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SPAN20220

Academic Year 2026/2027

La sociedad española actual: Economía y cultura (SPAN20220)

Subject:
Spanish
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Javier Carpes Salar
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is primarily designed for B. Comm. International students of Spanish who are preparing for their year abroad in Spain as part of their degree programme. It provides the bridge between Stage 2 at UCD and the year abroad when students will have an opportunity to develop and apply their linguistic and intercultural competences in a University/Business School context.
Through a content-integrated language teaching methodology, the module aims to broaden students' understanding of cultural, political, and business-related aspects of Spanish society while contributing to the development of written and oral communication skills in the Spanish language. Students will critically explore a variety of written texts and audio-visual materials that will help them become more competent in business Spanish and inter-cultural awareness. The development of strategies for independent learning and group work will enable students to draw on them more effectively during their year abroad.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- understand and analyse articles, reports and audio-visual materials on cultural, political and business-related topics
- write texts with clarity and precision applying a wide-range of vocabulary
- give a well-structured oral presentation on a chosen topic, and comment on other presentations
- have developed self-study skills and an awareness of and sensitivity to another culture

Indicative Module Content:

Weeks 1–6: Core thematic content

• Spanish society and territorial diversity

• Institutions, norms and everyday life in Spain

• Academic culture in Spanish universities

• Communication styles in public and professional contexts

• The Spanish economy: sectors, labour market and social realities

• Spain in the European Union and the Latin American market

Week 7: In-class test and feedback

• Mid-term assessment covering Weeks 1–6

Weeks 8–11: Thematic content with integrated group presentations

• Media, public opinion and discourse in contemporary Spain

• Diversity, identities and languages in Spain

• Social debate, polarisation and public discourse

• Professional culture, work and business practices in Spain

Week 12: In-class test, feedback and preparation for final exam

• Second mid-term assessment covering Weeks 8–11

• Review and preparation for the final written examination





The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

20
Specified Learning Activities

54
Autonomous Student Learning

36
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module requires students to take an active participation in all the learning activities associated with the module, both in class and outside the class. A significant amount of work in class will be done in pairs or groups. Often, class activities are based on materials (written texts and videos) that students have to prepare prior to the classes. During the trimester students will work on a final project in groups that will be then presented to the class. Each tutorial will be 50 minutes long.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
SPAN20100 - Commercial Spanish for B.Comm


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): In-class test.
Cuestionario y tarea escrita		 Week 7 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
12.5
 No
Exam (In-person): In-class test.
Examen parcial, compuesto por un cuestionario y una tarea escrita		 Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
12.5
 No
Exam (In-person): Examen final escrito que se realizará fuera del periodo lectivo. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Group Work Assignment: Semanas 8 a 11: Estas cuatro semanas desarrollan nuevas preguntas temáticas al igual que las semanas 1 a 6, pero con una variación clave: el "trabajo pesado" será para el grupo que expone. Week 8 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participación semanal. Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Quizzes will be graded as students complete them and some online automated feedback will be provided. Individual feedback will be given on written assignments Individual & peer-feedback will be used for oral tasks

Name Role
Dr Mary Farrelly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
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