TEXTS
En Breve | by Resnick, Giulano, Golding | Thomson and Heinle 2002 (5th edition) |
El Cuento Hispánico | by Mullen, Garganigo | McGraw Hill 2004 (6th edition) |
COURSE GOALS
o Improve communicative skills in Spanish (listening, speaking, reading and
writing), so as to be able to carry on a conversation with other speakers of
the language
o Deepen an awareness of, and appreciation for, the cultures of the Spanish-speaking
world
o Begin to make connections between the study of Spanish and the study of other
disciplines
o Develop an understanding of the particular benefit that knowledge of Spanish
has for you, according to your personal circumstances, goals, and desires
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. The student will show an ability to carry on the following communicative
and grammatical functions in both oral and written forms:
- narrate in the present and past tenses
- elicit and provide information by asking and answering questions appropriately
- express will and volition through the proper use of command forms and the
subjunctive mood
- show understanding of the subjunctive mood in Spanish by being able to use
it correctly in noun, adjective, and adverbial clauses
- make comparisons
- express negation
2. The student will show cohesiveness in discourse and an ability to formulate
complex sentences through the proper use of prepositions and conjunctions.
3. The student will show an ability to read and understand short stories in
Spanish and will be able to provide information regarding important authors
of the Spanish-speaking world.
4. The student will show an awareness of cultural elements of Spanish-speaking
peoples through participation in course discussions and demonstrated understanding
of course readings.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
1. Classwork
The course will be conducted in Spanish, but the grammar will be explained in
English. Class activities are in Spanish and students are expected to participate
very actively. Accuracy is essential in oral and written work. Students
must come to class well prepared: the new vocabulary should be memorized,
the grammar studied, the written assignments written and handed in
on the stipulated day, and the readings read at least three times.
2. Absences
Attendance in class is required. Any absence will lower the weekly
grade given for oral participation and performance, and a maximum of
five absences is allowed before the final grade is lowered. Absences due
to illness and/or emergency may be excused with appropriate documentation.
3. Speaking, listening and reading objectives will be assessed by in-class
oral participation, dialogue between students (group work), and dialogue between
students and teacher.
4. Writing, listening and reading objectives will be assessed by written
homework, four or five class exams and the final exam.
An exam will be given at the end of each chapter studied in the grammar book.
There will be plus and minus grades. For example, B+ will correspond to 87 to
90, B to 83 to 87, and B- to 80 to 83. There are no make-ups, except in emergencies.
If sick (appropriate documentation is needed), students should call me the
same day the exam is given so that an exam is rescheduled for them.
The final examination is comprehensive and will include a composition. It will
be held on Wednesday May 11 from 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
FINAL GRADE
The final grade is made up as follows:
Oral participation and performance in class | 20% |
Written assignments | 5% |
Exams | 50% |
Final exam | 25% |
SPECIAL NEEDS
In coordination with the Academic Support Center (ASC), reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified students with disabilities. Please make every attempt to meet with me within the first week of class so that your accommodations can be provided in a timely manner.