SPANISH 101: Elementary Spanish I
Section F02- Fall 2012
Mon & Wed
11:45-12:45 GRUE 204
Tues & Thurs 11:30-1:00 GRUE 204
Instructor: Michael McGill
Office: Gruening 606D
Office hours: MW 1:30-2:30
TR 1:45-2:45
Email: mdmcgill@alaska.edu
Office phone: 474-5725
TA: Carol Linkwiler
Mary Matthews
COURSE MATERIALS
Our main text for the class will be Panorama, 4th ed, from Vista Publishers, and a Maestro Web-SAM code, both of which
are required for this course. One copy of the textbook and a hard copy of the workbook are on e-reserve in the library.
Recommended text- a good Spanish dictionary (the largest you want to carry around)
DESCRIPTION
¡Bienvenidos a Español 101 (Elementary Spanish I)! This course is designed for students who have never had
previous instruction in Spanish (or minimum instruction). This semester we will focus on: basic vocabulary and
grammar, speaking and pronunciation, listening and reading practice, and confidence-building in the use of Spanish
in everyday situations in a comfortable environment.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Course goals
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Build a solid foundation of Spanish grammar/vocabulary for real communicative purposes
Provide the opportunity for students to interact and use their Spanish
Improve listening and reading skills
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
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Students will be able to describe their daily lives in Spanish
Students will be able to sustain a basic conversation in Spanish about a variety of topics
Students will be able to comfortably use both the present and past tenses in speech, writing and reading
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
This is a communicative language class, and as such, there will not be a significant element of lecture. Rather the
instructor will act principally as a resource, and as a facilitator of interaction. There will be whole class interaction, small
group interaction, and pair work. There may also occasionally be some (educational) games, films and music.
Language Lab. Gruening 609, hours TBA. There are computers with internet and printing access available for
foreign language students. In addition there are language-specific tutors who can help you with your work, or act as
conversation partners.
COURSE POLICIES
Student responsibilities
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Preparation. Students must come prepared for every class. Your preparation will have a direct effect on your
participation. Due to the intensive nature of this course, you will be expected to study two hours OUTSIDE of
class for every one hour of class time (10 hours per week).
Attendance and participation. In-class interaction is required. Missed class: if you miss class, it is YOUR
responsibility to check with the instructor or a classmate to see if you missed any assignment or schedule
change.
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Monitoring of course grade. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of grades received, as well as to
periodically check for their participation grade in order to monitor progress over the course of the semester, and
so be able to make changes in time to avoid receiving a low final grade.
Appropriate class behavior. You are welcome to bring a drink or snack to class, as long as you clean up after yourself.
Side conversations are not acceptable. I expect you to be courteous to classmates and the instructor at all times. Cell
phones should be turned off. Making and receiving cell phone calls, texting, or using other social media during class
will result in a reduction or loss of that day's participation points. Class is for enrolled students only, so please don't bring
friends, partners, or children to class, unless a prior arrangement has been made.
Students with disabilities. UAF makes appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities who have been
documented by the Office of Disability Services (203 Whitaker Building, 474-7043). Students with learning or other
disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to obtain the appropriate
documentation if they do not have it. Please meet with me during office hours so that I can collaborate with the Office of
Disability Services to provide the appropriate accommodations and support to assist you in meeting the goals of the
course.
Student support services. UAF is committed to equal opportunity for all students. Students who are the first in their
families to attempt a four-year college degree, or students whose incomes are low, have opportunities for tutorial and
other forms of support from the office of Student Support Services. Please make an appointment with Student Support
Services at 474-2644.
Student code of conduct. As a UAF student, you are subject to UAF's Honor Code:
"Students will not collaborate on any quizzes, in-class exams, or take-home exams that will contribute to their grade
in a course, unless permission is granted by the instructor of the course. Only those materials permitted by the
instructor may be used to assist in quizzes and examinations.
Violations of the Honor Code will result in a failing grade for the assignment and, ordinarily, for the course in which
the violation occurred. Moreover, violation of the Honor Code may result in suspension or expulsion."
EVALUATION
To measure the expected learning outcomes, we will use the following resources:
A. Participation
Learning a language is not done in isolation. Speaking, listening, and interacting with others are essential parts of the
learning process. Therefore you will be graded on your classroom performance—not on whether you get the right
answer, but on whether you are in class, with your materials, prepared and willing to speak. It goes without saying (but I’ll
say it anyway) that you cannot participate if you are not present. You will be allowed 5 “free” absences before your grade
will be affected. Each unexcused absence will detract heavily from your grade. Missing 23 hours of class or more will
result in an automatic “F”.
Standard Absence Policy for All Spanish Classes:
Number of Allowable Absences and Amount Grade is Lowered for Excessive Absences
total # of contact hours in
semester
# of hrs must be present to pass
(2/3 of semester)
# of hrs absent that results
in an F (1/3 of semester)
How often class meets
# of missed days allowed
% that final grade is lowered for
each add. absence
(-1% for ea. hour missed)
3 credit classes
5 credit classes
42 hrs
70 hrs
28 hrs
47 hrs
miss > 14 hrs
miss > 23 hrs
1 day/wk
2 days/wk
3 days/wk
2 days/wk
4 days/wk
1
2
3
2
5
3%
1.5%
1%
2.5%
1% or 1.5%
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B. Weekly quizzes
We will have a weekly ten-minute quiz at the end of Thursday's class (except 12/4, a Tuesday), covering new grammar
and vocabulary. These will be multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and matching type questions. You may not make up the
quizzes, but the two lowest grades will be dropped.
