SPAN 2110-002 (13625)
Spring 2011
MW 2.00-3.15
Plaza 131
Lunden.MacDonald@ucdenver.edu
UCD Modern Languages Dept.
Dr. Lunden MacDonald
Office Hours: T/R 11.30-1.00
Location: PL 337
Office Phone: 303.556.5643
SKYPE (appt.): mrsmac2001
Main Office: 303.556.2908
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER MODERN LANGUAGES
DEPARTMENT
SPANISH 2110—Spanish Reading and Conversation I
Required Texts
Foerster, Sharon W. and Lambright, Anne. Punto y aparte. Spanish in Review, Moving
Toward Fluency. 4th Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 2011.
ISBN: 978-0-07-735021-5
Foerster, Sharon W., Lambright, Anne, and Alfonso-Pinto, Fátima. Manual que
acompaña Punto y aparte. 4th Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 2011.
ISBN: 978-0-07-735022-7
Spanish-English Dictionary.
STRONGLY Recommended but NOT Required Text
English Grammar for Students of Spanish: The Study Guide for Those Learning Spanish.
Emily Spinelli, The Olivia and Hill Press, 4th ed.
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION.
Spanish 2110 will expose students to all of the four language skills (reading, writing,
listening and speaking) at the intermediate level with an emphasis on reading and oral
proficiency. Following preparation through Spanish-language readings, there will be
extensive classroom discussion in Spanish with the intent of expanding vocabulary,
reinforcing previously-acquired grammatical structures, and facilitating greater oral
fluency while simultaneously fostering cultural awareness and critical thinking in the
student. This course will be taught primarily in Spanish.
Prerequisites:
Students must have completed Spanish 1020 or its equivalent at another institution with a
grade of C or higher. If you did not receive a C or higher in Spanish 1020, you may not
enroll in this class. If you are unsure about your placement at this level, you should take
the online proficiency/placement exam and/or speak with a departmental advisor.
Students who have achieved proficiency in a foreign language through means other than
academic courses must consult with an appropriate faculty member of the Department of
Modern Languages prior to enrollment.
II.
COURSE GOALS.
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2.
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To critically read and analyze increasingly complicated texts written in Spanish.
To continue to consolidate the written and oral use of Spanish grammar
structures.
To facilitate written and oral communication and self-expression at the
intermediate level by increasing vocabulary and idiomatic usage of Spanish.
To foster the ability to recount, narrate, and describe real and/or ficticious
situations, or to summarize and explain reading selections, both orally and in
writing in Spanish.
To promote increasingly strong auditory skills in Spanish.
To write controlled-topic short essays (1.5-2 pages) in Spanish.
To identify elements of Hispanic culture and to discuss them, both orally and in
writing, in Spanish. This may include illustrating, comparing, or contrasting ideas
on Hispanic culture with relation to those prevalent in the United States.
To use ancillary materials in class to foster a better understanding of authentic
Hispanic culture in realia, film, music, literature, print articles, art samples, etc.
To use technology in the study of Spanish.
To use Spanish as the exclusive language of communication during class sessions.
III.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES.
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By the end of the semester, the student should be able to:
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Duplicate an expanded vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions, in Spanish.
Recall and employ foundational vocabulary and grammar during reading and
writing exercises, and use these skills in order to critically approach intermediatelevel texts.
Use Spanish to independently reproduce or paraphrase previously seen written
passages at the intermediate level.
Apply general writing skills at the intermediate level to topic-controlled, mediumlength products such as essays (1.5-2 pages).
Employ sufficient vocabulary and grammar in Spanish to enable an appropriate
intermediate-level response during controlled and spontaneous conversation on
pre-established topics, or during spontaneous conversations with peers and
instructor.
Discuss qualities of literature and art, as pertinent to Hispanic culture and Spanish
language, in Spanish.
Employ listening skills during in-class conversations with peers in Spanish.
Communicate increasingly complex independent ideas using oral and written
Spanish.
Identify and explain, in Spanish, the basic cultural aspects of the broader Hispanic
world.
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10.
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Identify and recall concepts specific to Hispanic culture and literature, and apply
this cultural knowledge to critical tasks.
Participate actively in all facets of the course using primarily Spanish.
Actively and appropriately use technology (i.e. textbook program and support,
internet, College MetroConnect System, library research tools, etc.) during the
study of Spanish.
IV.
Exit Requirements.
To successfully complete the exit requirements of this course, students must demonstrate
the fulfillment of the course Student Learning Objectives as listed above. Fulfillment of
the Student Learning Objectives will be based on clearly defined testing instruments and
rubrics that denote the scope and grading of individual activities and exercises.
