Bellevue Community College

 

SPN 103 SYALLBUS

 

1st Year Spanish 3rd Term, Fall 2003, 5 credits

 

 

Course Description

This course is a continuation of SPA 102(Advanced 1st year Spanish.) Introduction of more extensive grammar, additional verb forms, more complex sentence structures, and vocabulary.  Speaking, reading, and writing Spanish are emphasized.  The course covers chapters 11-15.(CD-ROM, internet, tapes, videos, and other materials may be used to enrich learning)

 

Prerequisites

SPA 102 or instructor’s permission.

 

Course Times & Class Location

SPA 103                      Daily                9:30am – 10:20 am       R101

 

Instructor

Steve Timmons

 

Email:

 

Required Materials

 

-         Knorre, Dorwick, Glass, Villarreal, Puntos de partida. An Inviation to Spanish, 6th Edition. McGraw Hill, New York, 2001.

-         Workbook and Laboratory Manual.  The Audio Material portion of the Lab Manual is available at: www.mhhe.com/puntos

 

Optional Material

-         CD’s to accompany text lessons (for sale at the bookstore)

-         English/Spanish-Spanish/English Dictionary. (Very helpful)

 

Online

Access syllabus, course calendar, and additional course material when available for printing at the following web address:

Http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp

Log in: ahlang

(contact instructor with any problems)

 

 

 

 

 

Goals and Objectives:

 

Spanish 103 is a course designed to greatly develop basic communicative proficiency in listening, reading, speaking and writing.  We focus on two principles of communicative language teaching:

  1. Learners need to focus on the messages conveyed
  2. Proficiency requires that the target language be used from the very beginning of the course

 

  1. Performance Based Learner Outcomes

Students completing SPN103 and planning to enter SPN 201 should be able to perform the following outcomes on a variety of topics and structures:

 

I.                    Understand spoken Spanish, as follows:

a.       Demonstrate comprehension of comprehensive sentences and paragraphs.

b.      Demonstrate comprehension of main ideas.

 

II.                 Speak Spanish, as follows:

a.        Initiate and close basic conversation concerning the most pertinent topics.

b.      Communicate main ideas.

 

III.               Read Spanish, as follows:

a.       Demonstrate comprehension of main ideas and details from various texts.

b.      Demonstrate comprehension of main ideas from authentic materials.

 

IV.              Write in Spanish, as follows:

a.       Create accurately structured simple  and detailed sentences.

b.      Compose simple paragraphs grounded in personal experience.

 

V.                 Understand concepts of Hispanic culture, as follows:

a.       Demonstrate comprehension of and use several polite behaviors and basic nonverbal cues.

b.      Describe selected aspects of the geography, history, artistic heritage and cultural practices of the Spanish-speaking world.

ADA:

 If you feel you may need an academic adjustment for any type of disability, please feel free to call me or talk to me after class, or make an appointment with Disabled Support Services, in C130.

 

Diversity:

We are a college community enriched by the diversity of our students and staff. Each individual and group has the potential to contribute in our learning environment.  To diminish the dignity of one is to diminish the dignity of all. 

 

 

 

Course Content

The content of this course consists of the materials in the textbook, chapters 11-15.

 

I.                    Vocabulary used in reading, writing and discussion.            

                       


II.                 Structures:                                                 

 

1.      Hace…que/telling how long ago something happened

2.      “se” used to talk about unexpected events

3.      Informal commands and present subjunctive

4.      Past participle use

5.      Present Perfect Indicative and Present Perfect Subjunctive

6.      Other subjunctive usage

Teaching Methods and Grading Policies

Welcome to the Spanish 103!  You are continuing on a challenging and rewarding journey: the study of a foreign language.  Your success in this course depends, not on your intelligence or the grades you’ve gotten in past courses, but rather the time and interest you’re willing to put into the class.  The following guiding principles form a backbone for success:

 

  1. Listen to as much Spanish as you can, on a daily basis.  Take advantage of every opportunity to listen to your Spanish-speaking friends and neighbors, watch TV and videos in Spanish, listen to Latin music and Spanish-speaking radio stations.  The more you listen, the more you will understand.

(Radio AM 1360/Radio Sol)

  1. Speak as much Spanish as you can, on a daily basis.  From the moment you enter class each day until the time you leave, speak as much Spanish as you can.  Outside of class, converse with your Spanish-speaking friends and neighbors.  The more you speak, the greater your ability and confidence level will be.
  2. Read in Spanish every day.  This is essential to develop and enrich your vocabulary and grammar recognition, and to develop effective strategies for comprehension.  The more attention you give to reading, the more you will understand. (People in Spanish)
  3. Write in Spanish every day.  You will also have many writing opportunities to practice basic grammar, and vocabulary.  Your command of the structure of the language will increase with use.

