SPN 251-001
Intermediate Spanish I
Fall 2014
Instructor:
Classroom:
Class Schedule:
Office:
Office hours:
Phone:
E-mail:
Home Page:
Dr. Yosálida C. Rivero-Zaritzky.
Knight Hall 101.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 01:00 – 01:50pm.
Knight Hall 112.
Monday and Wednesday 10:00 - 11:50 pm by appointment.
301-2217.
rivero_y@mercer.edu
http://www.rivero-zaritzky.com/spn-251-intermediate-spanish-i.html
Course Description:
Welcome! This class is an intermediate course intended for students with previous instruction in
Spanish, after approve either Span 112 or the equivalent. It will improve your knowledge of the
Hispanic culture and the Spanish language through activities that include listening, reading,
writing and speaking. As the course develops (and you do your homework) you will be able to
improve your communicative skills in everyday practical situations. The course requires regular
classroom participation and approximately two hours of outside preparations for every hour of
class.
As your instructor I have to inform you that I will speak in Spanish 90 – 100% of the time. Do
not worry; I have done it before with good results.
Course objectives:
The following descriptions outline the degree of proficiency in each of the four basic language
skills which successful students should attain by the end of the elementary level.
Speaking: Ability to adapt and personalize memorized material to form basic
statements, questions, requests and commands in everyday situations in a way
understandable to native speakers who are used to dealing with foreigners.
Listening: Ability to understand basic spoken discourse pertaining to familiar
situations in very well defined contexts.
Reading: Ability to comprehend highly-contextualized narrative and dialogues on
familiar topics that require the reader to make few interpretive suppositions. Details
may be difficult to grasp, but the general meaning of the text should be understood.
Writing: Ability to create simple sentences and paragraphs which communicate every
day, practical needs to native speakers used to dealing with foreigners. Writing
samples still consist largely of material already learned in class, although a personal
style may begin to emerge.
Required Texts:
Blanco, José A. Enfoques. Curso intermedio de lengua española. Third Edition. Boston: Vista
Higher Learning, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-60576-874-8 (Student Edition - Hardcover,
Supersite and Web-SAM).
Course Requirements:
Attendance (10%) is mandatory in this class. You will be permitted a total of 3
absences, excused or unexcused. After that, no matter the cause of your nonattendance,
each absence will reduce 2 point from your final grade in addition to affecting your
attendance grade (No exceptions!). If you miss 6 days of class you automatically fail the
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
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class.
You will see in your reports that I will count ALL your absences (excused or unexcused).
At the end of the semester I will erase up to 3 absences; so if you do not exceed that
magic number you will end up earning the full 10%.
A roster will circulate daily. Make sure you sign it since this is the only proof that you
were or not in the classroom. Please be wise in your use of absences and try to avoid
scheduling appointments or meetings during class hours. I strongly recommend that you
keep track of your absences.
Late arrivals are not acceptable. Student cannot enter the classroom 10 minutes after the
class started (See the section “In-class behavior”).
If a student does not attend the first day of class, the instructor reserves the right to
apply an administrative drop.
If you stop attending class, it is your responsibility to withdraw from the class on or
before Friday, October 24 or a grade of F will appear in your records.
Obtaining materials, assignments, or announcements from classes you have failed to
attend is your responsibility.
IMPORTANT: Unless your absence is excused (i.e. jury duty, medical
emergency, or a Dean’s excuse due to university activities), and unless you show
the professor written documentation substantiating the reason for your absence,
you will receive no credit for the missed quiz, in class participation, short writing
or other assignments.
Participation (15%). This part of your grade includes your contribution in Spanish in
regular class sessions and active participation in small group activities. If you are absent
you will receive a zero for the day, unless you have a documented excuse, in which
case there will be no penalty. You must present your written documentation within
three days after the absence occurred, after that I will not receive any documentation
or waive the penalty.
If you are in class but are not prepared and/or do not participate, you will receive a zero
for the day. Your proficiency will be assessed every day and the range is from 0 to 2
points. This takes into consideration but is not limited to:
o How much you use Spanish.
o How well you use Spanish (According to your level).
o Your preparation for class. (Pop quizzes will be administrated as necessary if I
detect that the students are not coming prepared to class).
o Your cooperation and leadership in pair and group work.
o Your respect and attitude towards the class, your peers, and your instructor.
(Disruptive behavior will count against participation grade).
Exams (45% = 15% each). There are 3 exams, one after the completion of two
chapters. Make sure not to miss class any of these days.
