G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
The University of Texas at Arlington
Spa 3315
Composition Through Literature
Spring 2008
The mission of The University of Texas at Arlington is to pursue knowledge, truth and excellence in a
student-centered academic community characterized by shared values, unity of purpose, diversity of
opinion, mutual respect and social responsibility. The University is committed to lifelong learning through
its academic and continuing education programs, to discovering new knowledge through research and to
enhancing its position as a comprehensive educational institution with bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and
non-degree continuing education programs.
Spanish 3315: MWF 10:00-10:50; 11:-11:50; Section: 002 (20316) and 004 (20317)
Location: Trimble Hall 205
Professor: Dr. Georgia Seminet
Office: HH 308 / Phone: (817) 272-5538
Office Hours:12:30-1:30, and by appointment
E-mail: gseminet@uta.edu
Homepage of the Dept. of Modern Languages: http://langlab.uta.edu/
Required Texts:
Halty, Raquel María and Angela Labarca. Convocación de palabras. Thomson/Heinle,
2006.
Unamuno, Miguel de. San Manuel Bueno, mártir.
Useful texts for upper-divison coursework in Spanish:
A good bilingual dictionary. (I like the Oxford Spanish Dictionary).
Foster, David William, Daniel Altamiranda, Carmen de Urioste. The Writer’s Reference
Guide to Spanish. University of Texas Press: Austin, 1999.
Gac-Artigas, Priscilla, Gustavo Gac-Artigas. Directo al Grano: A Complete Reference
Manual for Spanish Grammar. Prentice Hall: NJ, 2000.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition. You will
need to have available for consultation a current edition of the MLA Writer’s Handbook.
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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You can find this in the reference section of the library though much of the information
you will need for proper citations can be found on the internet.
Blog: There is a course blog ( http://spanish3315.wordpress.com/ ) that you should check
frequently for any assignments and updates. It will also be a medium through which I
may supply you with handouts, useful links, and hopefully useful links you have found
that you’d like to share with the class. Eventually, we should be able to build a very
useful and informative blog. Any assignment or information that I have produced and
distributed in class will also be available on the blog, including the syllabus, but I will try
to keep them exclusively on the blog to use less paper. The goal is to avoid excessive
printing and paper use – lookout class, we’re going green here at UTA!
Course description: SPA 3315 is an advanced course in the Spanish program at the
University of Texas at Arlington.You should have already passed Span 3314 or have the
consent of the department before entering this course. You will work toward perfecting
your ability to read and write Spanish, though other skills will complement this endeavor.
The course has two specific aims. Primarily, the goal is to acquire reading and writing
strategies necessary for upper-division coursework and for professional opportunities,
including teaching Spanish, through readings of Hispanic literature. Secondly, we will
briefly review and refine the grammar concepts you have already studied on an “as
needed” basis. Class time will be devoted to discussions of reading and writing
strategies, discussion of literary theory, proofreading of compositions, presentations, and
grammar review and vocabulary acquisition. Students are also expected to review
grammar rules and forms outside of class if they are having problems, and should speak
with the professor about things to do to improve.
Course objectives: The primary objective is to offer students an opportunity to advance
the communicative skills learned in beginning and intermediate Spanish classes, though
the focus will be on reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary acquisition. The
objectives are:
1. Development of writing skills related to critical analysis, independent thinking and
communication in Spanish through reading a variety of texts and engaging with the
texts through written response papers. Students will use the MLA style for all written
assignments.
2. Give students the tools for intellectual expression needed in the more advanced courses
in Spanish, specifically 4000-level literature and culture courses by increasing their
vocabulary and reading comprehension.
3. Build reading skills through exposure to Spanish and/or Latin American literature by
discussing these texts in class, commenting on them in the journal, and creating
formal. written response papers.
4. Quick review of orthography and selected grammatical issues already covered in
SP3303, SP3314 or SP3304/3305, such as preterit/imperfect, accent marks
and ser/estar. Grammar presentation will be adapted to the needs of the class
and specific questions the students bring up.
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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Course requirements: Completion of Spa 3314 or consent of the department.
Students are expected to do the following: read the assignments for the date indicated
prior to coming to class that day; do the assigned exercises in the book; turn in
assignments on time; use the language skills inside and outside the classroom (i.e. using
Spanish with friends when possible, watching Spanish TV or movies, reading Spanish
magazines or newspapers) in order to maintain and improve your speaking and
comprehension skills.
Grade Breakdown:
Writing Assignments 40 %. You will receive instructions for each writing assignment
inin advance of the due date. These assignments should be typed and double -spaced.
