First-year Spanish I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

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Course

SPAN-1411-DC003 First-year Spanish I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: An acceptable score on state mandated or locally administered English placement test.

Course Description

Basic Spanish language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing within a cultural framework. Students will acquire the vocabulary and grammatical structures necessary to communicate and comprehend at the beginner level.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Blanco, José A., & Donley, Philip R.  Vistas: Introducción a  la lengua española  (4th.  ed., Vista Higher Learning, 2012) plus access code for the Supersite.

Supplemental Materials:    REFERENCE WORKS 501 Spanish Verbs (optional for first semester)

Web Sites:     www.vistahigherlearning.com

Supplies

You will need a microphone to record your voice and speakers or a headset to listen.  

Loose leaf folder with brads & pockets for class notes and handouts.

Student Performance

The purposes of this course are:
1.    To acquaint students with some basic aspects of the various Hispanic Cultures;
2.    To familiarize students with the sound system of the Spanish Language;
3.    To enable students to begin to understand simple spoken Spanish dealing with everyday situations;
4.    To enable students to read simple authentic materials in Spanish;
5.    To allow students to ask and answer (in either oral or written format simple questions in the present and preterit tenses dealing with basic vocabulary and routine activities.

Student Performance/Learning Outcomes:    
(Minimum competencies)
    After studying the material presented in this course of study, students will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Department of Modern Languages;
1.    Use the Novice subject area vocabulary presented in the text;
2.    Write from dictation sentences or short passages dealing with familiar material;
3.    Understand questions dealing with basic autobiographical data or routine activities and respond appropriately;
4.    Demonstrate knowledge of courtesy expressions and actions in everyday situations;
5.    Introduce themselves and others; respond appropriately;
6.    Comprehend simple instructions dealing with familiar situations and vocabulary;
7.    Demonstrate knowledge of the forms and meanings of common regular and irregular verbs in the present and preterit in both written and oral context;
8.    Produce (in oral or written form) uncomplicated sentences in the present and preterit tenses;
9.    Give simple oral or written responses in the present and preterit to questions dealing with personal information or daily activities;
10.    Give in written or oral form a one-sentence summary of an action or a situation in the present or a one-sentence summary of a past action;
11.    Understand isolated words and phrases from Spanish-language radio programs, tapes, films, or television programs or heard in conversations between native speakers;
12.    Understand the main idea and some facts from simple, connected written or oral passages dealing with familiar situations and mostly known vocabulary and verb forms;
13.    Recognize isolated words and expressions occurring in passages of unknown material;
14.    Demonstrate an awareness of cultural differences in behaviours and attitudes between the students’ native culture(s) and the Hispanic cultures.

Satisfactory progress on all of the above is indicated by a score of 70 or more on appropriate tests.  Since students vary markedly in each skill area (reading, writing, speaking, listening), it is possible that a student may not score satisfactorily in a given area but will still be able to pass the course because of his strengths in other areas.  It is possible, therefore, that a student who passes the course may not actually be able to perform adequately every one of the tasks detailed above.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

1.    Before class begins, turn off cell phones and pagers.
2.    No behavior will be tolerated that distracts from the academic learning environment of the class.   Repeated violations will result in expulsion from the class.  
3.    No form of academic dishonesty will be part of the class.  If academic dishonesty is suspected, the test or quiz will be collected and a grade of 0 will be given.  Please refer to the Amarillo College policy in the student handbook.

Grading Criteria

Grade Scale:    The standard ten-point spread is used to determine the letter grade received
90 –100 =  A
80 – 89  =  B
70 –79   =  C   
60 – 69  =  D
below 60 = F
There is no extra credit in this course.

Required
Examinations:    The following criteria will be used to determine your final grade:
Tests 25%
Supersite Assignments 25%
Oral Grade 25% This includes my evaluation of your oral performance given every other week.  Absences will lower your oral grade.  Every class recitation should be viewed as a quiz, hence, the importance of attendance.  
Participation 25%

Final Examinations:    The final exam, as well as any chapter test will include listening, reading, writing, dictation and comprehension components.  The final makes up part of the 25% exam grade.

Attendance

1.    Regular attendance is a must, especially in a foreign language course.
2.    Practice as much as possible.  This means speaking with the instructor in Spanish, with each other and with native speakers of Spanish.  It also helps to watch Spanish television and to read.  Every little bit helps.
3.    In addition to being your instructor and to determining your final grade, remember that I am here to help you.  I will be available to assist any student before or after scheduled classes or by appointment.  If you feel yourself falling behind, you must let me know!
4.    ¡Buena suerte y espero que ustedes disfruten esta clase!

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