HU 3291
Spanish Language and Culture
Spring 2013
Instructor: Talía Dajes
E-mail: tdajes@mtu.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays 11:00am1:00pm & by appointment.
Course location: Walker 120A
Course meeting times: MWF
R01-2:05-2:55pm/R02-3:05-3:55pm
Course Description and Objectives
¡Bienvenidos a HU 3291!
This course is the first part of Second-Year Spanish. The four skills (listening, reading,
speaking and writing) will be developed during the semester through practice and the
application of specific learning strategies. In this course we will also explore some of the many
facets of Hispanic culture in order to facilitate authentic learning and communication. By the
end of the semester, students will 1) develop their understanding of, and appreciation for the
diversity of Hispanic culture and 2) function at an Intermediate Low-Mid proficiency level in all
four skill areas, and 3) develop communicative functions that will allow effective interaction and
communication in Spanish.
I am deeply committed to facilitating your learning process, but you are responsible for
your own success in HU 3292. You are expected to come prepared and attend class every day, to
turn in assignments on time, and to study at least 2 hours for every hour in class. If you are
absent from class for any reason, you are responsible for keeping up with the calendars,
reading your textbook, and completing your homework. If you have specific questions and/or
concerns, do not hesitate to come to my office hours or make an appointment.
Before we begin, you should know
Students who PLACE into the second year of Spanish will receive THREE placement
credits for first year (HU2293) after successfully completing (with B or better) one semester of
second-year Spanish. Students who go on to complete HU3293, 3294 or 3295 in the following
semester can EITHER count these two courses toward the general education distribution
requirement, OR take UN1003 (one credit hour) INSTEAD of the four-credit-hour World
Cultures lecture (UN1002) in the spring of their freshman or sophomore year to complete the
WC requirement. [We highly encourage students to complete their World Cultures/Language
option requirement in the spring semester of their freshman year!]. Students may continue with
third- and fourth-year language courses of this language and count this course work toward the
general education distribution requirement (up to 15 credits with their departmental approval)].
**If you would like more information regarding credits, the World Cultures
requirement, the Spanish/International Minor, the Certificate in Spanish and Area
Studies and/or the study abroad component, please let me know and I will forward
more information to you.**
Required Texts and Materials:

Pre-packaged “bundle” ISBN 0538459530 includes:
-Long, Donna Reseigh, and Janice Lynn Macián. De Paseo, 4th ed.
1



-Long, Donna Reseigh, and Janice Lynn Macián. De Paseo: Diario de Actividades, 4th
edition
-Premium Access Code to the Premium Website (Access Code good for 3 semesters)
-Audio CD Program (3 CDs) for De Paseo
One college Blue book (see: http://ow.ly/dpsHZ) for Diario entries.
Any good Spanish/English dictionary.
Any good Spanish grammar reference book.
If you buy the textbook and workbook separately, you may find it difficult to access the Premium
Website for additional help with grammar and video viewing.
**Make sure your edition is #4**
Note: the instructor will provide additional materials in class. Students are encouraged to take
advantage of the resources of the Humanities Digital Media Zone (Walker 120) such as books,
films, videos, CD-ROMS, and Spanish-language TV channels.
Instructions For Using De Paseo Online Learning Resources:





