Spanish 1201:
Intermediate Spanish 1
Fall Semester, 2009 - Section 02, 12:00-12:50 M-T-TH-F
Instructor: Andrew Snustad Classroom: KPlz 464 Phone: 726-8997
Email: asnustad@d.umn.edu Office: Humanities 489
Office hours: Monday 2:00-3:00, Thursday 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. and by appointment
Web page: http://www.d.umn.edu/~asnustad/Home1201sec2.htm
Grade page: http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook
Imagina Supersite: http://imagina.vhlcentral.com
A. Welcome: Spanish 1201 is the first semester of Intermediate Spanish. This 4-credit course will begin with capítulo 1 and finish with capítulo 5 in the Imagina textbook. The following are required texts for the class:
1.
Blanco, José and Cecilia Tocaimaza-Hatch. Imagina:
Español sin barreras. Boston: Vista Higher Learning, 2007 (and accessories).
1.
A Spanish – Engligh
dictionary
B. Purpose and objectives of course: This class is designed for continued development of the fundamental skills of modern Spanish: listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, as well as knowledge of cultural points and essential grammar. The text Imagina is designed to encourage personalized, practical communication in useful situational contexts.
The following are the course objectives:
- Review and improve control of grammar covered in Beginning Spanish.
- Expand vocabulary by means of reading, writing, listening and speaking
- Develop communication skills through writing and speaking
- Improve pronunciation
- Cultivate clear and concise thought using appropriate verb tenses
- Increase understanding of Spanish speaking countries and their citizens
C. Preparation: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBITY to study new grammar and
vocabulary terms before coming to class in order to succeed. By attending class after preparing for that day´s lesson, there will be more dynamic discussion and you will learn the material more efficiently. Class time will be reserved for questions and practice, but not to merely reiterate what is explained in the book. In class, students will be expected to communicate among each other and with the instructor in Spanish at all times.
D. Participation: Class participation is essential in the development of speaking
skills; therefore it is central that you attend. Attendance is a requirement that will be weighed in your participation scores. In addition, if you miss more than 5 class periods over the course of the semester you will be penalized 2% from your final semester grade for each additional absence. You are also required to attend the entire class period.
E.
Grading
Passing
percentages
93-100 A
90-92.9 A-
87-89.9 B+
83-86.9 B
80-82.9 B-
77-79.9 C+
70-72.9 C-
67-69.9 D+
63-66.9 D
60-62.9
D-
Evaluations:
Participation: 15%
- In class
- Tertulia
Homework assignments 10%
- Student activity manual
- Daily short writing assignments
- In class projects
Presentations 10%
- Pronunciation
- Formal presentation
Compositions 15%
Quizzes 10%
Chapter Exams 20%
Oral Exam 5%
Final exam 15%
F.
Honesty: Cheating
of any sort will not be tolerated and will earn an automatic 0% on any
assignment or test. If you have any
doubts on the consequences of cheating in this class or any other, please refer
to the University’s Student Academic Integrity Policy: http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/integrity.
G.
Evaluations The
following briefly explains the type of evaluations included in the semester:
• Participation grades will consist of two components: (1) in-class performance, daily preparedness and attitude (2) Out-of-class speaking practice at Tertulias.
o Tertulias Each student is required to attend at least one of the four Tertulias offered during the course of the semester. They will be held from 5 to 6 PM at Bixby´s on Woodland Ave. the following Tuesdays throughout the semester:
1. 22nd of September
2. 20th of October
3. 10th of November
4. 1st of December
• Homework assignments will consist of (1) activities manual, (2) daily short writing assignments and (3) in-class projects. Assignments that are turned in late will be penalized 10% each day it is late up to three days. After three days the assignment will not be graded.
1. Activities manual: Students will be expected to work independently from the activities manual that accompanies Imagina. Periodically, students will be required to hand in manuals for completion grades.
2. Daily short writing assignments: The instructor will assign short writing assignments for out of class practice and material for conversation in class. These writing assignments will be collected periodically throughout the semester.
3. In class projects: Students will be required twice in the semester to investigate a cultural topic and come to class prepared to present and discuss in small groups.
• Essays will explore distinct topics that relate to the current chapter. They must be typed, double spaced, in font 12 and adhere to the designated length requirement. In addition to the three separate essays that the students will be expected to write, the first essay will require a second draft after an individual conference with the instructor.
• Quizzes will be given four times during the semester. Although there are no make-up quizzes, the lowest score at the end of the semester will be will be dropped.
• Chapter exams will be given in two chapter intervals for a total of three during the semester, with the final exam acting as the third. All exams will be cumulative in nature with the main concentration of material deriving from the previous two chapters. There are no make-ups on exams either. The final test score will be used for either of the previous two chapter exams that are missed throughout the semester. The instructor will decide if the student qualifies for this option.
• The oral exam is mandatory and will consist of guided conversation between the student and the instructor for an approximate five minutes.
• The final exam will be cumulative and held on Monday Dec. 21 from 4:00 – 5:55 PM.
Additional Information
Student Conduct: Students are expected to follow the University's Student Conduct Code found at:
(http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/code). Appropriate classroom conduct promotes an environment of academic achievement and integrity. Disruptive classroom behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach, or student learning, is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes inappropriate use of technology in the classroom. Examples include ringing cell phones, text-messaging, watching videos, playing computer games, doing email, or surfing the Internet on your computer instead of note-taking or other instructor-sanctioned activities.
Study Expectations: University expectations and policy since 1922 have been that undergraduate students will average three hours of work per week (in-class time, plus homework) for every credit hour they take. Some students might need less time than others to complete the assignments. If you are having trouble doing the work, please consult with the instructor to talk about ways to resolve any difficulties.
Category 3: This course counts in Lib Ed. category 3, it focuses on the study of society (Hispanic) and/or culture of the past and present, and the analysis of language.
The Tutoring Center: offers one-on-one interaction with peers. The Tutoring Center Home Page can be found at:
http://www.d.umn.edu/tutoring/
Special needs: The University of MN (UMD campus) makes special accommodations for those students who have disabilities. Please speak with your instructor as soon as possible for assistance.