SPRING
2013:
SPAN
SPRING
2013:SPAN
202 202
Syllabus
Syllabus
Professor: Dr. Sara Fernandez Medina
Email: sara.fernandez@citadel.edu
Office: Capers Hall 234 C, Department of Modern Languages, Lit. & Cult.
Office Hours: W 1-3pm and TR 1-3 pm or by appointment
Course Description: Spanish 202 is for students who are able to communicate comfortably in sentencelength discourse in asking and answering questions and who can link sentences into simple paragraphs with
some ease. The present, future and past tenses are reviewed and more complex grammar structures are
introduced. By the end of the semester, students should be able to read relatively lengthy uncomplicated texts
and to write full-length paragraphs. Students will also learn about salient aspects of Hispanic culture.
Language laboratory work is required (see below for details).Authentic literary readings provide themes for inclass discussions and a context in which to practice grammar structures and solidify students' communication
skills. Through comparative analysis of selected literary works, the course develops an awareness of cultural
and literary contributions from the Spanish speaking societies. The course is taught in Spanish with emphasis
on conversation as a medium of expression.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
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to improve reading, writing and speaking skills
to help you develop the power of language, image, symbol and metaphor in your live.
to obtain a basic understanding and appraise the historical, social, cultural and aesthetic qualities of
Hispanic culture.
to be prepared for continued study of Spanish at a higher level.
speak Spanish, speak Spanish and speak Spanish!!!
Textbook and other materials:
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Long & Macián. De paseo: Curso intermedio de español, 3rd ed. (Heinle & Heinle)
Long & Macián. De paseo: Diario de actividades, 3rd ed. (Heinle & Heinle)
Spanish-Spanish dictionary. Other materials to be studied will be supplied by the instructor.
Exams: There will be three written exams in the course, each one of equal value. Finally, there will be regular
quizzes throughout the semester, some of which will be unannounced.
Oral Presentations: There will be two oral presentations, one in group and one individual.
Participation and Preparation: For the class to be successful for both the individual and for the group each
person must be fully prepared for each class session and willing to participate in each day's activities. The
degree to which one meets this goal determines a large percentage of the final grade. Please see Participation
and Preparation.
Homework: The daily completion of homework is essential in order to meet the course objectives. The most
obvious piece of the homework is the daily completion of the workbook. Less obvious but more important is
the daily study of the textbook. Assigned pages should be studied carefully. Grammatical concepts should be
understood and learned, new vocabulary should be memorized, and practice activities should be reviewed.
There will also be other assignments, which will appear in the course calendar.
Your instructor will give you specific assignments from your textbook/workbook program and from the
resources in the lab. These assignments should be prepared as carefully as any other assignment, as you will
receive a grade for this work. Remember, it takes a lot of time and exposure to develop true competence in a
language: language lab work supplements and complements the practice you get in the classroom. In the lab
you have the opportunity to work on your own and at your own pace with a variety of resources.
Furthermore, the lab resources are infinitely patient –unlike human beings: you can repeat as many times as
you wish until you are satisfied with your pronunciation, you may replay an audio or video tape as often as
you want until you have achieved the comprehension you desire, and writing software programs don’t mind if
you check you grammar or your spelling countless times, etc. The unhurried practice that you get in the lab
will prepare you for and boost your self-confidence in the classroom–and beyond.
Optional homework: It is strongly recommended that students work regularly with the on-line quizzes on
the De Paseo website.
Final Exam: The final is cumulative and must be taken on the day and time specified on the exam schedule
with your professor's class. End-of-semester travel arrangements are never exceptions.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is required in this and all other courses in the Department of Modern
Languages, Literatures & Cultures. Unexcused absences will result in a much lowered grade for participation.
One is allowed excused absences with prior approval of the professor for certain occasions (i.e. course field
trips, intercollegiate sports activities, anticipated personal health needs and family emergencies). Conflicting
assignments, non-essential appointments, oversleeping, and the like do not qualify as excusable absences.
(This is where the 3 allowed unexcused absences come in handy.)
Missed and Late Assignments: Work is due on specified dates at the time of the class, and there will be
little if any latitude allowed for missing due dates. On-line assignments & written work: will not be accepted
late.
Course Policies: Extra help: If a student has conscientiously followed the study guidelines as presented by
the professor, and s/he is dissatisfied with his/her performance, s/he is responsible for addressing possible
solutions directly with Professor Medina.
Class interruptions: It is prohibited, except for a dire emergency, to exit the class while in session. Rest room
visits are not to take place during class time.
Food, Tobacco, Gum, Candy: Under no circumstances may a student use any tobacco products, chew gum,
snack on hard candy or any foreign matter during the class period. Although this is already a college-wide
policy at The Citadel, it is necessary for the unhampered production of the spoken, target language. The
professor therefore reserves the right to dismiss any student who violates this rule.
Posture, Consciousness, General Behavior and Seating: Because of the rigors of The Citadel experience and
the subsequent mental and physical fatigue that are ever present, it is critical that a student assist his/her
focus during the class period by sitting upright with both feet firmly planted on the floor and hands off
his/her face and head. All students must sit behind a desk that is occupied. Sleeping is prohibited. Students
who repeatedly ignore these rules will be dismissed from class by the professor.
Cell Phone Policy: If the professor catches you using your cell phone during class, it will be confiscated. The
student in question will receive a zero for participation that day and a white slip and the cellphone will be
send to the Commandant’s Office. In other words, NO cell phones are permitted to be used in class.
Grade Scale:
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
0-59
Course Grade Percentages: Course Grade Distribution:
30%
Exámenes
11%
Examen Final
20%
Participación/Tarea/Asistencia
10%
Quizzes/Pruebas
10%
Composiciones
14%
Presentaciones
The professor reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time in order to accommodate better the learning
needs of the students. During any class period, the professor also reserves the right to dismiss any student
whose behavior negatively affects the learning environment of the classroom. The professor will record cases
of dismissal as an absence "A" for the student. By remaining enrolled in this class, the student agrees to read
carefully and subsequently accepts the professor's policies as outlined in this document.
*If a student is unable to meet his/her professor during office hours, you might contact me by e-mail—
Profesora Medina checks her messages Monday-Friday;
Use of Tutors: Student tutors in Spanish are available for consultation and oral practice and all language
students are strongly encouraged to make use of this resource. If one seeks help with an assignment from a
tutor all parties must be certain that the help be only of an instructional or advisory nature. That is, simple
correction of mistakes by that person would be considered a violation of an implicit honor code and would
be inappropriate and unacceptable. Advice and instruction while guiding toward improvement are more
appropriate activities to have with an assistant.
Plagiarism: Related to the cautions stated above in the paragraph "Use of Tutors" is the topic of plagiarism.
In addition to the topics covered elsewhere, using on-line and other computer-mediated translators might be
considered a variety of plagiarism.