Elementary Spanish II

OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

Learning a second language is a process inextricably connected to the culture or cultures in which the language is spoken. Thus, 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 knowledge of a language and culture different from their own, this course contributes to preparing students to be productive members of global society as well as to understand and relate with people and ideas different from their own. This course’s methodology is based on the Communicative Approach to language teaching, which encourages students to interact with the instructor and each other in Spanish.

POLICIES

1. Attendance and Participation. Please note that participation and attendance contribute 10% toward the final grade in this course. This grade component will be based on a combination of attendance (4%) and participation (6%). Participation points will be awarded by the instructor in the form of papelitos (or little pieces of paper). At the end of the semester you should have 100 papelitos for a 100% in participation.  Papelitos are awarded for your active participation in classroom activities in the target language (Spanish) and your volunteering to answer the instructor’s questions (in Spanish). Don’t worry about speaking perfect Spanish, just speak. Accuracy will come with practice.

You are required to be in class for the entire 50 minute period. Arrive on time. You may be counted absent if you are more than 10 minutes late for class or if you leave class early.

Absences due to official university functions or documented illness will be dealt with on an individual basis and should be discussed with the instructor outside of class time. There are no “excused” absences from regular class periods. Each absence lowers your attendance grade. If you will miss an exam due to an official university function, please make arrangements with the instructor as soon as possible.  If you are absent from an exam, you must present documented proof of illness or university activity to your instructor before a make-up exam will be scheduled.

This syllabus serves as notice that you may be dropped from the class without further notification if you are absent more than eight times. Please note that if you decide to drop the course, you must follow university procedure for dropping a course in order to receive a “W.”  If the instructor drops you, you will receive a “WF” or “F.”

2. Homework and Quizzes.  Regular assignments will be made from the text and from other sources.  Students are expected to prepare homework as assigned. Independent study of grammar and vocabulary is also expected. Frequent quizzes, based on homework and class work, will be given. Graded homework and quizzes will contribute 15% to your final grade. No late work is accepted and no make-up quizzes are given. Your two lowest grades in this category will be dropped at the end of the semester.

3. Language Lab (Moffett 112A). You must take a listening comprehension quiz in the Foreign Language Laboratory in Moffet 112A once for each chapter covered this semester. There are a total of six lab quizzes to complete (only portions of Chapters 13 and 14 are covered). Please give your MSU Student ID to the lab attendant in order to receive your quiz. You will receive a cassette tape, a quiz and a Scantron. No materials may be used while you complete the quiz and you may not write on the quiz. Please sign out at the lab attendant’s desk in order to retrieve your student id. Make-up and/or late quizzes are NOT permitted. One lab grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. Please note the due dates given below. You will be given a schedule of Language Lab Hours.

Language Lab Assignment Due Dates:

4. Google Voice Speaking Assignments.  During this semester you will be given Google Voice Speaking Assignments: one assignment for every two chapters, for a total of three assignments. This will involve you calling my Google Voice number at 940-247-0037 and completing the speaking task given. Don’t worry: you will have many opportunities in class to practice speaking prior to completing each assignment, and you may attempt each task up to three times. I will grade your final attempt. The speaking tasks will be graded with a speaking rubric that I will make available to you. You should be able to use any phone to complete this task. Please note that I am not responsible for any charges to your phone. Please see me if you have any questions or concerns.

5. Exploraciones Student Activities Manual / Coursemate: An optional but recommended resource. The Student Activities Manual (SAM) contains activities to help you master the vocabulary and grammatical concepts presented and practiced in class. Audio exercises are indicated by a speaker icon. You may listen to the audio files on your own device (directly from the internet or as a downloaded file) or on any campus computer connected to the internet and equipped with headphones. Some activities are designed to help you practice your pronunciation so you may also wish to use a device equipped with a microphone. Keep your SAM activities up-to-date. Use it side by side with your textbook or e-book. Working on a regular basis with this resource will improve your Spanish-proficiency. In order to access, the Coursemate resources, including audio files for SAM activities, you must have purchased CourseMate Access (check the front portion of your textbook). You will also need a Course Access Code, which I will provide you during the first week of class. See me if you have any questions about this optional resource.

6. Student Honor Creed.
   “ As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."
   As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.
    
7. Students with Disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA), is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.
    
8. Safe Zones Statement. The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

GRADING COMPONENTS

No late or make-up assignments accepted.

You are required to be in class for the entire 50 minute period. Arrive on time. You may be counted absent if you are more than 10 minutes late for class or if you leave class early.

Absences due to official university functions or documented illness will be dealt with on an individual basis and should be discussed with the instructor outside of class time. There are no “excused” absences from regular class periods. Each absence lowers your attendance grade. If you will miss an exam due to an official university function, please make arrangements with the instructor as soon as possible.  If you are absent from an exam, you must present documented proof of illness or university activity to your instructor before a make-up exam will be scheduled.

This syllabus serves as notice that you may be dropped from the class without further notification if you are absent more than eight times. Please note that if you decide to drop the course, you must follow university procedure for dropping a course in order to receive a “W.”  If the instructor drops you, you will receive a “WF” or “F.”