First-year Spanish I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course

SPAN-1411-001 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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 2 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook:

You will use the online textbook Vistas, 5^th Edition. Purchase it from the publisher’s (Vista Higher Learning) website: http://vistahigherlearning.com/students/store/spanish-programs/vistas-5th-edition.html. Under the tab “Digital Format”, purchase Supersite Plus Code (w/ WebSAM + vText + Practice App), ISBN:978-1-62680-646-7.

You can decide if you want to buy the hard back textbook from the bookstore. All the information you need is found online, but some students find it helpful to have a book in hand. Instructions for accessing the online book, redeeming your access code, and creating your account can be found at: https://www.vhlcentral.com/screencasts/student

Supplies

You will need speakers or a headset to listen to audio portions of various assignments. Your computer also needs a microphone to record your voice.

Student Performance

 

Course Structure:

• The course is based on the text listed above. You are responsible for the assignments in each chapter and should review the material indicated on or before the indicated dates.

• Learning Outcomes:

  1.     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;

  2.     Use the Novice subject area vocabulary presented in the text;

  3.     Write from dictation sentences or short passages dealing with familiar material;

  4.     Understand questions dealing with basic autobiographical data or routine activities and respond appropriately;

  5.     Demonstrate knowledge of courtesy expressions and actions in everyday situations;

  6.     Introduce themselves and others; respond appropriately;

  7.     Comprehend simple instructions dealing with familiar situations and vocabulary;

  8.     Demonstrate knowledge of the forms and meanings of common regular and irregular verbs in the present and preterit in both written and oral context;

  9.     Produce (in oral or written form) uncomplicated sentences in the present and preterit tenses;

  10.  Give simple oral or written responses in the present and preterit to questions dealing with personal information or daily activities;

  11.  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;

  12.  Understand isolated words and phrases from Spanish-language radio programs, tapes, films, or television programs or heard in conversations between native speakers;

  13.  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;

  Recognize isolated words and expressions

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

Academic Dishonesty:

Students are responsible for adhering to the highest standard of behavior when it comes to honesty and plagiarism. A student who engages in scholastic dishonesty which includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, the use of online translators, and collusion, will receive and F for this course. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

ALL TESTS AND QUIZZES ARE TO BE TAKEN CLOSED BOOK. NO HELP.

Grading Criteria

Grading:

Your grade will be weighted according to the following criteria:

Assignments  = 40%

Tests and quizzes = 60% 

The homework assignments, tests and quizzes that you will be graded on need to be completed by a certain date. They are a combination of listening, speaking, reading, writing, fill-in-the blank, multiple choice and T/F exercises, and at the end of each chapter, a comprehensive test. The homework assignments may be done two (2) times so that the student can learn the material more thoroughly and achieve the desired grade. Students may seek help when completing homework assignments as needed, but the use of any type of translator, online or otherwise, is strictly prohibited on all work. Homework assignments (not tests) may be completed at any time before the due date. You may work on them at your own pace. The tests are timed (45 minutes) and can be taken only once. Tests may be taken as early as two (2) days before the due date. ALL TESTS ARE TO BE TAKEN CLOSED BOOK. NO OUTSIDE HELP.  I strongly urge students to keep up with the assignments by working ahead of the schedule. Assignments completed late will be NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT.

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.

There are many sections not marked as an assignment in the content for each chapter. These sections would prove extremely helpful if worked by students. The more sections you can do, the better you will understand grammatical concepts as well as spoken Spanish.

There will be no make-ups for chapter tests.

Computer or technical difficulties are no excuse for missing assignments or tests. So, keep a close eye on the calendar of assignments so that you do not miss any deadlines and repair computer problems promptly. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Attendance

Not appllicable.

Calendar

Additional Information