Go to the website: www.cengagebrain.com
You will have to create an account. It is free to do so.
After your account is created, go to “Register your Access Code or Alpha Code.”
Enter the book’s ISBN number. The Student copy ISBN for De Paseo is on the back listed
as: 978-1-4282-6292-8
This will give you access to free resources related to this textbook.
If you have any problems, use the tech support access of the website for additional help or visit
the HDMZ Language Lab (Walker 113) for assistance
Attendance Policy and Participation
Regular attendance and punctuality are crucial to your success in this class and will be reflected
in your class participation grade. Your instructor will check attendance and punctuality daily.
More than two unexcused absences* will seriously affect your final participation grade.
Showing up late for class three times counts as an unexcused absence. Missing 15% (or
more) of the semester’s class meetings will result in automatic failure of the class.
*What is an officially excused absence? One that is authorized in writing by a doctor, another
instructor, a program director, a supervisor or the Dean of Students.
In addition to attending class regularly, your final participation grade will be assessed daily
based on the following aspects:
1. Use of Spanish in class. It is essential that you make the effort to express yourself
at all times in Spanish. This includes during group work and chatting with
classmates at any time while in the classroom. You may use English only when given
permission by the instructor. The instructor will only give you permission to do so
after you have tried and not succeeded to express yourself in Spanish.
2. Willingness to volunteer in whole class activities and to participate and
cooperate in pair and group work.
2
3. Level of preparedness. It is mandatory that you come to class on time and
prepared, with assigned pages read in advance and assignments completed.
**Note: students attending at least FIVE regular bi-monthly Peñas (Spanish
conversation and culture hours), will receive 10% extra credit towards their final
participation grade. In the spring 2013 semester, La peña meetings will be every
other Thursday at 5pm, location TBA. First meeting: Thursday, January 24th.
ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES such as laptops, cell phones, blackberries, iPods, etc., MUST
BE TURNED OFF in the classroom unless otherwise authorized by the instructor.
Homework and Assignments
The work you complete in this category will serve as an important learning tool to practice
grammatical functions and new vocabulary as well as to evaluate your reading and listening
comprehension. Included in this category are:
1. Specific written/listening assignments from your textbook and pop quizzes given by
your instructor.
2. Workbook assignments. The Diario de actividades provides structured written
practice of the materials introduced in the corresponding chapters and audio
exercises such as pronunciation practice and a variety of listening comprehension
tasks. These assignments are to be submitted in class. You will receive two different
grades for the workbook assignments: one for completion and one for accuracy.
You should do these assignments gradually, completing the ones appropriate to the
material covered in class. The day we finish a textbook chapter in class is usually
when all the exercises for that chapter need to be submitted.
Exams
There will be three exams in total that will cover two chapters completed in class (except for the
last one which will only cover chapter 5). Exams will normally require the full class period to
complete. Because each exam is already cumulative, there is no mid-term or final exam.
Journals
You will keep a journal (“diario”) throughout the semester. The purpose of this journal is to help
you reflect on the material presented in class and integrate and express your thoughts in
Spanish. You will write one entry every other week. The topic for the journal entries will come
from the Mi diario activity in the workbook. There will be some entries that will not require you
to produce new written work but to re-write and correct already submitted entries. The journal
needs to be completed in the bluebook. Journals will be given one grade for completion and one
for accuracy. Please, see the journal-writing instructions document provided by your professor.
Oral exam
This exam will be done in pairs, and take place in your regularly scheduled classroom. The exam
will last approximately 15 minutes, and consist of a role-play with your partner. The
conversation may include different tasks such as asking and answering questions, describing
and/or responding to a situation, etc. Your instructor will give you more detailed information as
the date of the oral exam approaches.
3
Grading Policy
Late homework and assignments, without a valid excuse, will not be accepted.
There are no make-ups for oral or written exams. There is no extra-credit.
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Participation
Homework and assignments
Exams
Journals
Oral exam
20%
15%
30%
20%
15%
Grading scale:
A
93-100
C
AB
88-92
CD
B
83-87
D
BC
78-82
F
73-77
68-72
60-67
0-59
Email Policy
Please check your e-mail regularly for communications from your professor.
We will treat email as a formal means of communication therefore, when emailing your
professor, always observe the following:
- Include a specific subject line
- Write in Standard English or Spanish (the reply will be in the same language as the original
message) without using abbreviations or txt-speak
- Check your spelling, grammar, and capitalization
- Begin with a salutation and/or the recipient’s name and end with a polite closing
-Append a signature or type your name at the end
Please allow 24-48 hours for a response, Monday through Friday. I am happy to clarify
questions in person (during office hours or appointments) but please, do not send emails
expecting me to recreate a missed class for you.
Think about your e-mail before sending it: Can you find the answer in the syllabus? Can
your question be resolved by contacting a classmate? Have you reviewed all available sources of
information (textbook or workbook instructions, class handouts, past emails or Canvas
announcements, etc.)? Will your question be more appropriately answered in person?
Send an email only after you have considered all of this.
Academic integrity
Students suspected of cheating, plagiarism, or aiding others in dishonest academic behavior can
receive sanctions ranging from warning to special failing grade to expulsion from the university
depending on the severity of the offence. Cases of plagiarism will be brought to the Dean of
Student’s Office. You are responsible for reading and understanding the Michigan Tech’s
academic integrity policy at
http://www.mtu.edu/dean/conduct/policy/academic-integrity/
***MTU complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination,
including the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA). If you have a disability and need a
reasonable accommodation for equal access to educational services at MTU, please call Dr.
4
Gloria Melton, Associate Dean of Students, (2212). For other concerns about discrimination, you
may contact your advisor, department head, or the Affirmative Action Office (3310).
***This syllabus is subject to change at any time for pedagogical and/or unexpected
circumstances. You will be notified of such changes if they take place.
Remember: If it’s in the syllabus, it’s your responsibility.
Programa del curso
En clase
Lunes 14 de enero