On-line Assignments (Practice, Web-SAM & Wordplay) (15%). Make sure you
follow this syllabus so you do not miss any assignment. You must make sure in advance
that you have access to the web page: http://www.vhlcentral.com/. I urge you to access
the web page the first day of class. In order to do so you will need a passcode. I
encourage you to do this assignment little by little as we progress in class and not the day
is due. I will not offer any extensions for incomplete assignments.
IMPORTANT: Since the workbook is an on-line assignment, students must
follow the University Policy on Electronic Submissions of Assignments.
According to it: Students bear sole responsibility for ensuring that papers or
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
3
assignments submitted electronically to a professor are received in a timely
manner and in the electronic format(s) specified by the professor.
Writing (5%). There will be an in-class writing assignment at the end of the semester.
It will be comprehensive, as you will have to apply what you have learned throughout the
course.
Individual oral presentations (10%). You will prepare a 5 minute presentation
about a topic of your preference such as: trips you have taken, the place where you were
born, your family, or one of your hobbies. You could also show the class how to do a craft
or how to perform a dance, etc. The whole presentation must be in Spanish and
reading is not allowed. I strongly recommend you to start planning this assignment
in advance to allow yourself time to practice. If you read I will automatically take 50%
off the grade for this assignment.
Grading Scale and Distribution: (No curving. Grades ending in .5 or higher round up,
grades ending in .4 or lower round down. No exceptions!)
Report 1
Report 2
Report 3
Report 4
4th week
8th week
12th week
+16th week
# of absences
Attendance (10%)
Participation (15%)
Web-SAM (15%)
Exam 1 (15%)
Exam 2 (15%)
Exam 3 (15%)
Writing (5%)
Oral Presentation (10%)
Deducted points
TOTAL
/ 40
/ 55
/ 70
/ 100
A-F
*No extra credit assignments are offered.
Each report has a different maximum value based on the completed assignments. In
order to calculate your grade on a 100 points scale you need to follow this formula, i.e. if you
received a 35 out of 40 on your first report you will do the following:
40 points = 100%
35 points = X
X= 35 * 100/40 = 84.50% (B)
Remember that after your 4th absence, each absence will reduce 2 points from your final grade.
A = 100 - 90
B + = 89 - 87
B = 86 - 80
C + = 79 - 77
C = 76 - 70
S = 100 - 70
No incompletes
D = 69 - 66
U = 69 or bellow
F = 65 or bellow
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
4
Course Policies:
Make-up work for in-class assignments is given only to students who have
documented absences such as: jury duty, a medical emergency, or a Dean’s excuse due to
university activities. In that case, all make-up work must be completed within three
days of the scheduled assignment or a grade of zero will be given. I will not
postpone assignments because of workload in your other classes. On-line assignments
will remain as scheduled.
Language to be used in the classroom. I provide a list of “Useful Phrases for the
Classroom Setting” on page 6 (i.e. when a student wants to ask the professor to repeat
herself, to speak more slowly, to clarify something, etc.) It is expected that you will use
Spanish during the class period, and your instructor will address the class in Spanish 90
to 100 percent of the time. English will be used only when strictly necessary.
In-class behavior.
o Students must treat their instructor and classmates with respect.
o Students must bring their own textbook to class every day and also are
responsible for bringing any other materials that the professor requests for that
class.
o During class, students are not allowed to read any other material that is not
related to the course.
o According to the University Policy on Cell Phones Use, all cell phones,
pagers and other electronic devices must be turned off before entering any
classroom, lab, or formal academic or performance event. If your phone rings
while you are in class you will be ask to leave the classroom for the day, resulting
in an absence and zero in participation.
o No text messaging is allowed. If you are caught doing it you will be ask to leave
the classroom for the day, resulting in an absence and zero in participation.
o No laptops are allowed unless the professor requests it for a class.
o Students must arrive to class on time. Students may not enter more than 10
minutes late, or leave early. If a student arrives to class more than 10 minutes late
he or she will not be allowed to enter.
o Students are not allowed to leave and then return in the middle of class.
The Honor Code is a very important and serious matter, so please do not jeopardize
your grades or academic status by violating it. In accordance with it:
A violation of the Honor Code involves cheating, plagiarism, academic negligence,
or other acts of dishonesty in the area of academics. It is the responsibility of the
student to ascertain what would constitute a violation of the Honor Code in any
given situation. One has an additional responsibility to understand fully a
professor's position in special situations which may be present in his or her
course. Ignorance of a professor's expressed class policy is not an excuse for an
Honor Code violation.