Grading Scale:
A = 93-100
B+ = 87-89.9 C+ = 77-79.9 D+ = 67-69.9
A- = 90-92.9 B = 83-86.9 C = 73-76.9 D = 63-66.9
B- = 80-82.9 C- = 70-72.9 D- = 60-62.9
V.
F = 59.9 or
below
FINAL GRADE DISTRIBUTION.
In-class participation and attendance
3 Written Exams
Writing Assignments
Workbook/Homework
Group Presentation (oral)
Individual Presentation (oral)
Final Oral Exam
TOTAL:
5%
15%
15%
10%
20%
15%
20%
100%
VI.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance:
 The Department of Modern Languages (DML) subscribes to an enforceable
attendance policy as described below.
Attendance is a key issue in foreign language learning, and failure to come to
class deprives the student of necessary exposure to the target language.
The DML is committed to providing its students with the best possible
instruction. By signing up for a course, students are contracting to attend that
course. If students miss a class session, they are violating that contract and
depriving themselves of the fullest possible language learning experience.
The official departmental policy on attendance is as follows:
Any student who is absent more than 20% of the semester will automatically
fail the course regardless of their grade in the course up until that time. (20% =
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a total of three weeks of class in a typical academic semester.) This translates
to a total of six (6) class sessions for those courses that meet twice a week. This
makes the 7th absence cause for a failing grade for the semester. Attendance
begins the first day of scheduled classes regardless of when you enroll in the
class.
The DML attendance policy is enforceable regardless of the nature of the
absence. This applies to all absences, whether excused or unexcused.
Attendance rules are enforceable even in the event of extenuating
circumstances. If students foresee difficulty in meeting the attendance
requirement, they should withdraw from the course.

Besides the DML limit of six absences to avoid a failing grade, the maximum
number of absences allowed without lowering your final semester grade by one
letter is four (4). I lower the grade in the fifth (5th) absence. See the case below:
If your course semester grade is an A
Letter grade with 4 absences or less:
A
Letter grade with 5 absences:
B
Letter grade with 6 absences:
C
Letter grade with 7 absences:
F
Although being absent more than 20% of the semester does not differentiate
between excused and unexcused absences and will be cause for a failing grade; under
extenuating, well documented and verifiable circumstances, absences below seven (7)
might not lower your letter grade for the fifth (5th) and sixth (6th) absence.
Arriving more than ten minutes late to or leaving more than ten minutes early from class
constitutes a class absence. Please contact me directly and in advance if you need to miss
a class. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
VII. HOMEWORK.
Learning a foreign language is more than memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary.
Your goal should be to actually understand and use the language for communication, and
this, like any skill, requires a great deal of practice. In addition, out-of-class homework
preparation utilizes the skills of reading and writing, allowing for more time to be spent
on speaking and listening in class. Therefore, students must prepare and complete ON
TIME all work assigned in class. This includes readings, exercises, workbook exercises,
compositions, etc. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. Homework constitutes
a portion of your final participation grade. In accordance with the University policy, you
should plan on devoting at least two hours to out-of-class preparation for every hour to
be spent in class.
VIII. EXAMS.
In general, there are no make-up exams. If for some reason beyond your control you will
be unable to attend an exam on the date specified on the syllabus, you must contact me
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IN ADVANCE to make up the exam BEFORE it is given to the other students.
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS GIVEN AFTER THE DATE
SPECIFIED ON THE SYLLABUS.
IX.
PROBLEMS OR DIFFICULTIES.
If at any time you have a problem concerning any aspect of the course, please feel free to
contact me directly. If you cannot attend my office hours, we can arrange a convenient
appointment. I strongly encourage you to seek tutoring assistance at the first sign of
difficulty; information on tutoring services at UCD can be obtained at the front desk of
the Modern Languages Department, PL 118.
X.
COMMON COURTESY BEHAVIOR.
There will be no eating or gum chewing permitted in the classroom nor in the language
lab. Cell phones and pagers are strictly prohibited and are grounds for dismissal from
class. Absolutely no text messaging, please.
XI.
Department of Modern Languages Policies
CLAS Incomplete (IW/IF) Policy
The faculty in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences passed the following policy relating to the
awarding of Incomplete grades. This CLAS policy is consistent with the CU-Denver campus
policy.
Incomplete grades (IW or IF) are not granted for low academic performance.
To be eligible for an Incomplete grade, students must (1) successfully complete
75 percent of the course, (2) have special circumstances (verification may be
required) that preclude the student from attending class and completing graded
assignments, and (3) make arrangements to complete missing assignments with
the original instructor. A CLAS Course Completion Agreement is strongly
suggested.
The CLAS Course Completion Agreement is available from the CLAS Advising
Office, NC 2024.
Spring 2011 CLAS Academic Policies
The following policies pertain to all students and are strictly adhered to by the College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences (CLAS).
