SPA20 The Spanish speaking world today: Economy, society and culture (B2)

• Topics

  SPA20 The Spanish-Speaking World Today: Economy, Society, and Culture is the second course in the Spanish elective. The course provides students with a solid foundation for effective oral and written communication in Spanish in professional contexts. Students gain relevant insight into the economy, society, and culture of contemporary Spain and Latin America, including ethical considerations and sustainability challenges affecting business operations.

  Level (CEFR): B2

• Learning outcome

  Upon completing the course, the student has/can:

  Knowledge

  • Solid knowledge of business culture and communication in the Spanish-speaking world, with a particular focus on cultural differences and similarities between Spain/Latin America and Norway.
  • A strong understanding of relevant economic, social, and political conditions in the largest Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Basic knowledge of climate challenges and social injustices that may arise as a result of trade with Spanish-speaking countries.

  Skills

  • Communicate effectively in Spanish, both orally and in writing, in a professional context.
  • Understand and summarize the content of Spanish newspaper articles on Spanish and Latin American economy, society, and culture.
  • Deliver presentations on economic, social, and cultural topics in Spanish.
  • Participate in formal meetings and negotiations, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches.
  • Convey complex issues in writing in Spanish: write reports and formal emails, and describe economic data.
  • Reflect on and explain specific communication styles in their own culture and in Spanish-speaking cultures, recognizing potential risks of misunderstandings.

  General Competence

  • Strong insight into communication principles and cultural differences in oral and written professional communication in Spanish.
  • Communicate in Spanish, both orally and in writing, in both private and professional contexts.
  • Stay informed about economic, social, and cultural developments in Spain and Latin America by reading Spanish-language newspapers and reports.
  • Awareness of sustainable development through knowledge of country-specific sustainability challenges.

• Teaching

  The course is organized as interactive group teaching, combining lectures, case work, discussions in Spanish on syllabus topics, group work, oral presentations, and writing assignments.

• Recommended prerequisites

  SPA10 or knowledge equivalent to CEFR level B1

• Compulsory Activity

  1 oral presentation in a group of 2-3

  3 written assignments (one group assignment, two individual assignments)

• Assessment

  Digital school exam, 4 hours (50%).

  Individual oral exam, 20 minutes (50%).

  A separate grade is given for the written and oral exams (grading scale A-F). Both parts must be passed in the same semester. In case of retakes, both parts must be retaken.

  The course does not offer assessment in the non-teaching semester (spring).

• Grading Scale

  Letter grades (A-F)

• Computer tools

  Use of e-learning tools and databases available through the web and the library. It may vary from one semester to the next:

  • Mentimeter
  • Kahoot
  • Edword (EasyCorrect)

• Literature

  Compendium of articles and book chapters, newspaper articles, cases, and other materials posted on Leganto and Canvas.

• Permitted Support Material

  Ordnett.no and one bilingual dictionary (Category I) 

  All in accordance with Supplementary provisions to the Regulations for Full-time Study Programmes at the Norwegian School of Economics Ch.4 Permitted support materialhttps://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/andhttps://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/