This module is an important step in your language learning journey and prepares you for your residence abroad in person or equivalent immersive experience in Spanish. It combines contemporary Spanish history and current societal and cultural issues with developing language skills and competencies related to the workplace which will enhance your employability profile.   The overall aim is to support your success in a Spanish-speaking professional context as well as in your everyday interactions.

Students will advance towards a B2 level on the CEFR. The material is tailored to support your language level.  You will build on key skills such as reflecting on your learning and identifying development opportunities, participating in group work and carrying out research.

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at intermediate level. The first half of the module includes intensive taught sessions in interactive workshop mode which will prepare you for placements abroad or self-directed language development. The second half of the module includes an placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a business or tourism issue in a target language country. 

The module will provide the opportunity to further develop your language skills, building on your previous learning at advanced level. The second half of the module includes a placement abroad or, alternatively, a project on a sustainability issue in a target language country. The first half of the module will prepare you for placements abroad where appropriate as well as a deeper understanding of sustainability in target language contexts. 

This module provides the opportunity to achieve the University of Cambridge’s CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) qualification, which is an internationally recognised initial ELT (English Language Teaching) teacher qualification. The standards of teaching required in this are in accordance with CELTA standards. The CELTA is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis for the purposes of the University of Chester. There are pass grades A, B & C Pass, which are applied by Cambridge and will be indicated on the certificate issued by them on completion of the course. These grades do not apply to the grading of the university.

This module introduces students to the field of peace and conflict studies, violence and non-violence in international relations through the study of critical approaches to the study of violence, war, conflict, security and peace. It traces the evolution of the field from orthodox approaches originally rooted in Western political analysis; those developed and practised through international organisations and institutions in international relations; to critical questions about war, violence, conflict and peace; to alternative and indigenous approaches concerned with peace-building, sustainable peace, structural transformation and restorative and reconciliatory justice. In-depth case studies are woven through the module drawn upon from various international relations contexts including the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and East Asia in order to apply concepts, approaches and theory to practice. 

Indicative content includes:

• Key concepts and theories of violence, war, conflict, diplomacy and peace.
• Critical approaches to understand security, violence, conflict and peace.
• the origins of peace-building as a synergetic process: diplomacy, peace-making, peace-keeping and peace-building
• the seven pillars through the institutional remit of the UN, UNDP, WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF and UNHCR, and an exploration of conflict from the perspective of professional practitioners inside international institutions, including international law and conventions on genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• key theoretical approaches of conflict management, conflict resolution and conflict transformation and their application.
• concepts and theories of negative, positive and sustainable peace-building
• structural transformation; reconciliation; restorative justice; inclusivity; rights
• indigenous approaches to conflict transformation

In addition to learning conceptual and theoretical innovations in the field, students will learn and practice a range of professional skills-sets invaluable to those wishing to work in the field of diplomacy, peacebuilding and conflict transformation.

In this module, students will:

• Explore contested conceptualisations of, and approaches to, Global Development and concepts of sustainability within these.
• Examine the most critical challenges to Global development, the risks associated with these challenges, how and why these arise and who is affected by them in the North and the South.
• Understand the professional instruments for Global development (Regulations, standards and agreements; institutions; policies and instruments)
• Explore the ways in which Global development is measured and modelled in practise, and critiques of these.
• Learn the skills and use the tools for professional work in Global development as well as explore examples of good practise.

The aims of this module are:

• To introduce the key foundations, and develop an understanding of the importance and value, of Sustainable Development including its environmental, social, political and economic dimensions, its inherent tensions, and its position in relation to global challenges.
• To introduce key information sources and examples relating to articulating, driving, measuring, modelling and evidencing Sustainable Development.
• To enable understanding of the interconnected nature of global Sustainable Development challenges across Global South and Global North contexts, and at a range of connected scales.
• To develop transferable skills in critical reading; data collection; analysis and interpretation; communication and presentation.
• To equip students with the tools and knowledge to comprehensively examine the most critical challenges to Global Development, including understanding the associated risks, root causes, and their impact on diverse regions, both in the Global North and South.
• To develop students' professional competence in the realm of Global Development by providing insights into the regulatory, institutional, and policy instruments that drive global development efforts. Students will gain familiarity with the professional tools and skills required for impactful work in this field.

This module is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in research, practice, and professional life. Emphasising a transdisciplinary approach, experiential learning and practitioner tools and approaches, the module aims to enhance critical thinking, research abilities, and practical skills essential for careers in Global Affairs, International Relations and related fields. Students will engage with theoretical concepts, practical and practitioner-based tools and applications, and professional development, with an emphasis on current global challenges and trends, enabling them to become informed, effective, and adaptable professionals. 

Indicative content includes:

• In-depth analysis of contemporary global challenges, such as climate change, conflict resolution, humanitarian crises, and global health issues.
• Examination of current geopolitical trends and their implications for international relations.
• Case studies on the role of international organisations (e.g., UN, IMF, World Bank) and regional organisations in addressing global issues.
• Analysis of real-world policy documents, international agreements, indicators and schematics.
• Use of qualitative and quantitative tools and information eco-systems for research, practice and professional work.
• Communication skills for effective writing, public speaking, and international negotiations.
• Intercultural awareness and competency to navigate diverse international environments.
• Ethical decision-making and the importance of professional ethics

This module provides a structured, university-level work placement for 4, 5 or 7 weeks as one continuous block / period with a placement provider (i.e. industry apprioprate sector). It is designed to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.

The placement can either be organised by you or with support from university staff.

All work placements within this module must be university-level; this means:

• Undertaking high-skilled work commensurate with level 5 study (e.g. report writing, attending meetings, delivering presentations, producing spreadsheets, writing content on webpages, social media, marketing services/products etc)
• Physically placed (albeit part of it can be hybrid) within an employer setting in one continuous block / period for 4, 5 or 7 weeks for a minimum of 140-147 hours over the course of the entire work placement

Where applicable, your existing part-time employer can be approached/used as the placement provider, if the high-skilled work.

• criterion above is fulfilled for the full duration of the placement.
• All quality assurances/agreements provided by the University are adhered to, by you and the employer.

The work placement context may not necessarily, reflect your degree discipline per se, but rather, it will give you an enriched experience to enhance your professional skills in a real-world job setting.