- UCAS course code
- LR24
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
BA Politics and Spanish
Study global politics alongside Spanish and Latin American language and culture.
- Typical A-level offer: ABB
- Typical contextual A-level offer: BBC
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL
Course description
Delivered jointly by the School of Social Sciences and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, this course offers flexibility through a combination of core and optional politics course units on the Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures, including the opportunity to study Catalan.
Language study offers more than just language fluency. You'll explore the culture, society, history, politics and literature of the countries in which Spanish is spoken, helping you develop intercultural awareness and communication skills, both highly valued by employers.
You'll benefit from excellent teaching, student support and cutting-edge study facilities, as well as the vibrancy and cultural diversity of Manchester itself, Western Europe's most multilingual city.
Studying abroad at partner universities and in professional environments in a Spanish-speaking country gives you an unforgettable and invaluable experience.
The course unit details listed below are those you may choose to study as part of this programme and are referred to as optional units. These are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme. Although language units may show here as optional, they are a mandatory part of your modern languages degree and you will take the units relevant to your level of language in each year of study. It is compulsory to study language at all levels of your modern languages degree.
Aims
- Develop strong analytical skills and understanding of key areas of global politics, including European/international politics, international relations, global security and international development.
- Develop the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to access and engage fully with political, historical and cultural issues in Spanish and the cultures of the Hispanic world.
- Offer an intercultural perspective on your studies and future career, facilitated by the possibility of studying a second language - either as a beginner or at a more advanced level.
Special features
You can study and/or work for up to a year in a country or countries relevant to your chosen language(s) to improve your language skills in a native-speaker environment.
Palaver Festival
Palaver Festival is a collaboration with the neighbouring Contact Theatre.
You can explore links between language and performance across a range of genres including literature, theatre and dance.
Collaborations and partnerships
The University has links with language and cultural institutions across the city, including:
- Instituto Cervantes - a centre for the promotion of Hispanic Cultures;
- HOME - international and contemporary art, theatre and film.
Societies
There are over 30 international and language-related student societies offering cultural activities and experiences.
You can also join the Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies Student Society and enjoy a wide range of cultural events and activities.
Teaching and learning
You'll learn through a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and tutorials, spending approximately 12 hours a week in formal study sessions.
For every hour of university study, you will be expected to complete a further 2-3 hours of independent study.
You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
The individual study component could be spent reading, producing written work, revising for examinations or working in the University's Language Centre .
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed in various ways, including:
- written and oral examinations;
- presentations;
- coursework (which may include library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection, or web-based research);
- in your final year, a dissertation based on a research topic of your choice.
Assessment methods vary from course unit to course unit - see individual course unit listings for more information.
Course content for year 1
In Year 1 you will study 60 credits of core and optional units in Politics.
You will also study 60 credits of language and culture course units.The language units will develop your skills in spoken and written Spanish. You will take only the language units relevant to your level of language in each year of study (beginner, post-beginner or post-A-level). The culture course units will provide you with an introduction to the cultural and historical development of the Hispanic world, and develop the skills required to be successful in your further study of Spain and Latin America.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Cultures of the Hispanic World | SPLA10410 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Comparative Politics | POLI10201 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Comparative Politics | POLI10202 | 20 | Optional |
Making Sense of Politics | POLI10302 | 20 | Optional |
British Politics: Power and the State | POLI10401 | 20 | Optional |
Politics of the Global Economy | POLI10502 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to International Politics | POLI10601 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Political Theory | POLI10702 | 20 | Optional |
Cultures of the Hispanic World | SPLA10410 | 20 | Optional |
Themes in Spanish and Latin American Studies | SPLA10420 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
In Year 2 you will choose from a selection of optional Politics units (40-60 credits).
You will also study an additional 60-80 credits of Spanish language and culture course units. This will include a compulsory Spanish language unit, and culture course units chosen from the indicative list provided in the table below.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Politics by Numbers | POLI20311 | 20 | Optional |
Security Studies | POLI20332 | 20 | Optional |
Questions About International Politics | POLI20521 | 20 | Optional |
Politics & Society in Britain Since 1940: From Blitz to Brexit | POLI20531 | 20 | Optional |
Arguing About Politics: Political Theory in the World | POLI20602 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics of Globalisation | POLI20711 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics of Development | POLI20722 | 20 | Optional |
Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective | POLI20742 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics of Policy Making | POLI20802 | 20 | Optional |
Ideals of Social Justice | POLI20881 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
Year 3 is spent abroad under approved conditions.
Course content for year 4
In Year 4 you will choose from a selection of optional Politics units (40-60 credits).
You will also study an additional 60-80 credits of Spanish language and culture course units. This will include a compulsory Spanish language unit, and culture course units chosen from the indicative list provided in the table below.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Spanish Language 6 | SPLA51060 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Interpreting: Context, Skills and Modes | ELAN30241 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Professional Translation | ELAN31182 | 20 | Optional |
Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures | LALC30000 | 40 | Optional |
The Politics of the European Union | POLI30032 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics and Philosophy of Nationalism | POLI30191 | 20 | Optional |
Gender, Sex and Politics | POLI30231 | 20 | Optional |
Elections and Voters in Britain | POLI30242 | 20 | Optional |
Dimensions of Peace and Conflict: Disciplinary and Regional Approaches | POLI30262 | 20 | Optional |
Political Morality and Dirty Hands | POLI30272 | 20 | Optional |
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Facilities
The University Language Centre is home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite, purpose-built recording rooms, and resources for more than 70 languages.
The Centre also offers multilingual word processing, language learning software, off-air recording and AV duplication, multilingual terrestrial and satellite TV, and extensive support and advice for learners.
Learn more at facilities