Advance Grammar and Composition for Heritage Speakers
Fall 09
DEPARTMENT OF SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE
CENTER FOR MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
FALL 09
Advanced Grammar and Composition for Heritage Speakers.
SPN 327G / MAS 350G
Instructor: Silvia Diaz de Ramirez
Office Hours: M 3-5 Th 4-5 MEZ 4.132
email: ramirsil@mail.utexas.edu
This document contains important information and represents an agreement
between the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and its students. You indicate
acceptance of these policies by registering for this course. Read it carefully and
refer to it frequently. You are responsible for knowing all of the information in it.
Please note especially the sections on Academic Honesty and the Attendance Policy.
I. PURPOSE, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES of the Language Program
The Spanish language program will help you develop multilingual literacies through the
analysis and use of Spanish as a second language.
The program focuses on the development of three major types of competencies (all
equally ranked in terms of importance):
(1) linguistic competence (linguistic proficiency in Spanish including knowledge of
phonetics/phonology, morphosyntax, lexicon, discourse, etc.)
(2) communication/ interactional competence (communicative abilities in Spanish,
including knowledge of sociocultural uses of the language, pragmatics, cultural
background/perspectives)
(3) metalinguistic competence (awareness of language as a conceptual, symbolic
system)
The objective of the language program addresses the basic tenets of a liberal arts
education: the development of a critical thinking approach towards the analysis of
perspectives and products of our society. This objective is framed in an overall
worldwide trend towards political and economical internationalization and an
increasingly diverse and multicultural work environment.
Course Description: The course is designed primarily for bilingual Hispanic students
whose home language is Spanish but whose dominant and school language is
English.
The initial and principal objective of this course is a comprehensive understanding of
Spanish Grammar and Orthography with the aim to facilitate accuracy and sophistication
in speech and writing skills. As the student primordially develops strength in verb
conjugation and recognizes the patterns that govern verb formation and usage, s/he will
attain a more formal communication in the target language. Aside from studying the
material in the textbooks, the student is expected to read daily from a selection of
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Advance Grammar and Composition for Heritage Speakers
Fall 09
sources, that will be made available on the initial class day, in order to appreciate
implementation of correct grammar, orthography, punctuation, style and syntax.
The course will focus on the differences and similarities that exist between Spanish and
English in order to avoid “automatic” translations that at times blur the communicative
process for the bilingual speaker. The student will identify initial errors that hinder
bilingual speakers from developing natural ease and respect for the language. In so doing,
the student will gradually perfect his/her mastery of the Spanish language. Acquisition
and proper use of verb tenses, vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, as well as reading and
writing skills are all components of daily coursework.
As an outline you will see below the specific content that you are expected to master at
the end of this course.
Gramatical points
1) Diferencias de os usos entre ser y estar
2) Explicaciones básicas sobre sintaxis: sujeto, predicado y demás categorías sintácticas
3) Indicativo vs. Subjuntivo: explicación conceptual
4) Formas del : Presente, Imperfecto, Pretérito, futuro, condicional, y todas las formas del subjuntivo
5) Participios pasados en los tiempos compuestos y como adjetivos
6) Mandatos
Vocabulary
1) Cognados falsos
2) Conectores
3) Expresiones coloquiales vs. Expresiones formales
4) Vocabulario pertinente a las lecturas
Spelling
- K, Q y C
- C vs. S y Z
-H
- B vs. V
- LL vs. Y
- R vs. RR
- G vs. J
Accents and punctuation
-Sílabas tónicas
- Diptongos
- Acentuación y clasificación de palabras
- Reglas de puntuación
Required Textbooks:
Francés, Maria Elena, and Rubén Benítez. Manual de gramática y ortografía para
hispanos. Upper Saddle, N.J. Prentice-Hall, 2004.
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Advance Grammar and Composition for Heritage Speakers
Fall 09
Recommended:
Brodsky, David. Spanish Verbs Made Simple(r). Austin: U Texas P, 2005
Moliner, María. 1998. Diccionario del uso del español. Madrid: Editorial Gredos.
