Cultural competence

Integral to language acquisition, making it significant in terms of the general aims of the university, is the acquisition of `cultural competence'. This is understood as:

• the acquisition of a broad awareness of key areas of cultural knowledge relating to Spain and/or Latin America;
• the development of skills in the description and analysis of the social construction of reality (ie students will learn to appreciate the construction of both individual and national identity in a peculiarly Hispanic light);
• a sensitive awareness of cultural differences and traditions;
• skills of critical analysis that are transferable from one construct to another;
• the theoretical and practical training required to write research papers and undertake postgraduate studies;
• the ability to relate this knowledge to the wider context of the contemporary world.

Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996