The Spanish and Latin American studies program is designed for students wishing to specialise in the Spanish language and Spanish and Latin American cultures, societies, literature, film and linguistics, and also for those requiring a broad education in the humanities. Language study is a compulsory part of Spanish and Latin American studies and is designed to enable you to develop a high level of communicative competence, including specialised registers and translation skills.
The study of Spanish and Latin American history and culture is conducted from first-year. Optional units, covering Spain, Catalonia and Latin America, are introduced from the second-year, and aim to develop a critical awareness of fundamental areas of Spanish and Latin American studies including linguistics, literature, cultural theory and film. All programs develop writing and research skills appropriate to advanced independent study.
Spanish language study caters for students from introductory to advanced levels. To ensure that students are placed in the most appropriate level according to their individual profile and the best outcome they can expect to achieve, all students, except beginners, are required to undertake placement testing prior to the start of their first semester of language study.
Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment
The Spanish and Latin American studies program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the program convenor.
Students with advanced language proficiency
Students wishing to undertake a Spanish and Latin American studies major who have completed VCE first language or second language advanced, or who have attended school where Spanish was the language of instruction, should consult the Spanish and Latin American studies program for advice.
Overseas study
Students can replace language units with equivalent language study overseas. For a list of units, please refer to the Spanish and Latin American studies Study Abroad webpage.
The Spanish and Latin American studies program has exchange agreements with three universities in Chile, Mexico and Spain (Pontificia Universidad Catlica de Chile, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, and Tec de Monterrey, Mexico). Students should contact the program study overseas coordinators as early as possible for further details on the units they may take overseas. Students must obtain written approval from the Spanish and Latin American studies program before enrolling. Grants for study overseas are available through Monash Abroad, to which applications should be addressed.
Availability
Spanish and Latin American studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts as a minor, major or extended major, A2001 Bachelor of Global Studies at Clayton as a major and A0501 Diploma of Languages at Clayton as a major.
Outcomes
In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will:
- be able to communicate orally and through written texts about complex topics, using grammatical structures commensurate with the appropriate Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level for their stream (B2 for introductory stream; B2+ for intermediate stream; C1 for Advanced stream)
- have a detailed and developed understanding of a range of aspects of Spanish and Latin American culture, history and society, being able to critically assess related concepts and theoretical frameworks
- show awareness of sociolinguistic and sociocultural aspects of communication and an ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross-culturally and in cross-language contexts.
Major requirements (48 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited to the majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) and at least 18 points must be at level 3. Six language units (36 points) must be completed.
Entry point 1 - Introductory
For students with little or no knowledge of Spanish.
- Two level 1 gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- Two level 2 cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:
- ATS3083 Translating across cultures
- ATS3207 Film and society in Spain and Latin America
- ATS3867 Crime fiction and film in Hispanic cultures
- ATS3972 Imagining Ibero-America: Travels, texts and transnational encounters
- Two language units (12 points):
- One unit (6 points) from the elective list below
Entry point 2 - Intermediate
For students who have completed IB (ab initio), VCE Spanish or who can demonstrate an equivalent level of competence.
- Two level 2 cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS3083 Translating across cultures
- ATS3207 Film and society in Spain and Latin America
- ATS3867 Crime fiction and film in Hispanic cultures
- ATS3972 Imagining Ibero-America: Travels, texts and transnational encounters
- Four language units (24 points):
- One unit (6 points) from the remaining capstone units or the elective list below:
Entry point 3 - Proficient
For students who have completed VCE Spanish or who can demonstrate an equivalent level of competence.
- Two level 2 cornerstone unitscornerstone units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):
- One level 3 capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points) chosen from:
- ATS3083 Translating across cultures
- ATS3207 Film and society in Spain and Latin America
- ATS3972 Imagining Ibero-America: Travels, texts and transnational encounters
- ATS3867 Crime fiction and film in Hispanic cultures
- Two language units (12 points):
- Three units (18 points) chosen from the remaining capstone units or the elective list below.
Note: Students can replace up to 24 points of their compulsory language units with alternate in-country units. Students are also encouraged to take language study overseas units, which can count as satisfying some components of the major.
Minor requirements (24 points)
No more than 12 points at level 1 may be credited towards the minorminor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html).
Students complete:
- Three units (18 points) from the Spanish language sequence in the major, following the entry point guidelines and taken in order.
- One level 2 or level 3 unit (6 points) from the language sequence units or the capstone or elective list below.
Extended major requirements (72 points)
No more than 24 points at level 1 may be credited to the extended major and at least 24 points must be at level 3.
Students are required to undertake a period of overseas study in order to complete an extended major.
Students complete:
- The requirements of the major in Spanish and Latin American studies (48 points)
- Any combination of the following to a total of 24 points:
- ATS3083 Translating across cultures
- ATS3139 Extended major research unit
- ATS3948 Internship (undergraduate)
- Study Overseas units
Elective list
Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.
Note: Some Elective units have specific language proficiency prerequisites that must be met.
Intending honours students
Students intending to enter honours in this area of study must have completed a major in the discipline, with a minimum of 24 points of study at level 3 to be eligible.
Diplomas
- A0501 Diploma of Languages
Bachelors
Single degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degrees:*
- A2000 Bachelor of Arts
- A2001 Bachelor of Global Studies
Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.
Double degrees
Successful completion of the minor or major can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts component in the following double degrees:*
- A2005 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Art
- A2004 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music
- B2019 Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts
- B2012 Bachelor of Business Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
- B2020 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts
- B2006 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Global Studies
- B2024 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
- D3002 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- E3002 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- C2002 Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Arts
- L3003 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
- L3009 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Global Studies
- S2006 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts
- S2003 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Global Studies
