Syllabus
Spanish 101 – Cohort course MSU/RCSHS
Beginning Spanish Language and Culture I
Morehead State University, Caudill College of Humanities
Department of International and Interdisciplinary Studies
Carolyn O'Brien
Phone (606) 784-3376 & 7848956
E-Mail: c.obrien@moreheadstate.edu
carolyn.obrien@rowan.kyschools.us
Second Trimester 2011-2012
Rowan County Senior High School
Every day November 7-February 24
First period (8:05-9:20)
Course Objectives:
By the end of two semester of Spanish (101 &102) with ¡Aventuras! Students should be able to do the following in terms of each
language skills:
1. Listening. Understand Spanish spoken at a slower than normal pace, understand some Spanish spoken directly to you at a normal
pace and dealing with familiar topics. Generally, you will understand the gist and principal facts, but not necessarily all the words and
finer details.
2. Speaking. Handle greetings, introductions, ask and answer questions on a variety of everyday topics, describe people and places,
narrate events in the present and have some ability to narrate events in the past; participate in short conversations, and create with the
language. You will be understandable to most native speakers.
3. Reading. Read almost any simple, culturally non-specific Spanish text and also be able to profit from reading materials written for
native speakers of Spanish.
4. Writing. Develop writing skills similar to your speaking skills in terms of ability to describe, narrate in the present and past, and so
on.
5. Culture. Besides these linguistic skills, students will acquire elementary historic and cultural knowledge about the Spanish-speaking
world and its peoples.
 Student Learner Outcomes for the Morehead State University General Education Program
1b: Read college-level Critical, Creative and Technical Texts for Comprehension.
4b: Investigate the worldview and/or history of cultures outside the United States.
Course to Program to National Standards (1) Students completing SPA 101 will develop communicative skills (listening, speaking,
reading & writing) at the Novice-High to Intermediate-Low level, according to the Proficiency Guidelines of the American Council on
the Teaching of Foreign Languages (1999).
(2) Students completing SPA 101 will obtain a beginning level familiarity with the culture and civilization of Spain and other Latino
American speaking countries (see Spanish Program Competencies, MSU 08-09 catalogue, pp. 88-89).
General Educational Goals, Spanish Language & Culture 101
A. To communicate accurately and effectively:
Students will continue to develop basic communicative exchanges, improve their command of learned utterances, ameliorate
their comprehension and manipulation of simple questions, statements, high frequency commands and courtesy formulae,
interpret written language in the areas of practical need, decipher more advanced materials from content, write simple phrases
based on memorized material, and master and utilize the symbols of the alphabetical or syllabic systems and their compounds.
Additionally, they will improve their control and use of grammatical principles. Accurate memorization and spelling will be
expected at all stages.
B. To locate, select, organize and present information efficiently:
Within their ability range, Students will be asked to write their observations in Spanish about the videos, or comment on
Spanish culture selections in their text, read articles or visit sites on the World Wide Web, etc.
C. To analyze global issues in the context of cultural diversity:
In conjunction with the testing of basic cultural information provided by the texts, informal observation of videos, listening to
professorial comments, etc., students will continue to analyze basic Hispanic cultural realities such as the significance of
toasting in an Hispanic environment, will assess the importance of Nobel prize recipients in literature, learn how national
heroes are honored, comprehend special modes of address, view Buenos Aires and Puerto Rico, respectively, as manifestations
of European and New World contexts, appreciate the aspirations for democratic justice, and ascertain the nature of deep
Hispanic family ties.
Required Text and Materials:
Textbook: Donley/Blanco. Aventuras. Primer curso de lengua española. (Third edition) Vista Higher Learning, 2010, (student
edition). Your book should come with an access code for the Supersite online workbook. If your book is used you may have to
contact the company to purchase the workbook access.
You will need Computer/Internet Access: Please find a study place with access to the Internet if you do not have access at home.
You will need a computer because many of your assignments will be on an electronic version of the printed Aventuras Workbook and
Lab Manual. Your scores from these exercises will be accessed by your instructor and will be part of your grade for the course.
