Spanish Studies and
Spanish Translation Studies
Presentation
The basic studies of Spanish at the University of Turku began officially in 1975. Prior to that, only introductory courses to the language had been organized. In 1982, the studies expanded to include also intermediate studies. The basic studies of Translation and Interpretation of Spanish began in 1989 and a few years later they included also intermediate studies. Finally, in 1998, a temporary professorship of Spanish Language was founded. It meant the beginning of advanced studies and since then Spanish has been a full major subject at the University of Turku. The professorship was established in 2003.
Today, Spanish Studies and Spanish Translation Studies form the Department of Spanish.
The studies are divided into three levels: basic studies (25 ECTS), intermediate studies (45 ECTS) and advanced studies (80 ECTS). The basic studies are common to all students of the Department of Spanish. The intermediate and advanced studies focus on different aspects of contemporary Spanish, baring in mind the needs of future teachers, translators and researchers.
The Department of Spanish aims to provide the students with an excellent knowledge in Spanish, both oral and written, theoretic knowledge of the structure of the language and a basic knowledge of the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. The students of Spanish Studies achieve the information and knowledge needed in teaching or in today’s business world.
The Spanish Translation Studies prepares the students to work in the field of international communication, in tasks that require a high level in language and translation.
The studies and the research in the Department of Spanish focus on contemporary Spanish, comparative studies between Spanish and Finnish and applied linguistics (e.g. foreign language teaching, theory of translation). The languages used in teaching are Spanish and Finnish, thus, the students of the Department of Spanish are required an excellent level also in Finnish.
The Department has one professor in charge of both Spanish Studies and Spanish Translation Studies. Spanish Studies has two lecturers, one Finnish and one a native speaker of Spanish. The Spanish Translation Studies has one native lecturer.