COURSE SYLLABUS
Beginning Spanish I
(3 semester credit hours)
INSTRUCTOR:
Michelle Vandiver
OFFICE:
Ramer Administration 148
PHONE:
230 3528
FAX:
230 3228
E-MAIL:
michelle.vandiver@volstate.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
M
T
W
R
F
11:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
8:15 a.m. – 9: 30 a.m.
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
10:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
IMPORTANT:
This class does require the use of a computer and internet access. We have computer labs
on campus that can accommodate your needs. You do not have to have a personal computer
or internet access to take this class. You do, however, need to plan ahead and give yourself
plenty of time to complete the online workbook and lab exercises in the on campus labs
provided by the technology fees included in your tuition. Many public libraries also have
internet access.
If you have not completed DSPR 0700 and 0800 or DSPW 0700 and 0800, you will most
likely find this class to be extremely difficult. It is the recommendation of the Foreign
Language Department that you complete these courses prior to registering for this or any
foreign language course.
Catalog Description
SPAN1010 is an elementary course in the essentials of Spanish with an emphasis on
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It is an introduction to the culture and history of
Spanish speaking countries.
Textbooks and Materials
Vistas the 3rd edition with the Supersite. These materials are required and may be
purchased at the college bookstore. The bookstore will NOT buy this book back after the
class is over. This is to keep package costs down and is beyond the control of the Foreign
Language Department. You may use the same text and online workbook and lab manual for
both Spanish 1010 and 1020.
Three-ring binder
Notebook paper
Pencil or black/blue pen AND a red, purple, orange, or green pen to correct papers
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.
Attend class and participate actively. Missing more than 6 hours of class will
result in the lowering of the final grade by one point for each hour missed over
6.
2.
Do all the homework on time. Late assignments will not be accepted unless this
is due to extreme circumstances, such as serious illness and death in the family.
If this happens, it is the student's responsibility to document these problems.
Remember that you may reach a point when it is impossible to make up late work
regardless of the circumstances
3.
Take all the tests given in class. You may drop the lowest test score. There will
be no make-up tests given. If you miss a test, you may use that test score of 0
as the drop grade.
4.
All quizzes must be taken during the scheduled class time on the scheduled
date. There will be no make-ups. You will be given a week’s notice for vocabulary
quizzes.
GRADING
The different activities carry the following weight in the student's grade:
Chapter Tests (5) *
Vocabulary Quizzes
Homework
Participation, Attendance, and Oral Exercises
Oral Presentation in English
60%
10%
15%
10%
5%
* To pass the course, it is mandatory to have an average passing grade of 70 in the chapter
tests.
An "I" grade is reserved for extreme circumstances, NOT for students who get behind in
their work.
Grading scale is as follows:
A
B
C
F
90 - 100
80 - 89
70 - 79
69 and below
*To receive credit for SPAN 1010 at another college and to go onto SPAN 1020 here or at
another institution, you must make at least a C in the class.
CHAPTER TESTS
In this class, there will be five chapter tests. The lowest test score can be dropped. There
will be no make-up tests. If you miss a test, you must use the test score of 0 as your drop
grade. Tests are worth 60% of your grade. You must have a test score average of 70 to
receive a passing grade.
VOCABULARY QUIZZES
There will be vocabulary quizzes for each chapter. These quizzes are worth 10% of your
grade. Quizzes must be taken during the scheduled time. Quizzes cannot be made up.
HOMEWORK
Homework will be assigned weekly. No late work will be accepted. Please do not ask. Two
drop grades have been built in so that acceptance of late assignments will not be necessary.
Students may be assigned textbook exercises or exercises from the Vistas supersite. See
supersite sign up instructions on the last page of the syllabus.
PARTICIPATION, ATTENDANCE AND ORAL EXERCISES
Students must attend each class and actively participation in class activities. Students
must arrive on time and have their homework completed. Homework will be assigned in
class. If a student misses a class, he or she must get in touch with either a classmate or
the instructor for the next class assignment. Missing a class is not an excuse to come to
the next class unprepared. Generally, homework will not be taken up. However, if the
instructor at anytime feels everyone is not doing the assignments, she may either ask that
completed homework be turned in or she may choose to give a pop quiz. Not coming to class
or not participating will also have a negative effect on your grade.
More than six instruction hours of absences are unacceptable. The final grade will be
lowered one point for each instruction-hour absence over six up to a maximum of ten points.