The most frequent violations of the Honor Code are cheating and plagiarism:
Cheating is the taking of credit for work which has been done by another person.
The following are some of the more common instances of cheating:
1) Using notes, textbooks, or reference materials on a test, daily quiz, or
examination unless the use of such materials is specifically permitted by the
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
5
professor;
2) Copying ideas or facts from another's papers during a test situation;
3) Giving or receiving facts or ideas either verbally or in writing during a test
situation;
4) Obtaining test questions which a teacher does not release for further reference;
5) Obtaining or giving specific information which will be on a test before the test
is administered;
6) Using unassigned translations in a reading course in a foreign language. [The
use of on-line translator to complete assignments in this class is
strictly prohibited]
It is to be emphasized that these examples are not the only possible ones. They
are listed in order to give the student a general idea of what constitutes an Honor
Code violation.
University Accommodation Policy. In accordance with Support Services for
Students with Disabilities:
Students requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor
at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. The instructor will
refer you to the Disability Support Services Coordinator to document your
disability, determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section
504 and to request a Faculty Accommodation Form. Disability accommodations
or status will not be indicated on academic transcripts. In order to receive
accommodations in a class, students with sensory, learning, psychological,
physical or medical disabilities must provide their instructor with a Faculty
Accommodation Form to sign. Students must return the signed form to the
Disability Services Coordinator. A new form must be requested each
semester. Students with a history of a disability, perceived as having a disability
or with a current disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are
also strongly encouraged to register with the Disability Services Coordinator and
request a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information,
please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778
or
visit
the
Disability
Support
Services
website
at
http://www.mercer.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityservices.1
Scholarships. If you have a scholarship, Congratulations! It is a great privilege, but I
need to remind you that it is your responsibility to do the necessary work in order to
maintain it. I will not give special concessions. The grade you will receive is the one that
you have earned throughout the semester.
“Faculty Responsibilities”. Support Services for Students with Disabilities. July 2010.
<http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm>.
1
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
6
Useful Phrases for the Classroom Setting
English
1. Hello.
2. Good morning.
3. Good afternoon.
4. Please.
5. Thank you!
6. You’re welcome.
7. I am (very) sorry.
8. Excuse me.
9. Bless you.
10. How do you say ______ in Spanish?
11. How do you write ____ in Spanish?
12. What does ______ mean?
13. I don’t understand.
14. I have a question.
15. Could you repeat, please?
16. One more time, please.
17. Could you speak slowly, please?
18. What is the homework for tomorrow?
19. When is the exam?
20. May I speak in English, please.
Español
1. Hola.
2. Buenos días.
3. Buenas tardes.
4. Por favor.
5. ¡Gracias!
6. De nada.
7. Lo siento (mucho)
8. Perdón / Disculpe
9. Salud.
10. ¿Cómo se dice _____ en español?
11. ¿Cómo se escribe ____ en español?
12. ¿Qué significa ____?
13. No entiendo / No comprendo
14. Tengo una pregunta.
15. ¿Puede repetir, por favor?
16. Otra vez, por favor.
17. ¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?
18. ¿Cuál es la tarea para mañana?
19. ¿Cuándo es el examen?
20. ¿Puedo hablar en inglés, por favor?
Your instructor may use the following phrases:
1. Please read chapter _____.
2. Please open the book to page _____.
3. Silence, please.
4. Listen up!
5. In pairs.
6. Answer the following questions.
7. Listen to the conversation.
8. Role-play the following situation.
9. Share the information in groups / pairs.
10. Study.
11. Review today’s class.
12. Look at the exercises in my web page.
13. Familiarize yourself with…
14. Is this clear?
1. Por favor lean el capítulo ____.
2. Por favor abran el libro en la página _____.
3. ¡Silencio, por favor!
4. Escuchen.
5. En parejas.
6. Respondan las siguientes preguntas.
7. Escuchen la conversación.
8. Dramatizen la siguiente situación.
9. Compartan la información en grupos /
parejas.
10. Estudia.
11. Repasa la clase de hoy.
12. Ver ejercicios en mi página web.
13. Familiarízate con…
14. ¿Está claro?
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
7
NOTE: The professor reserves the right to make adjustments to this syllabus as she deems
necessary. She also reserves the right to make decisions on all issues not specifically addressed
in these pages. The student’s continued enrollment in this course indicates his or her agreement
to the terms and conditions of this syllabus.
