Spanish, German or French Studies 1 (7.5 ECTS)

The course is built up around two dimensions – content and language.

Content

The content dimension provides a general introduction to the modern Spanish-, German-, or French-speaking areas from a historical perspective. It also presents basic knowledge of politics, economics and culture in the students’ chosen region. The course broadly follows the thematic organisation of the parallel Globalisation Studies lecture series and draws on the addressed theories and concepts. These conceptual approaches are presented in conjunction with perspectives and concepts rooted in the specific language area, so that students develop an understanding of different theoretical traditions, and enhance their nationally specific knowledge as well as their cultural sensitivity.

Spanish Studies:
Topics dealt with include: geographical and regional diversity, the historical links between Spain and Spanish America from colonisation to independence, the formation of the modern state as well as reflections on the changing role of key social institutions that are adapting to modern society, e.g. the family, political and civil society organisations. The course will also introduce basic concepts important to understanding sociopolitical and cultural development in the two regions, including: authoritarianism, political transition, democratisation and cultural identity.

German Studies:
Topics dealt with include: regional diversity, the formation of the modern German state, the political and economic development after 1945 and after 1990 as well as reflections on the changing role of key social institutions that are adapting to modern society such as political parties, civil society organisations, the media, education and the family. The course will also introduce basic concepts important to understanding sociopolitical and cultural development in Germany, including: federalism, economic organisation, political and cultural identity with reflections on demography, migration and integration.

French Studies:
The course presents a basic historical and geographical introduction to French-speaking areas with a view to illustrating the diversity and commonalities of societies sharing a common use of French in the global world of today. The 1st part of the course presents factual information on French-speaking countries as well as their cooperation within Europe and the Francophonie; while the 2nd part of the course explores cases illustrating interactions between the global and local contexts as they are expressed in selected Francophone countries. What links these cases is that they either exemplify how societal contexts contribute in shaping local understandings of global developments or how global developments and debate influence local understandings and developments.

Language

The language dimension is aimed at improving the students’ basic grammar skills, pronunciation and fluency as well as and their reading and oral comprehension. Emphasis will also be placed on learning and exercising phrases needed in order to make presentations and participate in class discussions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

* Identify factual information about their chosen language area taught during the course,
* Identify rules governing grammar in their chosen language

ECTS
7,5