Miami Dade College
Department of ESL and Foreign Languages
Building 7 - Third Floor – Room 7307
Phone: (305) 237-1304
WELCOME TO MDC NORTH CAMPUS
SPN 1121
¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español!
The basic Spanish Program at MDC/North includes four levels: SPN1120,
SPN1121, SPN2220 & SPN2221. You will be using Volume 1 of the required
textbook for SPN1120/1121, and Volume 2 for SPN2220/2221.
Course:
Reference:
Credits:
Term:
Days:
Time:
Pre-Requisite:
SPN1121 / Elementary Spanish 2
729501
4
Spring Term (2012-2)
Tuesdays & Thursdays
11:15-12:55 PM
SPN1120 or equivalent
Instructor Information
Name:
Phone Number:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Dr. Leon Palombo
(305) 237-1521
lpalombo@mdc.edu
Place  Building 7, Third Floor, Room 7322-05
Days and Times  TBA
Mailbox Location: Building 7, Third Floor, Room 7324
Textbook and Materials
Textbook: MOSAICOS (5th Ed.) By Castells/Guzmán/Lapuerta/Liskin-Gasparro.
Recommended:
-A set of wired index cards / A three-hole binder / A highlighter
-An erasable ink pen or a pencil for tests.
Course Description
This is a continuation of SPN1120, a proficiency-oriented course, emphasizing the
mastery of the basic skills of the language. An integrated (multi-media) approach
to develop proficiency in all the basic language skills: listening/understanding,
speaking, reading, writing and cross-cultural awareness. Students will build on
their ability to understand frequently used words in oral contexts, as well as
understand and respond appropriately to simple phrases and questions. Emphasis
is placed on practical vocabulary and accurate pronunciation. SPN 1121 covers
from Capítulo 4 through Capítulo 7 in your textbook. This is a course that
requires a considerable amount of effort, but the knowledge acquired will
definitely be an asset in daily life, as well as in a wide diversity of jobs and
professions.
Learning Outcomes
The following Miami Dade College Learning Outcomes will be assessed in this
course:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical
perspectives.
Course Competencies
Competency 1:
and writing skills.
a.
The student will demonstrate listening, speaking, reading,
Listening. The student will comprehend the spoken language in context by:
1a. understanding commands and directions.
2a. understanding the spoken language related to learned situations.
b. Speaking. The student will respond to questions related to familiar and new
situations, and initiate simple conversations by:
1b. responding to questions about themselves and about familiar and new
situations.
2b. formulating questions in Spanish.
2
c.
Reading. The student will be able to read and comprehend basic texts by:
1c. reading orally.
2c. answering written questions on material not previously learned, but within
the vocabulary and grammar taught in the course.
d. Writing. The students will write basic sentences and paragraphs in Spanish,
utilizing the acquired vocabulary and grammar by:
1d. writing sentences based on previously learned material.
2d. writing short essays based on relevant data.
Competency 2:
The student will continue using verbs in high frequency
tenses and expand use of selected grammatical structures by:
a. Using verbs in oral and written communications.
b. Recognizing and responding to declarative and interrogative, affirmative and
negative sentences in the high frequency tenses.
c. Using pronouns.
d. Using selected grammatical structures.
Competency 3:
The student will demonstrate limited social competence in the
foreign culture, comprehend common rules of etiquette, customs and sensitivities,
and show knowledge of contributions to the arts and humanities by the speakers
of Spanish by:
a. Identifying selected historical events.
b. Identifying certain aspects of the culture of the target country such as family
customs, education, holidays, and leisure-time activities.
c. Identifying important contributions of the people who speak Spanish.
d. Identifying the similarities and differences of life-styles in Spain and Hispanic
America, and those of the United States.
Teaching Methods and Strategies
Students will be expected to participate both individually and/or in pairs or small
groups, role-playing conversations in which they interact using acquired
vocabulary and expressions as appropriate. Participation includes being ready for
class (bringing textbook, completed homework assignments, etc…), and the
willingness to use the Spanish language in a variety of classroom activities.
3
Course Regulations
Attendance: Active participation is an integral part of the learning process since
the key to mastering a foreign language is practice. If you are not present in
class, you cannot make up for lost work. Therefore, you are expected to attend
every class. I understand that occasional emergencies (illness or family problems)
may occur; if for some reason you are unable to attend one class session, you
must notify me either in advance or on the same day of the session class you
miss. If you cannot speak to me in person, you can leave me a voice mail or send
me an e-mail message with your phone number and the reason of your absence.
Even if you are absent, you are still responsible for finding out what you missed in
class, and for coming prepared the following day of classes. Absences beyond two
(2) may result in a reduction of your final grade, unless a documented excuse is
presented.
