This course will analyse current affairs in Spain and Latin America, as well as the impact of world current affairs on the Spanish-speaking world usinga set of current issues, and their social and historical contexts. The approach will be thematic rather than chronological. Throughout the course students will analyse radio and tv news, as well as the Spanish-speaking press. Students will also write blog entries and produce their own radio program. The course is aimed at students at an intermediate level, as determined by the Spanish placement test.

On the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• source and summarise relevant information from extended sequences of spoken Spanish (including radio programs, radio documentaries and lectures) using the correct grammatical structures and descriptive language. (Assessment 2 & 3)

• Analyse news as cultural texts by using, integrating and applying the relevant ethnographic, political and sociological information contained in the course materials and other sources. (Assessment 1, 2 & 3)

• Present with clarity and confidence and discuss analysis of current affairs topics in oral and written form. (Assessment 2 & 3)

• Examine (by differentiation) to show understanding of the accent, vocabulary and grammar of different Spanish varieties as reflected in TV and radio programs. (All assessments)

• Research, select, combine and integrate information relevant to a Spanish current affairs topic and its socio-historical context, and present it in a coherent fashion in both written and spoken form. (Assessment 2 & 3)

• Negotiate task division and contribution in a team environment then evaluate peers' contribution to the team task. (Assessment 3)

1. Two summarising term tests (40%)
2. Tutorial work, including:
   1. two oral presentations, (20%)
   2. a blog entry and two blog comments (15%)
   3. class performance and participation (5%)
3. Scripting and performing collectively a radio program (20%)

Graduate students may attend joint lectures with undergraduates. Assessment will include additional assignment work and a research essay

3 hours per week plus at least 7 hours of regular work per week outside class.

Students should have an assumed language proficiency equivalent to the successful completion of the SPAN6503 course.

Intermediate Spanish I SPAN6507 or equivalent

Students need to be able to operate an MP3 player.