Semana 1
Preparar para la próxima clase
¡A conocernos!
Introducción y explicación del sílabo
Miércoles 16 de enero
Capítulo 1:
 Primera etapa: Conversación
 Sugerencias para aprender el vocabulario
 Lectura:



Leer p. 2: sugerencias para el vocabulario
Leer Músicos latinos
Estudiar vocabulario (p. 4)

Estudiar Repaso de gramática y estructura
1-1 (p. 18-24)
Completar ejercicios de gramática 1-30 a 140 (p. 21-25)

Viernes 18 de enero


Vocabulario en acción
Segunda etapa: Función 1.1
Semana 2
Lunes 21 de enero
MLK Day – no hay clase


Estudiar Estructura 1-1 (p. 25-26)
Completar ejercicios de gramática 1-41 a 143 (p. 25-26)


Estudiar Estructura 1-2 (p. 26-29)
Completar ejercicios de gramática 1-44 a 148 y 1-51
Miércoles 23 de enero

Segunda etapa: Función 1.1 (parte 2)
Viernes 25 de enero

Segunda etapa: Función 1.2


Estudiar Estructura 1-3 (p. 29-32)
Completar ejercicios de gramática 1-53, 154, 1-56 y 1-57
Semana 3
Lunes 28 de enero

Segunda etapa: Función 1.3


Leer Tercera etapa y sugerencias para la
lectura (p. 9)
Estudiar Pequeño diccionario (p. 10)
5
Miércoles 30 de enero
 Lectura cultural: Shakira inaugura su
fundación “ALAS”


*Entregar en clase: Diario #1
Viernes 1 de febrero
 Video: Nuestra música
Capítulo 2:
 Lectura: En Yucatán
Estudiar Pequeño diccionario (p.16)
Leer Sugerencias para aprender el
vocabulario y En Yucatán (34-35)

Estudiar vocabulario para la conversación
(35)
 Estudiar Repaso de gramática (51-53) y
Estructura 2-1 (53-54)
 Completar ejercicios 2-27 a 2-30 (55-56)
Semana 4
Lunes 4 de febrero
 Vocabulario en acción
 Función 2.1

*Entregar en clase: Diario de
actividades (WB) Capítulo 1
Miércoles 6 de febrero
 Función 2.2
Estudiar Estructura 2-2a y 2-2b (56-57)
Completar ejercicios de gramática 2-31 a 236 (56-58)
Viernes 8 de febrero

