976451 Contemporary Spain
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2023 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): (976001 Foundations in International Studies AND 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): CBK90005 Country Choice combined Degrees with BA IntStud) OR ((64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09089 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Bachelor of Laws (Honours) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09091 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) Bachelor of Laws (Honours) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09093-C09096, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Honours OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10359 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10361-C10364, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10365-C10368, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10369 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10370 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Bachelor of International Studies OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10371 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10372-C10383, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10276 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10277 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of International Studies))
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 979513 Contemporary Spain
Description
What is Spain? This subject introduces students to contemporary Spain and its historical, political, cultural, social and economic dimensions in a local, national, continental and global context. It provides students with critical skills to identify major contemporary issues that shape the present-day society of the country, introducing theoretical and methodological frameworks for students to engage in intercultural research.
In weeks 2 and 12, students follow an umbrella program shared by all contemporary European society subjects that introduces general issues relating to contemporary Europe: definitions of Europe, the drive to unification, internal divisions within Europe and the impact of migration, among others.
In the other weeks, the subject focuses on divergent and historical ways of conceptualising Spain. Close attention is paid to the modern history of Spain, from the Second Republic in the 1930s, through to the Civil War and Franco dictatorship, to the restoration of democracy in the 1980s and sociopolitical developments of recent decades. There is specific investigation of regional drives, concepts of 'Spanishness', gender and sexual politics, and changing political and cultural climates.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Analyse contemporary Spain in its historical, political, cultural, social and economic dimensions at a local, national and international level. |
|---|---|
| b. | Adopt approaches and methodological frameworks to engage in intercultural research. |
| c. | Apply knowledge of Spain in their research. |
| d. | Demonstrate critical problem-solving and research-led analytical skills in the context of Spain’s culture and cultural and intercultural change, through independently designed, engaged and ethical outputs. |
| e. | Effectively communicate (in English) the results of their independent research both orally and in written form. |
| f. | Adopt and follow academic good practice, including ethical practice and proper referencing procedures. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):
- Conduct independent research into contemporary societies and cultures. (INT.2.1)
- Evaluate research findings and creatively use research methods in International Studies. (INT.2.2)
- Reflect on and use knowledge of contemporary societies to engage with diverse cultures. (INT.3.1)
- Communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken English. (INT.6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Contemporary Spain combines lectures, tutorials, collaborative in-class learning, reflection and individual research.
Lectures provide students with an overview of key theoretical concepts and historical context. Assigned readings and in-class activities are designed for students to engage with and reflect on these concepts and contexts. Tutorials also provide the training and skills required to complete the assessment tasks: visual analysis, critical reflection, annotated bibliographies, literature reviews and scoping a research topic.
Contemporary Spain requires student engagement in and outside of class. Multimedia resources are provided to students in tutorials and online, and these resources can be used to complete assessment tasks where appropriate. Students are encouraged to apply critical thinking skills to their weekly reflections and assessment tasks. Contemporary Spain also allows students a good degree of flexibility to choose their own topic for their literature reviews in consultation with their tutor based on their individual interests and disciplinary background.
Formative feedback on students' reflective writing will be provided in the week 3 tutorial. Extensive feedback will be provided on students’ Literature Review Proposal, giving students the opportunity to refine their Literature Review topic based on tutor feedback.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Reflective Learning Journal Part 1
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d, e and f | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2 x 250 word edited reflections. Total 500 words. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Literature Review
| Objective(s): | b, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1000 words | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Reflective Learning Journal Part 2
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d, e and f | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2 x 500 word edited reflections and 1 x 500 word global reflection. Total 1500 words. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
Weekly readings, which reinforce and expand on lectures, and provide background information for reflections and the literature review and class discussions, are given on a weekly basis. They are divided into essential and supplementary reading. Essential readings/films should be read/viewed BEFORE each week's lecture and tutorial.
The essential weekly readings have been placed on the UTS Library Digital Resource Register or are available online via the UTS Library catalogue or on the internet. The readings are intended to provide students with a solid grounding in the issues raised and discussed each week.
To take full advantage of the subject, students should also do additional research beyond each week’s main and supplementary readings. A list of recommended texts will be available on UTS Online.
Other resources
In addition to essential and supplementary readings listed in this Subject Outline, students will find links to relevant media articles on UTSOnline.
On UTSOnline students are also provided with lists of feature films and documentaries available at the UTS Library that are of interest in relation with each week's lecture and tutorial content.