The global language of Spanish is spoken by around 400 million people and is continually gaining significance in both a European and a global context. The Bachelor's degree programme in Spanish/Hispanic Studies offers comprehensive language-based training as well as a course of studies in the culture, literature and language of the hispanophone world. The programme is interdisciplinary and internationally connected and has a variety of foci to suit each student's interests. Subject-related content is tailored for use in the teaching professions as well as for the non-educational job market.


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 (certificate required): Knowledge of Spanish
Language of the programme: German

Admission to the winter semester 2013/14:

• 1st subject semester: open admission (enrolment without previous application)


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


• International applicants (non-EU): open admission (application to International Student Services)

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
In the area of language practice, different modules give in-depth training in the four skills of hearing, reading, speaking and writing. These train and develop the oral and written reception and production competencies on the basis of the Common European Framework for Languages (from Level B1 up to Level C1 in a total of three modules). In the Advanced Module II, translation tenchiques are also conveyed and different aspects of german and spanish grammar are comparatively analysed. All language practice courses include country studies (history, culture, politics, etc.) of Spain as well as Latin America.

Linguistics
The learning objectives of linguistics lie in the scientific as well as in the obvious applied area. The courses convey knowledge of linguistic research in Spanish in the areas of structure and grammar, context, and history. The objective is to make the students capable of indpendant work with modern linguistical methods. The capability of independant analysis of language structures are conveyed with future occupational fields in mind. Aside from the basic connection to didactical questions, the communications sector (Internet, text optimization, intercultural communication) plays a large role.

Literature
In literature, students will become familiar with the literature and culutre of Latin America nad Spain beginning with the Middle Ages. An emphasis lies on the 19th - 21st centuries. A broad definition of literature also includes film. Certain epochs and works will be covered in-depth. Students also learn the methods of text analysis and different theories of literary studies. Research areas of ibero-romanc literary sicence are the spanish literature of the Middle Ages and the early modern ages, the novel of Cono Sur (Argentina, Chile) in the 19th - 21st centuries, intermediality (literature and music), interculturality and culture transfer as well as gender studies as relates to hispanistic 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
Knowledge of Latin is mandatory for the Bachelor’s programme. For admission to the consecutive Master’s programme in Romance Philology, however, verification is required of at least one basic course in Latin worth 6 credits, which may be taken during the Bachelor’s programme 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.