SPANISH 101-FE1: Elementary Spanish I
CRN 75721 Fall 2015.
Meeting times and classroom: MW 6-8:30 pm
Instructor: Ana Pociello Sampériz
Office: Gruening 606C
Phone:
Email:
Office hours:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español 101! This course is designed for students who have never had previous
instruction in Spanish (or minimum instruction). The following is taken directly from the catalog:
Introduction to the language and culture: development of competence and performance in the language
through understanding, recognition and use of linguistic structures; increasing emphasis on listening,
comprehension and speaking; basic vocabulary of approximately 1,000 words; exploration of the cultural
dimension, implicitly through language and explicitly through texts and audiovisual materials.
Essentially, we will focus on: basic vocabulary and grammar, speaking and pronunciation, listening and reading
practice, and confidence-building in the use of Spanish in everyday situations using a variety of classroom tools and
practices. This course will prepare you for Spanish 102 and further study of the Spanish language. If you have had
Spanish in high school or college, are a native speaker or heritage speaker, you need to speak to me as soon as
possible to discuss other options in Spanish (CLEP, more advanced classes, etc.).
The big idea of this course is that the Spanish language is the all-American language of the future. Not only is Spanish
the 3rd most spoken language in the world (with the highest population of Spanish-speakers living in México, our
neighbor to the south), the world is getting smaller because of technology and globalization. Learning Spanish will open
doors for you in work, study, and travel.
COURSE GOALS
 Build a solid foundation of Spanish grammar/vocabulary for real communicative purposes
 Provide the opportunity for students to interact and use Spanish with other students and native speakers
 Improve listening and reading skills
 Appreciate the variety of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world
STUDENT LEARNING/COURSE OUTCOMES
 Students will be able to describe their daily lives, likes/dislikes, courses, career goals, family in Spanish
 Students will be able to sustain a basic conversation in the present tense about a variety of topics
 Students will be able to comfortably use both the present tense in speech, writing and reading
COURSE MATERIALS
Required text/materials:
 Panorama: Introducción a la lengua española (4th edition). Blanco and Donley, (2013).
 Supersite Plus code from Vista Higher Learning (see “setting up your VHL Central Websam Account p.4 )
 Note: if you buy a used book you will most likely need to buy a new code to Supersite.
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TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Internet access is essential. If you do not have good internet connection at home, you will need to use the various
facilities UAF offers for computer/internet access (Language Lab, the Nook, Rasmussen Library, etc.).Specifically, you
will need to be familiar with Blackboard and the Vista Supersite. Although not necessary at the 100 level, it would be
beneficial to learn how to type Spanish accents, tildes, and punctuation. Supersite uses “buttons” to make these
characters, but instructions for Word can be posted on Blackboard, if there is a demand for it.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
This course is considered to be hybrid in that a major part of your learning and work will take place outside of the
physical classroom. The following briefly details two major components-online and in-class activities:
A. Independent & Cooperative online activities
There are anywhere between 35-55 activities assigned for each chapter on Vista’s website (WEBSAMs).
These activities are both graded and credit/no credit. You are responsible for exploring and learning key concepts
assigned in each chapter. The graded activities are to gauge your progress and whether or not you are learning the
concepts. Each WEBSAM assignment other than true/false, yes/no, credit/no credit activities get 5 attempts (you
get 5 tries to get a perfect score…use them!).
B. Classroom activities
I see the classroom as the place to quickly review pronunciation and grammatical concepts that may not be
addressed in online assignments. In class we will practice communicative activities, be exposed to native speaking,
build your speaking skills, play games and improve your confidence in using the language.
COURSE POLICIES
-Preparation. Students must come prepared for every class. Your preparation will have a direct effect on your
participation. Due to the intensive nature of this course, you will be expected to study two hours OUTSIDE of class for
every one hour of class time (10 hours per week).
-Appropriate class behavior. You are welcome to bring a drink or snack to class, as long as you clean up after yourself.
Side conversations are not acceptable. I expect you to be courteous to classmates and the instructor at all times. Cell
phones MUST BE TURNED OFF before class begins.
EVALUATION
We will use the following resources to measure the expected learning outcomes:
A. Participación (30%)
Learning a language is not done in isolation. Speaking, listening, and interacting with others are essential parts
of the learning process. Therefore you will be graded on your classroom performance—not on whether you get the
right answer, but on whether you are in class, with your materials, prepared and willing to speak. It goes without saying
(but I’ll say it anyway) that you cannot participate if you are not present. Each unexcused absence will detract heavily
from your grade, however you will be allowed 5 “free” absences before your grade will be affected. Missing 23 hours of
class or more will result in an automatic “F”. Missed class: if you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to check with the
instructor or a classmate to see if you missed any assignment or schedule change.
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B. Exámenes (30%)
There is a test after chapters 1-7, as well as a final exam after chapter 7. Exams may not be made up without
advance accommodation. There will be a midterm exam after Chapter 4 to evaluate your progress. The midterm is
counted under exámenes and not weighted differently.
