Spanish 101

Elementary Spanish

Course Syllabus & Description

Fall Quarter 2008

Tuesdays and Thursdays

10:30 – 12:55 P.M.

Sara Pierce

541-4660, Ext. 255, Pierce@ltcc.edu

Office:  F131

Office Hours:  Monday/Wednesday 2:30 – 3:30; Tuesday/Thursday 1:30-3:00

and by appointment

Important Dates to Remember for Fall Quarter

10/17                Last Day to Drop with no Record

10/17                Last Day to Declare CR/NC Credit

11/10                Campus Closed – Veteran’s Day

11/7                  Last Day to Drop with a “W” Grade

11/27 – 11/30    Campus Closed – Thanksgiving Holiday

12/8 – 12/11      Final Exams

Any students needing accommodations should inform the instructor.  Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible.  Students may contact the DRC by visiting the Center (located in room A205) or by phoning 541-4660, ext. 249.  All information will remain confidential.

UNA CARTA DE LA PROFESORA

¡Hola clase!

This course description contains important information that will help you to be successful in this class.  Read it carefully and be sure to ask for clarification if you don’t understand all of it.  It is easy to succeed in my classes if you come to class, participate in our activities, turn in your work on time, and study the vocabulary and grammar. 

You should plan on spending ten hours per week studying Spanish as homework.  It takes much time to memorize and practice saying the new vocabulary.  Read aloud from your text and say your vocabulary words out loud.  Talk to Spanish speakers whenever you get the chance.  Listen to Spanish television, radio, and music.  The more time you put into using Spanish, the faster you will be able to speak and understand it.

Respect for your classmates is very important in this class.  Allow each other to try, take risks, and to learn.  I will do the same with all of you.  Teaching and learning a new language needs to be fun and low stress.  I will do my best to create a positive environment in our classroom since I learned Spanish in the classroom too and know how important it is.  Mistakes are a natural part of learning any language and I will always encourage you to take risks, at whatever level of Spanish speaking ability you are.  Remember, communication is our goal; we’re not linguists yet!  SHAPE  \* MERGEFORMAT    Don’t compare yourself to other students.  Have a positive attitude to learning and trying, and you will be surprised at how much you will enjoy learning Spanish. You’ll see how much I love it!!!

Good luck! Buena suerte! 

Señora Pierce

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Student Learning Outcomes

 

1. Compose an evidence-based paper and discuss the culture and peoples of a Spanish-speaking country that reflects information learned and personal reflection.
2. Communicate and comprehend in target language at beginning-elementary level with appropriate grammar, present tense verbs, and vocabulary as listed in course topics.
3. Participate in casual and formal dialogue in class activities and oral presentations that demonstrate recycled vocabulary, grammar, and phrases.

Methods of Assessing Student Learning Outcomes

1. Tests and quizzes
2. Written sentences in Spanish
3. Oral presentations
4. Conversations and skits
5. Class participation
6. Cultural discussions
7. Instructor observation
8. Assessment tools appropriate for course level

Text & Books  (Available for purchase at the College Book Store)

Required:

Puntos de partida, McGraw Hill, 2004, 8^th edition

(Workbook optional)

Recommended:

Spanish-English/English-Spanish Dictionary

Dictionary of 501 Verbs

Grading

Tests & Quizzes               40%

Web Lessons & Homework            25%

Class Participation                        25%

Oral Presentation              10%

Grading philosophy:  if you just answer a question or assignment with a short answer, the grade will be a "C."  To receive a "B" the answer must be very complete, full sentences, well written.  A grade of an "A" is given to assignments that are truly above what is required, give extra information, include your opinion, show that your deserve an outstanding grade on the assignment.

Grades are posted online on a weekly basis.  Use your secret code to view your grade.  GradeSource:  http://www.gradesource.com (Enter instructor name and then click on appropriate course.)

If there is an error in your grade, please notify the instructor as soon as possible.

Late Work Policy

All work is due on the date indicated on the course syllabus.  Late work will be marked down 5% for each day (includes weekdays and weekends) that the work is turned in after the due date.  After one week (seven days) has passed the work will no longer be accepted and the grade will remain a zero. 

This late work policy applies to all graded work in this course:  tests, quizzes, Web lessons, homework, oral presentations.

Pop quizzes cannot be made up.

If you have a serious emergency, please contact the instructor to make special arrangements.

Tests & Quizzes

All tests and quizzes are on the syllabus.  Tests will cover all vocabulary and grammar covered in class.  A review sheet will be provided before each test.

If a student is absent the day of a test or quiz, it must be made up as soon as possible in the TLC, above the Commons.  Five percent will be deducted from the score for each day that passes.  Each day includes weekends and weekdays.  After a week has passed, tests and quizzes cannot be made up and the grade will remain a zero.

