SPANISH ELEMENTS I
SPAN 102-003 (2169)
SPRING 2021
Class meetings: T and Th 12:30 – 1:45
Classroom: Online (Zoom)
Office Hours: M, W from 2:00 to 3:00
T and Th from 2:00 to 3:00
Professor: Dr. Diego del Pozo
Office: LA 4132
E-mail: ddelpozo@towson.edu
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
 ¡Viva!, 4th Edition! Digital textbook + WebSAM ISBN: 978-1-54331-432-8
 IMPORTANT: To purchase your textbook, go to the webpage below, enter “Towson” in the search box and
follow the instructions to create an account and access the materials for SPAN 101.
Website: https://vistahigherlearning.com/students
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
SPAN 102 SPANISH ELEMENTS II: Review and further study of grammar principles; pronunciation;
conversation; composition; readings. Not open to students who have successfully completed SPAN 201, SPAN 202,
SPAN 301 or SPAN 302. Prerequisite: SPAN 101 or the equivalent as indicated by placement exam score. Core:
Global Perspectives or GenEd II.C.1.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Linguistic and Cultural: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Express elementary needs in the present using learned vocabulary and grammar. (ACTFL 1.a, b, c)
2. Listen to and understand brief utterances strongly supported by context. Comprehend words and phrases
from simple questions, statements, high-frequency commands and courtesy formulae about topics that refer
to basic personal information and the immediate physical setting. (ACTFL 1.a, b, c)
3. Write familiar words and phrases from memory in the form of dialogues and paragraphs. (ACTFL 1.a, b, c)
4. Read short texts using learned vocabulary and cognates. Identify highly contextualized words and phrases in
short cultural texts. (ACTFL 1.a, b, c, 2.a, b)
5. Relate Spanish cultural events in the community with the knowledge acquired in class. (ACTFL 2.a, 2.b)
Core 5: Arts and Humanities: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Discuss context and structures of cultural traditions in terms of literature, art, music, culture or society.
(ACTFL 1.a, 2.a, 2.b, 2.c)
2. Describe important movements and processes that have affected the cultural heritage of a particular group.
(ACTFL 1.a, 2.a, 2.b, 2.c)
3. Use methodologies associated with the study of cultural traditions in the arts and humanities to reflect on the
experiences of a particular society. (ACTFL 1.a, 2.a, 2.b)
4. Engage in a critical assessment of how the student’s own experience has been affected by particular cultural
traditions in the arts and humanities. (ACTFL 1.a, 1.c, 2.a, 2.b, 2.c)
EXPECTATIONS:
This course will assume a hands-on approach in which students will be expected to prepare carefully before each class
and come prepared to participate in all activities and, in the process, to be respectful of their peers and assist in
maintaining a positive learning environment. Spanish is the language of instruction. Students will make oral
presentations; write essays and converse in Spanish.
NETIQUETTE:
Students in this online course are expected to observe common rules of netiquette (or Internet etiquette). Those rules
include but are not limited to:
1. Proofread your message before you hit send.
2. ALL CAPITALS is the same as shouting your message, check your caps' lock button.
3. Don’t flame—everyone is entitled to the right to speak their opinion. Respect the opinions of others.
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4. Make meaningful replies. Don’t just agree—say why you agree! Or disagree, as the case may be—just do so
respectfully.
5. Follow the TU Student Conduct Code.
6. Know that students who do not follow basic netiquette rules may be suspended from discussion board use.
This program and course depend upon synchronous online meetings and you are expected to be “virtually” present
for these just as if you were meeting in a regular classroom. You must have a working computer, microphone,
webcam, and internet connection.
 In the event of technical difficulty for the student: Email your professor immediately. Do your best to resolve
the issue before class.
