Beginning Spanish I Syllabus
Heather Freeman
Phone: 931-242-3812
E-mail: icnddark@heatherfreeman.org
Web Site: http://www.heatherfreeman.org
Course Description:
Beginning Spanish I is an elementary course that is designed to provide college students with a foundation in the basic skill areas of speaking, reading, writing and culture.
Oral practice, including repetition and drills, will focus on accurate pronunciation and effective communication in basic survival situations in the target language. Listening exercises in class will give you the necessary practice with oral comprehension of ideas expressed within the framework of the vocabulary and grammatical structures presented as well as the ability to guess at unfamiliar vocabulary based on context. Preparation outside of class of written exercises, lab assignments and short paragraphs will allow you to build upon material presented and practiced orally in class. Through readings, lectures, video presentations and discussions you will obtain a basic knowledge of important aspects of culture in the Spanish-speaking world.
By the end of the semester, you will be able to communicate in a basic way with Spanish-speaking members of the community. Your vocabulary will include greetings, words that relate to classroom and academic life, family, occupations and professions as well as vocabulary that will enable you to talk about your pastimes, sports and places in a city. You will also learn how to ask and answer questions about what you do, how you feel, plans for the weekend and for the future by using the verbal periphrasis ir a + infinitive (to be going to + infinitive). You will also be able to describe yourself, others and your surroundings, as well as being able to talk about your daily life and routine using the reflexive verbs.
Texbook:
ll McMinn/ Alonso García., Hoy día. Spanish for Real Life Volume 1 (with access to My Spanish Lab) Prentice Hall a
Requirements:
According to TBR policy, attendance is required.
The majority of learning occurs in the normal interchange of classroom activities. A student will be counted present only if he/she is present and awake during the entire class time and focusing on our in-class activities (leaving early violates this condition; sleeping or laying one’s head down violates this condition; text messaging violates this condition). Violation of the aforementioned conditions will result in the student being counted as ABSENT. It is the student’s responsibility to know when they have violated one of these conditions. Discussion of a violation should be conducted at the time of the violation (not at the end of the semester)! Absences will affect the students’ participation grade, with more than four (4) unexcused absences resulting in an automatic grade of F.
No game playing (2.5 points will be deducted from Final Average per occurrence) on computers, cell phones, I-pods, etc., during the scheduled hours of class. Use of the Internet during scheduled hours of class is permitted for purposes related to this class only. Any other use will result in 2.5 points being deducted from your Final Average per occurrence.
I expect you to actively participate in the class in order to receive a good grade. In paired discussions and group activities I expect you to be speaking in Spanish.
Tests:
There will be four tests. Tests missed due to an absence cannot be made up unless you have a dire excuse, such as illness. If you miss a test, let your instructor know as soon as possible so you can arrange a time to make it up, if possible. The final test will not be comprehensive, and will take place at the time established in the Final Exam schedule.
You are required to do all workbook and lab work associated with this class outside of class time. The Student Activities Manual is included in the price you pay for the Textbook, and can be purchased at the Columbia State bookstore. Be aware that if you purchase your book online, you may have to pay an additional fee for the purchase of the Online Activities Manual. We will be using My Spanish Lab in this course. If you do not have high speed Internet at your home, all the computers at the college are equipped with all the hard and software necessary to run the program. Be advised that you will need to bring headphones and a microphone with you, if you are to use the college computers, as, for health reasons, these are not available in the labs. A headphone/microphone combo can be purchased at any store that sells electronic devices, and should not be too expensive.
Extra Credit:
Any extra credit offered during the term is totally voluntary. If you are interested in earning extra credit, you must let me know early in the course. Please do not ask for any extra credit work at the end of the semester. The purpose of extra credit work is to help you with your course work. Most students who decide to earn extra credit learn more on the subject and understand it better, which helps them get a better grade. If a student is between grades, extra credit work, effort, and attitude towards the subject will decide which of the two grades s/he gets. Under no circumstances will extra credit work alone be sufficient to earn a student a passing grade if his/her grades do not reflect that the student has mastered the minimum requirements to earn a passing grade.
Out of Class Assignments:
The purpose of the assignments is to help you to learn the structure of the language by heart. If you rush through your assignments, you will hurt you preparation for the exams. Assignments must be done by the deadlines you will find in the calendar. Late assignments will affect the grade you receive for those assignments.
Read the explanations of grammar in the text before you come to class; it will help you understand explanations given in the class. You must keep up with the work or your grades will be affected.
Grade Scale:
A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: 59 and below
Official Disability Statement:
If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, readers, etc., please contact the office of Counseling & Disability Services (Jones Student Center, Room 158) and speak with me as soon as possible.
Early Alert Participation:
Your class has been selected to participate in an Early Alert program. This is a program designed to assist students and to encourage your success in this class through communication and coordination with college services designed to support you.
If you are having difficulties in certain areas of your course work such as late assignments, testing difficulties, class participation or attendance, I will send you an e-mail message to your Columbia State account through the Early Alert program.
The e-mail message will give you direction on how to receive assistance and give you information on the particular alert issue. Your faculty advisor will also receive a copy of this email, and you may wish to meet with your advisor to develop an action plan to take advantage of the various services provided to assist students.
Since the Early Alert notice will be delivered by e-mail, it is essential that you read Columbia State email frequently and respond quickly to any messages you may receive from the Early Alert program. Columbia State cares about your success in this class and can provide additional assistance in your pursuit of your educational goals.