Estudiar Estructura 2-3a, 2-3b y 2-3c (5961)
 Completar ejercicios 2-37 a 2-39 y 2-41 a 243 (59-61)
Semana 5
*.Carnaval de invierno: no hay clase*.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Lunes 11 de febrero


Función 2.3

Estudiar Estructura 2-3d, 2-3e, 2-3f y 2-3g
(62-66)
Completar ejercicios 2-44 a 2-48 y 2-51 a 252 (62-66)
Miércoles 13 de febrero


Función 2.3 (continuación)

Leer La civilización maya y Sugerencias
para la lectura (41)
Estudiar Pequeño diccionario (42)
Viernes 15 de febrero

Lectura cultural: El guerrero y Sak-Nicté
*Entregar en clase: Diario #2

Leer Lectura literaria: La literatura maya y
contestar preguntas de guía para el lector
(44)
 Estudiar Pequeño diccionario (45)
Semana 6
Lunes 18 de febrero

Lectura: El Popol-Vuh

Repasar capítulos 1 y 2
Miércoles 20 de febrero
6

Repaso para examen 1

Estudiar para examen 1
Viernes 22 de febrero


Examen 1
*Entregar en clase: Diario de
actividades (WB) capítulo 2
Lunes 25 de febrero
Capítulo 3
 Idiomas y negocios
 Temas para la conversación
 Vocabulario en acción
Miércoles 27 de febrero

Función 3.1
Viernes 1ero de marzo
 Función 3.2
*Entregar en clase: Diario #3
Estudiar vocabulario para la conversación y
leer sugerencias para aprender el
vocabulario (68)
 Leer Idiomas y negocios y responder
preguntas de Guía para el lector (68-69)
Semana 7



Leer Repaso de gramática (85)
Estudiar Estructura 3-1 (85-86)
Completar ejercicios de gramática 3-33 a 337


Estudiar Estructura 3-2a y 3-2b (87-90)
Completar ejercicios de gramática 3-38 y 340 a 3-45.


Estudiar Estructura 3-3 (90-91)
Completar ejercicios de gramática 3-46 a 349
Semana 8
Lunes 4 de marzo

Función 3.3

Estudiar y escribir oraciones con 3-4
palabras de Pequeño diccionario (83)

Leer Sugerencias para la lectura y
Voluntarios de las Naciones Unidas (75)

Leer Sugerencias para aprender el
vocabulario (94)
Estudiar vocabulario para la conversación
(96)
Miércoles 6 de marzo

Video: El Día del trabajador
Viernes 8 de marzo

Lectura cultural: Actividades de los
voluntarios
*Entregar en clase: Diario de
actividades (WB) capítulo 3

Descanso de primavera: 9 a 17 de marzo – No hay clases
Semana 9
Lunes 18 de marzo
Capítulo 4

Miércoles 20 de marzo



7

Viernes 22 de marzo


Semana 10
Lunes 25 de marzo


*Sign-up para exámenes orales
Miércoles 27 de marzo


Viernes 29 de marzo


Semana 11
Lunes 1ero de abril

Miércoles 3 de abril

Viernes 5 de abril
Exámenes orales: Parejas 1-4
*Entregar en clase: Diario #6

Estudiar para los exámenes orales
Semana 12
Lunes 8 de abril
Exámenes orales: Parejas 5-8
*Entregar en clase: Diario #6
Miércoles 10 de abril
Exámenes orales: Parejas 9-11
*Entregar en clase: Diario #6
Viernes 12 de abril


Estudiar para los exámenes orales


Semana 13
Lunes 15 de abril


Miércoles 17 de abril

8
Viernes 19 de abril


Semana 14
Lunes 22 de abril


Miércoles 24 de abril
 Repaso 3
Estudiar para examen 3
Viernes 26 de abril
 Examen 3
*Entregar en clase: Diario de
actividades capítulo 5
¡Felices vacaciones!

9