Each composition should incorporate ideas from class and other readings you have
chosen to aid your understanding of the text. Designated assignments will have 2 versions
to provide you with a chance to minimize grammatical errors and reconsider the clarity of
your ideas. The final paper and in-class essays cannot be rewritten. Students should write
in ATAJO if possible for extra support on grammatical issues. Two of the papers will be
“mini” research papers. We will go through the steps of forming a thesis, developing
ideas, supporting your ideas with research and citing this research in MLA style.
Journals 30%. I consider the journals to be an important tool for improving your
writing. Keeping notes, and or a journal, is an important stategy for the preparation that
goes into a written project. This is an effort to instill the habits of the “buen lector.”
Unlike the traditional journal, they should be typed in ATAJO. You will be expected to
make comments on each reading, along with a vocabulary list. I will judge the journals
based on the quality of the entries. This includes your ability to engage with the text,
express your ideas grammatically, and articulate complex positions and ideas in Spanish.
Quizzes 15%. You can expect short anwer or multiple choice quizzes on many of the
literary readings. These quizzes are meant to urge people to keep up with the reading so
that our class discussions will be more productive for everyone involved – and I want you
to be involved! You will be given 10 minutes to finish. There are no make-ups for these
quizzes. I will automatically drop your lowest grade at the end of the semester.
Presentations 15%. The purpose of the group presentations is to share the research that
goes into an interpretation of a text or an analytical essay. Groups will be assigned a
topic, but it is up to each group as to how you would like to present that information to
your classmates. You will be given a handout stipulating required components of the
presentations. It should, however, involve some form of multimedia to create an
attractive and informative presentation.
Attendance and late work: Regular and active participation in all activities is
mandatory. Your presence in class is imperative. In order to be able to participate in
class, you must be present! Three tardies or leaving class early three times equals one
absence. Roll will be taken every day, and attendance is mandatory. If you are absent
more than three times, for each absence beyond the three allowed, your final grade
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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will be lowered by 1% up to a maximum of 10%. After the third absence, you may
receive a warning letter. Absences due to routine illness or unexpected situations count as
absences. The only absences that do not count beyond the three allowed are those
resulting from required participation in university events, hospitalization, religious
holidays, or family emergencies of which the professor has been notified by university
officials. Late work will result in an automatic deduction of points (5 points per class
day) but the student is still encouraged to turn in all work in a timely fashion (no work
will be accepted during dead week). There will be no make-up work unless the
professor is notified of your absence prior to the absence. At that time, the professor
will decide how to handle the absence.
Participation: Regular and conscientious participation will ensure that you get the most
out of this class. This includes attendance and coming to class prepared. Students who
miss class or attend on an irregular basis will find it difficult to succeed.
Extra Credit Opportunities: The only opportunities for extra credit depend on the
following criteria. Points will be added to your final average if you’ve earned them..
2 pts. for perfect attendance
1 pt. for not telling me why you’re absent. You are allowed three absences without penalty which
are for emergencies, illness, family/car/work/health/boyfriend/girlfriend problems. If you go
beyond 3, I do not want to know why unless you’re bringing documentation that is credible and
verifiable. If you feel you need to explain absences, please see me during my office hours.
1 pt. for not missing a day the last two weeks of class.
1 pt. for turning in the last page of this syllabus during the first week of class.
Final Exam: There is no final exam, just your last paper.
Study Abroad: We encourage students to pursue an immersion experience in Spanish
by participating in our study abroad programs. Please speak to your professor if you are
interested in traveling to Spain or Mexico for academic credit.
UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES
E-Mail Communication: I will communicate with you via your university email
account. Students at UTA are entitled to an email account. E-mail will be considered the
official means of communication between the university and students, effective August
22, 2005. Utilize your UTA e-mail for all communications.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): If you are a student who requires
accommodations in compliance with the ADA, please consult with me at the beginning of
the semester. As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide “reasonable
accommodation” to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of
that disability. Your responsibility is to inform me of the disability at the beginning of
the semester and provide me with documentation authorizing the specific
accommodation. Student services at UTA include the Office for Students with
Disabilities (located in the lower level of the University Center) which is responsible for
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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verifying and implementing accommodations to ensure equal opportunity in all programs
and activities.
Student Support Services: The University supports a variety of student success
programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. They
include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission
and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance
academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success
Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.
Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of
conduct and will not be tolerated in any form at The University of Texas at Arlington. All
persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with
University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion
from the University. “Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating,
plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are
attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another
person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit
such acts.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection
3.2., Subdivision 3.22).
Bomb Threats: If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA will
attempt to trace the phone call and prosecute all responsible parties. Every effort will be
made to avoid cancellation of presentations/tests caused by bomb threats. Unannounced
alternate sites will be available for these classes. Your instructor will make you aware of
alternate class sites in the event that your classroom is not available.
