MONTGOMERY COLLEGE
Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus
Department of English, AELP, Reading and Foreign Languages
Spanish 201 – Intermediate Spanish I – Fall, 2007
Professor: Shelley Jones
Phone: 240-567-1673
Email: shelley.jones@montgomerycollege.edu
Office hours: RC 201 Mondays through Thursdays 3:30-4:30 and upon request
GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION:
Intermediate Spanish I – SN201 – CRN: 24499. Class Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:006:15 p.m.
Room—MP 142.
3 credit hours. Independent work requirements will be explained below.
DESCRIPTION:
Focuses on the study of Spanish language and culture at the intermediate level. Students
further their ability to communicate in Spanish through an advanced consideration of
cultural themes and a thorough review of Spanish grammar to support increased focus on
reading and composition. In-class work is supplemented by 10 hours in the language
learning laboratory. (HUMD[M]) PREREQUISITE: SN 102 or consent of department.
Three hours lecture each week.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
Language:
1-Read and write in Spanish at the intermediate level of proficiency.
2-Apply advanced grammatical structures, such as complex verb forms, that
support communication at the intermediate level of proficiency.
3-Compose descriptive, narrative, and expository pieces.
Language Functions:
1-Express and appropriately employ more complex language
functions in speech and in writing, including the following: aexpressing opinions, b-analyzing oral and written discourse, cusing appropriate language registers.
Culture:
1-Demonstrate a heightened appreciation of Hispanic cultures and cultural
practices.
2-Consider authentic texts, both literary and popular.
3-Recognize and actively engage in appropriate sociolinguistic behaviors as these
correspond to their increasing linguistic ability in Spanish.
4-Engage in cultural activities outside of class.
5-Produce and present a group cultural project as an integral part of the class.
TEXT: Fuentes: Conversación y gramática, Fuentes: Lectura y redacción, Fuentes: workbook
and lab manual. Students should not attempt to take this course without purchasing the
textbooks. Both are available in the bookstore as a package.
GRADING CRITERIA:
Attendance and punctuality...........15% of final grade
Participation....................................25%
Independent Practice (lab and workbook completion)......................10%
Test average...................................40%
Writing assignments, quizzes and oral presentation……10%
The following is the grading scale with regard to absences and tardiness:
Number of unexcused absences
% of attendance and punctuality credit earned
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
*2 tardies are equivalent to 1 absence
GRADING SCALE:
90-100-A
80-89-B
70-79-C
100
90
80
70
60
50
0
60-69-D
59 and below-F
TESTS AND QUIZZES: Three (3) 100-point-tests will be given during the semester,
including the final exam. Since a language builds on itself, each test will necessarily include
material from previous chapters. At the end of the semester, an average of all three tests
(including the final exam), plus attendance, punctuality, participation, writing assignments,
quizzes, the oral presentation, and independent practice will result in a student’s final grade.
It is the student’s obligation to be prepared for each test. “I did not know there was an exam” is
not a valid excuse since tests are scheduled in advance and listed in this syllabus. Should the date
of an exam change, it will be announced in advance. Students who demonstrate poor attendance
will experience the natural consequences of absenteeism. If a student misses more than 2 classes,
her/his grade will drop accordingly.
There will be several quizzes throughout the semester, some involving spontaneous dialog with
another student. There will be no pop quizzes and students will be informed ahead of time about
which vocabulary/grammar points/cultural aspects are being tested.
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP TESTS UNLESS A PHYSICIAN’S SLIP IS
PROVIDED! Unless a student is absent from class due to a documented illness, there will be
no make-up tests given. Make-up tests due to illness will be taken in the Assessment Center.
ATTENDANCE: The process of learning a language involves listening, writing and oral
practice. Students need to be present for all of that to occur. Poor attendance will result in a poor
grade. Students will not be dropped from the roster after excessive absences, but rather will
suffer the consequences of a poor grade. The instructor will not file for an official withdrawal;
this is the students’ responsibility.
PUNCTUALITY: Late arrivals will count against the student on the
“attendance/punctuality” part of his/her grade. It is rude to interrupt a class in progress by
entering the classroom late and looking for a place to sit. Such interruptions are not fair to the
instructor and fellow students who have arrived on time. Students who foresee a problem with
arriving on time must talk to the instructor in advance.
PARTICIPATION: A dynamic classroom makes for a more interesting and effective learning
environment. Both the instructor and students are responsible for producing this environment.
Students who are engaged and participating will benefit greatly from their experience in Spanish
201. Questions about the material being presented are ALWAYS welcome as are general
questions about the subject matter. All can benefit from classmates’ questions. A willingness to
speak in Spanish, whether asking or responding to questions, further enhances a student’s process
of learning a language. Don’t be afraid; we are all here to learn.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE (LAB AND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS): There is a
requirement that students complete the ACE Practice Tests for Chapters 1-6 in the language lab
prior to each exam. In addition, students are required to listen to and watch Chapter 1-6 of the
video portion of the lab program in the language lab.