Calendario de clases:
Sem
1
Fecha
Miércoles
20 de agosto
Viernes
22 de agosto
2
Lunes
25 de agosto
Miércoles
27 de agosto
Viernes
29 de agosto
3
4
Lunes
01 de septiembre
Miércoles
03 de septiembre
Contenido en clase
Presentaciones.
Sílabo.
Useful Phrases for the Classroom Settings.
Tarea:
1. Estudia el vocabulario. Ve a http://wordplay.com (I will print
the results of this activity before class starts the next day)
Lección 1: Las relaciones personales
En preparación: Actividad con el vocabulario
Práctica.
Comunicación.
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite mira la
FOTONOVELA “Bienvenida Mariela” y contesta las secciones
indicadas.
Gramática:
1.1. Presente
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite resuelve la parte de
ENFOQUES: “Parejas sin fronteras” y
2. FLASH CULTURA “Las relaciones personales” contesta las
secciones indicadas.
Gramática:
1.2. Ser y Estar
Gramática:
1.3. Tiempos progresivos
Tarea:
1. Ve a http://vhlcentral.com en la sección ESTRUCTURA y
completa los ejercicios asignados hoy antes de las 12 de noche.
Labor Day – No hay clases.
Cinemateca:
Antes de ver el corto
Di algo (14:44 minutos)
Después de ver el corto
Tarea:
1. Estudia el vocabulario. Ve a http://wordplay.com (I will print
the results of this activity before class starts the next day)
Viernes
Lección 2: Las diversiones
05 de septiembre En preparación: Actividad con el vocabulario
Práctica.
Comunicación.
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite mira la
FOTONOVELA “¡Tengo los boletos!” y contesta las secciones
indicadas.
Lunes
Gramática:
08 de septiembre 2.1. Pronombres de objeto directo e indirecto
Tarea:
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
1.
Miércoles
10 de septiembre
Viernes
12 de septiembre
5
Lunes
15 de septiembre
Miércoles
17 de septiembre
Viernes
19 de septiembre
6
Lunes
22 de septiembre
Miércoles
24 de septiembre
7
Viernes
26 de septiembre
Lunes
29 de septiembre
Miércoles
01 de octubre
Viernes
03 de octubre
En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite resuelve la parte de
ENFOQUES: “El nuevo cine mexicano” y
2. FLASH CULTURA “El cine mexicano” contesta las secciones
indicadas.
Gramática:
2.2. Gustar y verbos similares
Gramática:
2.3. Verbos reflexivos
Tarea:
1. Ve a http://vhlcentral.com en la sección ESTRUCTURA y
completa los ejercicios asignados hoy antes de las 12 de noche.
Literatura: “Idilio”. Mario Benedetti
Cultura: “El toreo: ¿Cultura o tortura?”.
Tarea:
1. Ir a http:// vhlcentral.com/ y completar en la sección de
PRACTICA:
a. Literatura “Idilio”: Comprensión.
b. Cultura “El toreo”: Comprensión.
2. Estudia para el examen.
Repaso de lecciones 1 y 2.
Examen 1
Tarea para la próxima clase:
Estudia el vocabulario. Ve a http://wordplay.com
(I will print the results of this activity before class starts the next day)
Lección 3: La vida diaria
En preparación: Actividad con el vocabulario
Práctica.
Comunicación.
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite mira la
FOTONOVELA “¿Alguien desea ayudar?” y contesta las
secciones indicadas.
Gramática:
3.1. Pretérito
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite resuelve la parte de
ENFOQUES: “La familia real” y
2. FLASH CULTURA “De compras por Barcelona” contesta las
secciones indicadas.
Gramática:
3.2. Imperfecto
Gramática:
3.3. Pretérito e imperfecto
Tarea:
1. Ve a http://vhlcentral.com en la sección ESTRUCTURA y
completa los ejercicios asignados hoy antes de las 12 de noche.
Cinemateca:
Antes de ver el corto
Adiós mamá (7:41 minutos)
Después de ver el corto
Tarea:
1. Estudia el vocabulario. Ve a http://wordplay.com (I will print
the results of this activity before class starts the next day)
Fall Break – No hay clases.
8
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
8
Lunes
06 de octubre
Miércoles
08 de octubre
9
Viernes
10 de octubre
Lunes
13 de octubre
Miércoles
15 de octubre
10
11
Viernes
17 de octubre
Lunes
20 de octubre
Lección 4: La salud y el bienestar
En preparación: Actividad con el vocabulario
Práctica.
Comunicación.
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite mira la
FOTONOVELA “¿Dulces? No, gracias” y contesta las
secciones indicadas.
