Online SPANISH I (Beginning Spanish 121) 5 credits
Summer Quarter 2012

 

This course is not intended for native Spanish-speakers.  Contact me as soon as possible if you have questions.

Instructor Contact Information

Melissa (Phelps) Massie

E-mail: melissa.phelps@bellevuecollege.edu  

Office: A 245A

Once the quarter starts all the communication happens in Blackboard Vista.

Office hours:  By appointment only if you would like to meet in person. Otherwise, e-mail me through Blackboard Vista. I teach other classes, so please be patient if I cannot respond to you right away.

Instructor’s anticipated online times: Monday through Thursday from 9:30 – 10:20 pm and again Monday through Thursday from 2:00 to 2:50 pm.  All hours are Pacific Time.  On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I will not be available for chatting, but, occasionally, I may log on to monitor your progress, reply to e-mail, or check & post assignments.  The times above are not written in stone, and I may find it necessary to adjust during the course as needed.  I may be available at unannounced times as my work and personal schedules allow. 

Required Materials 

1.   Follow this link to the publishers Website. http://www.vhldirect.com/Store/catalog/Spanish,2.htm

 

2.   Once there, click on the book called:  EN LINEA 3.0 (It has a picture of a laptop)

 

3.   Select the “EN LINEA 3.0 code” which will give you access to all the course materials online once you purchase it. ► ISBN# 978-1-61767-118-0

**  If you want a paper copy of the textbook, select “Companion Text” also.  You must have the code to complete the class work, but the companion textbook is optional.

If purchased from BC bookstore ► you get both the code and the (paper copy) companion textbook  

    

Required Additional Materials 

·       Microphone

·       Speakers (or headset)

·       Sound card in your computer

 

 

Course Description

The Spanish I course introduces students to basic vocabulary and grammatical structures by developing listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills through a variety of interactive, audio and video activities. Authentic video and audio material will be used as well as online tutorials for grammar explanations as part of the e-textbook. Students will learn cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world and will communicate with the instructor and classmates via chat and e-mail.  To complete these activities, you must have a microphone, speakers (or headset), and a sound card in your computer.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to speak and write simple sentences about topics covered during the quarter using newly acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures; understand basic questions on subjects explored during the course and reply accordingly; read and comprehend the “gist” of simple authentic material (ads, messages, captions, articles, children’s stories, etc.).  Students should “get by” if traveling to visit a Spanish-speaking country.  This course will prepare students for Spanish 122 (Spanish II).  A C- grade minimum is advised to move on to the next level.

 Topics Covered

We will cover Lessons 1-5 of the e-textbook EN LINEA. (You may see all lessons displayed on the EN LINEA website; please ignore what is not covered this quarter.) 

Some topics covered will include: Introductions & greetings, courtesy expressions, numbers, time of day, days of the week, descriptions of people & things, college life & classes, vacations plans & reservations, pastimes & sports, family & friends, inviting people, identifying places around town, seasons & weather, shopping, colors, expressing preferences, discussing how one feels, expressing ownership.

 Calendar / Work Log

Check the course calendar regularly on BC Blackboard Vista inside the “Start Here” folder with the waving flag (before you log-on to Quia/EN LINEA).  Save it or print it for easy consultation.  The calendar will list when a new lesson begins by its title, the quizzes & test dates, projects, deadlines, and holidays.  Assignment dates are listed on the e-textbook EN LINEA site. If a test date or any other important deadline should change, I will post the news under “Announcements’’ on our Blackboard Vista site.

 Communication

Communication will take place via e-mail, and chat.  E-mail should be checked on a regular basis.  I would suggest creating an e-mail account for this online course that you are comfortable sharing with your online classmates and instructor.  It’s ok and up to you if you prefer to use your personal e-mail.  FYI: Asking you to share your e-mail addresses is not a violation of the FERPA LAW (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act).

If this is your first on-line course, it's bound to be a bit confusing at the beginning. Don't be afraid to ask questions or admit you're having trouble with something. Post your questions in the discussion room in the Student to Student link. Your classmates may be able to answer before I do. The quickest way to relieve frustration and anxiety is to share it.  Fun Fact 3:  My current favorite Spanish-language film is El Labyrinto del Fauno. (Pan’s Labyrinth).

 Grading Procedures and Breakdown

            Grading Scale -- based on percentage

A 100-94

B+ 89-87

C+ 79-77

D+ 69-67

F 59 or below

A- 93-90

B 86-83

C 76-73

D 66-60

 

 

B- 82-80

C- 72 -70

 

 

By registering for this class, you have entered into a contract with me.  You agree to meet my deadlines and expectations to the best of your abilities, and I agree to grade your efforts in a timely fashion.

If you cannot commit to this course for lack of time or other unforeseen circumstances in your life, please withdraw promptly rather than incur an inevitable and GPA-damaging failing grade (F).

1.  Tareas (Assignments)  points vary per chapter but will be averaged out of 100%

 

·        This grade is based on completed work from the following sections of En Linea:   contextos fotonovela pronunciación cultura and estructura

·        I will only accept homework on the day it is due usually the day before the test is due.  If you miss a deadline, you miss the points for those activities.

·        You must check the calendar regularly, and you must keep up to date.

 

2.  Discussion Posts on Blackboard 100 points

 

 

·        The first 2 posts can be in English.

·        The rest of the posts must be in Spanish and are your way of practicing your writing with one another.

 

3.  Quizzes   100 points

 

 

 

·        There are 10 quizzes embedded in En Linea at the end of the contextos section and the estructura section once you have worked through all 4 grammar points. 

 

4.  Pruebas (Tests)

 Lecs 1-5:  400 points

 

 

 

·        There is one test for each chapter with a strict deadline that must be met.

·        Exams cannot be made up after the deadline. 

·        You may drop your lowest test score not including the final exam.

 

Verification of Attendance

In order to be able to send you the attendance verification for Financial Aid, you will need to get the E-text: En Línea, and take the first Contextos Quiz. Once you have submitted the first quiz, please send me a message requesting the letter.  Make sure to include your name and Student ID.  Once you have a hard copy of the letter take it to the Financial Aid Office in person or mail it to Bellevue College, Office of Financial Aid, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98006.

Online conduct & etiquette

Be respectful of instructor and classmates at all times. No vulgar or offensive language will be tolerated. Do not abbreviate words and use correct spelling when typing in Spanish.  English IM and SMS lingo you normally use do not correspond in Spanish and should not be used in our course.  ¡Gracias! 

 Disability Services

If you need course modifications due to a disability, I can refer you to our Disability Resource Center (DRC) or you may contact them directly: Visit them in B132 at the main BC campus, or call (425) 564-2498 or TTY (425) 564-4110. Information is also available at their website: www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc

 Arts & Humanities Division Procedures & Expectations (*)

Please consult the Arts and Humanities website for students’ procedures and expectations.  Become familiar will all 15 guidelines.   Fun Fact 4:  I love to listen to Spanish music of all kinds – try Mexican singer Ximena Sariñana.  She is great!!

¡Bienvenidos!