Grades:
Scores from the Supersite on-line practice activities for Chapters 1-5: (Approximately) 10%
(20 points each chapter) Due dates for these assignments are on the Supersite website. All exercises for each chapter are due before the
chapter test. Do not wait until the last minute. No excuses will be accepted for incomplete work. If you cannot access the practice
exercises from home for any reason (including Internet out or computer malfunction) then you should plan ahead so that you can use
the computer labs at school. You may need to bring your own headphones for the listening activities. Most students find that these
exercises take from three to five hours per chapter.
Participation in class: (Approximately) 20%
Attendance is essential for practicing your new language. Expect the class to operate in Spanish and expect to respond in Spanish.
Read the information below regarding use of cell phones and computers. Students who appear to be using these devices in class will
lose points in this category. Do not expect the instructor to interrupt the other students in the class to tell you to turn off your
electronic device. Just expect that you will lose points if you are using it.
Vocabulary practice worksheets required: (Approximately) 60%
These worksheets will be available on Blackboard. It is your responsibility to access these worksheets and print them. If you do not
have access to a printer at home you should plan ahead to do this in the library at school. Print the worksheet and write the answers by
hand. One vocabulary worksheet per chapter is required for the first five chapters. Two or more are required for chapters 11-16. If
more than two worksheets are availabe for a chapter you may choose what you want to do for the basic credit. All vocabulary
worksheets are due before the chapter test. Late worksheets? Probably helpful to you but not accepted for credit. Extra worksheets
are available for most chapters. Extra worksheets will count as 2 extra credit points each added to your chapter test. Typed (word
processed) answers will not be accepted. Use the definition given in your textbook to do the vocabulary worksheets. Do not use
definitions that you find on the Internet.
Chapter tests, quizzes and oral assessments (Approximately) 50%
There will be chapter tests, writing assignment, oral class presentations and a final exam.
Extra Credit: If you choose to do extra vocabulary worksheets you will earn two extra credit points on your chapter test for each extra
worksheet you complete before the chapter test. No extra vocabulary worksheets will be accepted after the chapter test. It is important
to keep up with your work. Do not expect to raise your grade by doing a report or poster at the end of the course.
Your final grade will be determined by the following scale:
0-59 = E
60-69 = D
70-79 = C
80-89 = B
90-100 =A
Attendance policy: If you find it necessary to miss class for any reason please check your class calendar, the Aventuras
Supersite and Blackboard to see what material was covered and what assignments are due next. You should complete all work on
time before you return to the next class. If you can’t understand something about the assignments because you were not in class then
you should contact your instructor for help. You must turn in worksheets missed when you were absent on the next class day. You are
responsible for completing all Supersite online exercises on time. You are responsible for taking any test that is scheduled on the day
you return. Students who are ill for an extended period should contact the instructor by e-mail as soon as possible to arrange for
accomodations. The class calandar will tell you what material was covered when you were absent and handouts are available to you on
Blackboard. It is your responsiblility to get work done on time.
Make-Up Work: All vocabulary homework and Supersite practice work are due on the day of the chapter test. If you miss class
the day of the chapter test for any reason the Supersite is still due on the day of the test. If you miss class for a scheduled test you may
bring your vocabulary worksheets with you to the next class for credit however no extra credit will be awarded for the extra
vocabulary worksheets.
