SPN 101: IntRODUCTORY Spanish I (3)

SPRING 2009

Instructor: E. Irvin

Office hours (LH 205): T 11:30 – 1:30 and W 11-1 p.m., or by appointment

*Phone/Email: 962-7664 / irvine@uncw.edu

           

PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor; one unit or less of high school Spanish

 

Course description:  Emphasis on achievement of an active command of the language. Aural-oral practice; intensive study of the basic patterns of spoken Spanish; reading, writing, and basic conversation; course conducted in Spanish

 

Required Materials

·      Mosaicos 4th Edition, by Castells, Guzmán, Lapuerta and García. Both the textbook and the online Quia Student Activities Manual are required. The course code you need to register for the Quia is ADDX896.

·     Materials on the Blackboard course web page

·     You must have adequate computer skills. Almost all of the homework for this class has to be completed online. It is up to you to learn how to use the homework websites.

 

Course Objectives:  You will develop a solid foundation in the basics of the Spanish language (basic vocabulary, verb conjugations, etc.). Your homework each night is the review that will prepare you for participation in class each day. Keep in mind that in order to learn a language you must use the language. This means that all communication in class is to be conducted in Spanish. We will focus on the following:

·        Speaking: engage in basic conversation on the most common features of daily life

·        Listening: understand a variety of short statements and questions

·        Reading: understand main ideas and/or facts from short texts dealing with a variety of topics

·        Writing: meet basic practical writing needs

·        Cultural competence: demonstrate basic knowledge about Spanish-speaking cultures

 

Grade scale

A   93-100

B   83-86

C   73-76

D  63-66

A-  90-92

B-  80-82

C-  70-72            

D- 60-62

B+ 87-89

C+ 77-79

D+ 67-69

F    0-59

 

COURSE POLICIES

All policies outlined in this syllabus apply to all students, regardless of each student’s situation.  This means all policies apply to you, whether you are an athlete, a non-traditional student, a musician, a member of a university-related organization, etc.

There will be NO exceptions for anyone. You are responsible for knowing these policies.

Attendance

a)      All students enrolled in Spanish language courses at UNCW (SPN 101, 102, 120, 201, 202) are allotted three free absences for classes that meet MWF and two free absences for classes that meet TR or MW.

b)      For each absence in excess of the limit stated in a) above, five points will be deducted from the final grade.

c)      Any student who misses more than eight classes will automatically fail the course.

All absences count, whether for illness, doctor’s visits, university-related activities, emergencies, court dates, car trouble, hangovers, beautiful beach days, or any other reason you can think of. If your mind and body are not in class, if you are not in the room when I take attendance, or if you miss more than 10 minutes of class you will be counted absent. Do not ask me for permission to leave early or miss class, as it is your decision whether or not your leaving is important enough to miss the day’s material. Do not call or e-mail to tell me you are going to miss class. It won’t make a difference in terms of your absence. Finally, unless you have figured out how to turn back time you cannot make up missed days. Please note that class is not cancelled the day before a break so make your travel plans accordingly.

 

Make-ups – I do not give them so don’t ask for or expect to get them. I do not accept late work.

 

*Communication with instructor - The best way to contact me is to come to my office during my office hours.  You do not need an appointment to come during that time.  Please keep in mind that sending an email or leaving a phone message does not guarantee an immediate response nor does it mean that I will receive your message in time to reply before the next class.  If you cannot come during my office hours then make an appointment to come at a different time.  If you do leave a phone message, please include a local number where you can be reached.

 

Etiquette and other common sense policies

·        Students in this course are expected to conduct themselves as independent, professional, courteous adults. Disruptive behavior and disrespect toward fellow students or the instructor will not be tolerated. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, sleeping, working on anything other than the present class material, monopolizing class time or instructor’s attention, reading the newspaper, eating or drinking, checking messages on your cell phone, and any conversation that is not in Spanish. Students engaged in disruptive behavior will be counted absent and will be reported to the Dean of Students for appropriate action.

·         Cell phones, pagers, mp3 players, laptops and other electronic devices are not permitted in the classroom for any reason. Any appearance of or noise from one of these devices will result in your being counted absent and receiving a zero for all of the day’s material, no discussion.  Any object that presents a nuisance will be confiscated.

·        It is disrespectful, disruptive and counterproductive to arrive late to class, leave early, or leave the room during class, especially during group/pair activities. Take care of non class-related business before or after class.

·        Food, beverages and tobacco products are prohibited in UNCW classrooms.  

 

Grade distribution - Keep in mind that you earn your grade, your professor does not give it to you. You pass or fail yourself.     

 

·         Homework (15%) - Homework consists of exercises on Quia (both the workbook and lab manual), assignments posted on the Blackboard course website, and the occasional in-class assignment. No homework will be accepted late for any reason. Each chapter of Quia (Workbook + Lab Manual) counts as one grade.
Do not wait until the last minute to do your homework! If the deadline passes while you are working you will not receive credit. No extensions will be given to anyone for any reason, even if your computer crashes or the power goes out. Assignments are posted well enough in advance that these problems can be avoided or resolved in time to meet the deadline.
The lowest grade in this category will be dropped at the end of the term.           

·         Quizzes (20%) – There will be two types of quizzes: 1) frequent unannounced in-class quizzes which may be written or aural, and 2) class quizzes, which are in-class activities in which everyone must participate to receive credit.  The entire class will receive the same grade for a class quiz and you must be present to get that grade.  Class quizzes and their grading guidelines will be announced the day before.  Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the term.

 

·         Assessments (25%) - Throughout the semester you will be evaluated on the four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  You will be tested via short reading assignments, compositions, video assignments, and in-class role plays.  There are no make-ups for these assignments.  Be aware that the role-plays take place during class and require working with at least one partner, therefore you cannot make it up if you are absent the day of the role-play.  Due dates for these assignments will be posted on the Blackboard course web page along with your other assignments.

 

·         Culture (15%) – Each student is required to attend two approved cultural events during the semester and complete a short assignment (posted on Blackboard) for each one.  Approved events will be posted on the Blackboard calendar and/or announced in class.

 

·         Exams (25%) – There will be two exams at the end of the semester: an oral exam and a written final exam.  The dates for the oral exam are posted on the Blackboard course page calendar and the final exam will take place during the time designated by the university.  All exams must be taken on their scheduled day so make your travel plans accordingly.  No make-ups for exams.  The final exam will last approximately one hour; students who arrive after that time will not be permitted to take it.

 

WORKLOAD - Language learning is demanding and requires commitment to study and practice. You will have homework every night. Vocabulary and grammar study will be completed outside of class in order to use class time more effectively for communicative practice. It is imperative that you study every night and come to class prepared to participate in activities.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY - Students in this course are expected to abide by the Academic Honor Code. Please read the Student Handbook and Code of Student Life for information (http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/doso/code/index.html).

 

DISABILITY SERVICES – Students with disabilities must notify the instructor within the first week of class if special accommodations are required. Visit Disability Services in Westside Hall or their website (http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/disability/index.htm) for information.

 

UNIVERSITY LEARNING SERVICES – If you need extra help University Learning Services can help you find a tutor (http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/).

 

CAMPUS SAFETY - UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind. For emergencies contact UNCW CARE at 962-2273, Campus Police at 962-3184, or Wilmington Police at 911. For University or community resources visit http://uncw.edu/wrc/crisis.htm.