Politics, International Relations and Modern Languages (Spanish)

Politics, International Relations and Modern Languages explores the key areas of contemporary European politics and international relations and combines these with the in-depth study of Spanish language, society and culture. Taught in partnership between the Department of Politics and International Relations and the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, this course is informed by the outstanding research and international outlook of both departments.

The politics element of the course provides an introduction to the working of international relations and the growth of Europe as a political entity. This includes research into areas such as Brexit, the European Union’s Budget, the European Parliament, security, international diplomacy, and the use of military force, as well as European languages and cultures. Your second and final year courses in European politics and international relations will be taught by Giacomo Benedetto, who holds a Jean Monnet professorship in European integration awarded by the European Union.

Spanish is a major world language and Spain itself is a key player in Europe, while Latin America is expected to see significant expansion over the coming decades as globalisation continues to gather pace. Choosing to study Spanish at Royal Holloway means joining our friendly, supportive and culturally diverse community where you will be inspired by leading specialists from one of the UK’s most interdisciplinary Hispanic Studies teams.

As a modern linguist, you will not only learn to speak and write fluently, you will also develop excellent communication and research skills and combine language proficiency with cross-cultural perspectives.

You will be taught by dedicated language specialists, who will ensure that you gain valuable exposure to different varieties of Spanish. You will have the opportunity to spend a year working, teaching or studying, in a Spanish-speaking city, such as Havana, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Mexico City, Seville or Salamanca, where you will immerse yourself in the language and culture, truly broadening your horizons in the process.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, we will commit to providing 2019 and 2020 entry students with a subsidy equivalent to current Erasmus+ funding (where this would have previously been funded by the Erasmus+ scheme). To find out more visit the Erasmus+ page.

Study with leading experts on Brexit and EU Budgets.
Taught in partnership with the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
Spend a year of study and/or work in a Spanish-speaking country.
Gain written and verbal fluency in Spanish.
Other language options in German (R200), Italian (R300) and French (R100).

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

All languages we teach have a beginners' and a post-A Level pathway in Year 1, allowing you to study one language ab initio (intensively, from scratch). From Year 2 onwards all students take the same language modules, regardless of your Year 1 pathway.

• Introduction to International Relations

• Introduction to Politics and Government

• Spanish Language: Culture and Translation

• Spanish Ab Initio Written I

• Spanish Ab Initio Oral I

• Spanish Advanced Written I

• Spanish Advanced Oral I

Year 2

• Understanding the European Union: Politics and Theory

• Spanish Language II

Year 3

• Year Abroad

Year 4

• European Union Public Policy

• Spanish III

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

Year 1

Optional modules in Spanish may include:

• Spanish Language: Culture and Translation

• Journeys of Identity Discovery, Subversion and Destruction in the Hispanic Worlds

Year 2

• Democracy in Britain

• Contemporary Political Theory

• International Political Economy

• War and Security in World Politics

• Modern Political Thought

• Introduction to Political Communication

• Government and Politics of the United States

• Politics Outside the West

• 20th-Century Mexican Visual Arts and Film

• Rebels, Revolution & Representation in Latin America

• Constructing Identity in Contemporary Spanish Film

• Advanced Spanish Translation: Skills and Practice

Year 4

• European Union Foreign Policy

• Power and Money in the European Union

• Politics and/or International Relations Dissertation

• US Foreign Policy - History

• Young People's Politics

• Leadership, Power and the British Prime Ministership

• Visual Politics

• American Political Development

• The Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe

• Political Theories of Freedom

• Politics of the Law and Rights

• Comparative Political Leadership

• Military Change in the 21st Century

• Radical Political Theory I: Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche

• Foundations in Middle East Politics

• Global Health Policy

• Politics and Government of Africa

• Politics of South Asia

• Social Diversity and Political Representation

• Parliamentary Studies

• Freedom of Expression: Concepts and Controversies

• Latin American Politics

• Defence and Security Governance

• The Political Economy of Racial Injustice

• Narrative in World Politics

• Radical Political Theory II: Critical Theory and Poststructuralism

• Why and How People Vote

• Identity, Emotions and Trauma in International Politics

• Ethnic Politics and Ethnic Conflict

• Deceit, Desire and the Self: Literature of the Spanish Golden Age

• Advanced Spanish Translation: Skills and Practice

• Seducing the Nation: Spanish Film 1940s to 1980s

• Conflict in Latin American Literature

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/politics-and-international-relations/politics-international-relations-and-modern-languages-spanish/

The course has a modular structure, whereby you will take 14 units at the rate of four per year in the first, second and fourth years, plus two in the third year, which is spent working or studying abroad. Most modules contain an element of assessed coursework, which contributes to the final mark awarded.

Your first year is formative, though your results will determine whether you can progress to the second year. Your second and fourth year results, alongside those of the third year spent abroad, will contribute to your final degree classifcation. Work completed in your fourth year will count for a larger proportion of the result.

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide you with support, guidance and advice throughout your studies.

You will also have access to the comprehensive e-learning facility Moodle, which features lecture handouts and other supporting materials, such as lecture slides, quizzes, video clips, and links to relevant academic journal articles.