Bad Weather Days: In the event of school closing due to bad weather you must check Blackboard and/or the instructor’s school
webpage find assignments so that we will not lose course time on your Spanish lessons.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
In compliance with the ADA, all students with a documented disability are entitled to reasonable accommodations and services to
support their academic success and safety. Though a request for services may be made at any time, services are best applied when they
are requested at or before the start of the semester. To receive accommodations and services the student should immediately contact
the Disability Services Coordinator in the Office of Academic and Career Services, 223 Allie Young Hall, 606-783-5188,
www.moreheadstate.edu/acs/
Academic Honesty:
MSU adheres strongly to a program of academic honesty. This means very simply that all the work you do for this class must be your
own, including all preparation and written assignments that you submit for credit, and all tests that you take. Cheating, fabrication,
plagiarism, using cell phones for help or helping others to commit these acts will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in
severe disciplinary action including, but not limited to, failure of the student assessment item or course and/or dismissal from MSU. If
you have a question about academic honesty, ask your teacher before turning in the assignment, or consult The Eagle: Student
Handbook; the policy is located at: http://www.moreheadstate.edu/units/studentlife/handbook/academicdishonesty.html
Campus Safety Statement:
Emergency response information will be discussed in class. Students should familiarize themselves with the nearest exit routes in the
event evacuation becomes necessary. You should notify your instructor at the beginning of the semester if you have special needs or
will require assistance during an emergency evacuation. Students should familiarize themselves with emergency response protocols at
http://www.moreheadstate.edu/emergency
Visitors: Please do not bring visitors or children to class.
Cell Phones: Control your cell phone. Turn it off or set it on silent during class. Do not have it on your desk or in your lap. If your
call is an emergency then you must leave the class to deal with it. Points will be deducted from your grade if your instructor
suspects that you may be reading or sending text messages in class. If you have your phone out during a test or quiz your teacher will
assume you are cheating.
This syllabus is also available in electronic form on the Department of International and Interdisciplinary
Studies’ webpage and on Blackboard.
Class
Spanish 101 – Cohort course MSU/RCSHS
Calendar
Beginning Spanish Language and Culture I
Morehead State University, Caudill College of Humanities
Department of International and Interdisciplinary Studies
Carolyn O'Brien
Phone (606) 784-3376 & 7848956
E-Mail: c.obrien@moreheadstate.edu
carolyn.obrien@rowan.kyschools.us
Second Trimester 2011-2012
Rowan County Senior High School
Every day November 7-February 24
First period (8:05-9:20)
Week
Lessons
Assessments
Week 1 (4 days)
November 7-11, 2011
Lesson 1: Aventuras Textbook
“Hola, ¿Qué tal?”
Lesson 1 and Supersite, vocabulary
worksheet
Lesson 2: Aventuras Textbook, “Las
clases” and Supersite, vocabulary
worksheet
film Casi, Casi video /Choose College
(Spanish version)
Finish film (Casi,Casi)
Lesson 3: Aventuras Textbook
La familia, with Supersite, vocabulary
worksheets and reading selections
Lesson 4: Aventuras text, supersite &
worksheets: El fin de semana
Geography, Culture and Civilization of
Mexico
Lesson 1 written test
Oral assessment: Answer questions
Week 2 (5 days)
November 14-18
Weeks 3-4 (7 days)
November 21 – December 2
Week 5 (5 days)
December 5-9
Week 6 (5 days)
December 12-16)
Week 7 (5 days)
January 2 – 6, 2012
Week 8 (5 days)
January 9-13
Week 9 (4 days)
January 17-20
Week 10 (5 days)
January 23-27
Week 11 (5 days)
January 30 – February 3
Week 12 (5 days)
February 6 – February 10
Week 13 (5 days)
February 13 – February 17
Lesson 5: Aventuras textbook,
supersite and worksheets
Las Vacaciones
Geography, culture Puerto Rico
Lesson 2 written test
Oral presentation: mi día escolar
Lesson 3 written test
In-class composition: Mi familia
Oral presentation: Mi familia
Oral presentation “Una actividad que
me gusta mucho”
Lesson 4 written test
Quiz: cities and regions of Mexico
Oral presentation: Mexican festivals
and holiday traditions
Lesson 5 written test
Vocabulary quizzes
Oral presentation: Mi viaje a ….
Lesson 12:Aventuras textbook, Hogar,
dulce hogar
Supersite, worksheets
The present subjunctive and formal
commands
Lesson 13: Aventuras textbook, La
naturaleza
More uses of the subjunctive
Lesson 12 written test
Vocabulary quizzes
Oral presentation: Mi casa es su casa.
Repaso, Conversación, Lectura y
Película: Review material in course
through readings, discussions, and
film.
Final exam
Lesson 13 written test
Vocabulary quizzes
Oral presentation: Problemas con el
medioambiente