Spanish 201
Intermediate Spanish
Course Syllabus & Description

Fall Quarter 2008

Tuesdays & Thursdays

3:30 – 5:55 in A251

Instructor: Sara Pierce

Office Phone:  541-4660, Ext. 255

pierce@ltcc.edu

Office Room F131

Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 2:30-3:30,

Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30- 3:00, and by appointment

Important Dates to Remember:

Last day to drop with no record:  Friday, 10/17

Last day to declare Credit/No Credit:  Friday, 10/17

Last day to drop with “W” grade:  Friday, 11/7

Veteran’s Day Holiday:  Friday, 11/10

Thanksgiving Break, 11/27 – 11/30

Final Exam Week:  12/8 – 12/11

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 (voice) or 542-1870 (TTY for deaf students).  All information will remain confidential.

Study in Guanajuato, Mexico!

Summer 2009 – Three week program

Web site for trip:  http://www.ltcconline.net/barclay/GTO/09.htm

See Jen Spina for details at 530-541-4660, x370.

Dates & Course Assignments

   Gracias por estar en la clase.

Espero que pasen unas vacaciones buenas.

Nos vemos en enero, en el año nuevo de dos mil nueve. 
¡Próspero Año Nuevo!

Descansen, trabajen, esquíen, vayan de compras, estén con amigos, hablen español, coman galletas, hagan fiestas

UNA CARTA DE LA PROFESORA

¡Hola clase!

Estas páginas contienen información muy importante para su éxito en esta clase. Léalas con cuidado y pregúnteme si tiene preguntas.  Es fácil ser un estudiante bueno en mi clase.  Debe venir a clase, participar, entregar la tarea a tiempo, estudiar el vocabulario y la gramática, y hacer preguntas en clase.

Es obligatorio que pase por lo menos diez horas cada semana con la tarea de esta clase.  Parte de la tarea es leer en voz alta, repasar la lección del día, hacer “flash cards,” escuchar la música y televisión española, y hablar con nativo hablantes. 

El respeto para sus compañeros de clase es importantísimo.  Todos vamos a hacer errores, es parte de aprender un idioma.  Nunca se debe reírse de otras personas.  Tenga una actitud positiva y venga a clase listo para hacer su mejor.  Va a aprender mucho este año.

El español es muy divertido.  Nos vamos a divertir mucho en la clase.

¡Bienvenidos!  Mi clase es su clase.

Señora Pierce

COURSE DESCRIPTION – Spanish 201

Student Outcomes

1. Write a composition and discuss the culture related to a Spanish-speaking country based on an interview with a native Spanish speaker.
2. Demonstrate oral fluency and comprehension in the target language at the intermediate-low level using the vocabulary and grammar presented in the list of topics for this course.
3. Distinguish, infer, and narrate using verbs in the indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods.
4. Participate in formal and casual conversations and engage in real-life situations by means of interaction in class activities and oral presentations.

Text & Books 

Required:

Puntos de partida, 8^th edition, available at the College Book Store
Workbook optional

Dos novelas picarescas: El Lazarillo de Tormes. Tardy (1996). Nacional Textbook Co. ISBN: 0-8442-7303-1

Recommended:

Spanish-English/English-Spanish Dictionary
Dictionary of 501 Verbs

Grading

Grades are posted weekly online at Gradesource.com with your secret number.  Enter Instructor name and class.

Check your grade on a weekly basis.  If there is an error in your grade, notify the instructor within one week.

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.

A = 90-100%; B = 80-89%; C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; F = below 60%

Late Work Policy

All work is due on the date indicated on the course syllabus during the scheduled class meeting time.  Late work will be marked down 5% for each day 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.  Early work is always accepted.

This late work policy applies to all graded work in this course:  tests, compositions, reports, homework, presentations, etc.

If you have a serious emergency, please see the instructor to make special arrangements. Please visit the TLC (Tutoring and Leraning Center) to make up any tests or quizzes.

Interview a Native Speaker

Students will interview a native Spanish speaker and write a summary of the dialogue.  See attached page with detailed information.  SEE PAGE 13 OF THIS PACKET.

Oral Presentation

Students will work together in groups or on an individual basis to re-enact or create an episode from Lazarillo de Tormes.  This project is to encourage students to speak Spanish.  See the attached handout, page 9, with detailed information.  Presentation date is on the syllabus. 

Tests

All tests are on the course syllabus.  A complete review with a handout will be covered in the class preceding each test.  In the event that a student is absent on a test date, the test should be made up as soon as possible within one week.  Go to the TLC, above the Commons, to make up a test.  Refer to the late work policy.  Students are not able to make up pop quizzes!

