spanish

Spanish (group 5 subject) CAO Code: MH101 | CAO Points 2021: 338

Minimum entry requirements: While there is no minimum entry requirement to study non-beginner Spanish, we generally recommend H4 Leaving Certificate Spanish. Beginners: no minimum Spanish requirement. For full details about entry requirements see p. 42. If taking up Spanish as a beginner, it is advisable to attend all lectures from the first week of term.

> If you want to achieve a high level of competency in a world language, as well as learn about Spanish and Latin American culture and society more generally, studying Spanish as part of our BA degree is for you. > As a student of Spanish, you will have a twin focus on language and culture.

Through language classes and with supporting material such as film, literature and cultural events, you will aim to become a fluent speaker and writer of

Spanish. If you’re a beginner, you can take intensive language classes. > Over the course of your degree programme, you will receive an excellent grounding in all aspects of Spanish language through core modules in

Spanish Language, complemented by a broad range of optional modules in areas such as Linguistics, Spanish Literature and Cinema, Latin American

Literature and Cinema, Catalan and Portuguese.

Course structure

1st year

BA Bachelor of Arts – Spanish – Double Major or as a Minor

Spanish and another subject to degree level. Spanish is available at beginner or advanced level. > Either 15 credits of Spanish (if you studied Spanish in school to the recommended H4 Leaving

Certificate or equivalent level) OR 30 credits of Spanish (if you are a beginner) > Choose up to 3 other subjects including Critical Skills from the 5 groups available (maximum 1 subject per group – see groups table p. 45) > Spanish as a Double Major or as a Minor > Continue with 1 of your 1st year subjects > Optional 10 credit Elective in 2nd year (see p. 13 for details) > New transfer option in 2nd year - into the new Business and Languages degree MH409 - for students who have completed the first year of the

BA degree (MH101) taking 30 credits of a Business subject and passing 30 credits of beginners/15 credits of non-beginners’ Spanish.

2nd year and Final year

Erasmus/Study Abroad option after 2nd year

All students of Spanish & Latin American Studies have the opportunity to spend the third year of their degree programme in a Spanish-speaking country. This might involve: > Studying at a university in Spain (Erasmus programme) > Assisting with English classes at a Spanish school (ELA programme - subject to availability) > Erasmus internship/placement (subject to availability)

Students who avail of the Year Abroad can have this year recognised as part of their studies and thus convert their degree programme into a 4-year BA International.

For MH101 subject groups table go to p. 45

Possible topics

1st year

> Language from beginner or Leaving

Certificate level (or equivalent) > Introduction to Spanish Literature > Latin American Short Story > Visual Worlds of Spain and Latin

America > Language modules > Linguistics > Catalan or Portuguese are also offered at beginner level > Crossing Boundaries: Preparation for the Year Abroad > Spanish Literature > Latin American Literature > Linguistics and Translation > Students continue with their language modules > Continuing Catalan or Portuguese are also offered

2nd year Final year

Spanish (group 5 subject) (continued)

Why choose this subject? > What distinguishes Spanish and Latin American

Studies at Maynooth University is that we give students a thorough grounding in the language while introducing them to Spanish as a world language and cornerstone of many vibrant cultures.

> Spanish is offered in a friendly, supportive environment at both beginner and non-beginner (post-Leaving Certificate, or equivalent) levels in first year.

> Students are expected to spend the third year of their BA studying in a university in Spain or

Latin America, including the world-renowned

Universities of Salamanca and Guadalajara,

Mexico. This is a unique opportunity and a "lifechanging" experience, as any of our past students who have spent a year abroad can attest. You also have the opportunity to work as a Teaching

Assistant in Spain (subject to availability), which is a great asset to have on your CV.

Students interested in teaching Spanish should note that the Teaching Council of Ireland requires all registered teachers of Spanish to have spent a minimum of two months living in a Spanish-speaking country. The Maynooth University School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures advise at least a three-month residency.

Options after graduation?

> A degree in Spanish offers students enhanced employability in a wide range of careers - diplomatic service, development work with NGOs, education, publishing, working with EU and global institutions, translation and interpretation, international trade, communications and tourism.

> Multinational companies such as Google and Intel, many of whom have bases in Ireland, continually note the importance of finding graduates who are not only fluent in languages but who have the intercultural competence to deal with colleagues and customers in an increasingly globalised world.

> Some of our students go on to pursue postgraduate research in Spanish and Latin American Studies. We offer a range of postgraduate programmes, and are happy to supervise postgraduate research in areas including Spanish Linguistics and

Spanish and Latin American Literature and Culture. Spanish is also available in

MH109: BA Media Studies p. 171 MH401 IFE: BA International Finance and Economics p. 129 MH409: BBA Business and Languages p. 137 MH502 LWD: BCL (Law and Arts) p. 184

Barcelona

Contact us

Maynooth University Spanish and Latin American Studies  + 353 1 708 4724

 spanish@mu.ie  www.maynoothuniversity.ie/spanish @MaynoothSMLLC @MU_SMLLC mu_smllc

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