Real Academia Española. 2001. Diccionario de la lengua española. Madrid: Espasa
Calpe. (Also available at www.rae.es )
2005. Diccionario panhispánico de dudas. Online: www.rae.es.
II. GRADING SYSTEM
Compositions (3)
Grammar Journal
(2)
Participation: in-class discussion
Oral Presentation
Exams (2)
Final Exam
30%
10%
10%
10%
15%
25%
III. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular class attendance is required. Late work is not
accepted nor are there make-ups for missed work. However, a student who is absent
from a class or examination for the observance of a religious holy day or a universitysponsored activity may complete the work missed within a reasonable time after the
absence, if proper notice of the planned absence has been given at least two weeks in
advance. Students who will be absent owing to a university-sponsored activity must
present a letter from the department or office sponsoring the event, giving the student’s
name, the dates of the expected absence(s), and the reason for the absence(s). After [two
your grade will be dropped 1% on a scale of 100 for each additional absence. In case of
emergency, valid paperwork has to be presented to make-up material.
The term “emergency” is defined as:
A. Serious illness or accident regarding the student, or
B. Death, serious illness, or accident in the student’s immediate family. For other
circumstances,
consult the instructor.
IV. ACADEMIC ACCOMODATIONS: I will be available to discuss appropriate
academic accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Before I
can make course accommodations, you must provide documentation from the Office of
the Dean of Students-Services for Students with Disabilities. (This is in compliance with
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973-Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act/ADA.)
V. SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: Students who violate University rules on scholastic
dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the
course and/or dismissal from The University of Texas. Since such dishonesty harms the
individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic
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Advance Grammar and Composition for Heritage Speakers
Fall 09
dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For more information, visit Student Judicial Services
(SJS) at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs
VI. PREPARATION OUTSIDE CLASS
Each student is expected to read and prepare assignments BEFORE class. CONSULT
your dictionary and allow judicious time in preparing your homework assignments and
readings. In the introductory portion of each class you will be asked questions that relate
to the lesson and are expected to use pertinent information in class discussion.
All work is due on the dates your instructor will give you. LATE WORK IS NOT
ACCEPTED*.
GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
VII. PARTICIPATION
Participation includes: daily course work.
Daily course work will include both the written completion of the modules and activities
that ask you to discuss topics related to a specific text. Your participation grade will
consist in your performance on these everyday activities and your contributions to the
class discussion, as well as your cooperation with your classmates to complete in-class
activities.
VIII. COMPOSITIONS
There will be three compositions. The compositions will be done in the classroom. They
will take 50 minutes. You are responsible for preparing your compositions at home, but
you can’t have any notes the day you are writing the composition in class. While you
prepare your compositions you can ask for your tutor, your roommate, or your TA’s
assistance. However, you cannot include ANY of their sentences in the composition.
Asking for help and clarification on grammatical or vocabulary issues is acceptable.
Copying somebody else’s ideas is not.
IX. GRAMMAR JOURNAL
You will use your journal to keep track of your mistakes in your compositions. The
instructor will show you a model of a grammar journal, so you can follow it. The idea of
this assignment is to keep a record of your errors, a correction of them, and a personal
reflection about them. Reflecting on your errors will really help you understand where
your errors come from and will help you improve your grammar knowledge.
X. HOMEWORK
Your homework grade is upon your instructor’s discretion.
XI. DICTATIONS
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Advance Grammar and Composition for Heritage Speakers
Fall 09
Throughout the semester you will do some dictations directed by your instructor that will
be corrected by a classmate. Your classmate will mark in a different color all the mistakes
you and you will have to correct them and rewrite the dictation free of errors. Make sure
you turn in both dictations to your instructor to receive a grade.
XII. EXAMS
There will be TWO a grammar, vocabulary and content exam.
XIII. FINAL EXAMINATION
The final exam will be comprehensive. Focus on the modules and grammar explanations
and reflective activities about grammar and vocabulary.
NOTE: The following course calendar is a general outline. Any change in assignments
or dates will be announced accordingly. Please make note of pertinent information in
order to be prepared for class. It is the student's responsibility to complete all
assignments on the specified date.
*If you are absent, it is your responsibility to meet or contact the professor for
assignments.
CONTENIDOS GRAMATICALES
1) Diferencias de os usos entre ser y estar
2) Explicaciones básicas sobre sintaxis: sujeto, predicado y demás categorías sintácticas
3) Indicativo vs. Subjuntivo: explicación conceptual
4) Formas del : Presente, Imperfecto, Pretérito, futuro, condicional, y todas las formas del subjuntivo
5) Participios pasados en los tiempos compuestos y como adjetivos
6) Mandatos
VOCABULARIO
1) Cognados falsos
2) Conectores
3) Expresiones coloquiales vs. Expresiones formales
4) Vocabulario pertinente a las lecturas
ORTOGRAFIA
- K, Q y C
- C vs. S y Z
-H
- B vs V
- LL vs. Y
- R vs. RR
- G vs. J
PUNTUACION Y ACENTUACION
-Sílabas tónicas
- Diptongos
- Acentuación y clasificación de palabras
- Reglas de puntuación
CALENDAR FOR FALL 2008.