Students will also be keeping journals in Spanish, writing on various topics given in class or on
experiences outside of class. Journals will be due at the end of every Chapter for the professor to
review.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: The text is supported by relevant cassette tapes and CDRoms,
study modules, and compact disks, all available at the lab. The instructor has also included her
email address so students may contact her anytime. The textbook is further supported by a
website (http://college.hmco.com/languages/spanish/caycedo/fuentes/3e/students/index.html) that
contains relevant exercises, chapter-specific self-tests, and quizzes. Students who do not have
access to a PC at home need to know that there are many PC’s available on campus. Tutoring is
available in the Writing Center as well.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT: The College believes in the premise that students are
adults who are responsible for their own actions and who should be free to pursue their
educational objectives in an environment that promotes learning, protects the integrity of the
academic process, and protects the College Community. The instructor treats all students as
adults, and expects adult, responsible behavior from them. Please see the Student Code of
Conduct for a reminder of appropriate behavior if necessary.
**STUDENTS MUST TURN OFF THEIR CELL PHONES BEFORE ENTERING THE
CLASS**.
ACCOMMODATION LETTERS: Any student who may need an accommodation due
to a disability, please make an appointment to see me during my office hour. A letter
fromDisability Support Services(R-CB122; G-SA175; or TP-ST120) authorizing your
accommodations will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an
emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for
emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are
found at: www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm.
PARKING: Parking is an issue here on campus and will continue to be as long as construction
of new buildings continues. Parking for students is located at Bonifant and Dixon Streets. A free
college shuttle will bring students to campus. The shuttle runs from 8-5 five days per week.
Please allow 30 minutes to park and get to campus by shuttle. LATENESS DUE TO PARKING
DIFFICULTIES WILL NOT BE COUNTED AS AN EXCUSED TARDY. Please plan ahead.
STUDENT MC EMAIL: This year all students will have MC email accounts which they will be
able to access through MyMC. Please check your email regularly as I will communicate with the
class as a whole, if necessary, by way of email.
ADDITIONAL REMARKS: This is a fast-paced, demanding course which requires
independent study as well as participation in classroom activities. Spanish is not easy. The rigors
of Spanish grammar and verbal practice will be immediately felt by those who do not develop the
habit of regular practice. The instructor welcomes questions at any time, and invites students to
arrange to meet with her if they should have questions not answered during class time.
Students must view this document as a contract. All requirements are explained here.
Failure to follow requirements will result in a poor grade.
Everything is in place for all students to take advantage of this class. Enjoy the experience!
¡Disfruta la experiencia!
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CLASS SEQUENCE:
September
October
6
Introducciones. Repaso del sílabo. Capítulo preliminar—las materias
académicas, gustar y verbos parecidos, el futuro
11
Seguir con Capítulo preliminary. Deadline to drop a class and receive a
refund.
13
Capítulo 1—verbos con cambios en la raíz, reflexivos, la vida nocturna,
qué vs. cuál, pronombres de los complementos directos. Tópico cultural:
Los Hispanos
17
Quiz. Seguir con Capítulo 1
20
Journals due. Terminar con Capítulo 1, empezar Capítulo 2—el
pretérito, expresiones del tiempo, adverbios, el pluscuamperfecto.
Tópico cultural: España y su historia
25
Seguir con Capítulo 2. Last day to drop a class without a grade and last
day to change from credit to audit or audit to credit.
27
Terminar con Capítulo 2
2
Journals due. Primer examen sobre los capítulos preliminar, 1, y 2
November
December
4
Capítulo 3—pretérito vs. imperfecto, descripciones físicas y
personalidad, ser vs. estar con adjetivos. Tópico cultural: La América
indígena.
9
Dr. Johnson’s inauguration. Seguir con Capítulo 3
11
Quiz. Seguir con Capítulo 3.
16
Journals due. Empezar Capítulo 4—la inmigración, pretérito e
imperfecto, lo mas adjetivos, lo que, acontecimientos accidentales,
presente perfecto. Tópico cultural: África en América
18
Terminar con Capítulo 4.
23
Seguir con Capítulo 4
25
Journals due. Capítulo 5—el subjuntivo, mandatos indirectos, mandatos
directos, la comida, la se pasiva, complementos directos e indirectos.
Tópico cultural: Latinos americanos
30
Seguir con Capítulo 5
1
Seguir con Capítulo 5
6
Revisar para el examen 2 sobre capítulos 3, 4, y 5
8
Examen #2
13
Journals due. Empezar Capítulo 6—el subjuntivo, el subjuntivo del
presente perfecto, la política, los pronombres relativos, por y para.
Tópico cultural: Dictadura y democracia
15
Capítulo 6
20
Quiz. Capítulo 6
22
No hay clase
27
Terminar con Capítulo 6
29
Journals due. Práctica para las presentacioes orales
4
Presentaciones orales
6
Revisar para el examen final
11
Revisar para el examen final
13
Revisar para el examen final
18
Examen final—5:00-7:00