Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
Spanish language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course offers an in-depth exploration of selected topics in Spanish linguistics, drawing on scholarly research and the analysis of authentic language data. It will address, among other topics, sociolinguistic and pragmatic phenomena relating to variation in language use, language change and language contact.
Topics may include language change from a diachronic or microdiachronic perspective, variation across generations, the development and use of discourse markers, and various conversational and pragmatic phenomena in contemporary Spanish.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- draw on concepts and approaches from different fields of Spanish linguistics, particularly sociolinguistics and pragmatics;
- develop an analytical and critical understanding of the phenomena studied, drawing on scholarly research;
- apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis of authentic language data;
- formulate a focused research question and produce an individual research paper combining theoretical perspectives with data analysis;
- present and defend a scholarly argumentation in Spanish, both in writing and orally, demonstrating language skills corresponding to level C1 of the CEFR.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Level B2+ in Spanish.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course combines theoretical presentations with activities designed to explore the topics covered in greater depth, including reading and discussing scholarly research, analysing language data, or examining and discussing case studies. Active student participation is encouraged.
Students also complete an individual assignment related to the course topics. This takes the form of guided independent work, which may be prepared at home with appropriate academic support. Instructions and arrangements for guidance and feedback will be specified at the beginning of the course.
Course materials, readings and assignment guidelines will be made available on eCampus.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face teaching, complemented by guided independent work. The course is taught in Spanish.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Bibliographical references and readings will be specified at the beginning of the semester and may be supplemented as the course progresses. Resources for the individual assignment will be identified as part of the academic guidance provided.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Further information:
Assessment consists of two components:
- Continuous assessment: individual research paper (60% of the final mark). The paper is written in Spanish and addresses a topic related to the course. It takes the form of guided independent work, which may be prepared at home. Optional feedback sessions will be organised throughout the semester to support students in developing their papers, answer their questions and provide guidance tailored to their progress.
- Oral examination in Spanish (40% of the final mark). The examination includes questions on the course content and readings, as well as a discussion of the individual research paper. Students will be asked to explain their analyses, justify their choices and establish connections with the concepts studied.
In the resit examination period, students are required to resubmit or retake only the component(s) for which they obtained a mark below 10/20. The mark for any component passed in the first assessment period will be carried forward to the resit period within the same academic year.
Instructions, arrangements for guidance and feedback, and submission deadlines for the individual paper will be specified at the beginning of the course.
The following criteria will be taken into account, as appropriate to each assessment component:
- understanding of the topics studied and accuracy in the use of concepts;
- relevance of the analysis and effective use of knowledge and scholarly references;
- clarity and structure of the argument;
- ability to develop a well-supported critical reflection;
- quality of written and spoken expression in Spanish.
Use of AI
The use of artificial intelligence tools is not permitted during the oral examination. Conditions governing their possible use for the individual paper will be specified in the assignment guidelines.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Teacher: prof. Fien De Latte (Fien.DeLatte@uliege.be)
Department of Modern Languages: linguistics, literature and translation
Place Cockerill, 3-5 B-4000 Liège
Association of one or more MOOCs
Items online
Online Notes
Notes available on eCampus.