920-243 Catalan 2N-1/3N-1

Note

This subject depends on the availability of a Catalan Lecturer from Spain.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Available to students who have passed another Romance language, such as Spanish 1, or an approved equivalent.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This is an introduction to the Catalan language and to the culture of that part of Spain in which Catalan is spoken. Regular work with video and audio tapes from the widely-acclaimed Catalan language course, Digui digui, written exercises and reading preparation will be set. A wide spectrum of audio, video and written materials are available direct from Catalonia which help to reinforce the everyday use of the language. Various aspects of Catalan civilisation will be introduced and the problematic co-existence of Catalan alongside Spanish, especially in relation to Barcelona, will be explored. Students who complete this subject should: be able to carry on a basic conversation in Catalan; and be able to comprehend and produce simple written texts.

Assessment

One 1500-word essay, weekly written exercises, class participation, one 1-hour final test.

Prescribed Texts

The texts will be supplemented with other material by the Department.

• Mas, M., et al, Digui, digui (Book 1). Enciclopedia Catalana, Barcelona, 1991.