Students who are receiving Title IV financial assistance (Pell Grant, Student Loan or SEOG
Grant) must regularly attend class (a minimum of the first full week) or be subject to repay
PART or ALL of the Financial Aid received for the semester.
ORAL PRESENTATION IN ENGLISH
Each student will give an oral presentation in English of 5-10 minutes during the semester.
Choose one topic from any of the following three categories. Schedule your presentation by
signing the presentation sheet. You must also know your topic at this time.
It is possible that the cultural topics presented in class may find their way to your tests.
Option # 1:
Give a presentation (in English) explaining one of the following Hispanic holidays:
1.
2.
3.
January 6 (Three Kings Day)
May 5 (Battle of Puebla)
November 2 (Day of the Dead)
Be creative and use your imagination. You can use drawings, video, and so forth.
Option # 2:
Give a presentation in English on one of the following famous Hispanic people or another of
your choice:
1.
2.
3.
4
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Isabel Allende
Simón Bolívar
Fidel Castro
Pablo Casals
Miguel Cervantes
Salvador Dalí
Carlos Fuentes
Miguel Hidalgo
Benito Juárez
Frida Kahlo
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Joan Miró
Pablo Neruda
José Clemente Orozco
Octavio Paz
Pablo Picasso
Manuel M. Ponce
Diego Rivera
Francisco Villa
Emiliano Zapata
Laura Esquivel
I don't want everybody choosing the same person, so check with me before you begin. Once
again, be creative and use your imagination!
Option # 3:
Imagine that you have enough money and time to travel to Latin America or Spain for ten
days. Prepare an itinerary for a visit to one of the following countries or another country of
your choice. Present your trip to the class.
Argentina
Mexico
Peru
Guatemala
Panamá
Costa Rica
CLASS DISRUPTIONS
Disruptions and/or behavioral problems will not be tolerated in the classroom. The first
time this occurs, the instructor will give the student a warning. If a disruption is caused a
second time, the student will be asked to leave the class. On the third offense, the student
will be required to talk with the Dean of Student Services before returning to class. For
each time a disruption occurs after the first time, one point will be deducted from the
student’s final average.
Cell phones are to be turned off during class. If a student’s cell phone rings during class,
the professor will answer the phone. For each time a student’s cell rings after the first
time, one point will be deducted from the student’s final average. If there is a special
reason you need to have your cell phone on, let the instructor know.
MIDTERM DEFICIENCIES
Students who are in danger of receiving a grade below the accepted minimum (C) at midterm will receive a notice by mail indicating the lack of satisfactory progress. A midterm
deficiency may also be received if a student has missed assignments or more than the
allowed class meetings. See the instructor to determine the reason for receiving a
deficiency.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another as if they were one’s own. It is a
serious offense, and deliberate plagiarism will result in failure of the course.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOAL
The general education goal of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to
attain effective oral and written communication skills in the Spanish language. The course
also seeks to provide opportunities to compare cultural similarities and differences and
identify appropriate problem solving techniques when faced with cultural/language
differences. In addition, the activities are designed to provide experiences, which will
require the use of critical skills to assess and evaluate expressed and implied values.
EDUCATION OUTCOMES
Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated an acceptable level
of effectiveness in basic oral and written Spanish. Specifically, upon successful completion
of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to do the following:
1.
Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and skills in the usage of vocabulary,
sentence structure, present tense, and future action.
2.
Communicate in oral and written forms, using questions, negations, possession, and
agreement in gender and number.
3.
Communicate in basic conversation, including the use of idiomatic expressions
appropriate to daily needs of the native speaker and tourist.
4.
Recognize basic similarities and differences in customs and traditions.
5.
Apply basic language skills to create an understanding between persons of different
cultures.
ASSESSMENT OF OUTCOME STATEMENTS
Outcome statements will be assessed according to the Policies and Procedures Section and
the Grading Section of this syllabus.
ADA Statement
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register
with the Office of Student Disability Services for assistance with accommodations. It is
the student's responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially disclose information regarding
the nature and extent of a disability. The College does not assume responsibility for
providing accommodations or services to students who have not identified themselves as
having a qualifying disability.
For students with disabilities:
It is the student’s responsibility to self-identify with the Office of Disability Services to
receive accommodations and services in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities
Act. (ADA) Only those students with appropriate documentation will receive services. For
further information, contact the Office of Disability Services at X3472 or visit the office
which is located on the ground floor of the Wood Campus Center.
Equal Opportunity Statement
It is the intent of VSCC to be free of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex,
race, color, religion, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, or
physical appearance.