Course Catalogue

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The course provides a thorough grounding in the rudiments of the Catalan language with an equal emphasis on active and passive skills. It will supply students with a base from which they can advance, either by further formal instruction or on individual initiative.

3 x 1hr seminars on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10.00am over 18 weeks.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into one of the SMLC Honours programmes, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

None

None

Assessed language exercises throughout semesters 1 and 2: 30%

Class test (50 minutes) - 40%

Oral examination (10 minutes) - 30%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ introduce students to the grammar and syntax of the Catalan language, allowing them to acquire and build on an initial basic vocabulary, and to use the language in comprehension (listening and reading) and production (writing and speaking);

■ allow students to extend their capacity for independent language learning using a variety of sources;

■ develop the confidence to communicate in Catalan in everyday situations;

■ appreciate the need for cultural awareness as a fundamental part of becoming proficient speakers of Catalan.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ introduce themselves and others, and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, what they do or would like to do, people they know and family relationships;

■ express themselves in written and spoken Catalan, in a clear and grammatical way, at a level appropriate to the material covered in the course;

■ demonstrate understanding of oral and written materials at a level appropriate to the material covered in the course;

■ demonstrate a sufficient command of the Catalan vocabulary and structures covered throughout the course and show good communication skills (i.e. understand and use familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases in Catalan in specific situations).

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.