Programme name: Spanish/Hispanic Studies
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (two subjects)
Standard period of study: 6 semesters
Start: Every winter semester
Language requirements before beginning studies (verification required): Knowledge of Spanish (see right-hand column)

Admission for the summer semester 2010

• 1st semester: No admission. (Programme always begins with the winter semester)


• 2nd to 6th semester: Open admission (enrolment without previous application)


• International applicants: Programme always begins with the winter semester (application to the University)

Course description
The Bachelor’s programme Spanish/Hispanic Studies aims to give students the abilities they need to independently conduct scientific work. They will learn to differentiatedly and correctly apply the acquired language tools of the foreign language orally and in writing. The students will acquire an extensive and founded knowledge of the language, the literature as well as the economic, political, social, cultural and historical conditions of Spanish speaking countries and regions. They will describe and apply this knowledge with the help of scientific methods.

In addition, the programme conveys the basic knowledge necessary for studying and occupation, such as, for example, for bibliographical research, to write scientific works for phenomena of multilingualism. Students receive their first information on occupational fields of practice.

In all programmes, the Department of Romance Studies places special importance on acquiring key qualifications and competencies in communication, research and information processing as well as in intercultural management.

Subject areas, research foci in Göttingen
Göttingen is one of the few universities in Germany at which Romance subjects can be studied in their full extent with a teaching profile or without a teaching profile.

The subject areas of the Bachelor’s in Spanish are language practice, Ibero-Romance literature, Ibero-Romance linguistics and Ibero-Romance regional studies

Language practice
The four basic skills (speaking, reading, writing, listening) are trained in-depth to develop the oral and written reception and production skills on the basis of The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) (from Level B1 in the Bachelor/basis module B1 up to Level C1+ in the Master’s/in-depth module V1). In the advanced module II, translation techniques are conveyed and different aspects of German and Spanish grammar are comparatively analysed. All language practice courses consider aspects of regional studies (history, culture, politics, etc.) in Spanish as well as Latin America.

Linguistics
The learning objectives of Linguistics are found in the scientific as well as the neighbouring application area. Courses give students knowledge on the results of the linguistic research of Spanish in the structural-grammatical area as well as in the context-independent and historical area. The goal is to enable students to independently work with modern linguistic methods. Independent analysis of linguistic structures and functions are conveyed with regards to later possible fields of occupation. The communication sector (Internet, text optimisation, intercultural communication) also plays an important role.

Literature
Students will become familiar with the literature and culture of Latin American and Spain beginning with the Middle Ages with a concentration on the 19th and 20th centuries. The broad definition of literature also comprises film. Courses will examine certain epochs and works in-depth. Students will also learn methods of text analysis and different literary theories. Research areas of Ibero-Romance literary studies are the novel and film of Cono Sur (Argentina, Chile) in the 19th and 20th centuries, transatlantic literary relations, Spanish cinema as well as Hispanic gender studies.

Regional studies
Regional Studies concentrate on the history of Spain and/or Spanish America. Basic knowledge of the history is conveyed in-depth using concrete examples. At the same time, students learn to critically evaluate historical research and deal with a basic topic in the historiography of Spain and/or Spanish America. Basic knowledge is conveyed on the economics, politics, society and culture of modern day Spain (or optionally Spanish America). The Department of Romance Philology cooperates closely with the Department of Medieval and Modern History.

Language requirements to be fulfilled during studies
The subject Spanish requires knowledge of Latin, which can be acquired by successfully completing and providing verification of the „kleines Latinum“ or a basic Latin course in the optional area.

Programme structure
In the subject Spanish, the programme is comprised of basic and advanced modules in the sub-disciplines language practice, linguistics, literature and regional studies as well as one module in communication skills. The modules are composed of individual courses, each worth a certain amount of credits. The credits depict the amount of work required by each course and are given independent from the course grade.

Possible/suggested profiles
The combination of the subject Italian Philology with Art History or Economic Sciences is suggested due to its occupational perspectives.

Occupational fields
Graduates will find occupational possibilities in all fields pertaining to the Spanish language and culture. These fields especially include culture and literature management (publishing houses, museums, event organisation), journalism and public relations, continuing education or also intercultural areas including tourism.