Gramática:
4.1. Subjuntivo en cláusulas sustantivas
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite resuelve la parte de
ENFOQUES: “De abuelos a chamanes” y
2. FLASH CULTURA “Las farmacias” contesta las secciones
indicadas.
Gramática:
4.2. Mandatos
Gramática:
4.3. Por y para
Tarea:
1. Ve a http://vhlcentral.com en la sección ESTRUCTURA y
completa los ejercicios asignados hoy antes de las 12 de noche
Literatura: “Mujeres de ojos grandes”. Ángeles Mastreta
Cultura: “La ciencia: la nueva arma en una guerra antigua”
Tarea para la próxima clase:
1. Ir a http:// vhlcentral.com/ y completar en la sección de
PRACTICA:
a. Literatura “Mujeres de ojos grandes”: Comprensión.
b. Cultura “La ciencia: la nueva arma”: Comprensión.
Repaso de lecciones 2 y 3.
Examen 2
Tarea para la próxima clase:
Estudia el vocabulario. Ve a http://wordplay.com
(I will print the results of this activity before class starts the next day)
Miércoles
Lección 5: Los viajes
22 de octubre
En preparación: Actividad con el vocabulario.
Práctica.
Comunicación.
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite mira la
FOTONOVELA “¡Buen viaje!” y contesta las secciones
indicadas.
Viernes
Gramática:
**24 de octubre** 5.1. Comparativos y superlativos
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite resuelve la parte de
ENFOQUES: “La ruta del café” y FLASH CULTURA “¡Viajar
y gozar!” contesta las secciones indicadas.
IMPORTANT:
Today is the last day for course withdrawal
Lunes
Gramática:
27 de octubre
5.2. Expresiones negativas, afirmativas e indefinidas.
Miércoles
Gramática:
29 de octubre
5.3. El subjuntivo en cláusulas adjetivas
Tarea para la próxima clase:
9
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
Viernes
31 de octubre
12
Lunes
03 de noviembre
Miércoles
05 de noviembre
13
Viernes
07 de noviembre
Lunes
10 de noviembre
Miércoles
12 de noviembre
14
15
16
Viernes
14 de noviembre
Lunes
17 de noviembre
Miércoles
19 de noviembre
Viernes
21 de noviembre
Lunes
24 de noviembre
Miércoles
26 de noviembre
Viernes
28 de noviembre
Lunes
01 de diciembre
10
1. Ve a http://vhlcentral.com en la sección ESTRUCTURA y
completa los ejercicios asignados hoy antes de las 12 de noche.
Lectura: “La luz es como el agua” Gabriel García Márquez.
Cultura: “La ruta maya”
Tarea:
1. Ir a http:// vhlcentral.com/ y completar en la sección de
PRACTICA:
1. Literatura “La luz es como el agua”: Comprensión.
2. Cultura “La ruta maya”: Comprensión Estudia el
vocabulario.
2. Ve a http://wordplay.com (I will print the results of this
activity before class starts the next day)
Lección 6: La naturaleza
En preparación: Actividad con el vocabulario
Práctica.
Comunicación.
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite mira la
FOTONOVELA “Cuidando a Bambi” y contesta las secciones
indicadas.
Gramática:
6.1 Futuro
Tarea:
1. En la sección de PRÁCTICA de tu Supersite resuelve la parte de
ENFOQUES: “Los bosques del mar” y
2. FLASH CULTURA “Un bosque tropical” contesta las
secciones indicadas.
Gramática:
6.2 El subjuntivo en cláusulas adverbiales
Gramática:
6.3 Preposiciones: a, hacia, con
Tarea para la próxima clase:
1. Ve a http://vhlcentral.com en la sección ESTRUCTURA y
completa los ejercicios asignados hoy antes de las 12 de noche.
2. Estudia para el examen.
Cinemateca:
Antes de ver el corto
El día menos pensado (10:56 minutos)
Después de ver el corto.
Repaso de lecciones 5 y 6.
Examen 3
Escritura en clase.
Presentaciones orales.
Presentaciones orales.
Thanksgiving Break
Presentaciones orales.
Mercer University – Spanish 251-001. Fall 2014
Miércoles
03 de diciembre
Viernes
05 de diciembre
11
Presentaciones orales.
Presentaciones orales.
Since the time allocated for final exams is insufficient to conduct individual oral evaluations, the final oral
exam has been scheduled during the last week of classes. Therefore, there will be no final exams for this
class scheduled during final exam week.