Oregon State University
School of Language, Culture, and Society
Foreign Languages and Literatures
Syllabus
Course: Spanish 317: Directed Reading and Composition
CRN: 38959
Section: 001
Credits: Three undergraduate credit hours, meeting 3 times a week for 50 minutes
Time: MWF 1:00 to 1:50 pm.
Place: Strand Agriculture Room 411.
Instructor: Antonio J. Aiello
Office: Kidder Hall 226
Office hours: MWF 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Phone: 541-737-3934
Email: antonio.aiello@oregonstate.edu
PREREQUISITE: SPAN 311, 312 and 313 or equivalent.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course is designed to develop writing skills in Spanish, reading and
interpreting Spanish literary texts. Using different forms of literary expression
from the Spanish-speaking world, students will build on their language skills and
cultural awareness.
We will help students improve their ability to write coherent, cohesive, and
convincing argumentative essays. In order to do this, there will be three
compositions. Theses compositions will be assigned as homework according to the
topics assigned in the text.
At the same time, this course pursuits to achieve the proficiency necessary to reach
the Advanced-Low level, as outlined by the American Council on Teaching Foreign
Languages (ACTFL). This includes an evaluation in all four language skills:
reading, writing, speaking and listening. As the title implies, this is a course heavy
reading, interpretation and writing; this means that by its very nature, in this class
we will work mostly within the formal (standard) register.
As part of the class, we will read the selected readings and additional materials.
These will be chosen by the instructor based on the different topics to engender a
response in the students, thereby sparking discussion in the class; in turn, these
discussions might generate good topics for the essays.
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The course fulfills the reading and writing requirement for a Spanish Minor or
elective for Majors.
MEASURABLE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course students should be able to:
 Develop their linguistic aptitudes in reading and writing
 Analyze a literary text using the appropriate vocabulary
 Explain various literary elements
 Think beyond the literal meaning of the text
 Write descriptions, comparisons and analytical essays
 Express their own ideas about a text orally and writing
 Synthesize ideas and concepts
 Understand how literature reflects social and political ideas in the regions,
and how the language of literature speaks to our human experience
 Express their own ideas about a text orally and writing
 demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the diversity of human cultural,
historical and social experiences and reflect on how your individual life
experience relates to the complex nature of human conditions in other places
and times
 Present and evaluate information, devise and exchange ideas clearly and
effectively with diverse audiences in a variety of situations
LEARNING RESOURCES
Convocación de palabras, 2nd edition, Kalty & Labarca (Required)
Documents posted on Blackboard (Required)
Dictionary: Oxford Spanish Dictionary or Harper Collins (Optional)
Online dictionaries: http://wordreference.com/; http://rae.es (Optional)
EVALUATION OF STUDENTS PERFORMANCE
Participation & presentations
Assignments from readings
2 peer reviews
2 tests on reading materials
3 essays
20%
10%
10%
30%
30%
200 points
100
100
300
300
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CLASS POLICIES
ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is essential. With the exception of scheduled
test or presentation days, you will be allowed 1 absence. This is not a “day off,” so
use it wisely for events that may prevent your attendance (e.g. illness, funerals,
weddings, etc.). Every subsequent absence will lower your final grade 10 points for
each unjustified absence. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact a
classmate to obtain missed information.
The university recognizes certain situations, which prevent a student from
attending a class – such as illness, a death in the family, or personal injury. If you
cannot attend class for any of these reasons, please contact the Office of Student
Affairs at 387-2150. They will help you collect the required documentation.
Students who submit documentation will not have points deducted from their grade
PARTICIPATIONS AND PRESENTANTIONS: This class requires students to be
fully engaged, in group work, class discussions and presentations. Participation
means always being prepared with homework and for in-class. Optimal
participation includes, use of Spanish; willingness to participate; cooperation during
group work; and respect towards the class and your peers. Your participation grade
includes a representation of a dialog and presentation of a poem.