 In the event the instructor has technical difficulty:
If the instructor disappears and doesn’t return in 3 minutes, please wait an additional ten minutes before
logging off. The instructor will be trying to reestablish the connection and/or may be trying to reach an
alternate internet connection. If the professor does not return within those 10-15 minutes, see Blackboard for
instructions which will be posted as soon as possible. You are not expected to wait longer than twenty
minutes.
 In the event of a snowstorm, hurricane, or any widespread loss of power and/or internet connections which
disrupts many participants, alternate materials will be posted on Blackboard. Make sure to check as soon as
you are able to connect to the internet.
 Use of a webcam is mandatory. Each student will be permitted 2 instances where technical difficulties or
other issues are cited for lack of camera use. For every incident past 2, the final grade tally for the class will be
decreased by 5 points.
 “Attentiveness.” It will be evident to the instructor if you are not at your PC and engaged with the class.
Remember, you are expected to be present, available to be called upon to comment or contribute at any time.
Up to 10 points may be lost for any class session where you are “present” but evidently not engaged. Such
measures are used to ensure that you are actually receiving the instruction required in your online course.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
“Attendance” in a course that is fully online or has an online component may be evaluated differently. Online
attendance, like in-person attendance, is more than just logging into the course or being physically present.
Attendance in any case is measured by your intellectual and active engagement with the course content, course tools,
course instructor, and with other students in the course.
For asynchronous and synchronous coursework:
1. It is the regular policy of the university to excuse the absences of students for the following reasons:
a. illness or injury when the student is unable to attend class
b. death of a family member (see the Student Bereavement Procedure on the website)
c. religious observance where the nature of the observance prevents the student from attending class
d. participation in university activities at the request of university authorities (e.g., Intercollegiate
Athletics, Forensics Team, Dance Company, etc.)
e. compelling verifiable circumstances beyond the control of the student
2. The exceptional circumstances presented by the COVID pandemic create the potential for additional
flexibility in qualifying absences as excused. Such extenuations might include: absences related to extended
illness, quarantine, caring for family members, childcare (and support of children’s online learning) due to
school closures, or urgent job concerns related to financial need, emergency situations, or food insecurity.
Students requesting an excused absence must provide documentation to the instructor two weeks prior to the
scheduled absence when known in advance or as soon as possible when not known in advance. Absences that
do not fall into any of the above categories are unexcused.
3. Students who will be representing TU at events, conferences, or other official activities should obtain
verification of absence from the appropriate official. A Notification of Absence from Class Form from the
Office of Campus Life, University Union 232, should be given to instructors to verify the excused absence.
Students are encouraged to notify faculty of anticipated class absences as soon as they learn they will be
missing class.
4. Students who are absent from class are responsible for any missed work, assignments or assessments (e.g.,
quizzes, tests, papers, etc.). Student responsibility for missed work is particularly important in the event of an
absence due to an extenuating circumstance of the pandemic. Faculty members are required to allow students
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with documented excused absences to make up missed work or assignments when this is feasible. Only in the
case that the nature of the assignment makes this impossible, should faculty members be expected to make a
reasonable adjustment of the assignment.
5. Students requesting an excused absence must provide documentation to the instructor two weeks prior to the
scheduled absence when known in advance or as soon as possible when not known in advance. Absences that
do not fall into any of the above categories are unexcused. Students receiving an excused absence remain
responsible for missed work. Appointments for make-up work should be made within 1 week of the time of
return. Students may not make up graded work for unexcused absences. You are allowed two (2) unexcused
absences. Beyond that, for each additional absence, one percentage point will be deducted from your final
grade. Two late arrivals count as one absence.