Commitment to Diversity: The University of Texas at Arlington seeks a campus climate
that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human
experience. In our commitment to diversity, we welcome people from all backgrounds.
We seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum.
Dimensions of diversity shall include, but are not limited to, the following: race,
ethnicity, religious belief, sexual orientation, sex/gender, disability, socioeconomic status,
cultural orientation, national origin, and age.
Drop Policy: The Last Drop Date for undergraduates will occur at a point two-thirds of
the way through a given semester or session; for spring semester 2008, that day is
March 28th. As usual, students are allowed to drop until 5:00 p.m. CST. Undergraduate
students who drop a course on or before the Last Drop Date will receive an automatic
grade of “W” regardless of whether they have completed assignments or not.
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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PROGRAMA DE CLASES
clase
1
día/mes
lunes 14/1
Actividades en clase y la tarea para el próximo día
Introducción y presentación del curso; explicación de
expectativas y requisitos; cómo este curso le preparará para las
clases más avanzadas.
Tarea: Leer “Preface,” vii-xi, en Convocación (HL); leer las
páginas 1-4 en Guía Básica de Blackwell y Larson (BL).
Entregar primer diario (journal), un resumen de su lectura con
vocabulario.
2
miércoles 16/2 El buen lector – explicación de cómo escribir el diario para la
clase.
Los acentos – hoja de trabajo (ver blog)
Tarea: BL p. 4 (1.5) – p. 8; entrada en el diario (entregar)
3
viernes 18/1
Quiz; Estrategias para leer
Los acentos – hoja de trabajo (ver blog)
Tarea: BL p. 8(1.5.3) - p. 12 ; entrada en el diario (entregar)
4
lu 21/1
Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday. No hay clase hoy.
5
mi 23/1
Quiz; Interpretación de un texto
Ortografía: mayúscula/minúscula
Tarea: BL p. 13-17; diario
6
vi 25/1
Visita a la biblioteca
Tarea: BL p. 18-28; diario
7
lu 28/1
Quiz; Teoría literaria (De ahora en adelante, no anunciaré los
quizzes de lectura, pero pueden estar seguros que continuarán
a lo largo del semestre.)
Ortografía: mayúscula/minúscula
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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Tarea: BL p. 29-37; diario
8
mi 30/1
Modos de crítica literaria
Tarea: BL p. 29-37
9
vi 1/2
Modos de crítica literaria
Tarea: Halty Labarca textbook (HL): p. 80 “Kinsey Report No.
6”, p. 52 “Tú me quieres blanca”; diario (entregar)
10
lu 4/2
Géneros: La poesía; la perspective femenina
Tarea: Términos literarios selectos, BL 64-70
11
mi 6/2
Continuar poesía/perspective femenina
Tarea: HL “Balada de los dos abuelos” p. 144, “Ritmos negros
del Perú,” p. 186
12
vi 8/2
Discusión de los poemas en clase; colonialismo y
poscolonialismo; cuestiones de raza.
Tarea: Volver a leer los dos poemas; diario
13
lu 11/2
Continuar discusión de los poemas en clase; colonialismo y
poscolonialismo; cuestiones de raza.
Tarea: HL “La United Fruit Co.” p. 238; “Convocación de
palabras,” p. 221
14
mi 13/2
Discusión de poemas; la influencia social y política en un texto
Tarea: Leer atentamente el poema “Balada de los dos
abuelos”; El lunes se entrega el primer trabjo escrito (2 páginas,
máximo)
15
vi 15/2
Ensayo en clase sobre “Balada de los dos abuelos”
Tarea: Primer trabajo escrito: Análisis de un poema
16
lu 18/2
Entregar análisis
Teatro: “El delantal blanco” (La profesora presenta)
Discusión del autor, el contexto y los términos teatrales
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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Tarea: HL: “El delantal blanco” p. 204; diario
17
mi 20/2
Discusión de “El delantal blanco”
Tarea: HL: p. 20 “La familia” de Rigoberta Menchú; diario
18
vi 22/2
Empezar: El testimonio
Discusión del texto de Menchú
Tarea: Entregar: Versión 2 de análisis de un poema
Leer: HL: p. 193 “Por qué me odias tú?”; diario
19
lu 25/2
Entregar versión 2 de análisis; Seguir discussion sobre
testimonio
Mostrar documental sobre Guatemala
Tarea: artículo asignado (ver Mavspace); diario
20
mi 27/2
Terminar documental
21
vi 29/2
Discusión de BL: p. 61-64 “Términos generales/narrativos”
La ficción en prosa
Tarea: HL: “Casi una mujer” p. 2; diario; Entregar segundo
trabajo escrito sobre el testimonio
22
lu 3/3
Entregar trabajo; Análisis de la selección de Santiago
Tarea: BL 39-42; HL p. 112 “Imágenes fotoshop”; p. 96 “Una
carta de amor; diario
23
mi 5/3
Discusión del género cuentístico
Tarea: HL p. 264 “El prócer”; BL p. 43-45
24
vi 7/3
Discusión de “El prócer”
Tarea: Volver a leer “El prócer”; el lunes, Ensayo en clase:
“El prócer” (25 minutos); Entregar todas las entradas del diario
hasta este punto.