A
B
C
D
F
Volunteers regularly and actively, always prepared with homework
Usually volunteers, prepared when called on, usually on task
Sometimes volunteers, prepared when called on, sometimes on task
Almost never volunteers or prepares homework, seldom on task
Never volunteers, seldom prepares, and does not stay on task.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR READINGS: Students will be working in their workbook
using a task-based model. The assignment grade includes doing the written
assignments on the readings on time.
WRITTEN WORKS: There will be three analytical essays. You will have the
opportunity to improve the grade for each essay by 10 points following the
instructor’s comments and the peer review. Instructions for the organization of the
texts and the formatting will be posted on blackboard.
PEER REVIEWS: Two peer reviews of a student’s paper. Information will be
given.
TESTS: There will be two tests. It will deal with the readings, vocabulary and
writing techniques. No make-ups will be given, except in cases of extreme
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emergency. In the latter case, students should get in touch with the instructor
before the date for the test.
This course adheres to all OSU academic regulations as found in the Schedule of
Classes. Students must behave in ways proper to an academic environment.
Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F. At Oregon State University
academic dishonesty is defined by the Oregon Administrative Rules 576-0150020.1.a-c as: An intentional act of deception in which a student seeks to claim
credit for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or
fabricated information in any academic work. Academic dishonesty includes:
cheating, fabrication, assisting, tampering, and plagiarism.
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm
FINAL GRADE:
93-100%= A 90-92%= A- 87-89%= B+ 83-86%= B 80-82%= B- 77-79%= C+
73-76%= C 70-72%= C- 67-69%= D+ 63-66%= D 60-62%= D- 0-59%=F
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Accommodations are collaborative efforts
between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with
accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty
member in charge of the class. Students who believe they are eligible for but who
have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at
541-737-4098.
BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM
I expect every student to behave respectfully toward the class in general, toward
other students, and toward the instructor. This doesn’t mean that you cannot
express your opinion, whatever it may be. However, in expressing your opinions you
should do so in a way that shows respect for your classmates and for the instructor.
Disruptive or rude behavior will not be tolerated.
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The instructor and the Program Director will initiate an academic integrity case
against students suspected of cheating, plagiarizing, or aiding others in dishonest
academic behavior. Students are responsible for reading and understanding the
Code of Academic Integrity; please refer to:
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm
Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism,
cheating, and aiding and abetting dishonesty. An example of plagiarism would be to
submit a written sample which in part or in whole is not entirely the student's own
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work without attributing the source. Cheating includes allowing another person to
do your work, such as a composition, homework, or journal entries, and to submit
the work under one's own name. Use of an internet translator for any part of an
assignment is also considered cheating. Copying parts of websites, in whole or in
part, is also cheating. Any work which is submitted for a grade MUST be the
student's own work. If you are not sure when it is appropriate to seek help, please
see your instructor.
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CALENDAR SPANISH 317 (Winter 2011)
Readings and writing the assignment should be done before you come to class. Feel free to ask questions if you need
clarification.
If you have an emergency, let me now immediately by email.
M-3 enero
Introducción al curso
Panorama histórico cultural
y literario
Análisis del Sílabo
W-5 enero
Tarea: Esmeralda Santiago
“Martes ni te cases ni te embarques”, p. 4
En torno al texto, p. 6; 2, 3 y 4
En términos generales, p. 7
Los personajes y sus papeles, 7
Más allá del texto, p. 8
M- 10 enero
Discusión sobre los temas tratados
Temas de ensayo, escoger uno.
Términos literarios, p. 287
W-12 enero
Tarea: Rigoberta Menchú
“La familia”, 23
En torno al texto, 29
En términos generales, 30
L os personajes y sus papeles, 30
Más allá del texto, 31-32
M- 17 enero
Martin Luther King, Jr
Day observed: No Classes
M- 24 enero
Tarea: Edmundo Paz Soldán
“Imágenes Photoshop”, 115
En torno al texto, 116
En términos generales ,117
Personajes y papales, 117
Más allá del texto, 117
M- 31 enero
Tarea: Silvina Bullrich
“El amante”, 123
En torno al texto, 129
En términos generales, 130
Personajes y papeles, 130
Más allá texto, 131
W- 19 enero
Tarea: Alfonsina Storni
“Tú me quieres blanca”, 91
En torno al texto, 93
En términos generales, 93
Personajes/papeles, 94
Más allá del texto, 94
W- 26 enero
Discusión sobre los temas tratados.