C. Tarea (30%) Your written homework assignments will be done online through the Panorama website:
http://www.vhlcentral.com/. Web-SAM: These activities include multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, T/F, sentence
writing and some listening activities. You will be allowed 5 attempts to complete most of these activities. There are
typically 20-25 WEBSAM assignments per chapter. You will be assigned WEBSAMs weekly in addition to the
required coursework.
E. Examen final (10%)
The final exam is cumulative. The oral component of the final exam will be given on the last day of class and be
incorporated in the class activity in some capacity. During the final exam, you will be allowed to handwrite notes on one
each, 4 X 6 in. card (provided by instructor) for use during the exam.
Components of the final grade and weight by percentage
Participación
30%
Homework: Websam
30%
Exámenes
30%
Examen final
10%
DEPARTMENTAL GRADING SCALE
(% of grade earned according to the
weighted categories)
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C
73-76
C- 70-72
D+
D
D-
67-69
63-66
60-62
F 0-60
Late work policy
WEBSAM assignments are due each Friday at 11:59 pm (la medianoche). LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED. If
you have an emergency or circumstance preventing your completion of the assignments, you need to notify me as
soon as possible, before the deadline.
Academic integrity
As described by UAF, scholastic dishonesty constitutes a violation of the university rules and regulations and is
punishable according to the procedures outlined by UAF. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to,
cheating on an exam, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating includes providing answers to or taking answers from
another student. Plagiarism includes use of another author’s words or arguments without attribution. Collusion
includes unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course
requirement. Scholastic dishonesty is punishable by removal from the course and a grade of “F.” For more
information go to Student Code of Conduct: (http://www.uaf.edu/catalog/catalog_0809/academics/regs3.html#Student_Conduct)
Faculty Senate Meeting #171: C-shall be the minimum acceptable grade that undergraduate students may receive
for courses to count toward the major or minor degree requirements, or as a prerequisite for another course.
http://www.uaf.edu/files/uafgov/Info-to-Publicize-C_Grading-Policy-UPDATED-May-2013.pdf
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HOW TO CHECK YOUR GRADE
You can get a good snapshot of your grade through the Vista grade book; however, other factors such as
participation, exams, and quizzes will not be apparent on Vista. Blackboard will be the place to go to check the
actual grade.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Language Lab. Gruening 609, open 8am-5pm. There are computers with internet for foreign language students. In
addition there are language-specific tutors who can help you with your work, or act as conversation partners (hours
found on the lab door). You can use the computers in the language lab and receive help from student tutors with
your assignments. This lab is a good resource especially if you are experiencing computer problems at home.
Student support services. UAF is committed to equal opportunity for all students. Students who are the first in their
families to attempt a four-year college degree, or students whose incomes are low, have opportunities for tutorial and
other forms of support from the office of Student Support Services. Please make an appointment with Student Support
Services at 474-2644.
DISABILITY SERVICES
UAF makes appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities who have been documented by the Office of
Disability Services (203 Whitaker Building, 474-7043). Students with learning or other disabilities who may need
classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to obtain the appropriate documentation if they
do not have it. Please meet with me during office hours so that I can collaborate with the Office of Disability Services to
provide the appropriate accommodations and support to assist you in meeting the goals of the course. For more
information, please visit http://www.uaf.edu/chc/disability.html
Setting up your PANORAMA Supersite account and enrolling in your Instructor's course
WEBSAMs are submitted online through Vista and WordPress. In order to see and submit your assignments, receive
important announcements, and communicate with your Instructor, you will need to set up an account on the
PANORAMA Supersite, and then enroll as a registered student in your Instructor's course.
Step 1 - Go to VHLCentral
To begin, go to vhlcentral.com (the link will open in a new window).
Step 2 - Create an Account
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In the "Login Information" section of the account creation page, enter a username of your choice.
Enter the email address you would like to associate with your account.
Enter and confirm a password of your choice.
In the "Personal Profile" section, enter your first and last name as you wish them to appear in your
Instructor's roster.
Select the year of your birth from the drop down list.
Enter a student ID (optional).
In the "Security Information" section, you will provide the answer to a secret question, which may later be
used to help you access your account if you forget your password.
After you enter all of the information, click "create an account."
Click "agree." (Before your account is created, you must agree to the terms and conditions of use policy.)
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Step 3 - Activate Code
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On the code activation screen, enter your Supersite code.
Click "activate code" to continue.
Look for a flash alert confirming that the code was successfully redeemed.
Step 4 - Select a School
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Locate your school by typing your school’s name. To narrow the search results, include the city and state
(or country, if outside of the USA) in which your school is located.
Click "find." If the terms you entered did not result in a successful search, follow the on-screen tips to revise
your search.
Select your school from the list by clicking the radio button next to the school name.
Click "select school" to add the school to your account.
Look for a flash alert confirming you successfully added the school.
Step 5 - Select a Course/Class
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From the list of available classes at your school for your textbook's Supersite, look for Instructor "Ana
Pociello Sampériz" and the course "Spanish 101-FE1".
Click the radio button for the course section "Section 1." If more than one class is listed for your Instructor,
click the information icons in the class listings until you locate the section.
Click Save. You should see a confirmation that you successfully enrolled in your instructor's course.
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