How have humans been dependent on nature? How have humans been dependent on the man-made environment around us? And how have humans affected nature and other environments?

This subject focuses on the relationship between human involvement and the environment in Latin America through the ages from one or more angles. Environment is understood in this course in a broad way, and can include both nature and climate-related issues, such as physical, intellectual, spiritual and other human-made environments.

The theme will be illuminated from a literary or a historical point of view, or from a combination of these.

The in-depth topic and approach will change from semester to semester and will be linked to the ongoing research at the institute and the teaching staff available. The institute provides information on which topics are offered at the start of the semester.

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• has insight into some central themes and issues within Latin American history, literature and culture linked to humans and the environment as an extended concept.
• has an understanding of how different perspectives shape the representations of the relationship between man and the environment in Latin America in a concrete context.

Skills

The student

• can understand and interpret different types of texts in Spanish.
• can express themselves in writing and orally in Spanish, both on historical, literary and cultural subjects and more generally.

General competencies

The student

• can analyze subject matter and draw own conclusions.
• can further develop knowledge, skills and understanding through further study and working life.

The teaching normally runs-10 weeks. It may also be relevant to intensify the teaching and schedule for blocks. Normally there will be two digital seminars for the week and two seminars on campus, and the students decide at the start of the semester whether they want to follow the teaching on campus or online.

It is planned to use student-active forms of learning, and throughout the semester there will be a great emphasis on self-activity. It is expected that the students prepare thoroughly for the lessons and carry out follow-up work and problem solving.

If fewer than five students register for a course, the teaching offer will be adapted to fit the number of students.

There are two obligatory assignments. These assignments must be completed by the given deadlines. The assignments are assessed as a pass/fail.

In accordance with the https://lovdata.no/forskrift/2023-06-15-1359/§6-6Forskrift om studium ved UiB, the students have the right to a second try for each assignment, if one or more of the first hand-ins were not passed. The assignment must be approved before the student can be assessed in the course.

The compulsory assignment is valid for one semester after the teaching semester.

The syllabus corresponds to approximately 450 pages and can be made up of subject texts and fiction texts as well as texts in the wider sense, e.g. audiovisual sources. The curriculum literature is mainly in Spanish.

The reading list will be ready by July 1 for the autumn semester.

Student advisor: studierettleiar.if@uib.no

Exam coordinator: eksamen.if@uib.no