explores the theme of identity in Spain and the evolution of individual and collective identity in 20th-century Spanish society. You study a selection of texts from all genres, as well as literary criticism. Themes include the personal development of the individual and the assumed social roles of men and women, their sense of relevance within the world they inhabit, and their reflection and expression through literature.

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YOUR YEAR ABROAD The year you spend studying or working abroad enriches your university experience. You not only improve your language skills and develop your cultural awareness, you also improve your future employment prospects. The School has exchange agreements with several universities in Spanish-speaking countries. For details of where you can study, see the A to Z course list at: www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad/ opportunities Alternatively, you might choose to work as a language assistant in a school, or possibly in other types of employment. If you are studying Hispanic Studies with another language, you spend half of your year in Italy and half in the other country. By studying abroad, you gain confidence and independence and further develop many of the skills employers are looking for, such as the ability to communicate effectively and to plan and organise your time. You also demonstrate that you are flexible in your outlook and have the enthusiasm and drive to succeed in a new environment. For many Hispanic Studies students, their year abroad is a life-changing and rewarding experience. It is a time when they start to think in Spanish and begin to see things from a Spanish point of view.

Having risen to the challenge of living in another country, they have a renewed belief in their ability to succeed. Many language students choose to live and work abroad after they graduate. If you are thinking of doing this, you can use your year abroad to discover more about your host country and its culture as well as doing research into possible career opportunities.

Advice and support Kent’s International Development team works with the School of European Culture and Languages to assist you in deciding what you want to do and where you want to go during your year abroad. It offers

advice on all the practical issues you have to consider – such as destinations and finance – before you go away, keeps in touch with you while you’re away and offers support when you return. They can also put you in touch with other students who attended the university or location you are going to, so that you can get feedback directly from them. If you choose to spend your year abroad in Spain, you may be eligible for an Erasmus grant. For more information, please visit www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad

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STUDYING AT STAGE 3 In your final year, you focus on translating and interpreting to help perfect your language skills after a year abroad. The final-year language module is: • Learning Spanish 5. Single honours students take at least one of the following Portuguese modules (available as options for joint honours students): • Learning Portuguese 2A • Learning Portuguese 2B • Learning Portuguese: Advanced A • Learning Portuguese: Advanced B. You also choose at least two of the following culture and literature modules: • Barcelona and Havana: Icon, Myth and Identity • Final Year Dissertaton • Languages in the Classroom • Reading Monstrosity in Iberian Culture • Terrorism and State Terror in Latin America. You may also take optional modules from elsewhere in the University. If you are taking a joint honours programme, you must also select the required modules for your other subject.

Modules: Stage 3

Learning Portuguese 2B

Learning Spanish 5

This module builds upon the knowledge you gained in Learning Portuguese 2A to continue developing your awareness of the language and culture.

This module is based on translating and interpreting, and enhances your awareness of some of the subtleties of the Spanish language. You closely study a range of texts, while developing new oral and aural skills by means of on-the-spot translation and interpreting.

Learning Portuguese 2A Here, you develop your ability to interact in Portuguese in a wider range of common situations while gaining an increased awareness of everyday life and the diversity of cultures in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries. You are introduced to media in Portuguese and gain the skills to understand the gist of news and other radio and TV programmes. You begin to learn the uses of the subjunctive tenses, relative pronouns and indirect speech, basic idioms and expressions, as well as some of the differences between Brazilian Portuguese and Portuguese spoken in other countries.

Learning Portuguese: Advanced A In this module, you develop your language skills in Portuguese (listening, speaking, reading and writing) to an advanced level of ability and gain further insight into the culture and society of Portuguese-speaking countries. You learn to use more complex sentences and structures, such as the passive voice and compound sentences, and further expand your vocabulary. A variety of sources are used until you have the ability to understand media such as TV programmes, films and short literary texts.

Learning Portuguese: Advanced B You build upon the knowledge you gained in Learning Portuguese: Advanced A to continue developing your awareness of the language and culture.

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Barcelona and Havana: Icon, Myth and Identity This module is also offered at Stage 2. For full module description, see p14.

Final Year Dissertation Over two terms, you are given guidance by a chosen supervisor to help you write a dissertation of 9,000-10,000 words on a topic of your own choice. The topic must be on a Hispanic literary, linguistic or cultural subject, related to another Hispanic Studies module taken. You need to achieve an average mark of at least 60% at Stage 2 in order to take this module.

Languages in the Classroom Providing you with the opportunity to enter the working world in your year as a taster for a teaching career, this module involves teaching experience in a secondary school classroom. For one term, you spend half a day each week in a local school under the supervision of a teacher who acts as a mentor. Not only does this provide work experience, but the teaching also informs and shapes your academic written work.

Reading Monstrosity in Iberian Culture From the monster in medieval bestiaries to 18th-century medical treatises of monstrous forms and 20th-century depictions of monsters, this module draws

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on high and popular culture, a variety of disciplines and media (literature, prints, paintings, films). The monster in this module is an interpretative model for an understanding of how notions such as ‘normalcy’, ‘beauty’ and ‘the classical body’ are constructed, and enables you to look at issues of otherness, gender and race. You take a close look at the figure of the ‘monster’ in Iberian culture, and focus on the historical context from which a particular meaning emerges. Discussions are supplemented with relevant historical, critical or theoretical readings.

