BETHEL COLLEGE

Elementary Spanish - 161

Course Syllabus

Fall 2006 / 1ST 7 WEEKS

 

 

Instructor:  Sr. J. Kubaszyk

Course Time:  Tuesdays / Thursdays, 7 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Room:   AC 433

Office:    N/A

Office Hours:  Before or after class

Phone:  219-448-1811

E-Mail:  principal_jk@ststans.us

 

Website:  http://www.ststans.us/myspanishclass.html

 

 

REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS:

 

The Ultimate Spanish Review and Practice, 1999 edition

 

A Spanish - English Dictionary

 

PREREQUISITES: 

N/A

 

COURSE OVERVIEW:

The goal of Spanish 161 is to begin to gain proficiency in the language in all areas, listening, reading, speaking and writing.  This is developed through comprehension and communication exercises, in other words, studying and most importantly, practice.  It is likely that you will not understand every single word you hear, but you should be able to at least get a general idea of what is being said, read, or written.  It is essential that you use as much oral and written Spanish as possible in the course.  Do not be concerned with mistakes; they are normal at this stage of learning any language. 

 

How well people read and write depends in large part on how much they read.  You will begin reading in this course after some basic vocabulary has been acquired.  Reading is important because it enables you to understand texts written in Spanish, and allows you to interact in the language.

 

By becoming a better reader, your writing will improve.  We will be doing some writing in this course and you should see an improvement in your Spanish comprehension because of it.

 

Good listening skills develop through communication experiences.  Therefore, we will do a great deal of activities in Spanish.  As the course progresses, more and more Spanish will be used, and you will find it easier to follow along. 

 

Understanding grammar is essential in any language.  You will learn the finer points of the grammar covered in the course chapters through explanations and activities.  No one is expected to be perfect when it comes to grammar; however, there will come a point where you will need to have mastered the points covered or see me for assistance.

 

CULTURAL ASPECTS:

In this course, you will be exposed to some cultural aspects with regards to the Spanish language.  Spanish is the official language in at least 20 countries; therefore, it is only obvious that these countries will provide as many as 20 different cultural aspects.  Through these experiences you should come to better understand the differences between Hispanic and English speakers.

PREPARATION FOR COURSE WORK:

In order to be successful in this course, it is essential that you come to class on a regular basis.  We will cover a lot of material each session and in order to keep up, attendance is imperative.  

 

Along the same lines, it is equally important to make sure you keep up on your assignments, quizzes and tests.  If you really want to learn Spanish, it cannot be done by “cramming” the night before an exam.  Spend some time each day reviewing and studying, and only through this type of repeated practice will you come to master this language.

 

Participation in class activities is crucial.  If you are one who does not like to speak, get involved in a class or interact with others, it will be extremely difficult for you to be successful in this course.  Learning language demands interaction with others, and therefore, you will be expected to take part in all class activities.

 

LATE ASSIGNMENTS / MISSED CLASSES:

All quizzes/tests need be taken and assigned work need to be turned in on the date listed on the syllabus.  Late assignments will only be accepted for up to one week after the due date, and they will only be given 50% credit.  There are no make-ups for missed quizzes; making up a missed test will be at the discretion of the instructor, based on the validity of the reason for the absence.

 

TESTS:  If you miss a test due to absence, you must make it up the next time you attend class.

 

EXTRA CREDIT:  Is open to all students via Seρor K’s website, but it will not be available or accepted until after the first test.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

“Any act of deceit, falsehood or stealing by unethically copying or using someone else’s work in an academic situation is strictly prohibited.

 

A student found guilty of plagiarism or cheating will receive an “F” (zero) for that particular paper, assignment or exam.  Should this occur, the professor will have an interview with the student and will submit a written report of the incident to the academic dean.

 

If a second offense should occur, the student will be asked to appear before the professor, the academic dean and the vice president for student development.  The student should realize that at this point continuation in a course and even his/her academic career may be in jeopardy.  In the event of a recommendation for dismissal, the matter shall be referred to the Student Development Committee.” (Bethel Student Handbook, page 156)

 

CELL PHONES:

Cell phones must be turned off and stowed in book bags during class.  Any student using a cell phone for any reason (without permission) will be asked to leave the class and an unexcused absence will be recorded.  Students using cell phones during exams or graded activities may be cited for cheating (at professor’s discretion).

 

In the case of expected emergencies, students may seek permission from the professor to leave their cell phones on during class, but the phone must remain in the book bag.  Professors reserve the right to have operational cell phones in class.

 

SPECIAL NEEDS:

In accordance with the provision of the ADA, if you require any special assistance or adaptations in this course, please contact the professor immediately.