The student must have a valid reason for missing class (e.g. serious illness, family
emergency, religious observance, attendance to statutory governmental
responsibilities—jury duty, court appearance, military obligation— or participation
in a college-sponsored event at which the student is representing the College) to
obtain an excused absence.
After three (3) consecutive absences without notification, you must drop
the course, or you will receive a final grade of “F”.
Withdrawals: You are responsible for officially withdrawing from or dropping the
course within the allotted time if you cannot continue attending classes. Do not
expect me to do it for you; it is your responsibility. I may initiate drops for noshows and non-attendance, and only in those cases I will personally drop you.
For last day(s) to withdraw from classes this semester, please refer to the
Academic Calendar available at the Miami Dade College website.
Punctuality: We have only a short time together, and punctuality is imperative
so as to avoid distraction to both your instructor and classmates; therefore,
tardiness is unacceptable in my class. Always observe starting times of the class,
and also when we reconvene after a break. Make every effort to be on time since
not only is arriving late rude, but it also disrupts the learning process for the entire
class. Late arrivals will affect your weekly class participation points. If
you have an emergency and must be late, before entering the classroom make
sure the class is not taking a test. If so, wait until I allow you to enter. If you
arrive late and the class is not taking a test, sit down quietly without greeting your
classmates. The fact that you are late is already an unacceptable behavior.
4
Tardiness is disruptive to the class; therefore, the students should be on time for
class. Attendance will be taken at the beginning and end of each class period.
Your instructor has the prerogative to deny admission to students who arrive more
than 10 minutes late.
Class Participation: Active class participation, which amounts for 10% of the
final grade, is essential in the language learning process, and by participation I
mean taking an active role, not only in the classroom but also in your interaction
with your classmates outside the classroom, practicing the target language and
doing your part in any group project assigned.
Each week, your instructor will evaluate your participation level and determine a
grade. You will have the opportunity to earn 5 points for every class. To
increase your opportunities to participate in class, you must complete all work and
readings before every class meeting. Students are expected to come to class
prepared and ready to participate actively. A student who has perfect attendance
may still receive a low grade in participation if he or she does not actively
participate in class. Students are expected to attempt to speak Spanish regardless
of any mistakes they may make. Errors are to be expected and are viewed as a
natural part of language learning.
MySpanishLab Assignments: Students are responsible for completing assigned
online activities timely. The total of these completed assignments is worth 25%
of the final grade. Students receive the percentage points, only when the work is
totally completed, by the end of each lesson. Students failing to complete the
assigned activities by the deadline date will lose the percentage points assigned to
that specific lesson.
MYSPANISHLAB COURSE ID: CRSCDY4-1027663
Students will need to buy access to MySpanishLab for Mosaicos 5 th edition
textbook at the campus bookstore in order to be able to complete their homework
assignments at http://myspanishlab.com/. You will need to create an account for
First-Time Users. Once you finish your registration process, you will need to click
ENROLL IN A COURSE, and then enter the above course access code. You will
also need to verify the course and the instructor by clicking confirm.
Before doing any homework in MySpanishLab, students are responsible for doing a
browser tune-up to ensure full functionality. Just click on the red circle of
MySpanishLab homepage and follow the instructions. Students are required to
complete all the homework activities assigned per chapter. Once you log into
MySpanishLab, you will see a Course Calendar with a little clock located on the due
dates. Students should click on the clock and all the assigned activities to be
completed for that chapter will be displayed. You can also re-do all the activities
as many times as you wish before the deadline. The system will record the
5
highest score. For Customer Technical Support with MySpanishLab, you should
visit http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com.
Group Oral Presentations: There will be TWO (2) group oral presentations
(also worth 10% of the final grade), one around midterm, and the other one at
the end of the semester. These presentations will consist of situation skits in
which groups of two, three, or four students interact. The performance will be
evaluated both individually and as a team.
Chapter Tests and Final Exam: There will be a total of three (3) chapter
tests (worth 30% of the final grade), in addition to a cumulative Final Exam
(worth 25% of the final grade). Tests and the Final Exam include vocabulary,
writing, grammar and listening comprehension sections. The Final Exam will not
be administered early under any circumstance. If you are planning a trip or
vacation, make sure that you do it around the Miami Dade College Final Exam
Schedule. NO exceptions will be made.
Make-Up Tests: There will be no make-up tests.
Temporary Grade of Incomplete: According to departmental policy, a
temporary grade of ‘INCOMPLETE’ will be assigned ONLY to students under
extreme hardship, in good academic standing nearing the end of the semester,
and when the outstanding coursework is mainly the final exam. An agreement to
complete the outstanding coursework must be signed by the student and the
instructor, and it must contain a description of the work to be done and a
timetable. If a change-grade form is not submitted by the completion date, the
grade of I becomes an F. All agreed upon work must be concluded within the
next major semester.
