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Realities and Fictions of Argentina (SPAN30020)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Online
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Winter Term
Overview
| Availability | Winter Term - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The dichotomy Civilisation vs Barbarism has been one of the guiding fictions of Argentinian cultural history since 1845, when Domingo Sarmiento’s Facundo: Civilisation and Barbarism was published. Written at a time of cultural crisis, this founding essay established a fundamental binary that would rule the rest of Argentina’s history until today. The students will analyse the opposing sides and examine the peculiar dividing mentality created by the intellectuals of the country in the 19th century, which framed the first idea of Argentina. Its ideological legacy is in some sense a mythology of exclusion rather than a unifying national idea, a recipe for division rather than a consensus pluralism. Through a variety of readings and online activities, the subject invites you to explore, and contextualise globally, the realities and fictions that inhabit Argentina: a two-sided country, a place of contradictions.
The subject is delivered in Spanish language, online, over three weeks during the winter break. In a flexible and interactive mode, students will have the opportunity to integrate a variety of communication tools and collaborate with peers in a versatile and innovative environment. Students will thus enhance their digital literacy and practice skills as well as a number of skills relevant to a workplace environment, such as problem-solving, teamwork, clear communication, self-evaluation, information literacy and professionalism.
Part of the assessment of this subject will contribute to the ePortfolio students develop in their Spanish and Latin American Studies subjects. This digital platform offers the opportunity to showcase relevant workplace skills and digital and intercultural competencies in the target language, as well as individual interests and ideas.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Interpret and produce written and oral communication in a variety of genres in the target language, and more specifically in the context of the history and culture of Argentina;
- Identify and explain different cultural forces shaping Argentine society;
- Explain and discuss the history and culture of Argentina with a particular emphasis on the founding binary of Civilisation vs Barbarism;
- Recognise and evaluate the relationship between fact-based history in Argentina and its myths, legends and fictions;
- Research at an academic level the cultures and histories of Argentina;
- Reflect on the social, political, historical and cultural realities and fictions shaping Argentine society;
- Critically engage with Argentinian texts and cultural products;
- Apply management and planning skills through organizing workloads including online activities;
- Apply analytical skills, learning strategies and demonstrate the ability to process, organise and integrate information;
- Demonstrate an openness to the world and an awareness of cultural and historical context;
- Apply and demonstrate relevant workplace skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, clear communication, self-evaluation, information literacy and professionalism;
- Create an audio recording of a report on the opposing concepts that underlie the subject: Civilisation vs Barbarism.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should have:
- enhanced research skills;
- enhanced critical thinking and analysis;
- developed logical analysis strategies;
- strengthened their ability to speak effectively in public;
- enhanced information literacy skills;
- cultivated their understanding of social, political, historical and cultural contexts and their awareness of intercultural differences and openness to the world;
- enhanced relevant digital literacy and practice skills;
- enhanced relevant workplace skills.
Last updated: 25 July 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPAN10003 | Spanish 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SPAN20002 | Spanish 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SPAN20027 | Intensive Spanish 3 & 4 | Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
25 |
OR
Equivalent
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPAN20025 | Realities and Fictions of Argentina | Winter Term (Online) |
12.5 |
Recommended background knowledge
Completion of Spanish 4
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPAN10004 | Spanish 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SPAN20003 | Spanish 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 25 July 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Visual diaries: 500 words in week 1 and 300 words in week 2
| During the teaching period | 20% |
Collaborative critical report due at the end of week 1
| Week 1 | 17.5% |
Audio report
| Week 2 | 12.5% |
Peer-collaborative reflective blog
| End of the assessment period | 25% |
Travel brochure
| End of the assessment period | 25% |
Hurdle requirement: Hurdle requirement: Online activities: These include interactive tasks based on each unit. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject | N/A |
Last updated: 25 July 2023
Dates & times
- Winter Term - Online
Coordinator Mara Favoretto Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Two 1.5 hour tutorials per week for 3 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 July 2023 to 21 July 2023 Last self-enrol date 6 July 2023 Census date 14 July 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 July 2023 Assessment period ends 28 July 2023 Winter Term contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 25 July 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A Subject Reader will be made available
- Subject notes
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Spanish and Latin American Studies Major Spanish and Latin American Studies - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Language Placement Test required
Last updated: 25 July 2023