Modules | Department of Languages, Cultures and Film

Modern Languages and Cultures

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.

Title	"DOES THE NATION MATTER?" THE BASQUES' WILL TO PERSIST IN THE GLOBAL CULTURE
Code	HISP218
Coordinator	Dr G Mercero Altzugarai Languages, Cultures and Film G.Mercero-Altzugarai@liverpool.ac.uk
Year	CATS Level	Semester	CATS Value
Session 2025-26	Level Two	First Semester	15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:

Co-requisite modules:

Teaching Schedule

	Lectures	Seminars	Tutorials	Lab Practicals	Fieldwork Placement	Other	TOTAL
Study Hours	9	4				7	20
Timetable (if known)
Private Study							130
TOTAL HOURS							150

Assessment
EXAM	Duration	Timing (Semester)	% of final mark	Resit/resubmission opportunity	Penalty for late submission	Notes

CONTINUOUS	Duration	Timing (Semester)	% of final mark	Resit/resubmission opportunity	Penalty for late submission	Notes
Vlog script and reflection Standard UoL penalties will apply. There is a resit opportunity. This is an anonymous assessment.	0		40
Essay There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment.	0		60
Group presentation This is not an anonymous assessment.	0		0

Aims

To introduce students to a number of aspects of contemporary Basque society and culture, especially the most characteristic and peculiar ones;

To provide students with an understanding of the conflict of identities that characterizes the contemporary Basque Country from a cultural, historical, and political perspective;

To reflect about the concept of national identity, both its importance to all of us and its striking fragility, and the way all that is linked to the student's own experience of nationality.

Learning Outcomes
(LO1) Acquire, through the study of cultural texts and contexts, a broad knowledge and a critical understanding of a number of aspects of Basque culture and society
(LO2) Acquire a critical understanding of the conflict of identities that characterizes the contemporary Basque Country
(LO3) Acquire a critical understanding of the importance of the concept of national identity in Western countries and the extent to which nationality is also key to the student's own experience of the world
(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral
(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written
(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)
(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis
(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - Synthesis
(S6) Global citizenship - Cultural awareness

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Most of the teaching takes place face-to-face on campus, with online asynchronous delivery used marginally as a complement.

Lecture:
The tutor guides students through the key aspects of each of the three main blocks in the syllabus. Students will have accessed written or audio-visual materials beforehand to familiarize themselves with the topic.

Seminar:
Controversial issues related to the topics covered in the lectures are debated, drawing on the knowledge previously acquired.

Workshop:
These sessions involve class discussions with the tutor on specific aspects of the individual assignment – 2,000-word Essay – or group work on the summative group assignment – Presentation of a script for a vlog about the Basque Country.”

Syllabus

Topics covered during the module may include:

The political conflict:
a.Introduction. The current situation.
b.Cultural and political history of the Basques up to the late 19th century.
c.History of Basque nationalism up to the present day.

The linguistic conflict:
a.Introduction. The current situation.
b.Social history of the Basque language – Euskara.
c.History of the revitalisation attempts since the 1950s to the present day.

Beyond the motto “one nation, one language”?

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.