 Every student MUST check and verify their schedule prior to the published drop/add
deadlines in the student portal. Failure to verify a schedule is not sufficient reason to
justify a late add or drop later in the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to make
sure that their schedule is correct prior to the appropriate deadlines.
 CLAS students must use their email.ucdenver.edu email address. Email is the official
method of communication for all University of Colorado Denver business. All email
correspondence will take place using your UCDenver email address. Go to
http://www.ucdenver.edu/studentservices/resources/registrar/students/policies/Pages/EmailPolicy.aspx to activate your
email address.
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Students are NOT automatically added to a course off a wait list after wait lists are
dropped. If a student is told by a faculty member that they will be added off the wait list,
it is the responsibility of the student to complete the proper paperwork to add a course.
 Students are not automatically notified if they are added to a class from a wait-list.
Again, it is the responsibility of the student to verify their schedule prior to any official
dates to drop or add courses.
 Students must complete and submit a drop/add form to make any schedule changes.
Students are not automatically dropped from a class if they never attended, stopped
attending or do not make tuition payments.
 Late adds will be approved only when circumstances surrounding the late add are beyond
the student’s control and can be documented independently. This will require a petition
and documentation from the student. Please note that the signature of a faculty member
on an add form does not guarantee that a late add petition will be approved. Petitions for
undergraduates are available in NC 4002 and for graduate students in NC 5012.
 Late drops will be approved only when circumstances surrounding the late drop have
arisen after the published drop deadlines, are beyond the student’s control, and can be
documented independently. This will require a petition and documentation from the
student. Pre-existing circumstances (circumstances that existed prior to the published
drop deadlines) regarding illness, work, family, or other confounding issues will not be
considered adequate reason to drop or withdraw from courses after the published
University and/or College drop deadlines. Please note that the signature of a faculty
member does not guarantee that a late drop petition will be approved. Petitions are
available in NC 4002 for undergraduates and NC 5012 for graduate students.
 Undergraduate students wishing to graduate in spring of 2011 must complete the on
line intent to graduate and meet with their academic advisor by census date to obtain a
graduation application. This application must be completed and submitted by 5 PM on
February 2, 2011. You can obtain an application ONLY after meeting with your
academic advisor. There are no exceptions to this policy or date.
 Graduate students wishing to graduate in spring semester 2011 must complete their
Intent to Graduate form and have a Request for Admissions to Candidacy on file with the
CLAS Dean’s office no later than 5 PM, February 2, 2011.
 Students are responsible for completing financial arrangements with financial aid, family,
scholarships, etc. to pay their tuition. Students will be responsible for all tuition and fees
for courses they do not officially drop using proper drop/add procedures and forms.
Students who drop after the published drop/add period will not be eligible for a refund of the
COF hours or tuition.
Important Dates
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January 18, 2011: First day of Class
January 23, 2011: Last day to add a class or be added to a wait list for a class using the
UCDAccess student portal. After this date you must use a schedule adjustment form to
change add or drop a course.
January 24, 2011: LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT DROP CHARGE – THIS
INCLUDES SECTION CHANGES.
January 24, 2011: Wait Lists are dropped. Any student who was not added to a course
automatically from the wait list by this date and time MUST complete a schedule
adjustment form to be added to the class. Students are NOT automatically added to the
class from the wait list after this date and time. If your name is not on the official student
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roster, you are not registered for the course.
January 25-February 2, 2011: Students are responsible for verifying an accurate spring
2011 course schedule via the UCDAccess student portal. Students are NOT notified of
their wait-list status by the university. All students must check their scheduled prior to
February 2, 2011 for accuracy.
January 25, 2011: First day instructor may approve request to add a student to a full
course with a Schedule Adjustment Form.
February 2, 2011: Census date.
February 2, 2011 at 5 PM: Last day to add structured courses without a written petition
for a late add. This is an absolute deadline and is treated as such. This deadline does
not apply to independent study, internships, project hours, thesis hours, dissertation
hours, and late-starting modular courses.
February 2, 2011 at 5 PM: Last day to drop a spring 2011 course or completely with
draw from all spring 2011 courses using a schedule adjustment form with a tuition
adjustment minus the drop charge and no transcript notation – this includes section
changes. Drops after this date will appear on your transcript. This is an absolute
deadline and is treated as such.
February 2, 2011 at 5 PM: Last day to request pass/fail or no credit option for a course.
February 2, 2011 at 5 PM: Last day to for a graduate student to register for a Candidate
for Degree.
February 2, 2011 at 5 PM: Last day for a Ph.D. student to petition for a reduction in
hours.
February 2, 2011 at 5 PM: Last day to apply for spring 2011 graduation. You must
make an appointment and see your academic advisor before this date to apply for
graduation if you are an undergraduate; you must complete the intent to graduate and
candidate for degree form if you are a graduate student.
