BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
HISP 32a-2: INTERMEDIATE SPANISH
Monday-Thursday (10AM-10:50AM)
FALL 2015
Instructor: Jorge Arteta – Arteta@brandeis.edu
Office: Rabb 205
Telephone: 781-736-2155
Office hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 12:00-1:00PM, and by appointment
REQUIRED TEXTS AND ONLINE ACCESS:
1. María González-Aguilar, Marta Rosso-O’Laughlin – Atando Cabos, Fourth edition.
2. MySpanishLab for Atando Cabos, Fourth Edition (online workbook: MySpanishLab.com)
3. Reader: Miguel-Muñoz, Elías - Viajes fantásticos, Second Edition (ISBN-10: 007231009X)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
HISP32 is a course designed to help students in their language acquisition process and achieve a
higher proficiency level –mid to high intermediate. Class work will provide ample opportunities
for students to further develop the four skills –speaking, writing, listening and reading. In-class
activities will require the use of Spanish in meaningful contexts to communicate specific
language functions. A review of the grammar previously learned in elementary courses will
enhance the students’ accuracy when using the language. New vocabulary and grammatical
structures will be introduced through a variety of topics. The culture of various Spanish speaking
countries as well as that of Hispanic communities in the United States will be explored through
cultural and literary readings, videos, music, art and movies.
Course goals (*): HISP32 aims to:
- bring students to a higher language proficiency level.
- help students attain a higher cultural competence and understanding.
- strengthen the students’ ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.
- increase the students’ speaking ability in both fluency and accuracy.
- review and increase the vocabulary and grammatical structures needed to
perform specific language functions -listed below.
- improve the students reading and listening skills.
- help students achieve more cohesion in writing.
Learning outcomes (*): By the end of this course students will be able to:
- function in Spanish at a higher level within the intermediate proficiency range;
- speak with more fluency and accuracy;
- express their thoughts with more confidence in a variety of familiar topics;
- talk about events in various time frames – present, past and future, with an
expanding range of vocabulary;
- perform specific language functions at the intermediate proficiency level;
- write on a variety of familiar topics in a generally organized way;
- understand and interpret the main idea and some details in written texts;
- understand the main idea and some details in oral texts;
- and, better understand the culture of various Spanish speaking countries and
communities.
(*Adapted from ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and “Can do statements.”)
Language functions targeted in HISP32
 Describe people and places
 Narrate past events
 Talk about daily activities
 Describe relationships and reciprocal actions
 Express agreement or disagreement
 Compare and contrast
 Talk about preferences/likes and dislikes
 Ask questions
 Give orders
 Express opinions, wishes, emotions and feelings
 Make suggestions/recommendations (give advice)
 Express doubt or certainty
 Make hypotheses
 Talk about future activities
Course Topics
The following topics will be explored and discussed:
- La familia hispánica
- Viajes; ciudades y lugares de interés del mundo hispano
- La interculturalidad; la comunidad hispana en los EE.UU.
- Los problemas ecológicos
- Los derechos humanos en los pueblos indígenas; las culturas indígenas de
Latinoamérica
- El arte; los muralistas mexicanos; Frida Kahlo
- Los aztecas –Tenochtitlan, la conquista de México; México hoy
Four-Credit Course (with three hours of class-time per week)
Success in this 4 credit hour course is based on the expectation that students will
spend a minimum of 9 hours of study time per week in preparation for class
(readings, papers, discussion sections, preparation for exams, etc.).
Movies and videos:
María llena eres de gracia – Colombia;
Diarios de motocicleta – Argentina.
We will also watch other videos related to the topics discussed in class.
PLACEMENT:
Successful completion of HISP20 at Brandeis University; a score of 16-31 in the
placement exam; or AP exam score of 3. If you did not take HISP20, you MUST
take the placement exam.
Is this the right class for you?
Think carefully about your placement; will this course be challenging enough for you?
Do you want to major or minor in this language, and will you have enough time to do so?
If you think this class might not be the right one for you, please speak to me as soon as
possible. Keep in mind that once you have completed a course in the language sequence
(courses number 10 through 106—or 108 in Spanish), you will not be able to skip a level.
If the course that is at your level is closed, we advise you to wait a semester and enroll in
the right course for you during pre-registration.
*Reminder: A C- or higher is required to continue to the next language level.
Grading: The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Attendance, participation, preparation: 15%
Homework in MySpanishLab:10%
Compositions (2): 10%
Quizzes (2): 10%
Unit exams (2): 20%
Group skit: 5%
Final oral exam: 10%
Final exam: 20%
15%
10%
10%
10%
20%
5%
10%
20%
Make-up evaluation policy: Should you need to miss class the day an evaluation is scheduled,
you will be allowed to make-up only one evaluation provided your absence is properly excused.
