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  • Iberian and Latin American Studies - Spanish and Portuguese (BA) (Part-time)
  • 2013/2014 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • You will complete a number of language assignments a year and sit written and practical examinations in the summer term. For most literature and culture modules, you must complete a range of assessments (logs, presentations, crtitical reviews and essays), there are no written examinations.

  • Attendance
      • Two–three evenings a week.
      • One–two evenings per week (decelerated).
      • October–June.
  • Duration
      • Four years part-time.
      • Six years decelerated part-time.
  • Entry requirements
      • You can join this programme with Portuguese or Spanish at any level, from complete beginners to proficiency (native speakers are welcome to apply).
      • Admission is based on a written test and interview and a Spanish OR Portuguese language entry test (except for complete beginners).
        No formal qualifications required for applicants over 21. Information for applicants under 21 can be found on our website.
      • English language requirements (for non-native speakers): Our normal requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
      • Credit for prior studies may be possible depending on whether your earlier studies are relevant and on when they took place.
  • Fees and funding
  • Location
      • Central London.
  • Teaching

    • Lectures, seminars and workshops.



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Study at Birkbeck | Undergraduate study | Undergraduate courses, 2013/2014 entry: browse by course title - (A-Z) | Iberian and Latin American Studies - Spanish and Portuguese (BA) (Part-time)

Iberian and Latin American Studies - Spanish and Portuguese (BA) (Part-time) - 2013/2014 entry

Gain a near-fluent command of the Spanish or Portuguese language and develop a critical appreciation of the literature, art, cinema and cultural history of Iberian (Portugal and Spain) and Latin America, including Brazil and the Lusophone Worlds. Modules cover cultural aspects of modern Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American film, literature and visual culture, linguistics, colonial Latin America and Lusophone worlds, and Golden Age Spain. Candidates with any level of Spanish and Portuguese language, including absolute beginners, can enter this programme.

This course is also available for full-time evening study.

  • Course structure

    • This programme is made up of 12 modules. If you are an absolute beginner in the language or have an intermediate level, you will be taking: three modules at CAS Level 4; four at Level 5; and five at Level 6. If you have an upper intermediate or above level, then you will be taking two modules at CAS Level 4; five at Level 5; and five at Level 6. In the first year, you will complete a language module or alternative option, together with an introductory modules that present a number of key texts – visual, audio-visual and literary – of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American cultures. In addition, you will choose between a module introducing you to key concepts and methods of cultural analysis or another one introducing you to key concepts in the study of lunguistics. If you are an absolute beginner in the language, you will be studying language intensively, completing two full stages in one year, in addition to one culture or linguistics introductory module.

      Then you may specialise in either Spanish or Latin American or Portuguese and Brazilian modules, tailoring the programme to suit your own interests. In addition to follow your language pathway. There is a choice of specialist modules, covering cultural aspects of modern Iberian and Latin American film, literature and visual culture, linguistics, imperial, Golden Age Iberia and colonial Latin America and the Lusophone worlds.

      In the final year, you can choose to research and write a project under specialist supervision.

      Year 1

      Take a core module introducing you to studying the Hispanic, Luso-Brazilian and Native American worlds, as well as the Understanding Culture module, taught by experts in cultural theory. You also take a designated language module (or alternative option where appropriate). Candidates entering the programme with a native or near native linguistic competence complete their language requirement in the second year of study.

      Years 2, 3 and 4

      You continue to take language modules in your language pathway until you reach stage 5. 

      In addition, you have a selection of culture and linguistics module to choose from including (a selection of these will be offered every year):

      • Luso-Brazlian Cultures (Level 5) 
      • The Urban Experience in Brazil  
      • Approaches to Spanish Culture and Society
      • The Essay in Latin America
      • Introduction to Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Narrative
      • The Latin American Novel
      • Survey of Twentieth-Century Spanish Art and Film
      • Iberian Empires and the Early Modern World (1400-1800)
      • Art and Empire in the Iberian World
      • Contemporary Latin American Art and Literature
      • Latin American Poetry: Language and the Politics of Subjectivity (Level 6)
      • Literature and the Nation in Latin America (Level 6)
      • Scenes of Portuguese History: Cultural Approaches to Modern Politics(Level 6)
      • Power and Control in Spanish Golden Age Art
      • Spanish Pragmatics
      • Iberian Political Cultures: Approaches to Portugal and Spain
      • Childhood and Youth Culture in Modern Spain
      • Women's Writing in Latin America
      • Space, Culture and Society in Brazil
      • Literature and the City
      • The Problem of National Identity in Modern Spain
      • Spanish Discourse Analysis
      • For All Ages: Folk and Fairy Tales in Spanish Literature and Culture
      • Final Year Project
      • Advanced Translation and Interpreting
      • Luso- Brazilian Literature and Society 
      • Postdictatorship and Cultural Production in Spain and Latin America.

      You are required to take at least eight modules within your specilism (Spanish or Portugese). This includes language, culture and lingusitcs modules offered by the Department of Iberian and Latin American Studies.

      Find out more about this programme in our departmental handbooks: Year 1 and Years 2–4.

  • Study resources
  • Further study opportunities
  • Careers information

    • Graduates go on to careers in international organisations or businesses, in translation or teaching, and as researchers or journalists.

    • To speak to an independent careers advisor, booking onto one of our Future Focus — Careers Workshops
  • Apply now
  • Key information set

    • Welcome to Birkbeck, London's evening university: Number 1 in London for teaching and student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2012).

      Birkbeck specialises in part-time, evening study. The Key Information Set has been developed for full-time, daytime courses. We are providing some additional information about our evening courses to help you make an informed choice.

      Fees:
      The Key Information Set (KIS) for this degree course shows the annual fee for a 3-year, full-time degree. This is a 4-year, part-time evening degree and the annual fee is lower than the fee shown in the KIS. See 'Fees and funding' in the left hand menu for the correct fee for this course.

      Years of study:
      The KIS presents all degrees as 3-year courses. Birkbeck's standard part-time, evening degree is a 4-year course.