 

COURSE GRADE DETERMINATION: 

To eliminate any confusion regarding how grades will be determined in this course, the following information is being provided.  If you have any questions or concerns, please see me.

 

 

 

POINTS:

Attendance/Participation:       

13 class sessions x 10 points each………………………………  130 pts.

 

Class Assignments:                 

10 class assignments x 50 points each…………………………….500pts.

 

Vocab Quizzes:                       

5 quizzes x 50 points each………………………………………. 250 pts.

 

Tests:                          

3 tests x 100 points each…………………………………………300 pts.

 

Special Projects

2 projects x 50 points each………………………………………..100 pts.

 

GRADING SCALE:

  1280 - 1152 pts. earned            =          A range  (100% - 94% = A, 93% - 90% A-)

  1151 - 1024 pts. earned            =          B range  (89%-87% = B+, 86%-84% = B, 83%- 80% = B-)

  1023 -  896 pts. earned            =          C range  (79%-77% = C+, 76%-74% = C, 73%-70% = C-)

  895 - 768 pts. earned               =          D range  (69%-67% = D+, 66%-64% = D, 63%-60% = D-)

  767 - 000 pts. earned               =          F range   (59% - 00%)

 

 

VOCAB QUIZZES are conducted on the days indicated.  All vocab quizzes follow this format:

1)      The instructor says the words aloud in class. (Words are said aloud more than once)

2)      The student writes down the words which the instructor says in Spanish

3)      The student writes down the English translation for the words the instructor says in Spanish.

4)      If a word has two spelling errors within it, it is counted as incorrect.

5)      The vocab quizzes are worth 50 pts. each

6)      There are no make-ups for vocab quizzes.

 

Below are the word lists for each quiz – They will all be on handouts, attached to this syllabus.

 

Quiz #1             HAND OUT #1

Quiz #2             HAND OUT #2

Quiz #3             HAND OUT #3

Quiz #4             HAND OUT #4

Quiz #5             HAND OUT #5

 

 

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS are given in class.  They are collected by the instructor at the end of the next class for credit.  Assignments are worth 50 pts. each and there will be 10 of them total.  Late assignments receive only 1/2 credit.  If you ask me for a missed assignment on the day it is due you can only receive 1/2 credit for completing it.  When completing these assignments, you are to read the material prior to the activities, do the activities and check your answers against the correct ones in the back of the text.  If you have any incorrect answers, you are to correct them in a different color ink than what you used to answer them originally.  All assignments are to be done on a separate sheet of paper, so they can be submitted to the instructor. 

 

 

Weekly Course Schedule:

 

Sept.  04:          Syllabus, introduction to alphabet, sounds, pronunciation, etc., issue class assignment #1 and Special Cultural Project information.    

 

Sept.  06:          No regular class – Special Cultural Project - Student are required to attend and view the “Nuestras Artes:  Visual Arts” exhibit featuring the work of local Latin American this evening.  This exhibit is on display at the Good Library Gallery on the campus of Goshen College.  Students are to write or type, in English, a one page review of what they saw, what they thought of it, how it affected them, whether they liked it or not, other thoughts or feelings they had about the art work, the artists, etc.  A handout will be provided for this event outlining the hours the gallery is open.  Students unable to attend on the evening of the Sept. 6th, may go at another time prior to our class meeting on Sept. 11th.

 

Sept.  11:          Alphabet review, chapter 16, turn in class assignment #1, turn in Special Cultural Project paper,   issue class assignment #2

 

Sept.  13:          Chapter 16, turn in class assignment #2, take vocab quiz #1, issue class assignment #3

 

Sept.  18:          Chapter 17, turn in class assignment #3, issue class assignment #4

 

Sept.  20:          Chapter 17, turn in class assignment #4, take vocab quiz #2, distribute Test #1 review

 

Sept.  25:          Take Test #1, issue class assignment #5

 

Sept.  27:          Chapter 2, turn in class assignment #5, issue class assignment #6

 

Oct.   02           Chapter 1, turn in class assignment #6, take vocab quiz #3, issue class assignment #7

 

Oct.   04:          Chapter 1, turn in class assignment #7, distribute Test #2 review

 

Oct.   09:          Take Test #2, issue class assignment #8

 

Oct.   11:          Chapter 3, turn in class assignment #8, take vocab quiz #4, issue class assignment #9

 

Oct.   11:          Chapter 3, turn in class assignment #9, issue class assignment #10, take vocab quiz #5, distribute Test #3 review, and distribute Special Translation Project information.

 

Oct.   16:          No regular class – Time allowed for students to complete Special Translation Project.

 

Oct.   18:          Take Test #3, turn in special translation project, turn in class assignment #10