SPANISH LANGUAGE

The course is framed within the linguistic courses of the MA/second-cycle degree in International Relations and aims at providing students with the linguistic and cultural techniques and strategies to handle the Spanish language in an appropriate way in an international context, in line with the training objectives of the degree (CdS).
The course is structured in a half-year module and practical language classes aimed at strengthening the content of the theoretical module and the communicative competence.
The main general objectives of the course are developing a metalinguistic knowledge of the Spanish language, with a particular focus on the language of international relations. The overall objective is achieve a linguistic competence at B2 level - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Moreover, it aims at providing students with the argumentative skills essential to produce methodologically and linguistically adequate texts on general and specific case studies concerning international and intercultural relations.
Learning outcomes are assessed by means of an oral test.

1. Knowledge and understanding
Knowing and understanding the discursive and structural features of written and oral texts related to the world of international relations (with a specific focus on politics, economics and law).
Linguistic competence in Spanish language at B2 CEFR level.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Ability to recognise and analyse specialised texts pertaining to international relations in Spanish; ability to use the acquired knowledge to produce adequate clauses in Spanish; ability to activate reading and analysing strategies for the specialised texts; ability to interact in communicative situations on a B2 CEFR level; ability to understand and produce oral and written texts at B2 CEFR level.
3. Making judgments
Ability to analyse and produce a text in the field of international relations; ability to motivate with arguments the production in Spanish; ability to display communication skills on a B2 level.
4. Communication skills
Ability to recognise and explain the textual and discursive features of international relations’ texts; ability to put into practice the linguistic competence at a B2 level in order to present issues raised in the module.
5. Learning skills
Basic ability to self-assess acquisition of metalinguistic contents as well as linguistic competence of Spanish language.

In order to actively follow the module it is compulsory a B1 level of CEFR.

Half-year module:

The module (30 hours) is divided into 2 parts:

1) The first part aims to place Spain in the context of international relations. In this perspective, we will offer a geographical, political and socio-cultural description of Spain in order for students to consolidate their knowledge of the country's territorial and institutional structure. We will refer to the Spanish Constitution, to the symbols of the State, to its organization and to some geographical, historical and cultural aspects, also adopting a comparative perspective with other EU countries, in particular Italy.

2) The second part aims at analysing the main discursive genres of specialised communication in Spanish, with a specific focus on international relations. Specifically, the focus will be on the linguistic and content analysis of press releases and interventions held at international events with a translation approach (European Union, United Nations) Through an overview of the specialised language of international relations, the module aims at strengthening the students’ critical reading skills of the different communication modes in the sociocultural contexts in which they are produced, in line with the training objectives of the degree. Special attention will be devoted to the communicative and pragmatic dimension of the context of production of texts as well as new discursive genres of 2.0 communication (blogs, social networks, etc.).

Practical language classes (Andrea Nuñez Briones):
Practical language classes supporting the content of the module.
Grammatical, phonetic-graphic, lexical, textual contents; functional exponents in Spanish at B2 level CEFR.

In addition to class notes and the material published on the course webpage (Moodle):


Compulsory texts

- Rupérez, J. & Vítores, D. F. (2012) El español de las relaciones internacionales. Barcelona: Ariel/Planeta.
- Trovato, G. "Los ‘automatismos de la conversación’ en español e italiano a partir de un corpus de discursos de tipo político-institucional para la mediación lingüística", in LINGUE E LINGUAGGI, vol. 17, pp. 261-276.

Additional readings:

- Calvi, M. V.; Bordonaba Zabalza, C.; Mapelli, G.; Santos López, J. (2009/últ. Ed.), Las lenguas de especialidad en español. Roma: Carocci [chapters: 4, 6, 7, 8]
- Calsamiglia Blancafort, H. & Tuson Valls, A. (2012) Las cosas del decir. Manual de análisis del discurso. 3a ed. Barcelona: Ariel.
- Gómez Torrego, L. (2007/últ. ed.) Gramática didáctica del español. Madrid: SM
- Montolío Durán, E. (2014) (coord.) Manual de escritura académica y profesional, Vol. I-II, Barcelona: Ariel.
- San Vicente, F. & Lombardini H. E. (2010). Debate. El español de la política. Bologna: Ariel.
- Tascón, M. (dir.) (2012) Escribir en internet. Guía para los nuevos medios y las redes sociales. Fundéu BBVA. Barcelona: Galaxia Gutenberg.

Additional specific bibliographic information will be provided at the beginning of the module (second half of the year).

The exam consists of an oral test aimed at verifying the correct acquisition of the concepts and contents addressed in class. In addition, students are supposed to choose a text (press release or intervention held during international meetings) that will be the subject of reflection and argumentation during the oral test. In particular, students must be able to summarize the content of the text, contextualize it internationally and know the specialised terminology (the lecturer can request the translation of a part of it).

Lectures, practical language classes, tutoring, workshops on the topics of the course. An active and collaborative training approach will be adopted.

The programme could be subject to little changes in terms of topics.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development