SPN 203 Syllabus – Fall 2005     University of North Carolina at Wilmington    R. Terry Mount

 

Intermediate Spanish: Reading

 

Dr. R. Terry Mount                

Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literatures                                             

Leutze Hall 283                        

                                                                                                                                                           

Office telephone and voice mail: 910-962-3344; main office number of FLL is 910-962-3340.

E-Mail: mountt@uncw.edu

FAX : 910-962-7712
General webpage:  http://people.uncw.edu/mountt/

Class webpages: http://people.uncw.edu/mountt/classes.htm

Class calendar

Office hours :  TR 12:30 - 1:30 and by appointment MTWRF                                                               

 

Catalogue description.  3 credit hours. Prerequisite/corequisite: SPN 202 or equivalent.  Emphasis on reading (fiction and non-fiction) with the goals of applying effective reading techniques and strategies, increasing vocabulary, and improving general reading and oral communication skills.

 

Course objectives. To improve reading skills (speed, accuracy, comprehension) by (1) becoming familiar with authentic reading materials from varied sources and genres, (2) employing strategies appropriate for different materials and purposes, (3) building vocabulary, (4) recognizing basic grammatical forms and variations in syntax, (5) comparing and contrasting cultures in order to better appreciate distinct aspects of Hispanic culture.

 

Books and materials.  The textbook to be purchased is Graded Spanish Reader.  Segunda etapa. 5th ed. by Ulloa and Ulloa.  Other materials to be used may include newspapers, magazines, children's books, poems, folk tales, teacher-made activities and handouts, etc.  These will be available on the internet, in Randall Library, or from the instructor.  Specific assignments will be made using Spanish-language newspapers and other resources on the internet.  Instructions will be provided separately.

 

Assignments.  Information pertaining to assignments (due dates, pages to read, questions to answer, internet work, etc.) will be posted on the instructor’s web page and/or mailed electronically to the students’ UNCW e-mail address.  ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN ACTIVE UNCW EMAIL ACCOUNT!   It is the students’ responsibility to access this information, to check the web page, and to check e-mail for announcements and updates.  All students must have and use UNCW e-mail addresses.  Electronic communication is vital because budget cuts now severely limit duplication and photocopying.  At times students will be asked to print off assignment sheets that will be needed for use in class or will be turned in as homework during the class hour.

 

Course Requirements.  (Specifics of assignments, evaluation, attendance, etc., are found in the class calendar and/or other sections of the syllabus.)

 

            Attend all classes. 

Arrive on time and do not leave class early.

            Be prepared by having completed reading and writing assignments on time.

            Prepare new material and review previous material on a daily basis.

Participate in and contribute positively to class discussions.

Answer instructor’s questions to the best of your ability.

Be supportive of fellow students.

Be respectful of fellow students as well as the professor.

Establish a UNCW e-mail address.

Check your UNCW e-mail and the instructor’s web page for assignments, announcements, updates.

             

Evaluation procedures. Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

 

Three 60-to-70  minute tests will be given during the semester, each counting 20%.  These 3 tests will count 60% of your final grade.  Make-up tests and early tests will be given only for exceptional, documented reasons.  By necessity, make-up tests will be given orally in the majority of cases.  Test dates are indicated on the class calendar.  Test dates will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and then with several days notice.

 

The final exam will be comprehensive.  It will count 20% of your final grade and must be taken according to university schedule and policy.

 

The remaining 20% of the final grade will be determined by your class preparation and participation as reflected by other components such as quizzes, compositions, homework exercises and readings, and oral response and interaction in class.  This work will not be accepted late and may not be made up.  Students must place items due for the day on the instructor’s desk (or other designated area) upon entering class.  If assignments are planned for groups during class time, they will be due at the end of the work period. Two of these grades will be dropped to allow for absence due to illness.   

 

Expectations for the class are high.  You should plan to spend a minimum of 2 hours studying outside of class for each hour spent in class.

 

 

Class attendance. You are expected to attend all classes.  Class attendance will be checked each day and even fractions of classes missed will be reflected in your attendance record.  Please arrive on time and do not leave class early.  These interruptions hinder the flow of the class and impede the learning efficiency of your classmates.  3 tardies or instances of leaving of class early will equal one absence.  The beginning of class is determined by the instructor’s closing of the door.

 

No penalty will be taken for 3 absences or less, but each absence after 3 will deduct 2 points from your final average.  Points will be added for good attendance.  Classes missed for official UNCW duties may be excused with a letter from the faculty sponsor.  To clarify:

 

0-1 absence = add 2 points to final average

2 absences = add 1 point

3 absences = neither add nor subtract points

4 absences = subtract 2 points from final average

5 absences = subtract 4 points

ETC.

 

ABSENCES OVER 8 (EIGHT) WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE OF THE COURSE (F).

 

Grading scale. (Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literatures)

 

A  = 93 and above

A- = 90-92

B+ = 87-89

B  = 83-86

B- = 80-82

C+ = 77-79

C  = 73-76

C- = 70-72

D+ = 67-69

D  = 63-66

D- = 60-62

F  = 59 and below

 

After final tabulation of grades, numerical averages will be rounded off to the nearest whole number.  For example: 89.5=90=A-; 9.4=79=C+; 62.5=63=D.

 

Penalty for late work.  If exams are taken late, there will be an automatic 10-point deduction regardless of the situation.  Additional penalty may be imposed depending on the circumstances.  Daily assignments will not be accepted late.

 

Honor code.  All quizzes, tests, and examinations are administered in accordance with the Academic Honor Code.  Writing assignments are also covered by the Code.  (See Undergraduate Catalogue and Student Handbook.)

 

Foreign Language Resource Center (FLRC - LH 253).  This computer center is available to students enrolled in FLL classes and other students on a space-available basis.  FLL students must show ID plus a "FLRC FALL 2005" sticker that will be handed out in class.  The center is open M-F.  Hours are staggered to allow some evening availability.  Please check posted hours outside the center as they may vary from semester to semester.  Because of departmental budgetary as well "hygiene" considerations, students are required to bring earphones (if needed) and paper for printing.

 

Student Disabilities:  UNCW Disability Services supplies information about disability laws, documentation procedures and accommodations that can be found at http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/disablty.  To obtain accommodations the students should first contact Disability Services and present their documentation to the coordinator for review and verification.

 

Withdrawal from class. Last day to drop without a grade: August 24.  Last day to withdraw with a grade of W: October 5.

 

Class restrictions. Please do not eat, drink, or chew gum in class as this interferes with oral participation and mental concentration.  Smoking is prohibited in all UNCW buildings.  Please turn off cellular phones and other electronic devices when class begins and do not make or receive calls while class is in session.  If your phone rings during class, you will receive the same penalty as for being tardy.  If your family needs to have a number to call in case of emergency while you are in Spanish class, please give them the number of the Department of Foreign Languages: 910-962-3340.  Please do not leave class except for emergencies and do not leave class early.  Please do not schedule appointments with advisors, doctors, etc., that will conflict with class.

 

Student/teacher conferences.  If you need to talk to me outside of class or make an appointment, you may see me before or after class, phone to leave voice mail, send e-mail, FAX, call or come by the Foreign Languages office during my office hours, or leave a message in my mailbox.  I am readily available to help you and will answer all messages as promptly as possible.

 

¡ADELANTE!