Spanish

Abstract

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  Profile of the study programme

  The bachelor study programme covers the diverse literatures of Spanish-speaking America (including the United States) and the Iberian Peninsula, both in terms of their own evolution and in relation to one another. Concerning the methodology, particular attention is paid to the links between literature and the humanities, as well as to the contribution of interdisciplinary studies.

  In Hispanic philology, students analyse different ecdotic methodologies to be able to adapt them to the specifics of Hispanic texts and thus build up a codicological description and textual history. The topics studied include the language, literature and culture of mediaeval Spain, as well as the manuscript tradition of the works and their place in the history of the language.

  The study programme is general and progressive, while being highly flexible as to its content and the order of the modules: the autonomy of the students is not only respected but also encouraged as part of their training. Nevertheless, an advisor is at the students' disposal to guide them in their choices. The basic module (M1) should preferably be taken during the first year of study, as it provides students with the methodological and scientific foundation for their future studies. As for the remaining modules, students are advised to take them in the order indicated. However, this order may be changed to suit students' abilities and the courses offered each academic year.

  We offer general and monographic courses on major periods and regions, as well as on more specific topics in which students are taught the essential knowledge; we also offer proseminars, seminars and exercises to enable students to learn the skills and use the tools of research and analysis. Colloquia and conferences with external speakers enable them to investigate topics in greater depth.

  All our teaching units are taught in Spanish for complete immersion in the language. This is why knowledge of Spanish equivalent to the B2 level – corresponding to the level of Spanish taught in Baccalaureate schools in Switzerland (special option in upper secondary level) – is necessary and a prerequisite for taking our study programmes.

  Fribourg profile
  Our unique orientation compared with that of all other Swiss universities can be seen in the range of our study programme and methodological approach. Hispanic philology is taught in neither of the other regional universities (Bern and Neuchâtel) and our intercultural and interdisciplinary approach is unique in Switzerland. As part of this multidisciplinary approach, we work with the Medieval Institute, the Fribourg Institute of the Renaissance and Modern Period and the Institute of Comparative Literature.

  Contact between members of the Department and students is always direct and personal. The size of the classes allows for interactive collaboration and guarantees that everyone is heard. A language trip or study trip to a Spanish-speaking country is strongly recommended to complement the teaching of the Spanish language and culture. To encourage students to undertake trips of this kind, they count for additional ECTS credits towards the bachelor degree.

  Learning outcomes and career openings
  By the end of their bachelor course, students will have improved their skills in oral and written Spanish and acquired knowledge of the Hispanic language, literature and culture of three continents, from the Middle Ages to the present day. They will be capable of producing a basic, university-level literary or philological analysis of a work thanks to skills acquired through proseminars, seminars and exercises, such as techniques of discourse analysis, codicological description, critical distancing and management of personal and group research.

  A comprehensive course of study combining both the bachelor and master levels opens up a wide variety of career opportunities, such as:

  • Teaching: university teaching and research; teaching at the upper secondary level (with DEEM/LDM), as well as in private schools and the business sector;
  • Writing professions: journalism, advertising, libraries, archives, literary and technical translation, the book industry (publishing, management and retail);
  • Other: diplomacy, banking, tourism, hospitality, public relations, new technologies, interpreting, commercial and cultural management, international organisations, public and private administration, etc.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

Curriculum

Admission

Alternatives

Minor study programmes to be chosen