Grading Criteria
Criteria used for grading is outlined below. Missed assignments, presentations,
collaborative activities, tests, etc. etc., will receive grades of zero, which will be
computed in your final average.
Tests
Class Participation
Group Presentations
MySpanishLab Assignments
Final Exam
30%
10%
10%
25%
25%
6
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
Below 60%
If you receive a final grade of “D,” “F,” “W,” or “IW,” you MUST repeat the
course.
Student Records: I will keep information of your academic records, attendance
and grades, for one additional semester; therefore, any questions or concerns
regarding grades must be presented within this time frame.
MDC Student E-Mail Account: Every Miami Dade College student has a free
Miami Dade College e-mail, which is the means of communication that the College
uses to post announcements to students using a class electronic list.
Consequently, if we need to communicate electronically, this is the only means of
communication we will use, and it is your responsibility to access and check your
electronic correspondence regularly.
Student Questions: I look forward to and appreciate intelligent subject-related
questions from my students, not just during class time, but in my office, or
electronically as well. If you have doubts on a specific course issue, please feel
free to contact me either personally during my office hours, by telephone, or via email. If by e-mail, please use your MDC e-mail account, as stated above. Be sure
that I will respond as soon as time permits.
Seating Arrangements: If I consider it necessary, either at the beginning or
during the development of the course, and for the purpose of facilitating the
learning process and interaction among the students (as well as to maintain
discipline), I may ask you to take a specific seat in the classroom. It is my right as
your instructor. Please make sure that when you come to class you are aware of
this convention and that you follow it.
Classroom Etiquette
Student Conduct: Instructors are responsible for maintaining order and a
positive learning environment in the classroom. Students whose behavior is
disruptive either to the instructor or to other students will be asked to leave.
Students whose behavior suggests the need for counseling or other assistance
may be referred to the Chairperson of the Department of ESL and Foreign
Languages. If a student’s behavior happens to be more serious and delicate, and
violates Miami Dade College Student Conduct Code, the student will be referred to
the Dean of Students Office.
7
Cellular Phones: When entering the classroom, you should make sure to TURN
OFF your cellular telephone or any other “up to date” electronic device; students
CANNOT leave the classroom to answer their cell phones, or send text messages
during class, so if you are really expecting to receive an important phone call from
either a relative, or from work, I must be notified in advance so that you can set
your cell phone on vibrate mode. If a cell phone loudly rings while in class (or
even worse, while taking a test!), the final grade of the offender will drop by one
(1) grade. I understand that modern electronic devices have become a necessary
part of contemporary life, but they could also be an annoying distraction if used
inappropriately. In addition, I do consider that the disruption they might cause is a
sign of disrespect to the instructor and classmates alike. *Additional note: No
student will be allowed to leave the classroom while taking a test unless there is a
very serious emergency.
Food and Drinks: While class is in progress, it is NOT permitted to bring any
food or drinks to the classroom, so please abstain from doing so.
Important
Academic Dishonesty: We will adhere to the rules and guidelines delineated in
the Miami Dade College Students’ Rights & Responsibilities Handbook (Code of
Conduct – Procedure 4025) and (Academic Dishonesty – Procedure 4035) in
dealing with academic dishonesty. The ramifications for cheating or any other form
of academic dishonesty may include a grade of “F” for the course, a student being
placed on academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the College. We
encourage you to familiarize yourself with this document. In this course, students
who are caught cheating will automatically fail the test.
Services for Disabled Students: The Department extends its commitment to
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The college has developed special
support services to assist disabled students in achieving equal opportunity.
Students who have a disability that might affect their performance in the class are
encouraged to contact Access Services, in confidence, as soon as possible. This
office will aid in appropriate accommodations for the student. This is in
accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American
with Disabilities Act of 1990. Please inform me during the first week of classes if
you need special accommodations due to a disability that might otherwise affect
your performance in the class. Access Services at MDC/North is located in Room
6112, and the number to call for information is (305) 237-1272.
Names, telephone numbers and /or e-mails of two classmates:
___________________________
________________________
__________________________________
_______________________________
8
Course Outline
The following is the course outline for this semester’s work. I reserve the right to
make any necessary changes. This is only a guideline for you to be aware of the
material to be covered, and when there will be group oral presentations and tests.