https://catalog.towson.edu/undergraduate/academic-policies/class-attendance-absence-policy/
EMERGENCY CLOSURE POLICY:
Conditions on campus sometimes force the university to close. Should this occur, I will send a message to your
Towson e-mail addresses that explains any revisions to our schedule and assignments. The university’s website
(www.towson.edu) and the main University phone number (410-704-2000) state when conditions on campus force
the university to close. To have text message alerts regarding campus closings sent to your cell phone, visit:
https://www.towson.edu/publicsafety/notification/
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
This course is in compliance with Towson University policies for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities
are encouraged to register with Disability Support Services (DSS), 7720 York Road, Suite 232, 410-704-2638 (Voice)
or 410-704-4423 (TDD). Students who suspect that they have a disability but do not have documentation are
encouraged to contact DSS for advice on how to obtain appropriate evaluation. A memo from DSS authorizing your
accommodation is needed before any accommodation can be made.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
The Academic Integrity Policy of Towson University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility
(1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student’s own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations
of academic integrity in the University community (like plagiarism or cheating) which will result in failure of the
course, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community.
Students are expected to uphold the Academic Integrity Policy published on the Towson University Catalog:
https://www.towson.edu/provost/academicresources/documents/03_01_00_student_academic_integrity_policy.pdf
By staying in this class students agree to uphold The Academic Integrity Policy of Towson University,
acknowledge to have read and thoroughly understand this syllabus and accept accountability for compliance with it.
Penalties for academic violations may include the following:
 a revision of the work in question and/or completion of alternative work, with or without a grade reduction
 a reduced grade (including “F” or zero) for the assignment
 a reduced grade (including “F”) for the entire course
The following constitute violations of the Student Academic Integrity Policy:
 Plagiarism: Presenting someone else’s work as your own.
 Fabrication and falsification: Inventing or altering information for academic work.
 Cheating: Using unauthorized materials in academic work (google translate, etc.).
 Complicity in academic dishonesty: Assisting someone else in committing an academic violation.
 Abuse of academic materials: Making resource materials inaccessible to other students.
 Multiple submissions: Submitting substantial portions of the same academic work (including oral reports) for
credit more than once without authorization of the instructor(s).
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EVALUATION:
Participation
Weekly homework
Oral Presentations/Exams (2)
Chapter tests (5)
Final exam
Cultural event report
10%
10%
20%
45%
10%
5%
94-100 A
90-93 A-
GRADING SCALE
87-89 B+ 77-79 C+
84-86 B
70-76 C
80-83 B-
60-69 D
00-60 F
A grade of FX is given to students who never attend class or who stop attending during the term without officially
withdrawing. (If students have officially withdrawn, a grade of W will appear on the final class roster.) A grade of FX
is given to students who stop attending before they have completed more than half of the course work. Students who
attend most classes but miss the final examination without a legitimate excuse, will receive a zero or F grade for the
final examination and have that value or grade calculated with other grades earned during the term to determine the
final grade.
PARTICIPATION CRITERIA (10%)
Your participation will be evaluated daily in class, and a weekly participation grade will be entered into Blackboard.
Please consult the Participation Rubric at the end of this syllabus for an explanation of how Participation is graded
and how attendance affects the participation grade.
HOMEWORK (10%)
Always consult the scheduled assignments on Blackboard before going to the “Supersite” to do homework. All
homework is assigned and must be completed online through the Supersite (www.vhlcentral.com). You will have a
homework assignment for each class. Supersite homework is to be completed by the dates and times assigned on the
Supersite, prior to the class session in which we cover the material in question. Supersite Homework is graded weekly
and this grade is entered into the Blackboard gradebook. In order to receive credit for the week’s homework, you
must score at least a 90% average on the Supersite assignments for that week. Homework assignments not completed
by the assigned date and time are not accepted.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS (20%)
There will be two oral presentations on the dates assigned on the course calendar. For one of them, students will have
to memorize the information, and will be allowed to use flash cards with bullets points. The second presentation will
be a dialogue with another student in the classroom. The content of these presentations will be prepared both in class
and at home. More information will be available on Blackboard.
CHAPTER TESTS (45%)
Tests on chapters 7-11 will be given, covering grammar and vocabulary. This will be timed online exams on the
Supersite.
