Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Rodrigo Acuna rodrigo.acuna@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites SPN303 or SPN403
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit offers an overview of contemporary Hispanoamerican literature through the study of a selection of key texts. Students will analyse works from the most distinguished Latin American writers to develop further their knowledge of key developments in Latin American social and historical issues in the last centuries. Students need to have a solid knowledge of Spanish and be able to understand, discuss and present a topic using fluent written and oral Spanish.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

To hear, speak, read and write modern Spanish language in a variety of registers.
To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of Spanish texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written Spanish through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of Spanish culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical consciousness of issues pertinent to Spanish identity.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Written tasks	30%	As specified in weekly guide
Quizzes	15%	Weekly
In-class test	20%	Week 13
Participation	20%	Ongoing
Oral Presentation	15%	Depending on chosen writer

Written tasks

Due: As specified in weekly guide
Weighting: 30%

Write comments reflecting on the relevant reading in response to a series of questions.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To attain a high level of spoken and written Spanish through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of Spanish culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical consciousness of issues pertinent to Spanish identity.

Quizzes

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 15%

Short-answer quizzes to consolidate knowledge of key information in readings. They are due the day before the relevant week starts.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To hear, speak, read and write modern Spanish language in a variety of registers.

In-class test

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%

Analyse key themes from unit in final written test.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To gain an appreciation of Spanish culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical consciousness of issues pertinent to Spanish identity.

Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Regular participation in class/online discussions about the weekly topics and questions about other student´s oral presentations.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To hear, speak, read and write modern Spanish language in a variety of registers.
To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of Spanish texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written Spanish through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.

Oral Presentation

Due: Depending on chosen writer
Weighting: 15%

Students will choose one of the writers covered by the program and they will give a brief presentation about him/her.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To attain a high level of spoken and written Spanish through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of Spanish culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.

Delivery and Resources

This unit will use: iLearn, Echo recordings, Blogs

Required textbook: Raquel Chang-Rodriguez , Malva E. Filer (2013): Voces de Hispanoamérica: Antología literaria 4th Ed., Heinle. ISBN-10: 0838416535 ISBN-13: 9780838416532

Times and Locations for Lectures and Tutorials: Please consult the MQ Timetable Website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au

Online Unit

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ Using your Student ID number and your MyMQ Portal password.

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ Use this link to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For technical support go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/informatics/help
For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Late assignment policy

Assignments are compulsory and must be submitted on time. As a general rule, extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). Late submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the assignment task is late. No assignments will be accepted after assignments have been corrected and feedback has been provided. Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To hear, speak, read and write modern Spanish language in a variety of registers.
To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of Spanish texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written Spanish through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of Spanish culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical consciousness of issues pertinent to Spanish identity.

Assessment tasks

Written tasks
Quizzes
In-class test
Participation
Oral Presentation

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To hear, speak, read and write modern Spanish language in a variety of registers.
To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of Spanish texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written Spanish through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.
To develop a critical consciousness of issues pertinent to Spanish identity.

Assessment tasks

Written tasks
Quizzes
In-class test
Participation
Oral Presentation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of Spanish texts.
To gain an appreciation of Spanish culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.

Assessment tasks

Written tasks
In-class test
Participation
Oral Presentation

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To hear, speak, read and write modern Spanish language in a variety of registers.
To read, listen to, comprehend and discuss a variety of Spanish texts.
To attain a high level of spoken and written Spanish through practice in class and completion of exercises and assignments.

Assessment tasks

Written tasks
Quizzes
Participation
Oral Presentation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To hear, speak, read and write modern Spanish language in a variety of registers.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of Spanish culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical consciousness of issues pertinent to Spanish identity.

Assessment tasks

Written tasks
Quizzes
In-class test
Participation
Oral Presentation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

To hear, speak, read and write modern Spanish language in a variety of registers.
To foster research skills.
To gain an appreciation of Spanish culture through textual (including literature) and audio-visual material, research and class discussion.
To develop a critical consciousness of issues pertinent to Spanish identity.

Assessment tasks

Written tasks
Quizzes
In-class test
Participation
Oral Presentation

Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

Students performing with outstanding performance will attain language skills as described for Level C2 of the Common European Framework: understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.