 

Obviously, results will not happen without hard work.   Learning a language requires constant, regular practice.  The recommended out-of-class study time is 1-2 hours per class hour.  This is especially important given the fact that we meet for only a few hours per week during our term.  This is a very limited amount of time for a group of students to all have the chance to practice speaking and listening enough to reach our Learner Outcomes by the end of the term.  Thus, most of your learning must take place outside of class, and homework and study play a pivotal role in your success.

 

El idioma de la clase

This class will be conducted mostly in Spanish, with some explanations in English.   If you are not accustomed to being immersed in a foreign language, this may feel overwhelming at first.  Do not worry if this happens to you: the mind needs some time to adjust, and you are not the only one.  It is not necessary to understand everything that is said: just relax and do the best you can.  After a couple of weeks, you will notice your comprehension beginning to increase.  The same is true with reading: at first, you may find the readings challenging: ignore the sense of panic and keep on going, picking out a word or two in each sentence that you recognize, looking up a word or two in the glossary, and getting extra clues from the titles and accompanying illustrations.  If you view comprehension as a jigsaw puzzle, it will be less stressful.  And as time goes on, your reading comprehension will improve if you stick with it. 

 

Attendance

Attendance in this class is absolutely essential!!  New material will be presented and practiced every day, and the pace is rapid.  If you miss one class, you will get behind.  If you miss several classes, you will have missed a good percentage of the class material.  On the other hand, if you complete the term with a good attendance record, chances are you will earn a high grade for participation, and your quiz and test scores will also improve.

 
Homework

Homework is assigned almost every day that we meet. All assignments are due the next class meeting unless otherwise instructed.  Some homework will be from the textbook, some from the workbook, and some from other sources. Late homework policy: Homework may be turned in one class session late for reduced credit.  No credit will be awarded after that. Homework must be fully completed. On all papers turned in, be sure to include your Spanish name, your class section, and the page numbers.  If you are not in class, you may put paper in my mailbox in the Arts and Humanities office that same day.

 

Projects:

There will be at least one project this quarter.  Either a presentation in groups of two or three, and presented as a skit and/or interview, using a memorized dialogue or something you personally research and inform the class about. I will be giving much more information on this as we go. The specifics may very well change as we go!

 

Extra Work

If you would like extra practice with the material of this course, please talk to me.  This is for your personal benefit and some extra credit points may be negotiated with the instructor. 

 

Quizzes

There will be short quizzes to test your understanding of the vocabulary.  These quizzes will take place at the beginning of class and cannot be made up if you arrive late.

 

Tests

There will be chapter tests that will include all material (vocabulary, grammar and culture) studied in the chapter, and a cumulative final exam, which will include the material of all chapters.  All tests will have reading, writing, listening and speaking sections.  You get to throw out your lowest test score at the end of the term!J

 

Make-Up Policy

If you know in advance that you will miss a test or a quiz, you may be able to arrange a make-up if you discuss it with your instructor a week beforehand.   However, it is YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY to arrange this with me. Do not attempt to do this at the end of the quarter.

 

Grading

Your final course grade will be computed as follows:

      Homework from textbook, workbook & handouts   20%

            Class Participation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 10%

      Quizzes                                                                                   15%

      Chapter Tests                                                                        20%

      Final Exam                                                                             25%

Oral Presentations/Project                                                    10%

 

Grading Scale:

A         = 93-100%                  A-        = 90-92%

B+       = 87-89%                    B         = 83-86%                    B-        = 80-82%

C+       = 77-79%                    C         = 73-76%                    C-        = 70-72%

D+       = 67-69%                    D         = 60-66%                   

F          = 0-59%

 

You can earn a high Class Participation grade as follows:

1.      You attend class every day, on time!

2.      You participate actively

3.      You bring enthusiasm, creativity and originality to the class environment

4.      You work well with your peers

5.      You demonstrate and develop the ability to think analytically

6.      You show significant improvement in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills as well as cultural understanding

 

Classroom Policies

  1. Be respectful of your instructor and peers.
    1. Listen attentively.  Refrain from talking when anyone else in the room is speaking, unless otherwise instructed.
    2. Do not ridicule others for any reason.
    3. Do not do homework or other writing during class time, unless otherwise instructed.
  2. If necessary, drinks (e.g., water or coffee) are fine if you clean up after yourself.  Food is allowed if it is does not interfere with learning.
  3. If you have any concerns or complaints about the class, please speak to me about them in private.  I am always willing to listen to your feedback on a one-on-one basis.

4.  Please turn off cellular phones before class!J

 

 

Helpful Study Hints

  1. Study regularly, i.e., set aside a specific time and place for Spanish every day.
  2. Set up regular study sessions with your classmates.  On homework, be sure to do your own work.
  3. When studying alone, always read aloud so you can hear your own voice.
  4. Your homework is designed to help you.  If you get stuck, move on to the next section and come back to it later. 
  5. Call your classmates or see a tutor for help.  Ask your questions during class.
  6. Make flashcards for more difficult grammar and vocabulary items.  Carry these with you wherever you go, and use them to help memorize the material and test yourself. 
  7. Consult with your instructor as needed.

Buena suerte!  J