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Advance Grammar and Composition for Heritage Speakers
Semana 1
En clase
jueves 8/27
Introducción al curso.
Cap. 1 Actividades
Dictado 1
Semana 2
martes 9/1
Fall 09
Tarea para la siguiente clase.
Book: Francés&Benítez
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 1. pp. 1-18
Cap. 1. Repaso de la tarea. Escrito Breve 1
Cap. 2.
Gramática y Ortografia
Cap. 2 Repaso de la tarea. Actividades
Dictado 2
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 2. pp. 20-30
Cap. 3.. Actividades
Dictado 3
Cap. 4. Repaso de la tarea. Actividades.
Escrito Breve 2
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 4 pp. 48-66
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 5. pp. 73-86
Cap. 5 Repaso de la tarea. Actividades.
Dictado 4
Cap. 6 Repaso de la tarea. Actividades
Escrito Breve 3
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 6 pp. 93-109
Estudie para el EXAMEN 1
Capitulos 1,2,3,4,5,6
EXAMEN 1
Cap. 7 Repaso de la tarea. Actividades.
Escrito Breve 4
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 7 pp. 115-132
Estudie y prepare el capítulo 8
pp.139-151
Cap. 8. Repaso de la tarea. Actividades.
Dictado 5
Cap. 9 Repaso de la tarea. Actividades.
Escrito Breve 5
Estudie y prepare el capítulo 9
pp. 158-168
Estudie y prepare el capítulo 10
pp.173-184
Semana 7
Martes 10/6
Cap. 10 Repaso de la tarea. Actividades.
Jueves 10/9
Cap. 11 Repaso de la tarea. Actividades.
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 11 pp.192-108
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 12 pp. 215-224
Semana 8
Martes 10/8
Cap. 12 Repaso de la tarea. Actividades.
Estudie para el EXAMEN 2
Jueves 10/15
EXAMEN 2
Tarea para la siguiente clase.
jueves
9/3
Semana 3
martes 9/8
jueves 9/10
Semana 4
martes 9/115
jueves 9/17
Semana 5
martes 9/22
Jueves 9/24
Semana 6
martes 9/29
jueves 10/1
1.
Semana 9
2.
Martes 10/20
Estudie y haga los ejercicios del
capítulo 3. pp. 36-43
Inicio de las actividades orales y escritas
se harán al principio de cada clase.
Inicio de las composiciones.
1. LA NARRACIÓN EN EL PASADO
Primera etapa. Mapa semántico
Jueves 10/22
Escriba: Primer Borrador
Escriba: Segunda borrador
Revisión. Primer borrador.
Semana 10
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Advance Grammar and Composition for Heritage Speakers
Martes 10/27
Revisión. Segundo borrador.
Jueves 10/29
Entregue su Composición #1
Semana 11
Martes 11/5
Jueves 11/5
Diario de Errors de la composicion 1
Fall 09
Escriba la versión final de su
composición # 1 ( ver Bb.)
Escriba: Primer borrador
2. LA EXPOSICION ARGUMENTATIVA
Primera etapa. Mapa semántico
Semana 12
Martes 11/10
Revisión. Primer borrador.
Escriba: Segundo borrador
Jueves 11/12
Revisión. Segundo borrador.
Escriba la versión final de su
composición # 2
Entregue la Composición # 2
2. ENSAYO SOBRE UN TEXTO
LITERARIO
Primera etapa. Mapa semántico
Escriba el primer borrador
Semana 13
Martes 11/17
Jueves 11/19
Semana 14
Martes 11/24
Diario de Errores de la composicion 2
Jueves 11/26
Thanksgiving Day
Semana 15
Martes 12/1
Revisión. Segundo borrador
Jueves 12/3
Revisión: Primer borrador.
Entregue la Composición # 3
Repaso para el examen Final
Escriba su segundo borrador
Escriba la versión final de su
composición # 3
Estudie para el examen final
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