The following grading scale will be used:
94-100 = A
90-93 = A87-89= B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B77-79 = C+
74-76 = C
70-73 = C67-69 = D+
64-66 = D
60-63 = D59 and below = F
Course Policies:
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance will be taken daily. You are allowed three (3) classes (excused
or not). If you miss more than three, your grade will be lowered by ½-point letter grade
for each additional absence. Your absences and tardiness will also have a negative impact upon
your class participation grade.
8 or more unexcused absences will result in an F
3 times late = 1 absence
Class participation: Your grade will be based on the quality and frequency of your participation
in Spanish in **all** class activities and discussions.
Homework activities will be assigned in every class meeting and posted on LATTE. You are
also required to complete the online student activities manual (MySpanishLab.com) in
preparation for exams and/or quizzes. The online activities are due on the days of the exams.
MySpanishlab: MSL is the online component that accompanies Atando cabos. To register you
will need a code, which you can get when you purchase a new textbook; you may also get it
separately online. You will also need a course-ID, which will be provided by your
instructor/posted on LATTE.
Exams and quizzes: There will be two quizzes that will include: vocabulary, listening
comprehension and reading comprehension related to the topics being covered in class. There
will also be two exams that will include: vocabulary, the language functions learned in class,
grammar and writing about the topics covered in class. The final exam is cumulative and will
include a listening comprehension section, a reading section, vocabulary, language functions,
grammar and writing.
Oral evaluations: Specific guidelines about the topics and evaluation criteria for the skits and
final oral evaluation will be provided by your instructor in due time.
Compositions: Students will write two compositions during class time. The first composition has
a rewrite option. The second composition won’t have a rewrite option. Specific guidelines about
the topics and evaluation criteria for the compositions will be provided by your instructor in due
time.
If you are an athlete and need to be excused for competition, your coach must
provide the dates when you will be absent. You are responsible for keeping up with the
class material.
SPANISH MAJOR:
If you are thinking about majoring or minoring in Spanish, you should
familiarize yourself with the program in the Bulletin and then see the Undergraduate Advising
Head, Professor Dian Fox (fox@brandeis.edu) as soon as possible to make sure that you
understand the prerequisites and requirements.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
All students are responsible for following the university guidelines
regarding academic honesty:
Academic integrity is central to the mission of educational excellence at Brandeis University.
Each student is expected to turn in work completed independently, except when assignments
specifically authorize collaborative effort. It is not acceptable to use the words or ideas of
another person—whether that be a world-class philosopher or those of your classmate—without
proper acknowledgement of that source. This means you must use notes and quotation marks to
indicate the source of any phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or ideas found in published volumes,
on the internet, or created by another person.
Violation of University policies on academic integrity, described in Section 3 of Rights and
Responsibilities, may result in failure on the assignment or failure in the course, and could even
end in suspension from the University. Remember that tutors or study leaders, including those
sanctioned by Brandeis University, are not authorized to complete homework or any other
assignments for you. If you have questions about the type of help you can receive, please ask your
professor before you receive help.
If you are working in a group that I authorized, I will expect your answers to resemble those of
your partners. Otherwise, I expect you to do your work separately from your friends, classmates,
family members, tutors, and so on. If you have any questions about this policy, please ask your
professor before you receive help.
If you have any questions about academic integrity, please contact Kerry Guerard, Director of
Student Rights and Community Standards at kguerard@brandeis.edu
NOTICE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
If you are a student with a documented disability on
record at Brandeis University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this
class, please see the professor immediately. Retroactive accommodations cannot be provided.
STUDY ABROAD: You
are highly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to study
abroad to continue to improve your skills, and broaden your knowledge of the culture of
Hispanic countries. For more specific information, please, contact:
Scott van der Meid (svanderm@brandeis.edu) or Allyson Goose (agoose@brandeis.edu)
The Study Abroad office is in 127 Usdan Student Center, and its phone number is 6-3483.
LATTE: Additional information about this course, including the syllabus, activities and the films
to be watched may be found on LATTE. Please note that if changes occur on the syllabus, I will
contact the class through LATTE email service.
Brandeis University Group Study (B.U.G.S.) is a program that provides peer tutoring
to all undergraduate students free of charge. There is no need to make an appointment.
For more information or an updated schedule, contact:
Jeffrey Lowenstein (jlowenst@brandeis.edu)
Class program: (***all dates provided may be subject so change except for the final exam).
Week 1:
August 27
Clase 1
Introducción al curso. Presentaciones y expectativas.
Week 2: August 31 - September 4:
Clase 2
Capítulo 1, Hablemos de nosotros.
La descripción. Palabras descriptivas
Ser y estar, pp 16-19
Clase 3
Capítulo 1, Hablemos de nosotros.
