This course deepens students’ understanding of Spanish language and culture, through a broad overview of key topics in Spanish literature and linguistics that provide both a grounding of the knowledge they have acquired so far, and a foundation for further study. Topics vary semester to semester, but in all, attention is paid to the evolving and pluricentric nature of Spanish around the world. Literary topics will revolve around Hispanic literary masterpieces, considered in relation to the historical periods in which they were produced, always with a critical eye, to gain better insight into Hispanic culture over time and space. Linguistic topics will relate to key concepts in areas such as pronunciation and grammar, to deepen students’ understanding of basic components of the Spanish language and thus understand the reasons behind key issues they may have encountered during their language classes. Specific topics covered may vary from year to year. The course may be completed more than once if a different topic is studied each time.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. understand the basic characteristics of the language and culture from the Spanish-speaking world;
2. extract, summarise, and critically engage with information from original sources in Spanish;
3. establish and maintain spoken or written exchanges related to cultural and linguistic issues;
4. engage in discussions about cultural and linguistic differences, involving the exchange of information, opinions and experiences in Spanish; and
5. reflect on the cultural aspects of Spanish as a world language.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Contexto: “Descubrimiento” y conquista, 1492Lectura: Cristóbal Colón, «Carta del primer viaje anunciando el descubrimiento» (1493)
2	Contexto: En un lugar de La Mancha, el Siglo de Oro, 1605Lectura: Miguel de Cervantes, «La jamás imaginada aventura de los molinos de viento», Don Quijote (1605)
3	Contexto: La caída del imperio español, 1898Lectura: Emilia Pardo Bazán, «Las medias rojas» (1914)
4	Contexto: La revolución mexicana, 1910Juan Rulfo, ‹‹Luvina›› (1953)
5	Reading and revision and Midterm test	Midterm test (30%)
6	Contexto: La biblioteca de Jorge Luis Borges, 1940-1950Lectura: Jorge Luis Borges, ‹‹Funes el memorioso›› (1953)
7	Contexto: La revolución cubana (1959) y El Boom hispanoamericanoLectura: Julio Cortázar, ‹‹Axolotl›› (1956)
8	Contexto: Macondo: El realismo mágico y la literatura mundial, 1960-1970Lectura: Gabriel García Márquez, ‹‹Un señor muy viejo con unas alas enormes›› (1968)
9	Contexto: McOndo: neoliberalismo y la era de la globalización, 1980-1990Lectura: Alberto Fuguet, fragmento de la novela Mala onda (1991)
10	Contexto: Latinos/Latinxs en los Estados Unidos, 2000Lectura: Junot Díaz, fragmento de la novela The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (2007)
11	Contexto: #NiUnaMenos, 2010Lectura: Mariana Enriquez, ‹‹Las cosas que perdimos en el fuego›› (2016)
12	Contexto: Paternidad y pandemia, 2020Lectura: Alejandro Zambra, ‹‹Tiempo de pantalla›› (2023)	Final essay (30%)

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
In-Class Test (30%)	30 %	1,2,5
Oral Presentation (30%)	30 %	1,2,3,4,5
Preparation, participation and performance (10%)	10 %	1,3,4,5
Final Synoptic Essay (30%)	30 %	1,2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

In-Class Test (30%)

When: THURSDAY 21st of August

Where: Tutorial classroom

Format: Handwritten and closed book (no dictionaries allowed), only you and your beautiful minds. 

Length: full class time, approx. 1.5 hours.

Feel free to bring scrap paper but it will also be provided.

The test itself will consist of four sections. 

• Section 1 (worth 30%) Literary Commentary. You will be provided a short story (1 page) that we haven't read in class but that relates to the history and background knowledge we have been learning and acquiring. You will respond to some short answer questions in relation to this.
• Section 2 (worth 35%) Open Question 1. You will have a maximum of one page to answer this.
• Section 3 (worth 35%) Fragments and Analysis. You will be provided three fragments from texts we have read so far this semester. There will be three questions, one related to each fragment, and you have a maximum of one page to answer only ONE of these questions. 

The purpose of this test is to evaluate how well you have understood and engaged in the course content, especially the lecture material and the readings. How well you can deploy the skills of literary analysis we have been developing, especially in the tutorials. And your capacity to communicate your ideas clearly in Spanish. I am more concerned with the ideas and analysis that you can advance than being nit-picky about grammar and spelling (though these are obviously indispensable building blocks in terms of communication!).

A very good way to prepare for this is to be well acquainted with the lecture material, to have read and analysed the stories, and especially to have a go at writing written responses to the tutorial questions available in the PowerPoint presentations.

Assessment Task 2

Oral Presentation (30%)

TASK: Give an oral presentation on an author and one of their works chosen from the list below or another author arranged with your teacher, and related to the topic or era covered in that week.

DATE: Any of the below weeks during semester in the second class of the week.

WEIGHTING: 30% of the final mark.

METHOD: It may be done individually or in a pair (2 people max), however, each week only three students may present (due to time constraints).

LENGTH: A presentation of around 7-8 minutes (+ or – 1.5 minutes) and a class Q&A of around 2-3 minutes.

Assessment Task 3

Preparation, participation and performance (10%)

Students' preparation, participation and performance in class is evaluated every single lesson throughout semester.

Rubric

5 - Excellent	4 - Great	3 - Good	2 - Fair	1 - Poor	0 - No evidence
Thorough preparation of weekly written exercises, listening, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa; excellent participation in the interactive and group exercises; excellent contribution to and participation in class discussion; full involvement in structured tutorial activities; shows sensitivity to classroom dynamics.	Evident preparation of weekly written exercises, listening, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa; great participation in the interactive and group exercises; great contribution to and participation in class discussion; full involvement in structured tutorial activities; shows sensitivity to classroom dynamics.	Good preparation of weekly written exercises, listening, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa; alert and interested in the interactive group exercises; good contribution to and participation in class discussion, regular involvement in structured tutorial activities.	Some preparation of weekly written exercises, listening, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa; shows some interest in the interactive group exercises; little contribution to and participation in class discussion; performance and participation are limited.	Rare or very little preparation of weekly written exercises, listening, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa for every class; shows no interest in the interactive group exercises; no contribution to or participation in class discussion.	No attendance nor any reason provided to the convener.

Assessment Task 4

Final Synoptic Essay (30%)

Task: Write a synoptic essay in Spanish that analyses a variety of texts from across the semester brought together by a coherent, sound, and well-structured argument.

Date: 5pm, 5 November 2025.

Weighting: 30%

Word Limit: approximately 800-1000 words, excluding the bibliography.

Questions: Respond to one of the questions below. Feel free to discuss or explore your ideas with the course convener before you submit (though the convener cannot read draft essays).

Referencing: You are expected to analyse and advance your own argument in respect to the primary texts (the works of fiction), but you are also welcome to conduct research with the help of secondary sources. You are expected to cite using either the Harvard or MLA referencing norms.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students