Terrorism and State Terror in Latin America Between the 1970s and 1990s, Central America, Argentina, Chile and Peru lived through extreme instances of insurgency and state sponsored violence. This module explores the difficult experiences of terrorism and state terror in Latin America through films and documentaries. You examine the tensions in society brought by these experiences, as well as the efforts to come to terms with these memories. The reports produced by the various commissions that sought truth and redress from the 1980s to the present are used as sources to accompany this module.

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VISIT THE UNIVERSITY Come to an Open Day or an Applicant Day and see for yourself what it’s like to be a student at the University of Kent.

Open Days Kent runs Open Days during the summer and autumn. These provide an excellent opportunity for you to discover what it is like to live and study at the University. You can meet academic staff and current students, find out about our courses and attend subject displays, workshops and informal lectures. We also offer tours around the campus to view our sports facilities, the library and University accommodation. For further information and details of how to book your place, see www.kent.ac.uk/opendays

Applicant Days If you apply to study at Kent and we offer you a place (or invite you to attend an interview), you will usually be sent an invitation to one of our Applicant Days. You can book to attend through your online Kent Applicant Portal. The Applicant Day includes presentations in your subject area, guided tours of the campus, including University accommodation, and the opportunity to speak with both academic staff and current students about your chosen subject. For further information, see www.kent.ac.uk/visit

Informal visits You are also welcome to make an informal visit to our campuses at any time. The University runs tours of the Canterbury and Medway campuses

throughout the year for anyone who is unable to attend an Open Day or Applicant Day. It may also be possible to arrange meetings with academic staff, although we cannot guarantee this. For details and to book your place, see www.kent.ac.uk/informal Alternatively, we can provide you with a self-guided tour leaflet, which includes the main points of interest. For more details and to download a self-guided tour, go to www.kent.ac.uk/informal

On the web For updates and news stories from the School, please see our website and social media sites: www.kent.ac.uk/secl www.facebook.com/unikentsecl www.twitter.com/unikentsecl www.youtube.com/unikentsecl

www.kent.ac.uk/secl

More information If you would like more information on Kent’s courses, facilities or services, or would like to order another subject leaflet, please contact us on: T: +44 (0)1227 827272 Freephone (UK only): 0800 975 3777 www.kent.ac.uk/ug For the latest departmental information, please see: www.kent.ac.uk/secl or email [email protected]

This brochure was produced in June 2015. The information contained within this brochure was correct at the time of going to press. For the most up-to-date information, please see www.kent.ac.uk/ug Terms and conditions: the University reserves the right to make variations to the content and delivery of courses and other services, or to discontinue courses and other services, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. If a programme is discontinued, the University will make every effort to provide a suitable alternative, but cannot guarantee it will be able to do so. For full terms and conditions, see www.kent.ac.uk/termsandconditions To register for a programme of study, all students must agree to abide by the University Regulations (available online at: www.kent.ac.uk/regulations). Data protection and consent to process: for the University to operate efficiently, it needs to process information about you for administrative, academic and health and safety reasons. Any offer this institution makes to you is subject to your consent to process such information and is therefore a requirement before we can register you as a student.

Location

Offer levels

Canterbury

BBB at A level, IB Diploma 34 points or 15 points at Higher

Award BA (Hons)

Programme type Full-time and part-time

Degree programme Single honours • Hispanic Studies (R400) • European Studies (Spanish) (R411) Joint honours Hispanic Studies and... • Art History (RV43) • Asian Studies (TR44) • Business Administration (NR24) • Classical & Archaeological Studies (QR84) • Comparative Literature (QR24) • Computing (GR44) • Cultural Studies (R4V9) • Drama (WR44) • English and American Literature (QR34) • English Language and Linguistics (RQ43) • Film (WR64) • French (RR14) • German (RR24) • History (RV41) • History & Philosophy of Art (VR34) • Italian (RR43) • Philosophy (RVK5) • Religious Studies (RV46) • World Literature (subject to approval)

19

Joint honours: ABB-BBB at A level, IB Diploma 34/15-16 points at Higher, inc 4 at HL or 5 at SL in a modern Europan language other than English

Required subjects Beginner’s level: GCSE Grade B or IB Diploma 4 at HL or 5 at SL in a modern European language other than English Advanced level: A level Spanish grade B For students taking dual modern European language degrees (French/German/Italian/Spanish), at least one language should be passed at A level grade B.

Year abroad Students spend a year either wholly or partly in Spain, or possibly in Latin America, between Stages 2 and 3. Normally, you study at a Spanish university or work as a language assistant in a school. See p15 for more details.

Scholarships and bursaries For details of scholarships and bursaries at Kent, see www.kent.ac.uk/ugfunding Offer levels and entry requirements are subject to change. For the latest information see www.kent.ac.uk/ug

To find out more about visiting the University, see our website: www.kent.ac.uk/visit

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 www.kent.ac.uk/ug

DPC 119107 06/15 PUB612

COME AND VISIT US

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