Calendario
1/8
Vocabulario/Gramática
Discuss Syllabus
Capítulo 4: En familia
A Primera Vista, pp. 124-127
Las rutinas familiares, pp. 128-130
1/10
1/15
1/17
1/22
1/24
Read Syllabus
Register for
MySpanishLab
Capítulo 4: En familia
Present tense of stem-changing verbs, pp. 132-135
Tener que + Infinitive, pp. 136-137
Capítulo 4: En familia
Adverbs, pp. 138-139
Hace with expressions of time, pp. 140-141
Capítulo 4: En familia
Reflexive verbs and pronouns, pp. 142-143
Capítulo 4: En familia
A Escuchar, p. 144
A Escribir, p. 148
Capítulo 4: En familia
Enfoque Cultural (Colombia), pp. 150-152
Complete MySpanishLab Lesson #4
by 1/29 at 11:59 PM
1/29
Fechas Límites
Capítulo 5: Mi casa es su casa
A Primera Vista, pp. 156-158
Review for your
“Capítulo 4” prueba
on 1/29
-PruebaCapítulo 4
MySpanishLab #4
Due
1/31
2/5
2/7
Capítulo 5: Mi casa es su casa
La casa, los muebles y los electrodomésticos, pp.
159-160
Capítulo 5: Mi casa es su casa
Las tareas domésticas, pp. 161-162
Present Progressive, pp. 164-166
Capítulo 5: Mi casa es su casa
Expressions with the verb tener, pp. 167-169
9
Presentación Oral #1
Situaciones, pp. 135 & 137
Situaciones, pp. 139, 141 &
143
2/12
2/14
2/16
Capítulo 5: Mi casa es su casa
Direct object nouns and pronouns, pp. 170-174
Capítulo 5: Mi casa es su casa
Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, pp. 175-177
A Escuchar, p. 178
Capítulo 5: Mi casa es su casa
A Escribir, p. 183
Enfoque Cultural (Centroamérica), pp. 184-186
Complete MySpanishLab Lesson #5
by 2/19 at 11:59 PM
2/19
Capítulo 6: De compras
A Primera Vista, pp. 190-192
Review for your
“Capítulo 5” prueba
on 2/19
-PruebaCapítulo 5
MySpanishLab #5
Due
2/21
2/26
2/28
3/5
3/7
Capítulo 6: De compras
La ropa, pp. 193-196
Capítulo 6: De compras
Preterit tense of regular verbs, pp. 198-200
Capítulo 6: De compras
Preterit tense of ir and ser, pp. 201-202
Capítulo 6: De compras
Indirect object nouns and pronouns, pp. 203-205
Capítulo 6: De compras
Gustar and similar verbs, pp. 206-208
3/12
Capítulo 6: De compras
3/14
Capítulo 6: De compras
3/19
Ser and Estar, pp. 209-211
A Escuchar, p. 212
A Escribir, p. 217
Review for your
“Capítulo 6” prueba
Complete MySpanishLab Lesson #6
by 3/19 at 11:59 PM
on 3/19
Capítulo 7: Los deportes
-PruebaCapítulo 6
A Primera Vista, pp. 224-226
MySpanishLab #6
Due
10
3/21
3/26
3/28
4/2
4/4
Capítulo 7: Los deportes
El tiempo y las estaciones, pp. 227-228
Capítulo 7: Los deportes
¿Qué pasó ayer?, pp. 229-230
Preterit of reflexive verbs, pp. 232-235
Presentación Oral #2
Situaciones, pp. 166, 169,
174 & 177
Situaciones, pp. 200, 202,
205, 208, 211
Capítulo 7: Los deportes
Preterit of Leer and Oír, pp. 236-237
Capítulo 7: Los deportes
Preterit of stem-changing –ir verbs, pp. 238-240
Pronouns after prepositions, pp. 241-242
Capítulo 7: Los deportes
Irregular preterits, pp. 243-245
Complete MySpanishLab Lesson #7
by 4/9 at 11:59 PM
4/9
Capítulo 7: Los deportes
4/11
Enfoque Cultural (Argentina y Uruguay), pp. 252-254
4/16
FINAL COMPOSITION
4/18
REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM
(VOCABULARY, GRAMMAR & VERBAL
STRUCTURES)
REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM
(VOCABULARY, GRAMMAR & VERBAL
STRUCTURES)
REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM
(VOCABULARY, GRAMMAR & VERBAL
STRUCTURES)
FINAL EXAM
CAPÍTULOS 4-7
4/23
4/25
4/30
A Escuchar, p.246
A Escribir, p. 251
MySpanishLab #7
Due
PRACTICE FINAL COMPOSITION
STUDY
STUDY
STUDY
(This program is subject to adjustments and/or modifications)
11
ABOUT THIS SYLLABUS: This syllabus establishes the requirements of this
course. Please use it as a reference for the nature of the assignments, tests,
classroom regulations, attendance policies, and grading procedures.
¡BUENA SUERTE!
12