C. Tests
There is a test after chapters 1-6. Chapter 7 content will be part of the final exam. Each chapter exam will also have
a graded oral component. Exams may not be made up without advance accommodation (this does not mean you email me the night before!). You may, however, drop your lowest exam grade (if you miss an exam, it will automatically
be the dropped grade).
D. Homework
Your written homework assignments will be done online through the Panorama website:
http://panorama.vhlcentral.com/. You should have received a WEBSAM code with your textbook when you purchased
it. You will need to activate your code and register online for the class. Be sure that you register for the correct
section for this class-F03. I have attached printed instructions for registering on the site. If either you do not have a
computer at home or your computer does not have the capability to do the workbook, you may use the computers in
the Language Lab. (GRUE 609). Homework is due on the day of the exam for each chapter (dates listed in
calendar below). Late homework will not be accepted.
E. Oral Exams
For each chapter, students (in pairs) will prepare a ten-line dialog using that chapter's themes, grammar structures,
and vocabulary. These will be presented during the class prior to the written chapter exam. Additionally, there will be
an oral final in my office on December 6, which may not be made up. The oral exams are 10% of your chapter test
grades and 20% of your final exam grades.
F. Final Exam: The final will be comprehensive, though weighted more heavily on the last few chapters.
Components of the final grade and weight by percentage
Participation
Homework (Web-sam)
Weekly quizzes
Chapter tests
Final exam
25%
20%
10%
30%
15%
Departmental grading scale
A+
A
A-
97-100
93-96
90-92
B+
B
B-
87-89
83-86
80-82
C+
C
C-
77-79
73-76
70-72
D+
D
D-
67-69
63-66
60-62
F
0-59
Drop dates:
Sept. 14 is the last day to drop a course for a 100% refund of tuition and fees.
Sept. 14 is the last day to drop a course and not have it appear on your academic record.
Oct. 26 is the last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” grade on record.
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Class Schedule/Quiz & Test dates (may be amended if needed)
8/30: Introduction
9/3- Labor Day- no class
9/4-9/13 Chapter 1
9/6: Quiz
9/13: Quiz
9/17: Chapter 1 test
Web-SAM due
9/18- 9/27: Chapter 2
9/20: Quiz
9/27: Quiz
10/1: Chapter 2 test
Web-SAM due
10/4- 10/11: Chapter 3
10/4: Quiz
10/11: Quiz
10/15: Chapter 3 test
Web-SAM due
10/16 -10/25: Chapter 4
10/18: Quiz
10/25: Quiz
10/29: Chapter 4 test
Web-SAM due
10/30-11/8: Chapter 5
11/1: Quiz
11/8: Quiz
11/12 : Chapter 5 test
Web-SAM due
11/13 - 11/26: Chapter 6
11/15 Quiz
11/22- Thanksgiving- no class
11/27- Chapter 6 test
Web-SAM due
11/28 - 12/5: Chapter 7
12/4: Quiz (Tuesday)
12/6 - Oral finals (comprehensive) in GRUE 606D - schedules to be determined
12/10 - review for final exam
Chapter 7 Web-SAM due
FINAL EXAM: WED DEC 12 10:15-12:15 PM
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Setting up your PANORAMA Supersite account and enrolling in your Instructor's course
In order to see and submit your assignments, receive important announcements, and communicate with your
Instructor, you will need to set up an account on the PANORAMA Supersite, and then enroll as a registered student
in your Instructor's course.
Instructions
Step 1 - Go to VHLCentral
To begin, go to vhlcentral.com (the link will open in a new window).
Step 2 - Create an Account
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In the "Login Information" section of the account creation page, enter a username of your choice.
Enter the email address you would like to associate with your account.
Enter and confirm a password of your choice.
In the "Personal Profile" section, enter your first and last name as you wish them to appear in your
Instructor's roster.
Select the year of your birth from the drop down list.
Enter a student ID (optional).
In the "Security Information" section, you will provide the answer to a secret question, which may later be
used to help you access your account if you forget your password.
After you enter all of the information, click "create an account."
Click "agree." (Before your account is created, you must agree to the terms and conditions of use policy.)
Step 3 - Activate Code
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On the code activation screen, enter your Supersite code.
Click "activate code" to continue.
Look for a flash alert confirming that the code was successfully redeemed.
Step 4 - Select a School
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Locate your school by typing your school’s name. To narrow the search results, include the city and state
(or country, if outside of the USA) in which your school is located.
Click "find." If the terms you entered did not result in a successful search, follow the on-screen tips to
revise your search.
Select your school from the list by clicking the radio button next to the school name.
Click "select school" to add the school to your account.
Look for a flash alert confirming you successfully added the school.
Step 5 - Select a Course/Class
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From the list of available classes at your school for your textbook's Supersite, look for Instructor "McGill,
Michael" and the course "Spanish 101" taught between Aug. 30, 2012 and Dec 15, 2012.
Click the radio button for the course section "Section 2." If more than one class is listed for your Instructor,
click the information icons in the class listings until you locate the section.
Click Save. You should see a confirmation that you successfully enrolled in your instructor's course.
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