La descripción. Palabras descriptivas
Ser y estar, pp. 16-19;
Repasemos 3, Present progressive.
En contexto: Capítulo 1, Hablemos de nosotros.
La familia española de hoy: p. 1-5
Vocabulario. Circunlocución.
La descripción.
Clase 4
Ventana al mundo, p.4: “La gran familia.”
Ventana al mundo, p. 15: “El compadrazgo...”
La descripción. Ser y estar.
Clase 5
Lectura: El bueno, el feo y el malo, pp. 24-27.
La descripción. Ser y estar.
Week 3: September 7 – 11 *Sept. 10: Monday schedule*
Monday Sept. 7 – Labor Day Holiday - No class meeting.
Clase 6
Capítulo 2, Hablemos de viajes.
En contexto: Un viaje por Latinoamérica: pp. 33-36
Vocabulario. Circunlocución
Narración. Pretérito: Repasemos 1, Preterite, pp. 42-43, Cs, pp. 373-377;
Clase 7: Capítulo 2, Hablemos de viajes.
La narración. El pretérito.
El presente perfecto, pp. 290-291
Repasemos 2, Hace with preterite to express 'ago', p. 43, Cs, pp. 377;
Clase 8
Capítulo 2, Hablemos de viajes.
Ventana al mundo, p. 37: "Buenos Aires, Argentina";
Ventana al mundo, p. 39: "La Habana, Cuba";
Ventana al mundo, p. 45: "Puerto Rico, la isla del encanto"
Repasemos 3, Imperfect, p. 44, Cs, pp. 378-380.
Week 4: September 14-18
Mon-Tues, Sept 14-15: Rosh Hashanah - No classes held.
Clase 9
Capítulo 2, Hablemos de viajes.
Aprendamos 1, Narrating in the past: Preterite and Imperfect, pp. 45-48.
Clase 10
Capítulo 2, Hablemos de viajes.
La narración.
Aprendamos 2, More uses of the preterite & imperfect, pp. 48-50;
Week 5: September 21-25 9 (Wed. Sept. 23 – Yom Kippur - no class meeting)
Clase 11
Mon
Capítulo 2, Hablemos de viajes.
La narración.
Aprendamos 3, Verbs that change meaning in the preterite, pp. 50-51.
Clase 12
Tue
Quiz # 1. Vocabulario, comprensión auditiva y comprensión de lectura.
Clase 13
Thu
Capítulo 3, La interculturalidad.
En contexto: Romper las barreras interculturales, pp. 63-66
Vocabulario. Circunlocución.
Sin duda, pp. 68} pedir-preguntar
Week 6: September 28 (Sukkot) - October 2 ****Sept. 29=Monday schedule
Mira la película en LATTE: María llena eres de gracia.
Prepara las actividades asignadas.
Clase 14
Tue
Capítulo 3, La interculturalidad.
Ventana al Mundo, p. 72: “Nuestro espacio personal.”
Ventana al Mundo, p.70: “La población de los EE.UU.”
Cuento: “¿Para qué?” Discusión.
Comparar y contrastar.
Clase 15
Wed
Capítulo 3, La interculturalidad.
Hablar de gustos y prefrencias.
Repasemos 3, Verbs like Gustar, pp. 74-75; Cs, pp. 385-387;
Clase 16
Thu
Capítulo 3, La interculturalidad.
Comparar y contrastar. Aprendamos 1, Comparisons of inequality, pp. 76-78;
Aprendamos 2, Comparisons of equality, pp. 80-81.
Video: “Party.” –HBO Latino.
Ventana al Mundo, p. 76 “El español en los EE.UU.”
Ventana al mundo, p. 84: "Los chicanos"
Week 7: October 5 (No class meeting - Shimini Atzeret) – Oct 8
Clase 17 Capítulo 3, La interculturalidad.
Tue
Hablar de las actividades diarias y las relaciones personales.
Reflexive Verbs, p. 73, Cs, pp. 382-384;
Reciprocal actions: Reciprocal verbs, p. 74, CS 384
Vocabulario de las lecturas, p. 85-86
Clase 18
Wed
Lectura: No Speak English, pp. 86-89. Discusión
Clase 19
Movie: Maria llena de Gracia. Discusión.
Week 8: October 12-15
Clase 20
In class composition 1.
Clase 21
Evaluaciones orales
Clase 22
Evaluaciones orales
Clase 23: Examen 1. MySpanishLab.com activities are due.
Week 9: October 19-22
Clase 24 Capítulo 4, Hablemos de donde vivimos
Los problemas ecológicos.
En contexto: El Congreso de Protección del Medio Ambiente, pp. 95-98
Vocabulario. Circunlocución.
