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I. Course description
This is a foundation course specifically designed to introduce students to linguistic and cultural structures necessary
for basic communication in Spanish. This course revolves around the four skills associated with language learning: speaking,
listening, reading, and writing; it includes the study of grammar and reading materials, and emphasizes social and cultural
values. Special emphasis will be placed on learning communicative skills for everyday use in the Spanish-speaking world. Readings
and assignments from the textbook will be enhanced with other cultural materials such as music, film, art, etc.
The course is taught entirely in Spanish.
II. Text
Required: ¿Cómo se dice? 8th. ed. Textbook and Workbook/Laboratory Manual, by A. C. Jarvis, R. Lebredo, and F. Mena-Ayllón.
Recommended: Spanish/English Dictionary
III. Class Webpage https://cosiampiros.tripod.com/hurtado
IV. Course requirements and grade breakdown
The grading policy follows. It is important to remember that no grade is "given." Instead the student earns
points which will be objectively calculated on a 100 point scale. There is no extra credit.
Performance 10%
Midterm Exam 10%
Homework &Lang. Lab 10%
Final Exam 20%
Quizzes 40%
Composition 10%
1. Performance is based on attendance and participation in the classroom; attendance is mandatory at all times and students
are expected to be on time and participate during class discussions/lectures. Students are welcome to ask questions at any
time during class and will be encouraged to do so in Spanish.
2. Homework (tarea) & Lang. Lab--Hw. assignments will be given during each class period, and they are due on the following
class meeting. Homework will come from the workbook/laboratory manual, from worksheets distributed in class, and/or posted
on the class website. The student is responsible for any missed homework assignments. No late homework will be accepted.
If you have an excused absence (refer to section V for a description of excused absences), you will be allowed to turn in
your homework at the next class meeting. Lang Lab--Students are required to attend one hour a week at the Language Learning
Center. Activities will be assigned during class meetings. Not fullfiling this requirement will greatly affect your overall
grade.
3. Quizzes (pruebas)--there will be 10 quizzes, of which the two (2) lowest grades will be dropped. No makeups will be
given; if you're absent on the day of a quiz, you will get a 0 and it will count as one of the two quizzes that get dropped.
No exceptions.
4. Midterm Exam (examen parcial)--there will be one midterm exam the 7 or 8th week of classes; it will cover all major
grammar and vocabulary topics up until the day of the midterm. It will be worth 100 points.
5. Final exam (examen final)--there will be one final exam given during 15th week (May 8-12). Specific dates will be announced
at least one week in advance. This test is cummulative and will cover all major grammar and vocabulary topics from Chapters
1-6. There will be one oral component to this test. There are no makeup exams except under extraordinary circumstances, and
those must be approved by the professor. If you foresee any conflicts with these dates, please speak to the professor in person.
6. Composition--Students will write one short composition. One rough draft and one final version will be turned in for
this assignment. Topics and due dates will be announced in class.
NOTE:
Always come prepared to class: do all the readings and homework; bring your textbook, paper (notebook) and writing utensils.
Weekly assignments are outlined in the Detailed Syllabus and will be posted on the class website. If you lose any part
of the syllabus, you can print the necessary pages from the website. Any changes to the weekly assigments will be announced
in class ahead of time.
V. Attendance
As stated above, attendance is mandatory at all times. Students will be allowed three absences without any penalties.
After the third absence the student's grade will be dropped 1% for each absence, except for excused absences.
Tardiness: Students arriving more than 5 minutes late to class will be given a warning. Three warnings become one regular
absence. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late will not be admitted for that class period and will be counted as absent.
Excused absences:
For an absence to be officially excused you need to submit a signed and dated note upon your return to class. Phone calls
are not accepted.
Examples:
A. Medical: must be accompanied by a signed and dated note from a doctor specifically requesting the student to be excused
from class.
B. Athletic event/class field trip: please submit a note from a coach/professor prior to the date you plan to be absent.
C. Personal: only when accompanied by a signed and dated note from a counselor. Then nature of the problem is a confidential
issue and should not be divulged, but the advisor must specify dates that the student should be excused from attending class.
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Statement on Equal Opportunity for Students with Disabilities:
As a faculty member, I am committed to provide equal educational access to otherwise qualified students with disabilities.
I believe that an individual's access to opportunities for achievement and personal fulfillment must be determined solely
on the basis of the person's ability and interest. Students in any and all of my classes who require special accommodations,
auxiliary aids and/or services to ensure equal educational opportunities, regardless of disability, can count on them. I'm
always available to discuss and arrange any accommodations required by my students. I'm committed to creating a learning environment
where every student feels comfortable, relaxed. Above all is my commitment to students, as a teacher and as a human being.
Statement of Cheating, Plagiarism, and Academic Honesty:
University policy will be strictly adhered to and absolutely no academic impropriety will be tolerated. Students are
encouraged to study together and critique each other's work. However, students found discovered to be cheating during exams,
students who do not do their own work on papers, or students who fail to adequately give credit to the source for ideas that
are not their own will receive an automatic E on that assignment and may be subject to dismissal from the class with a course
grade of E. Intellectual integrity is an important component of the academic process. Consult the current Student Handbook
for the parameters and consequences of academic dishonesty. The Student Handbook can be accessed online at:
Worksheets
Map of Spanish Speaking Countries
Online activities & Homework
¿Cómo se dice? Website
Spanish-Speaking Country Webquest
Film: "Camila"
Language Lab Activities week of March 20-24
Assignment for Thursday March 23, 2006
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