FINAL EXAM (10%)
The Final Exam on chapters 7-12 will be held on Tuesday, May 18, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. There are no make-up
exams. Department policy dictates that exams be rescheduled only if the student has an official university excuse
(academic business, athletic team travel, religious holiday, death in family) and has made arrangements prior to the
exam. Failure to attend the final exam results in an F for the course. All exams must be taken on the day and at the
time announced. The final exam will be on the Supersite. It will be timed: it has to be started and finished between 8
am and 10 am.
CULTURAL EVENT REPORT (5%)
DUE BY Thursday, May 6, via Blackboard Assignment (Core 5): During the course students will be exposed to
cultural activities or topics. At the end of the semester, each student will produce an ORIGINAL project following
the guidelines below:
Format: Choose one of the following format options (specific rubrics will be posted on BB):
a) A video; b) a PPT with narration; c) a Thinglink.com project (if you are familiar with that platform). If you have a
different format in mind please share your ideas with the professor.
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Topics: for your project choose one of the following topics:
1. Choose a famous historical figure/scientist/politician/activist from a Spanish speaking country or Hispanic and
produce a bio sketch of that figure indicating: his/her bio information; what the person is famous for; why you
found this person interesting; what you learned through his/her life experience about the history, culture, or
society of that country (core 5:6,8, 9)
2. Choose a famous artist (writer, poet, musician, painter, etc.) from a Spanish speaking country or Hispanic and
produce a bio sketch of that figure indicating: his/her bio information; what the person is famous for; why you
found this person interesting; what you learned through his/her life experience about the history, culture or
society of that country (core 5:6,8, 9)
3. Choose a cultural tradition, festivity, or cultural practice from a Spanish speaking country or Hispanic and explain:
what that is all about; what the importance of that is for the people of the country in which tat is followed; what
you found interesting about it; what you learned about the history, culture or society of that country (core 5:6,8,9)
4. Choose a song, a poem, short story or a film (in Spanish by a Spanish speaking artist). Then imagine you are
explaining to a friend (with a video or PPT with narration): what that is about; what you found interesting about
it; what you liked or dislikes and why, what you learned about the history, culture or society of that country (core
5:6,8,9)
You will produce your project in English; yet, you are expected to include at least two words/expressions in Spanish
and explain what they mean in the context of your presentation and in relation to your topic. ALL sources used for
your project MUST be clearly referenced and a reference list included at the end of your work.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
For each credit hour, it is expected that you spend an average of 2 hours at home on homework and class preparation.
You must prepare for the class BEFORE you come to class. You are expected to come to class having prepared the
material and homework for that day and be ready to participate actively in class. Class will be conducted only in
Spanish. It is your responsibility to let your instructor know if you do not understand and to consult him during
office hours with any questions or concerns.
IMPORTANT DATES
February 2: Last day to drop a course with no grade posted to academic record. Last day to add.
April 5: Last day to withdraw from full semester courses with a grade of “W”.
This syllabus is subject to the changes that the professor deems necessary.