Clase 25
Capítulo 4, Hablemos de donde vivimos
Los problemas ecológicos.
Ventana al mundo, p. 104, "Costa Rica".
Repasemos 1, The personal a, p. 103, Cs, pp. 388-389;
Repasemos 2, Direct Object Pronouns, pp. 104-106, Cs, pp. 390-391;
Clase 26
Capítulo 4, Hablemos de donde vivimos
Los problemas ecológicos.
Repasemos 3, Indirect Object Pronouns, pp. 106-107; Cs, pp. 391-393;
Ventana al mundo, p. 102, "Barcelona".
Ventana al mundo, p. 106, "Madrid";
Clase 27
Capítulo 4, Hablemos de donde vivimos
Los problemas ecológicos.
Aprendamos 1, Double Object Pronouns, pp. 108-110.
Week 10: October 26-29
Clase 28
Capítulo 4, Hablemos de donde vivimos
Los problemas ecológicos.
Ventana al mundo, p. 113, "México, D.F.";
Aprendamos 3, Por vs. para, pp. 114-116;
Clase 29
Capítulo 4, Hablemos de donde vivimos
Los problemas ecológicos.
Ventana al Mundo, p. 122: “El genio de Gaudi.”
Aprendamos 3, Por vs. para, pp. 114-116
Clase 30
Capítulo 4, Hablemos de donde vivimos
Los problemas ecológicos.
Repasemos 2, Formal Commands, pp. 169-170, Cs, pp. 400-401.
Repasemos 3, Informal Commands, p. 170, Cs, pp. 401-403.
Aprendamos 1, Placement of object pronouns with commands, pp. 172-173;
Aprendamos 2, Placement of object pronouns with negative commands, pp. 174-175
Clase 31
Capítulo 5, Los derechos humanos en los pueblos indígenas;
En contexto: La importancia de la tierra, pp. 127-129
Vocabulario. Circunlocución.
Present Subjunctive of regular verbs, pp. 136-137; Cs, pp. 393-395;
Present Subjunctive of irregular verbs, p. 138; Cs, pp. 395-397.
Week 11: November 2-5
Clase 32
Capítulo 5, Los derechos humanos en los pueblos indígenas;
Ventana al mundo, p. 135, "El pueblo quiché"
Ventana al mundo, p. 137, "Declaración universal de los derechos humanos"
Expresar opinión.
Repasemos 3, Present Subjunctive after impersonal expressions, pp. 138-139;
Clase 33
Capítulo 5, la cultura de los pueblos indígenas;
Ventana al Mundo, p. 130: “La Pachamama.”
Video: Los derechos de la Pachamama. (Youtube)
Expresar opinión, sentimientos y emociones.
Aprendamos 1, Subjunctive, p. 140.
Clase 34
Quiz # 2 Vocabulario, comprensión auditiva y comprensión de lectura.
Clase 35
Capítulo 5, La cultura de los pueblos indígenas;
Make suggestions/recommendations (give advice).
Aprendamos 2, Giving advice, suggesting, requesting: Subjunctive, pp. 140-142.
Future tense, Cs p. 409-410
Conditional.
Week 12: November 9-12
 WATCH Movie on LATTE: The motorcycle diaries.
Clase 36 Capítulo 5, La cultura y los derechos humanos de los pueblos indígenas;
Express doubt or certainty.
Expressing doubt, denial, and uncertainty: Subjunctive, pp. 143-145;
Movie: Diarios de motocicleta. Actividades.
Clase 37
Movie: Diarios de motocicleta. Discusión
Clase 38
In class composition 2
Clase 39 Hablemos de arte.
Así se dice: Elogiar y alabar: p.232.
Ventana al mundo, p.235: “Muralismo”
Diego Rivera.
Week 13: November 16-19
Clase 40 Hablemos de arte.
Frida Kahlo.
“Allá cuelga mi vestido.”
Clase 41 Ventana al mundo, p. 142, "El imperio azteca”;
El último sol. Prólogo.
Tenochtitlan.
La guerra florida y el sacrificio humano.
Las cinco eras del mundo.
Clase 42 Examen 2
Clase 43 El último sol, Preface
Week 14: November 23-24 (Nov. 25-26 Thanksgiving Holiday)
Clase 44 El último sol, Parte 1
Clase 45 El último sol, Parte 2
Week 15: November 30 - December 4
Clase 46 El último sol, Parte 3
Clase 47 El último sol, Parte 4
Clase 48 El último sol, Fin, epílogo. Conclusión.
Clase 49 Evaluaciones orales
Week 16: December 7-9
Clase 50 Evaluaciones orales
Clase 51 Evaluaciones orales
Clase 52 Conclusión del curso. (Posible sección de comprensión auditiva del final)