MTRF 8:00a-8:50a
OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY This course is primarily designed to develop students' ability to communicate orally in Spanish. Opportunities will be provided for students to become proficient in reading and writing in Spanish. Cultural understanding is an important objective as well. These skills can only be acquired through active participation. Students are expected to prepare their homework before class and to actively participate in classroom activities. Our methodology is based on the Communicative Approach to language teaching. What this means is that students are encouraged to interact with the teacher and other students in Spanish. One final note: Don't worry if you make mistakes. Errors are part of the natural process of learning a language. Get your message across and accuracy will follow.
1. Participation Your participation grade will be based on a combination of attendance and participation. Six percent (6%) will be based on your use of Spanish, your active participation in classroom activities and your volunteering. The remaining four percent (4%) is based on your attendance. Notice that you will have to speak Spanish during the class, but don't be afraid, nobody expects you to speak perfect Spanish
2. Attendance You are required to be in class for the 50-minute period. Arrive on time. You will be counted absent if you are more than 10 minutes late.
4. Homework and other assignments Regular assignments will be made from the text. Students are expected to prepare homework as assigned. Frequent quizzes, based on homework and class work, will be given.
5. Language Lab As stated in the current MSU Undergraduate Catalog, there is a one hour weekly lab required for this course, but you will need to go to the Language Lab (Moffet 112) approximately every two weeks for about twenty minutes. Don't forget to take your student ID. You will take a quiz (10-15 mins.) over each chapter of the book. You will be given a schedule of the Language Laboratory hours. Language lab hours are also posted on Dr. Adalberto Garcia's website. Note: You may use the book, but no talking is allowed. The attendant is instructed to indicate on the scantron who was talking or otherwise cheating while taking a quiz and those persons will receive a zero for that lab.
Lab assignments due dates:
Chpt. 7: 9/13 Chpt. 8: 9/27 Chpt. 9: 10/14 Chpt. 10: 10/28 Chpt. 11: 11/15 Chpt. 12: 11/30
6. Grading components Quizzes/Homework 15% Final Exam (Comprehensive) 20% Exams 45% Participation & attendance 10% Lab 10%
SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS 8/23 Intro. 9/27 Chpt. 9 11/1 Chpt. 11 8/24 Chpt. 7 9/28 Chpt. 9 11/2 Chpt. 11 8/26 Chpt. 7 9/30 Chpt. 9 11/4 Chpt. 11 8/27 Chpt. 7 10/1 Chpt. 9 11/5 Chpt. 11 8/30 Chpt. 7 10/4 Chpt. 9 11/8 Chpt. 11 8/31 Chpt. 7 10/5 Chpt. 9 11/9 Chpt. 11 9/2 Chpt. 7 10/7 Chpt. 9 11/11 Chpt. 11/12 9/3 Chpt. 7 10/8 Chpt. 9 11/12 Chpt. 12 9/6 No classes. 10/11 Chpt. 9/10 11/15 Chpt. 12 9/7 Chpt. 7 10/12 Chpt. 10 11/16 Chpt. 12 9/9 Chpt. 7/8 10/14 Chpt. 10 11/18 Chpt. 12 9/10 Chpt. 8 10/15 Chpt. 10 11/19 Chpt. 12 9/13 Chpt. 8 10/18 Chpt. 10 11/22 Chpt. 12 9/14 Chpt. 8 10/19 Chpt. 10 11/23 Chpt. 12 9/16 Chpt. 8 10/21 Chpt. 10 11/25 No classes.9/17 Chpt. 8 10/22 Chpt. 10 11/26 No classes. 9/20 Chpt. 8 10/25 Chpt. 10 11/29 Chpt. 12 9/21 Chpt. 8 10/26 EXAM 2 11/30 EXAM 3 9/23 Chpt. 8 10/27 Chpt. 11 12/2 Repaso 9/24 EXAM 1 10/28 Chpt. 11 12/3 Repaso Final Exam: Monday, Dec. 6, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
3. Absences This syllabus serves as a notice that you will be dropped from the class without further notification if you are absent more than eight times. Absences due to official university functions or documented illness will be dealt with on an individual basis. There are no "excused absences" from regular class periods; the participation scale accounts for your attendance and active participation. Quite simply, you cannot participate if you are not in class. Should you be absent from an exam, you must present documented proof of illness or university activity to your instructor before a make up exam will be allowed. Students will not be allowed to make-up quizzes.
If you carry a cell phone or pager, turn it off and put it away. It will not be allowed in class. Text-messaging or the use of non-authorized electronic devices will be prohibited in class. One point off your final class grade will be deducted each time I see you with your cell phone out.