However, “pop quizzes” cannot be made up. If a student misses a “pop quiz” s/he will receive a “0” on this quiz.

This same policy applies to those students taking their tests in the DRC.

Arrangements can be made to take tests and some quizzes early.  See the instructor.

Cultural Web Lesson & Homework

The Internet will be used to research cultural topics.  After investigating the Internet links within the Web lesson, students will be required to write a composition based on the content.  Guidelines on the research and composition are included in the Web lesson.  Computer labs at LTCC may be used to access the Internet.

Homework activities include studying the text book, content covered in class, memorizing vocabulary, and grammar rules.  Time should be spent speaking Spanish; read aloud to yourself.  Flash cards should be prepared for the vocabulary.

A minimum of ten hours per week should be spent studying Spanish:  reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Oral Presentation

This project is to encourage students to speak Spanish.  Presentations may be done in a group or on an individual basis.  See the handout on page 11 for details.

All oral presentations must be presented by the due date on the syllabus.  In the event that a group has a conflict with the presentation date, the oral presentation may be given early.

If you miss the day of the oral presentations, you must be ready to perform the next class day, however you will be deducted 10%.

Class Participation

Class participation is an important part of the course.  Each class meeting is worth ten points.  Five points will be deducted if students arrive late, leave early, or don’t fully participate in class activities.

Students are automatically excused from two class meetings. 

In the event that a student is absent from a class, all material listed on the syllabus should be studied at home and the homework should be completed.  It is a good idea to exchange phone numbers with other students.

Keeping up with the Class

Any student needing accommodations should notify the instructor immediately.  Students that are having difficulty should let the instructor know as soon as possible.  Chances are that other students are having the same problems. Free tutoring is available to students in the Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC), above the Commons. See schedule posted each quarter at TLC.

Dropping the Class

Students are responsible for dropping the class by the appropriate dates given in the Schedule of Classes.  See Admissions & Records for clarification.

LTCC Library

The LTCC Library is a quiet and inviting place to conduct research, locate information, study, and read. Located on the second floor of the main college building (Room A201), the Library has access to many useful research tools including millions of online magazine and newspaper articles, 40,000+ books, subscriptions to more than 200 magazines and newspapers, thousands of audiovisual materials, and more. In addition, the Library has several computers with Internet connectivity, a large quiet study area, audiovisual workstations, and a photocopier. 

The Library is open Monday through Thursday 8:00AM to 8:00PM, Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM, and Saturday 11:00PM to 5:00PM and all students are welcome to visit the Library and make use of the collections and services. The library is closed on Sundays and holidays. For more information, please call (530) 541-4660 x232 or direct your web browser to http://library.ltcc.edu/.

Oral Presentations

·         The Group Oral Presentation will foster teamwork and cooperation among students and will enhance the richness of the project.  Groups will consist of two to four students.  The students will be able to use Spanish in meaningful context.

·         The Group Oral Presentation is worth 10% of the quarter grade.

·         The presentation must be done in Spanish.  The entire presentation should last a maximum of ten minutes.

·         Each group will choose a topic from the following list.  All subject matter is covered in Spanish 101 and can be found in the Preliminary Chapter through Chapter Two.  Groups must choose the format of the presentation:  skit, song, teach the class something, etc.

·         The presentation must be live. You may use technology and clips, but they may not be entire presentation.

General Topics

At the University                        Friends Having a Conversation

In the Library                             In the Cafeteria

The New Student                       The Exchange Student

The Family – At Home, On Vacation, Celebrations, etc.

·         Use as many of the following as possible in your presentations.  All concepts are found in the text, Preliminary Chapter through Chapter Two.

            Greetings & Expressions of Courtesy                 Questions

Descriptions                                                      Classroom Expressions

Numbers                                                           Present Tense of Verbs

             Hobbies                                                           Telling Time

·         A written copy of the script (one per group) must be turned in at the time of the presentation.  Cue cards may be used as prompts. 

·         Points will be deducted from the overall grade if the presentation is read.  Keep the use of Spanish at a level which the class can understand.  Keep the conversation in the present tense and use concepts presented through Chapter Two.

·         The use of visuals is mandatory to make the presentation more enjoyable and comprehensible.  Use charts, posters, overhead transparencies, video clips, labels, costumes, etc.

·         The presentation will be graded based on the following criteria:

Category                                   Points

Preparation & Organization                     20

Visuals, costumes, props                       20

Use of spoken Spanish (practice)            50

Written Script                                        10

 Site created and maintained by Sara Pierce, 12/11/2008