W- 2 febrero
Tarea: Mario Benedetti
“La Guerra y la paz”, 136
En torno al texto, 138
En términos generales, 139
Los personajes y papeles, 139
Más allá del texto, 140
F-7 enero
Tarea: Miguel Mihura,
“El amigo de Él y Ella”, p. 13
En torno al texto, págs. 16-17
En términos generales, 17
Los personajes y sus papeles, 18
Más allá del texto, 18-19
F 14 enero
Tarea: Julia Álvarez
“Complicaciones”, 76
En torno al texto, 77
En términos generales 77
Los personajes y sus papeles, 77
Más allá del texto, 78-79
Debido: Ensayo I Versión 1
F- 21 enero
Tarea: Mario Benedetti
Una carta de amor”, 98
En torno al texto, 100
En términos generales, 101
Personajes y papeles, 101
Más allá del texto, 111
Debido: Ensayo I Versión 2
F- 28 enero
Prueba 1
F- 4 febrero
Discusión sobre los temas tratados
Temas de ensayo, escoger uno
Temas literarios 288
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M- 7 febrero
Tarea: Nicolás Guillén
“Balada de los dos abuelos”, 148
En torno al texto, 149
En términos generales, 150
Los personajes y sus papeles ,151
Más allá del texto, 151
W- 9 febrero
Tarea: Jorge Luis Borges
Tarea: “Borges y yo”, 163
En torno al texto, 164
En términos generales, 164
Los personajes y sus papeles, 165
Más allá del texto, 165
F- 11 febrero
Discusión sobre los temas tratados
Debido: Ensayo II Versión 1
M-14 febrero
Tarea: Nicomedes Santa Cruz
“Ritmos negros del Perú”, 189
En torno al texto, 190
En términos generales ,191
Los personajes y sus papeles, 191
Más allá del texto, 191
W-16 febrero
Tarea: Domitila Barrios de Chungara
“¿Por qué me odias tú?”, 197
En torno al texto, 200
En términos generales, 200
Los personajes y sus papeles, 200
Más allá del texto, 201
F- 18 febrero
Discusión sobre los temas tratados
Temas de ensayo, escoger uno
Debido: Ensayo II Versión 2
M- 21 febrero
Tarea: Sergio Vodanovic
“El delantal blanco”, 207
En torno al texto, 217
En términos generales, 217
Personajes y sus papeles, 218
Más allá del texto, 218
M- 28 febrero
Tarea: Pablo Neruda
“La United Fruit Co.”, 241
En torno al texto, 242
En términos generales, 244
Los personajes y sus papeles, 244
Más allá del texto, 244
M- 7 marzo
Prueba 2
W- 23 febrero
Tarea: Roque Dalton
“La certeza”, 234
En torno al texto, 234
En términos generales, 235
Personajes y sus papeles, 236
Más allá del texto, 236
W- 2 marzo
Tarea: Heberto padilla
Fuera del juego”, 250
En torno al texto, 252
En términos generales, 253
Los personajes y sus papeles, 253
Más allá del texto, 253
W- 9 marzo
Representaciones de papeles
F- 25 febrero
Discusión sobre los temas tratados
Debido: Ensayo III Versión 1
F- 4 marzo
Discusión sobre los temas tratados
Debido: Ensayo III Versión 2
F- 11 marzo
Representaciones de poemas
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Acknowledgment of Receipt of Syllabus
Please sign and return the following for SPANISH 317 Winter 2011
Students: Initial each of the following to which you agree.
____ I have received my syllabus, which includes the course objectives, policies,
requirements and schedule
____ I have read and understand all of the syllabus policies and requirements.
____ I have no objection to receiving email from the instructor.
____ I have no objection to receiving call to my phone home/work or cell
Name:
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Email Address
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Signature: __________________________________________________
Date
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