Leaning a second language is a process always inextricably connected to the culture/s from where that language originated. This course focuses on developing students’ Spanish language proficiency through modes of communication that reflect real life communication in the varied cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. By employing interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communicative modes in the target language, students will explore the ideas, values, beliefs, and other cultural aspects of Spanish speaking peoples across the world and how these aspects work together to affect human experience. By providing students with the knowledge of a language and a culture different than their own, this course contributes in the preparation of a student to be a productive member of a global society as well as to understand and relate to people and ideas different than their own. This course 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.
1. Participation—Your participation grade will be based on a combination of attendance and participation in class. Speak up! I want to hear you—part of your participation grade is based on my subjective evaluation of your active participation in class. You will have to speak Spanish during class, but don’t be afraid. Nobody expects you to speak perfectly. Quite simply, you cannot participate if you are not in class.
Exploraciones Video Lab (Moffett 112A)
· You will need to visit the Foreign Language Lab in 112A at the Moffett Library once for each chapter covered this semester. You will watch a short video consisting of two introductions (Presentaciones), a conversation or dialogue (Conversación), and a culture segment highlighting one of the Spanish-speaking countries. The video in the lab runs on a loop, so you may view it as many times as you like while in the lab. You may preview the videos through your CourseMate access. Make-up and/or late lab quizzes are NOT permitted. Please note the due dates given below:
· Video Lab assignment Due Dates:
Capítulo 1: 09/17 Capítulo 2: 10/1 Capítulo 3: 10/20
Capítulo 4: 11/05 Capítulo 5: 11/19 Capítulo 6: 12/7
· You will also find it helpful to read and study the following textbook pages prior to each chapter’s video lab:
Capítulo 1- Exploraciones profesionales: Asistente de oficina, pp 32-33; Argentina, pp.506-507.
Capítulo 2- Exploraciones profesionales: La educación, pp 68-69; Bolivia, pp. 508-509.
Capítulo 3- Exploraciones profesionales: El turismo, pp. 104-105; Puerto Rico, pp. 540-541.
Capítulo 4- Exploraciones profesionales: La arquitectura, pp. 140-141; Chile, pp. 510-511.
Capítulo 5- Exploraciones profesionales: El trabajo social, pp. 176-177; Colombia, pp. 512-513.
Capítulo 6- Exploraciones profesionales: Educación física, pp. 212-213; Costa Rica, pp. 514-515.
5. Exploraciones Students Activities Manual/Course Mate (workbook and audio exercises)
The Student Activities Manual (SAM) contains activities to help you master the vocabulary and grammar presented in class. Audio exercises are indicated with a speaker icon. You are expected to complete these activities as they are assigned by your instructor. You may listen to the audio files on your own device or on any campus computer connected to the internet equipped with headphones. If you wish to work on your pronunciation, you will also want to use a device equipped with a microphone so that you can hear your responses. Keep your SAM activities up-to-date. Working on a regular basis with this resource will help your performance in class.
5. Grading components
Quizzes/homework 15% Final exam (comprehensive) 20%
Exams 45% Participation and attendance 10%
Lab 10%
1. Attendance—
· You are required to be in class for the entire class period. Arrive on time. Attendance will be taken every class day. You will be counted absent if you are more than 10 min late. It is your responsibility to tell me at the end of class that you arrived late. Otherwise, you will have already been counted absent. If you leave class during a break and don’t return, it will count as one absence.
· This syllabus serves as notice that you may be dropped from class without further notice if you are absent more than 8 times for the MTRF class, and 4 times for the MW class. Please note that if you drop the course, you must follow university procedure in order to receive a “W.” If the instructor drops you, you will receive a “WF” of “F.”
· Absences due to official university functions or documented illness will be dealt with on an individual basis and should be discussed with me outside of class. There are no “excused absences” from the regular class periods. Should you be absent from an exam, you must present documented proof of illness or university activity to me before a make-up exam will be allowed. Students will not be allowed to make-up quizzes or video lab quizzes (taken in Moffett 112A).
Fall 2012 lab hours
Sun-- 6-9 PM
Mon-- 12:30-9:30 PM
Tu-- 1-9 PM
Wed-- 12:30-9:30
Th-- 1-9 PM
Fri-- closed
Sat-- closed