Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Specialized Spanish courses - Barcelona in Film

Total number of hours:           30 h
Accreditation:                       Accredited UPF certificate
Language of Instruction:         Spanish


I. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COURSE:

The Barcelona in Film module is a multidisciplinary course which offers students the possibility to come into contact with Spanish language, culture and literature through the analysis, understanding and interpretation of a range of Spanish films, or films filmed in Spain, set in Barcelona. The module integrates Spanish language and cinema, the history of Barcelona and a cinematographic tour of its most emblematic streets and landmarks. The module is complemented with guided tours and visits. The main objective of the course is to help students develop the necessary linguistic resources to be able to critically evaluate films in Spanish whilst discovering Barcelona and its history through films set in the city.


II. PRE-REQUISITES: Intermediate Spanish or above
  

III. METHODOLOGY:  

In both its objectives and methodology, the course is highly communicative in its focus. This means that learning outcomes are set through capacity for language use and that course content is derived directly from the objectives established. The methodology is based on the practical use of Spanish with appropriate reflection to help in the assimilation of the language.


IV. EVALUATION SYSTEM: 

The final grade for the course is distributed in the following way.

 CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

 Participation and effort during the course (10%)
 Independent work done outside class (20%)
 1 progress test (10%)
 1 oral presentation (20%)
60 %
 FINAL EXAM
40%


V. GRADING AND CLASSIFICATION SCHEME: 

In assessed pieces of work, progress tests and the final exam, the following grading and classification scheme will be used:

Final Course Grade: (60% continuous assessment + 40% final exam)
Quantitative Grade
Qualitative Grade

 The student will fail in any of the following cases:
 a) When they obtain a result of less than 5 out of 10 for the final course grade.
 b) When they obtain a result of less than 5 out of 10 on the final exam.
 c) When they do not meet the PEI's attendance policy.
Unsatisfactory Performance
   5,0 - 6,9
Adequate Performance
   7,0 - 8,9
Good Performance
   9,0 - 10
Excellent Performance


VI. ATTENDANCE POLICY AND WORKLOAD  

As language study is a cumulative process which requires continual practice to assimilate knowledge and skills, attendance is obligatory. In order to receive a final grade, students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes. In exceptional cases, and for justified reasons authorized by the appropriate committee, students will be allowed to be absent for more than 20%, providing that absence is not greater than 40% of the course.

In order to ensure the maximum benefit is gained, students are required not only to attend classes, but also to participate actively in class and to dedicate a minimum of one hour of study outside of class on a daily basis. During this time, students will undertake tasks set by the professor and revise material covered.

Students must submit work in strict accordance with the deadlines set. Failure to do so will result in the assignment mark being lowered by one point for every day after the hand-in date.

VII. COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

By the end of the course the student will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate sufficient linguistic resources to discuss general aspects of cinema (space, time, rhythm, sound, set etc.)
  • Recognize and use correctly the terminology of cinema in Spanish
  • Show an understanding of the historical and cultural context of the selected films
  • Recognize the different areas of Barcelona which have been used as sets and the vision of the city that the directors intended to give
  • Distinguish different Spanish cultural aspects shown through characters in the selected
  • Demonstrate sufficient linguistic resources to analyze the films seen and reflect on some of the cinematographic and cultural elements present


VIII. COURSE CONTENTS: 

  •  The language of cinema: some basic concepts
  •  Films set in Barcelona:

-   Todo sobre mi madre (1999): A vision of Barcelona
-   Una casa de locos (2002): Barcelona and its identity
-   Salvador (2006): The final years of the Franco dictatorship in Barcelona
-   En construcción (2001): The transformation of the city
-   Tapas (2005): The outskirts of the city
-   Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona (2008): Cosmopolitan Barcelona

  •  A selection on other key Spanish films. 


IX. COURSE MATERIAL: 

During the first class, the professor will make students aware of the dossier of materials that will be used during the course.


X. ADDITIONAL COURSE ACTIVITIES: 

During the course, several activities will take place outside of class, following different routes showing the location of various film scenes.