The course aims to provide insight into two till three different topics concerning culture and society in Latin America and Spain. Which topics will be focused on, will be decided by the staff member responsible for the course, and will vary from year to year.

The course aims at providing students with insight into selected central topics and questions in contemporary Latin American society and culture, and to some extent also Spanish society and culture. The students are to example the course material and draw their own conclusions. In addtion, the students should develop their skills at understanding and using modern Spanish, both orally and in writing.

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student should:

• have an increased understanding of representative texts, genres and tendencies in modern Latin American literature.

Skills

The student should:

• further develop essential skills at textual analysis and be able to read and interpret modern literary texts in Spanish
• further develop the ability to express himself/herself in written and oral Spanish, both on literature and more generally

General competence

The student:

• is able to analyse academic texts and draw their own conclusions.
• can demonstrate knowledge and ability to engage in an academic discussion in shorter pieces of writing, using clear and correct Spanish
• is able to further extend his or her knowledge, skills, and understanding through continued studies or employment.

Teaching is based on lectures, seminar groups and group discussions, and therefore requires that students take active part in class. Normally, lectures are held for two hours a week for ten weeks, and seminar groups are held for two hours a week for ten weeks. The teaching may also be organized into larger bulks.

In the case that less than five students register for a course, the organized teaching may be adapted to fit the number of students. If this occurs, students will be informed at the start of the semester, and before the registration deadline 1. February/1. September.

Each student must complete a 5-minute oral presentation and a knowledge test of 1 hour during the semester. Both assignments are carried out in connection with class, and the students will be notified early in the semester on which dates these assignments will be held on. Both assignments are evaluated as a pass/fail.

Each student must also complete a mandatory supervision in connection with writing the term paper. Tutorials are not offered via email or by telephone.

In accordance with the University of Bergen's Regulations for Degrees and Studies, 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.