BA/BS in Spanish Philology

General Description: Objective(s) of a study programme: The programme aims at providing solid fundamentals in linguistics and literary theory, communication skills in Spanish (C1-C2 according the CEFR), ability to understand the culture of Spanish-speaking countries as well as analyse phenomena of Spanish language and literature in some broader linguistic and literary context. It also includes basic skills in critical thinking, autonomous learning, communicating and working in a multilingual environment. During the internship, the students acquire basic skills in translation, research skills or skills in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. Learning outcomes: Graduates will be able to: • understand linguistic and literary concepts, • carry out philological research, • analyse the system of Spanish at different levels (Phonetics, Grammar, Lexicology, Pragmatics etc.), establish comparisons between Spanish and Lithuanian, • analyse and interpret Spanish and South American literature in a broader literary and cultural context, understand the culture of Spanish-speaking countries and compare it to Lithuanian culture, • communicate in Spanish (C1-C2 according the CEFR) and Lithuanian in various situations, understand, skim, create and edit texts of various genres in Spanish, translate and interpret from/to Spanish. They will also demonstrate basic skills in teaching Spanish as a foreign language and using IT to process language. Other skills include: • autonomous and team learning and work; • analysing, systematizing and evaluating information; • communicating and working in an intercultural environment; • creative generating ides, • critical self-evaluation and continuous learning. Activities of teaching and learning: The programme is student-oriented. Contact hours make approximately 35 per cent of the total student’s workload. The curriculum includes lectures, seminars, practical classes, internship and professional placement, as well as independent work. Apart from classical lectures, demonstration of video and audio material, illustration etc., active learning methods are used, including interactive lectures, problem-solving, etc. Seminars and practical classes are given to small groups (about 16 students) and student-oriented methods are used such as brainstorming, group discussions, presentations and reading (individual and in pairs). A lot of attention is devoted to independent studies: essay and term paper writing, using different information technologies, feedback and peer-review. Students have internship at the university and professional placement outside the university (in translation bureaus, publishing houses, editorial offices, schools, etc.). The preparation of the final thesis includes empirical linguistic or literary research. Methods of assessment of learning achievements: The learning achievements of the students are evaluated applying continuous and cumulative assessment. The written (or written and oral) examination provides only a part of the final grade. The student accumulates the remaining part by submitting essays and research papers, taking tests, delivering presentations as well as doing other assignments. The specific proportions and the grade calculating formula depends on the learning outcomes aimed by the specific course. The internship included preparing a work placement report. In the case of the final thesis, the assessment covers the thesis itself, its presentation and defence. To assess the student's achievements, the grading scale from 1 (very poor) to 10 (excellent) is used. Framework: Study subjects (modules), practical training: The degree programme consists of 1) Spanish philology as the major study field (at least 165 credits) which includes linguistics, language communication (understanding, writing and translating texts), literature and culture. The ability to carry out linguistic/literary research is developed by writing and defending the BA thesis (20 credits in total). The independent practice and work placement (15 credits in total) is available as the following options: translation, research-related practice (corpus linguistics), teaching Spanish as a foreign language; 2) general university studies (at least 15 credits); 3) other optional courses (up to 60 credits) in the Spanish language, linguistics, literature; minor study field or just various courses in other study fields or general university studies. Specialisations: Optional courses: Optional courses in the Spanish language, linguistic and literature (at least 60 credits of the major study field) as well as general university education enable the students to individualise their studies. In addition, the students have the opportunity to choose a minor study field (60 credits) starting in their second year or study various course units (in the major or other study fields as well as general university education) according to their fields of interests. Distinctive features of a study programme: The strengths of the degree programme are the all-round studies in Spanish philology that cover the Spanish language, linguistics, literature and culture at different levels (from theoretical knowledge to its application in practical situations, analysis, synthesis and evaluation) as well as research integration that ensures a solid education. A distinctive feature is provided by the four-fold opportunity to individualise the studies (up to 50 per cent of the programme) according to one’s motivation and interests by choosing: 1) course units covering various aspects of the Spanish language, linguistics and literature; 2) a minor study field from the list of minor programmes offered at Vilnius University; 3) minor studies in subject pedagogy resulting in a degree and the teacher’s professional qualification; 4) various course units (in the major or other study fields as well as general university education). Access to professional activity or further study: Access to professional activity: Graduates are highly-qualified philologists, able to meet the modern society’s needs by working in translation bureaus, editorial offices, publishing houses, travel agencies, consular offices, other institutions and companies where excellent command of Spanish, interpersonal and intercultural skills are required. Access to further study: Graduates of the Spanish Philology programme can continue their studies in a variety of second-cycle degree programmes in humanities, first of all, specialising in philology. They can choose master programmes offered by Vilnius University: translation/interpreting, general/applied linguistics, literary anthropology and culture, intermedial literary studies, semiotics etc. They can also enter master programmes in humanities or social sciences offered by other universities, provided they fulfil the admission requirements other as well as some master programmes in the field of social sciences.