25
lu 10/3
Ensayo en clase (25 minutos)
Entregar el diario completo
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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La novela (¿Qué es una nívola?)
Cuestiones de género: construir y deconstruir la idea de género
Tarea: Leer el primer tercio de San Manuel Bueno, mártir;
diario
26
mi 12/3
La historia y el autor en la novela
Tarea: Leer el segundo tercio de San Manuel; Entregar
segunda versión del segundo trabajo escrito; diario
27
vi 14/3
Identificar temas en San Manuel y buscar crítica; Entregar
segunda versión del segundo trabajo.
Tarea: Terminar San Manuel Bueno; BL 46-53; diario sobre
San Manuel
17/3-23/3
28
lu 24/3
Vacaciones de primavera
Discusión de novela, temas; desarrollar una tesis
Tarea: BL 53-60; reunir material para sus tesis
29
mi 26/3
Cómo desarrollar una tesis
Tarea: BL 75-79 (ejemplo de un análisis); reunir material para
su tesis
30
vi 28/3
Ensayo en clase sobe San Manuel Bueno (25 minutos)
Traer su bibliografía con preguntas
31
lu 31/3
Repasar estipulaciones del estilo MLA
32
mi 2/4
Consultaciones sobre forma y contenido del trabajo
Tarea: Entregar “mini” trabajo de investigación
33
vi 4/4
Entregar “mini” trabajo de investigación
Repasar estipulaciones del estilo MLA
Discusión: Cómo analizar una película
34
lu 7/4
Análisis de una película
Empezar película; diario
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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Tarea: En mi MAVSPACE, leer “Ver una película”
35
mi 9/4
Ver película; diario
Tarea: Leer “Escribir sobre una película’ en mi MAVSPACE
36
vi 11/4
Ver película; diario
37
lu 14/4
Ver película; diario
Discusión de la película
Tarea: Entregar la segunda mitad del diario.
38
mi 16/4
Discusión y terminología del cine en español
Tarea: Entregar reportaje sobre la película (aprox. 1 pág.)
39
vi 18/4
Entregar “Reportaje” sobre la película
Discusión de la película
Tarea: reunir información sobre la globalización; segunda
versión del trabajo sobre San Manuel
40
lu 21/4
Devolver segunda versión de trabajo sobre San Manuel
Globalización: presentaciones de grupo
41
mi 23/4
El tráfico humano y la globalización
Presentaciones de grupo
Tarea: reunir info. sobre los EU y México
42
vi 25/4
Las relaciones entre los EU y México en lo que concierne el
tráfico de seres humanos – Presentaciones de grupo
Tarea: trabajar sobre su análisis
43
lu 28/4
Presentación de las tesis y consultaciones
44
mi 30/4
Consultaciones
Evaluación del curso
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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vi 2/5
11
Entregar el ensayo analítico sobre la película
Fiesta
3/5-8/5
Semana de exámenes finales
En esta clase, no hay un examen final.
Dr. G. Seminet
Spa 3315 – spring 2008
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Detach and return this page to the instructor:
I have read the syllabus for Spa 3315 and I understand all of the information contained in
it. If I have questions later on in the semester about the syllabus, it is my responsibility to
discuss it with my instructor. I also understand that the syllabus is subject to change, and
that it is my responsibility to attend class regularly and consult with the professor when I
have missed class in order to keep abreast of any changes. I have read and understood the
absence and participation policies.
PRINT YOUR NAME: _______________________________________________
SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________________
DATE: ________________________
University E-MAIL ADDRESS AND CONTACT NUMBER (Please let me know whether or not I can
distribute your email address to others in the class, or if you prefer that it remain unpublished):
______________________________________________________________________________________
Info sheet
What is your background in Spanish, if any?
What is your major and minor? Have you declared them and/or spoken with someone about majoring or
minoring in Spanish? If not, and you’re interested, let me know and I can point you in the right direction.
Have you ever taken a writing intensive course in English or Spanish?
What other courses are you taking this semester?
Do you feel that you’re knowledgeable about library resources and how to use them to your benefit?
Do you have the necessary prerequisites for this course (3314 or 3304/3305)?