The Spanish Culture programme offered by Hispanic Studies at the UB offers international students the chance to learn more not only about Spain but also about Europe as a whole and aspects of Latin America through courses in a range of subjects including history, art, geography, politics and film. Students may also choose to practice their Spanish language skills by taking core subjects such as “Conversation and Pronunciation in Spanish” and “Everyday Spoken Spanish”.
Courses in Spanish culture are adapted to the students’ level of language skills, with each group studying the content to the same level of detail, drawing on the expertise of our staff. Initial guidance is given on the recommended level of Spanish for each course, and some subjects are offered in English to those students who prefer it.
Culture subjects have a duration of either 90 (year-long) or 45 (semester-long) hours. Students may choose to take one or more subjects independently or to follow one of the recommended pathways.
Timetable
The general timetable for courses in Spanish culture is between 2 and 8 p.m., Monday to Thursday. Subjects are taught in two 1.5-hour sessions per week.
Credits
All of the courses offered by Hispanic Studies lead to the award of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits: 12 credits for 90-hour courses, 6 credits for 45-hour courses.
Pathways
The table below shows a selection of subjects organized into suggested course pathways (the subjects may also be taken independently):
Pathway 1. Politics, society and economics
— Barcelona, creative and cultural city
— Contemporary Spain: Geography, Society and Institutions
— Spain and Europe: Origins and Evolution
Pathway 2. Art, film and literature
— Barcelona: A Meeting Place for Spanish and Latin-American Arts
— Catalonia: Language, Culture and Society
— Spanish Cinema · Art in Spain: From the Mezquita of Cordoba and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to Gaudí, Picasso and Dalí
Pathway 3. Spanish language
— Comprehension and Writing in Spanish
— Conversation and Pronunciation in Spanish
— Everyday Spoken Spanish
Pathway 4. Politics, economy and society (taught in English)
— Barcelona, Mediterranean Metropolis
— Consumer Behaviour
— New Topics in the Spanish Media
— Spanish Politics
Courses by semester
Autumn and Spring (90 h)
— Barcelona, creative and cultural city
— Barcelona: A Meeting Place for Spanish and Latin-American Arts
— Catalonia: Language, Culture and Society
— Spanish Cinema
— Comprehension and Writing in Spanish
— Conversation and Pronunciation in Spanish
— Art in Spain: From the Mezquita of Cordoba and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to Gaudí, Picasso and Dalí
— Contemporary Spain: Geography, Society and Institutions
— Spain and Europe: Origins and Evolution
— Everyday Spoken Spanish
Autumn (45 h)
— Barcelona, creative and cultural city I
— Barcelona: A Meeting Place for Spanish and Latin-American Arts I
— Catalonia: Language, Culture and Society I
— Spanish Cinema I
— Comprehension and Writing and Spanish I
— Conversation and Pronunciation in Spanish I
— Art in Spain: From the Mezquita of Cordoba and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to Gaudí, Picasso and Dalí I
— Contemporary Spain: Geography, Society and Institutions I
— Spain and Europe: Origins and Evolution I
— Everyday Spoken Spanish I
— Barcelona, Mediterranean Metropolis (in English)
— Consumer Behaviour (in English)
— New Topics in the Spanish Media (in English)
— Spanish Politics (in English)
Autumn (45 h)
— Barcelona, creative and cultural city II
— Barcelona: A Meeting Place for Spanish and Latin-American Arts II
— Catalonia: Language, Culture and Society II
— Spanish Cinema II
— Comprehension and Writing and Spanish II
— Conversation and Pronunciation in Spanish II
— Art in Spain: From the Mezquita of Cordoba and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to Gaudí, Picasso and Dalí II
— Contemporary Spain: Geography, Society and Institutions II
— Spain and Europe: Origins and Evolution II
— Everyday Spoken Spanish II
— Barcelona, Mediterranean Metropolis (in English)
— Consumer Behaviour (in English)
— New Topics in the Spanish Media (in English)
— Spanish Politics (in English)
Subjects recommended for each level of language competence
BEGINNER
— Catalonia: Language, Culture and Society
— Spanish Cinema
— Spain and Europe: Origins and Evolution
— Everyday Spoken Spanish
From INTERMEDIATE
— Barcelona, creative and cultural city
— Barcelona: A Meeting Place for Spanish and Latin-American Arts
— Art in Spain: From the Mezquita of Córdoba and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to Gaudí, Picasso and Dalí
— Contemporary Spain: Geography, Society and Institutions
Various levels
— Comprehension and Writing in Spanish
— Conversation and Pronunciation in Spanish
In English
— Barcelona, Mediterranean Metropolis
— Consumer Behaviour
— New Topics in the Spanish Media
— Spanish Politics