What will I learn on this module?
You will acquire in-depth knowledge of Hispanic Studies whilst perfecting, expanding and developing the written and spoken foreign language skills acquired throughout your degree. You will perform effectively in written and spoken Spanish and you will demonstrate graduate ability to critically evaluate ideas, concepts and changes in Spanish-speaking societies. You will respond to challenging tasks with a graduate-level degree of accuracy, fluency and confidence in both written and spoken exercises related to economics, business, politics, socio-cultural issues and current affairs.
You will focus on a variety of activities such as essay writing in Spanish, translation into English and Spanish and liaison interpreting as both a linguistic exercise and a transferable skill; you will practise and develop your research skills enabling you to critically evaluate, synthesise and organise information/concepts and enabling you to write accurately and cogently in Spanish on a range of critical academic topics; you will show intercultural awareness and cultural competence, to facilitate the translation of general and applied texts covering a wide range of area studies and cultural materials and academic issues.
How will I learn on this module?
You will engage in a combination of seminars, language laboratory workshops, directed and independent study, including the use of Sanako language resources and IPTV amongst other media and academic materials.
You will attend interactive and engaging seminars and workshops and academic tutorials. In addition to interpreting dialogues, translations and area studies discussions on key texts and your own ideas, other media will be used for you to find your critical voice on Hispanic studies whilst applying your Spanish language skills. As a result, you will gain a critical perspective on a wide range of issues in the Spanish-speaking world. You will also be required to undertake directed and independent study, and you will be given weekly preparation guidelines to actively engage in informed discussions in seminar groups. Materials used in the module will be available to you on the eLearning Portal. In particular, you will be able to access a very wide range of translation, research, essay writing, reading and interpreting materials, as well as grammatical consolidation exercises.
Your module is founded upon prior descriptive knowledge and evaluative abilities. At level 6, emphasis is placed upon critical thinking, depth of understanding and interpretation, creativity, and the relevance with which you are able to apply your diverse set of skills and knowledge.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your directed learning will take the form of preparation for seminars (including both written and interpreting work) either individually or in small groups. Your independent learning will take the form of further reading and investigation of set texts and critical approaches to Hispanic Studies topics, the consolidation of lecture and seminar materials, and revision/preparation for the assessment included in the module. Throughout the semester you will receive individual attention from the course tutors, and you will be able to substantially shape the contents of and the approach to your final essay. You will be able to attend tutorials to share your ideas with your tutor, and discuss and agree on a viable, original, research-informed academic project that will showcase your independent thinking and encourage your academic creativity. You will be supported in finding your own critical voice in the midst of academic ideas and sources, and in engaging in a structured manner with the texts and the systems of thinking studied throughout your degree. You will be encouraged to engage with Hispanic Studies in the Spanish language. Your tutors will be happy to discuss your ideas in the light of your academic interests, and their own teaching and research profiles.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will critically evaluate, synthesise and organise information in a Spanish essay related to economic, business, political and socio-cultural issues (MLO1).
• You will cope confidently and accurately with advanced translations, demonstrating intercultural awareness and cultural competence (MLO2).
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will respond confidently with an increased level of accuracy to complex written and spoken Spanish (MLO3).
• You will demonstrate an advanced level of skill in giving oral presentations and in interpreting, communicating fluently and sensitively and functioning effectively in a variety of contexts in the foreign language, adopting language to meet unpredictable demands and accurately manipulating style and register in Spanish and in English (MLO4).
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will develop expert understanding of global ethical issues, having acquired a wide range of transferable interpersonal skills and becoming a global graduate fit for graduate work in multinational environments (MLO5).
How will I be assessed?
35% Translation exam (MLO2, 3, 5)
35% Exam essay (MLO1, 3, 5)
30% Interpreting (MLO2, 3, 4, 5)
Your assessment is designed to match course aims and learning outcomes, encouraging you to build on seminar materials with the support of your tutors.
The translation exam, the essay and the liaison interpreting exercise will test different transferable skills, knowledge, and critical outlooks, including your ability to react to complex ideas in a foreign language, and your ability to transfer and create linguistic and cultural contents with graduate proficiency.
Formative assessment will be an ongoing feature of the module. For instance, translation work will be reviewed weekly, and you will receive relevant feedback on your own progress.
Formative feedback will be directly relevant to all three components of summative assessment, and will be a prominent feature in the e-Learning Portal, allowing you to develop your practice and self-reflection towards maximising your academic results and your learning experience.
Pre-requisite(s)
ML5025/ML5026 OR
ML5027/ML5028
Co-requisite(s)
ML6003
Module abstract
Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.
Course info
UCAS Code N175
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 4 years Full Time with a Placement (Sandwich)/Study Abroad
Department Newcastle Business School
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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