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CLASS CALENDAR
DATE
26/1
28/1
Capítulo 7: Vocabulario + Reflexive Verbs (7.1)
Capítulo 7: Vocabulario + Indefinite and Negative Words (7.2)
2/2
2/4
Capítulo 7: Vocabulario + Preterite of SER and IR (7.3)
Capítulo 7: Vocabulario + GUSTAR and verbs like GUSTAR (7.4)
2/9
2/11
Examen capítulo 7
Capítulo 8: Vocabulario + The present tense of stem-changing verbs (8.1)
2/16
2/18
Capítulo 8: Vocabulario + Double object pronouns (8.2)
Capítulo 8: Vocabulario + SABER and CONOCER (8.3)
2/23
2/25
Capítulo 8: Vocabulario + Comparatives and superlatives (8.4)
Examen capítulo 8
3/2
3/4
Capítulo 9: Vocabulario + Irregular preterites (9.1)
Capítulo 9: Vocabulario + Verbs that change meaning in the preterite (9.2)
3/9
3/11
Capítulo 9: Vocabulario + Relative pronouns (9.3)
Capítulo 9: Vocabulario + ¿Qué? And ¿Cuál? (9.4)
3/23
3/25
Examen capítulo 9 and Examen oral 1
Capítulo 10: Vocabulario + The imperfect tense (10.1)
3/30
4/1
Capítulo 10: Vocabulario + Constructions with SE (10.2)
Capítulo 10: Vocabulario + Adverbs (10.3)
4/6
4/8
Examen capítulo 10
Capítulo 11: The preterite and the imperfect (11.1)
4/13
4/15
Capítulo 11: POR and PARA (11.2)
Capítulo 11: Stressed possessive adjectives and pronouns (11.3)
4/20
4/22
Examen capítulo 11
Capítulo 12: Usted and ustedes commands (12.1)
4/27
4/29
Capítulo 12: The present subjunctive (12.2)
Capítulo 12: Subjunctive with verbs of will and influence (12.3)
5/4
5/6
Capítulo 14: Familiar (tú) commands (14.2)
Capítulo 16: The future tense (16.1)
5/11
Capítulo 16: The conditional tense (16.2) Examen Oral 2
5/18
Examen final: Capítulos 7-12, 14.2, 16.1 + 16.2
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PARTICIPATION RUBRIC
Grade
Description
Student attends class. Student shows clear evidence of having completed all assigned readings and other
out of class assignments. Student frequently and consistently volunteers answers to questions that are
94-100
correct in terms of content, analysis and grammar, and always takes part in all in-class activities. Student
consistently speaks in Spanish. Student is focused, participating and present for all 50 minutes of class
session.
Student attends class. Student shows clear evidence of having completed all assigned readings and other
90-93.9
out of class assignments. Student occasionally volunteers to answer questions and always takes part in all
in-class activities. Student consistently speaks in Spanish. Student is focused, participating and present for
all 50 minutes of class session.
Student attends class. Student shows evidence of having done some of the readings/out of class
80-89
assignments, or having only a partial comprehension of these readings and assignments. Student usually
takes part in all in-class activities. Student rarely volunteers to answer or ask questions. Student is focused
on class material for most of the class session. Student almost always speaks in Spanish.
Student attends class. Student shows limited evidence of having done some of the readings/out of class
70-79
assignments, or having only a partial comprehension of these readings and assignments. Student
demonstrates limited mastery of the out of class assignments, generally does not volunteer to answer or
ask questions, and does not fully participate in all in-class activities. Student is focused on class material
for part of the class session. Student mostly speaks in Spanish.
Student shows very limited evidence of having done some of the readings/out of class assignments, or
having only a very limited comprehension of these readings and assignments. Student demonstrates very
60-69
limited mastery of the out of class assignments, does not ask or answer questions, and does not fully
participate in all in-class activities. Student is focused on class material for limited parts of the class session.
Student uses more English than Spanish.
Student attends class, but shows no or almost no evidence of having completed assigned readings and
50 or less
other out of class assignments. Student engages in little to no participation in in-class activities and
discussions, and does not ask or answer questions. Student is not focused on class materials. Student uses
mostly English.
0
Student does not attend class; instructor receives no explanation for the absence, or reason for the absence
unacceptable according to the Absence Policies outlined above.
In classes meeting 3 times per week, each class counts for 33.3% of the weekly grade. In classes meeting 2 times per week, each class counts
for 50% of the weekly grade. In classes meeting 1 time per week, each class counts for 100% of the weekly grade.
Attendance is included in “Participation”, which means that any unexcused absence* results in a “0” for that class session. This does not
mean that one can never miss class “unexcused”; it simply means that one should bear in mind that the more unexcused absences one
accumulates in the course of the semester, the lower the final Participation grade will be at the end of the semester.
* - see the Absence Policies section above.
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