Cultural Expression, Translation, Global Discourses: Novel Approaches to European Language Learning
UndergraduateUNE-LANG3042026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Price from
- $2,274
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Cultural Expression, Translation, Global Discourses: Novel Approaches to European Language Learning
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- demonstrate advanced communicative competence through the ability to effectively convey knowledge and ideas across a broad range of contexts and genres, including in the target language where appropriate;
- demonstrate advanced level language skills to critically analyse and interpret texts across a range of genres in relation to the socio-cultural context of the target language;
- demonstrate and apply extended knowledge of the stylistic features of the target language and how they vary across genres and sociocultural contexts; and
- apply and demonstrate extended knowledge of the contextually embedded social and cultural issues in relation to the target language.
- Topics will be available to enrolled students in the subjects Learning Management System site approximately one week prior to the commencement of the teaching period.
This subject enables you to advance your proficiency in a modern European language (French, German, Italian or Spanish).
Through research-led teaching, the subject covers authentic contemporary cultural sources such as literature, film, media, and music in the target language embedded in a variety of sociocultural settings across the globe.
While engaging with this material, you will participate in a range of practical tasks in the target language including conversation, translation, critical and comparative analysis, and creative writing.
This subject will not only enhance your skills as a language learner, but also your cultural knowledge and cross-cultural communicative competence.
To ensure the topic you enrol in is appropriate for your Program of Study, you must apply for permission to enrol at least three weeks prior to the commencement of the relevant trimester.
2026 Topics
- Trimester 1
- Italian:
- Modern Italian Novel
- Italian:
This subject introduces you to the works of major Italian novelists of the 20th century. It traces the novel from the post-war period to the contemporary period. Through close textual analysis of the prescribed works, you will extend your competency in reading Italian to an advanced level. The authors studied are: Pavese, Banti and Calvino.
- Spanish:
- Latin American Rhythms and Politics: From Tango to Rock
Musicians through the ages have always made reference to politics and the social issues of the day, and scholars often look to the music of a culture to analyse the values and beliefs of a society. In this subject you will study modern Latin American music and its relationship to politics. Discussion of the music will consider such topics as the relationship between the music and the historical and sociological context which it portrays and in which it was produced. The music will also be discussed in terms of the way in which the musicians present their subject matter, that is with regard to issues such as style and rhythm. This subject is only available to you if you have a background in Spanish language studies.
- There are no French or German topics available in LANG304 in Trimester 1.
- Trimester 2
- French:
- French Translation
- French:
There are many opportunities for translators to work in international organisations in our global economy. This subject will help you build upon your advanced French language skills. You will be translating works from and into French at an advanced level. You will be able to show your knowledge of culture specific features of the language and analyse the stylistic features of contemporary French. Continue to pursue your goal of becoming a confident communicator in a second language and future proof your career in a global economy where over 275 million people speak French.
- German:
- Beyond Inspector Rex: German Crime Fiction
Crime fiction is fascinating for those who love to analyse characters, human behaviour and motivations. Studying German fiction, in German, will give you a deeper insight into the structure of the language and the culture of German readers and writers. In this subject, you will read and watch German crime fiction from the 20th and 21st centuries. The subject focuses on developing your ability to examine a literary or film text critically and to relate it to the historical, political and social context of its era. Enhance your language skills through a detailed study of the texts and by producing your own piece of crime fiction in German.
- Italian:
- The Italian Detective Novel
The detective novel is a popular literary genre in Italy. The Italian crime fiction genre escalated in the early 1900s and gained popularity after WWII. In this subject you will explore the detective novel as a literary form. Popular since the twenties this genre has been used by eminent writers such as Sciascia and Eco as a metaphor for the 'search for truth'. This subject will present three contemporary authors: Leonardo Sciascia, Umberto Eco and Andrea Camilleri (famous for his Montalbano series), as a basis for literary analysis.
- Spanish:
- Theory and Practice of Translation
Translating texts enhances language acquisition because it allows you to clearly recognise the nuances in the language you are learning. You will notice patterns, and see similarities and differences between your native language and Spanish, further consolidating your learning of the language. In this subject you will study the theory of translation, concentrating in particular on research into translation processes that has emerged from linguistic studies over the past 50 years. The focus of this study is the development of an understanding of the way(s) translation operates as a sociolinguistic process and the strategies that may be applied by translators in practical situations. This subject is only available to you if you have a background in Spanish language studies.
- Trimester 1
Assessment 1: French Discipline - Translation and Reflection. 2500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 2: French Discipline - Translation and reflection. 2500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4.
Assessment 1: German Discipline - Online Assessment. 1000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-2;
Assessment 2: German Discipline - Portfolio A: A collection of learner-centred, personally relevant tasks and activities that foster receptive and/or productive language skills. 2000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 3: German Discipline - Portfolio B: A collection of learner-centred, personally relevant tasks and activities that foster receptive and/or productive language skills. 2000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4.
Assessment 1: Italian Discipline - Essay. 2500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 2: Italian Discipline - Take Home Exam. 2000 words (equivalent). It is mandatory to pass the Take Home Exam in order to pass the unit. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4.
Assessment 1: Spanish Discipline - Written Assessment. 1700 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 2: Spanish Discipline - Written Assessment. 1700 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 3: Spanish Discipline - Oral Assessment. 1000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 4: Spanish Discipline - Online Assessment. 800 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4.- Assessment 1: Spanish Discipline - Written Assessment. 1700 words (equivalent). (30%)
- Assessment 1: Italian Discipline - Essay. 2500 words (equivalent). (50%)
- Assessment 1: German Discipline - Online Assessment. 1000 words (equivalent). (20%)
- Assessment 1: French Discipline - Translation and Reflection. 2500 words (equivalent) (50%)
- Assessment 2: Spanish Discipline - Written Assessment. 1700 words (equivalent). (35%)
- Assessment 2: Italian Discipline - Take Home Exam. It is mandatory to pass the Take Home Exam in order to pass the unit. 2000 words (equivalent). Duration is 2hrs and 15mins. (50%)
- Assessment 2: German Discipline - Portfolio A A collection of learner-centred, personally relevant tasks and activities that foster receptive and/or productive language skills. 2000 words (equivalent). (40%)
- Assessment 2: French Discipline - Translation and Reflection. 2500 words (equivalent). (50%)
- Assessment 3: Spanish Discipline - Oral Examination. 1000 words (equivalent). (20%)
- Assessment 3: German Discipline - Portfolio B: A collection of learner-centred, personally relevant tasks and activities that foster receptive and/or productive language skills. 2000 words (equivalent). (40%)
- Assessment 4: Spanish Discipline - Online Assessment. 800 words (equivalent). (15%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- UNE-MDL-DIP-2026 - Diploma in Modern Languages
Others
Candidature in the Diploma in Modern Languages.
This is a repeatable subject. However, topics are not repeatable and the subject cannot be undertaken more than once in any one teaching period.
To enrol in this subject, students must have completed: FREN202 or GRMN202 or ITAL202 or SPAN202 or equivalent. Enrolment is also subject to permission of the coordinator (or delegate). Students must apply for permission to enrol at least three weeks prior to the commencement of the relevant Trimester.
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or media presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units, regardless of whether they contain an on campus attendance or intensive school component. For additional information please visit UNE Hardware Requirements: https://www.une.edu.au/current-students/support/it-services/hardware
- Other requirements -
Textbook requirements:
Textbook information is not available until approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the Teaching period.
Students are expected to purchase prescribed material.
Textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateUNE-MDL-DIP