If tests are not taken during the scheduled class time, the grade will automatically go down 10%. 

Class Participation

Class participation is an important part of the grade. Ten points will be given for each class meeting.  Students are automatically excused from one class meeting.  If absent, the student is responsible for making up all work on the class syllabus according to the late work policy.

Oral activities will be part of class participation.  Students will be expected to participate in activities using Spanish.

Homework

All homework assignments are on the course syllabus with the due dates.  Refer to late work policy.  The interview project is an ongoing homework assignment.  Students should plan to spend ten hours a week studying vocabulary and grammar from the text.  Homework includes practicing speaking Spanish with native speakers, listening to Spanish television and music, and reading in Spanish.  All material on the course syllabus should be studied at home as well.

Keeping up with the Class

Any student needing accommodations should notify the instructor. Students that are having difficulty should notify the instructor as soon as possible.

Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC)   FREE!

Tutorial services are provided at no cost to the student. The schedule of Spanish tutors is available in the TLC, located above the Commons. 

Dropping the Class

Students are responsible for dropping the class. See Admissions & Records for clarification and deadlines. 

El Lazarillo de Tormes

An intermediate version of the novel El Lazarillo de Tormes will be studied this quarter as part of an overview of Spain’s Golden Century.  The novel read in class consists of 15 episodes.  Each episode will be read in class as time permits. 

An ongoing homework assignment is to read and reread each episode many times.  There is an English translation of our version available online at: http://www.ltcconline.net/barclay/courses/Laz/laz_202.htm.  This translation is to help students with comprehension and to eliminate the need to use a dictionary to look up every word in the novel. 

Students are responsible for reading the novel and should be prepared to discuss the assigned episode in class.  There will be three quizzes based on the readings. 

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.  All students are welcome to visit the Library and make use of the collections and services. For more information, please call (530) 541-4660 x232 or direct your Web browser to http://library.ltcc.edu/.

EL LAZARILLO DE TORMES

Oral Presentations

• Reenact an episode from the novel, or create a new episode.
• Write a script with your group.  Practice your lines.  If you read your lines, the highest grade possible on the presentation will be a "C."  The goal is to speak Spanish, not read it.
• Each group must turn in one copy of the script before the presentation.
• Visuals, costumes, props must be used!  Be creative.
• Time:  presentations should last between 10 and 15 minutes. 
  (Individual presentations - 5 minutes)
• Groups will be formed in class.
• Some class time for practice will be given in class.
• If you are not able to work with a group, you may do an individual presentation, such as a commentary or speech by a character from the novel. 
• Make sure that you will have time to practice outside of class.  Exchange phone numbers with members of your group.  Plan a time to practice.
• If members of your group are absent the day of the presentations, the show will go on.  We will have a volunteer read the lines of the person who is absent, so the script is very important.
• Each participant of your group should have equal speaking parts, don't let one person dominate the scene.  It's okay to change the scene a bit from the original to accommodate your needs.
• If you are absent, you may present your part in the next class meeting, with a reduction of 10% for your grade.

Grading

Keep it fun and creative!

¡Llámeme por teléfono!

Spanish 201

Hola profesora.  Me llamo José García y soy estudiante en la clase de español, doscientos uno…

Leave a Spanish voice mail message for me. 

Introduce yourself; be sure to say your name.  Tell me where you live, work and play.  What do you like to do when you are not studying Spanish?  Why are you taking Spanish?  Include information about your family and friends.  Tell me about your favorite foods, restaurants, seasons, sports, books, etc.  What did you do this past summer?

Worth 25 points.  To receive full credit, speak the entire time, about two minutes. 

How to leave a voice mail message at LTCC

1.    Call LTCC:
541-4660

 

2.    As soon the recording answers "Thank you for calling Lake Tahoe Community College…"
dial 320

 

3.    "Express messaging.  To mailbox…"  
Enter my mailbox 255 then press #.

 

4.    "Hola. You’ve reached the voicemail of sara Pierce…"

 

5.    Leave your message and hang up. 

6.    If you run out of time, call back and continue.

INTERVIEW PROJECT

Objectives: 

• Converse with a native Spanish speaker.
• Become familiar with the culture and customs of people from Spanish speaking countries.
• Write a composition in Spanish.

Successful students will:

• Compose a list of interview questions, at least 20 questions.
• Meet with a native Spanish speaker.
• Ask the questions and interact with the interviewee.
• Write a summary of the interview, in Spanish.
  (Two pages, typed, double-spaced, in Spanish)
• Include a conclusion with your comments on the project
• Edit the summary with a Spanish tutor if needed
• Read the interview summary to classmates

Grading

If you need help finding someone to interview, see the instructor as soon as possible in the quarter.

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