February 14-23, 2011: Faculty can use the early alert system.
March 21-27, 2011: Spring break (no classes/campus open)
April 1, 2011 at 5 PM: Last day for non-CLAS students to drop or withdraw from all
classes without a petition and special approval from the student’s academic Dean. After
this date, a dean’s signature is needed.
April 15, 2011 at 5 PM: Last day for CLAS students to drop or withdraw from all
classes with signatures from the faculty and Dean without a full petition. This is treated
as an absolute deadline.
After April 15, 2011 all schedule changes require a full petition. Petitions are available
in NC 4002 for undergraduates and NC 5012 for graduate students.
May 9-14, 2011: Finals Week
No schedule changes will be granted once finals week has started. There are NO
exceptions to this policy.
Consult the Academic Calendar for details of other dates and deadlines:
http://www.ucdenver.edu/student-services/resources/registrar/Pages/default.aspx
Disability Accommodations
Faculty in the University of Colorado system have both a legal and moral obligation to provide
reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. To be eligible for accommodations,
students must be registered with the UCDHSC Office of Disability Resources and Services (AR
177, 303-556-3450, 303-556-4766 TDD). The DRS staff has experience to assist faculty in
determining reasonable accommodations to coordinate these accommodations
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SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS
***All readings assigned are from the Punto y aparte textbook unless otherwise
indicated.***
***Activities for each Chapter section will be performed in the workbook.***
***Additional homework or activities may be provided by the individual
instructor.***
Wednesday 1.19
Introduction to the class.
Monday 1.24
Para empezar
Introducción al libro, p. 1-13.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Wednesday 1.26
Capítulo 1
Vocabulario, p. 14-22.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Actividades: Para empezar
Puntos clave y Rincón cultural, p. 23-35.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Monday 1.31
Lectura, p. 35-40.
Escritura en grupo: actividad en clase
Presentación individual: ____________________
Wednesday 2.2
¡A escribir! Y Hablando del tema, p. 40-42.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Monday 2.7
Capítulo 2
Vocabulario, p. 43-50.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Actividades: Capítiulo 1
Wednesday 2.9
Puntos clave y Rincón cultural, p. 51-62.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Monday 2.14
Lectura, p. 62-72.
Escritura en grupo: actividad en clase
Presentación individual: ____________________
Wednesday 2.16
Presentación Grupo I.
Presentación Grupo II.
¡A escribir! Y Hablando del tema, p. 72-74.
Repaso: Capítulo 1 y 2.
Actividades: Capítulo 2
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Monday 2.21
EXAMEN: Capítulos 1 y 2.
Wednesday 2.23
Capítulo 3.
Vocabulario, p. 75-84.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Entregar Composición I.
Monday 2.28
Puntos clave y Rincón cultural, p. 84-97.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Wednesday 3.2
Lectura, p. 98-104.
Escritura en grupo: actividad en clase
Presentación individual: ____________________
Monday 3.7
¡A escribir! Y Hablando del tema, p. 104-106.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Wednesday 3.9
Capítulo 4
Vocabulario, p. 107-114.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Actividades: Capítulo 3
Monday 3.14
Puntos clave y Rincón cultural, p. 115-129.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Wednesday 3.16
Lectura, p. 129-134.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Monday 3.21
NO CLASS—SPRING BREAK.
Wednesday 3.23
NO CLASS—SPRING BREAK.
Monday 3.28
Presentación Grupo 3.
Presentación Grupo 4.
¡A escribir! Y Hablando del tema, p. 134-136.
Repaso: Capítulos 3 y 4.
Actividades: Capítulo 4.
Wednesday 3.30
Examen: Capítulo 3 y 4.
Monday 4.4
Capítulo 5.
Vocabulario p. 137-145.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Entregar Composición II.
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Wednesday 4.6
Puntos clave y Rincón cultural p. 145-158.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Monday 4.11
Lectura, p. 158-163.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Escritura en grupo: actividad en clase
Wednesday 4.13
¡A escribir! Y Hablando del tema, p. 164-166.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Monday 4.18
Capítulo 6
Entrevista, vocabulario p. 167-175.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Actividades: Capítulo 5
Wednesday 4.20
Puntos clave, p. 175-181.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Monday 4.25
Rincón cultural, p. 181-191.
Presentación individual: ____________________
Wednesday 4.27
Presentación Grupo 5.
Presentación Grupo 6.
¡A escribir! Y Hablando del tema, p. 191-193.
Repaso: Capítulo 3.
Actividades: Capítulo 6
Monday 5.2
Exámenes orales.
Wednesday 5.4
Exámenes orales.
Entregar Composición III.
THE DATE AND TIME OF THE FINAL EXAM WILL BE ANNOUNCED.
The Final Exam will cover Chapter 5 and 6 and will not be cumulative.
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