SPANISH LANGUAGE

The course is framed within the linguistic courses of the MA/second-cycle degree in International Relations and aims at providing students with the linguistic and cultural techniques and strategies to handle the Spanish language in an appropriate way in an international context. The course consists of a half-year learning module and of an annual language coursework. The overall objective of this course is to develop a basic metalinguistic competence in the Spanish language, with particular attention to the field of international relations, and to achieve linguistic competence at B2 level - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Learning outcomes are assessed by means of a written test.

1. Knowledge and understanding
Knowing and understanding the discursive and structural features of written and oral texts related to the world of international relations.
Linguistic competence in Spanish language at B2 CEFR level.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Ability to recognise and analyse specialised texts pertaining to international relations in Spanish; ability to use the acquired knowledge to produce adequate clauses in Spanish; ability to activate reading and analysing strategies for the specialised texts; ability to interact in communicative situations on a B2 CEFR level; ability to understand and produce oral and written texts at B2 CEFR level.
3. Making judgments
Ability to analyse and produce a text in the field of international relations; ability to motivate with arguments the production in Spanish; ability to display communication skills on a B2 level.
4. Communication skills
Ability to recognise and explain the textual and discursive features of international relations’ texts; ability to put into practice the linguistic competence at a B2 level in order to present issues raised in the module.
5. Learning skills
Basic ability to self-assess acquisition of metalinguistic contents as well as linguistic competence of Spanish language.

B1 level - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The half-year module focuses on reading, comprehension, and formal and content analysis of journalistic and informative texts on the Spanish and Hispano-American political situation and on international relations. Grammatical, pragmatic, lexical-semantic and discursive structures functional to the aforementioned activities will also be analyzed.

The module aims to enhance the ability to critically read the various communication methods and the socio-cultural context in which they occur, in line with the educational objectives of the degree course. Particular attention will be paid to the communicative and pragmatic dimension of the text production context and to the new discursive genres of digital communication.

The linguistic exercises are in support of the teacher module, and aim to provide practice of the grammatical, pragmatic, lexical-semantic and discursive contents of the Spanish language (level B2 of the CEFR).

The reading texts analyzed in the half-year module will be gradually made available through the moodle platform of the course.

For a general overview of Spanish in international relations, students can consult:

- Rupérez, J. & Vítores, D. F. (2012) El español en las relaciones internacionales. Barcelona: Ariel / Planeta.
https://www.fundaciontelefonica.com/cultura-digital/publicaciones/el-espanol-en-las-relaciones-internacionales/171/

Written and oral exam. The verification of the expected learning outcomes is structured as follows:

1. Written test: written comprehension (with multiple choice questions) of texts on international relations; multiple choice test on linguistic aspects. [50% final mark]

2. Oral exam: the student talks with the teacher on a topic chosen by the student from a previously proposed shortlist. [50% final mark]

Both sides must be sufficient. Partial votes will not be retained.

Teacher module:
- reading, analysis, commentary, discussion of passages in collaboration with the students. Textual analysis with computer and lexicographic resources.
- flipped classroom: students are previously assigned tasks and presentations that will feed the lesson.

Linguistic exercises: active student participation.

Students who are unable to complete their classroom preparation by attending lectures are invited to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the academic year and at the beginning of the second semester.

written and oral