SYLLABUS SPAN100

INTRODUCTORY SPANISH I

 FALL 2007

Profesora: Nilsa Lasso-von Lang

Tel.  (610) 861-1393

E-mail: nilsa@moravian.edu

Personal Web Page: http://home.moravian.edu/users/frlang/menol01/

Office:  Comenius 408

Office hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 11:30am-12:30pm or by appointment

Texts: :  Zayas-Bazán, Eduardo, Susan M. Bacon and Holly J. Nibert ¡Arriba! Comunicación y cultura, 5^th Edition. MySpanishLab Access Kit and supplementary materials (included in package).

Objectives:  The aim of the Spanish 100-105-110 program is to establish the basis of a life-long learning experience in the Spanish language, which will include the development of communicative skills and learning about the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.  The material of study is divided into three semesters and throughout the program, students develop language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in Spanish which allow them to handle simple real life situations and simple communicative tasks (such as ordering a meal, asking directions and making purchases).  They should be able to ask and answer questions in simple sentences about themselves, their daily routine, and so forth, within meaningful, culturally authentic contexts. Students are expected to attain the "Intermediate Low" level of proficiency upon completion of this basic language program.

Español 100 will focus on Lessons 1 - 5 of ¡Arriba! Comunicación y cultura  Students will be able to communicate about aspects of daily life in home, school, and community in conversation and in writing in the present tense.

Preparation: In order to develop the goals of the course, students will study the material assigned by the professor, with all the readings and activities in ¡Arriba! Comunicación y cultura before coming to class.  If a student misses class, it is his/her responsibility to find out the pages and complete activities assigned for the following class. Preparation for class includes writing, speaking, listening and reading.  Writing should be done on a separate paper, not in the margins of your book. Write complete sentences whenever possible. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: This will be a demanding course. Expect to spend about two hours outside class for every session. The good news is that you have excellent resources and by doing the work conscientiously, you will be speaking Spanish competently at an elementary level in no time. You will be using MySpanishLab Online Resources.  This is a new, nationally hosted online learning system created for students in college-level language courses.  It includes a wide array of language-learning tools and resources: interactive version of the ¡Arriba! Student Activities Manual, an electronic version of the ¡Arriba! Student text, and all materials from the ¡Arriba! Audio and video programs, Readiness checks, chapter tests/practices and tutorials.  Instructors can use this system to make assignments, post announcements, set grading parameters, listen to student-created audio recordings, e-mail students, collect and keep scores of graded exercises, assignments and tests, and provide feedback on student work.  Students will need to use a Student Access Code to access MySpanishLab – this access code is included in your package and you will be able to access this online learning system from any computer. (See instructions on how to register in your MySpanishLab course).  Your instructor will give you the Section ID the first day of classes.

Before coming to class, you are to prepare all assigned materials.  Writing should be done neatly and kept in a loose-leaf notebook.  

Class attendance: Faithful attendance is expected, since continuous practice is needed in order to learn a language.  The learning of a language is a cumulative process, and it is not easy to make up for several missed classes. 

        Every student will be allowed to miss up to three (3) classes without losing points off their final grade (however, remember that your weekly class participation grade will suffer beginning with the first absence, regardless of the reason for it). 

       Every absence beyond three will result in a deduction of 1 point off the final grade.  It is the responsibility of the student to reserve his/her 3 absences for those circumstances when missing class is unavoidable (i.e. illnesses, field trips, participation in sporting events, etc.) and to inform the professor as soon as possible about the reason for the absence. 

        In case of extended absences the student should talk to Student Services or the Academic Dean who will contact the professor.  Only if the Dean justifies the absences, they will be excused (and points will not be taken off). 

        Remember: Requests to excuse absences at the end of the semester will not be considered. Students have the responsibility of keeping track of their own absences.  No reminders will be given.

        Four (4) late arrivals to class (10 minutes or more) will be the equivalent of one absence and students will lose 1 point off their final grade.  Please, be respectful to other students and the professor, late arrivals are disrupting.  

        Don't forget to disconnect your cellular phone and/or pager before coming to class.  Only in case of an emergency, the professor will allow students to use them.

     Class participation:  Students are expected to come to class having prepared ALL materials assigned by the professor.  In class, students must participate actively speaking in group activities and class discussions.  Missing class lowers the participation grade.

Active Participation in class will be graded as follows:

      A=95  Excellent participation (the student answers questions and offers interesting comments without the need of the professor or the debate leader calling on him/her.  The comments and answers show that the student prepared, completed and understood the assignment.

      B= 85  Good participation (the student answers questions and offers interesting comments whenever the professor or debate leader calls on him/her.  Sometimes, the student participates without being asked.  The comments and answers show that the student has prepared and understood the assignment.

    C=75  Fair participation (the student answers questions and offers comments only when the professor or debate leader calls on him/her.  The comments and answers show that the student has prepared or attempted to complete the assignment, but doesn’t seem to understand it.

    D=65  Poor participation (the student answers questions and offers very brief comments only when the professor or debate leader calls on him/her.  The comments and answers show lack of interest and/or a poor preparation. 

     F=55  Lack of  participation  (the student does not answer questions and does not offer any comments in the class or group discussion.  The lack of comments and answers as well as incorrect answers, show that the student has not completed the assignment or, if he/she has done it, it has been in a careless or incomplete way).

Tests/Pruebas:  There will be a test after every chapter (1-5) and a final exam. The final exam will be comprehensive. Unauthorized absence from the tests or the final exam will result in a grade of zero for that test or exam.  Quizzes: There will be a vocabulary quiz part way through each chapter. Make-ups will only be given if students inform the professor of the reason for the absence before the exam and quizzes are given in class by calling (or having someone call) or sending an E-mail message.  The make-up will be given at the professor’s discretion. 

Homework:  You must go to MySpanishLab.com to access your homework assignment (check Announcements daily). Your assignments can be completed online and scores will be collected by your instructor.  Please pay attention to deadlines.

“Otras cosas”:  You are encouraged to use every opportunity to hear and speak Spanish.  Practice with each other outside class.  Plan to spend 20 minutes or half an hour each day listening to Spanish radio or watching Spanish TV.  Participate in the weekly Spanish table as much as possible. You can also benefit from “chatting” rooms in Spanish or pen pal activities.  Find a partner whose native language is Spanish and practice what you learn. Such activities will enhance your performance in class and help you get more out of the course.

Academic integrity:  academic dishonesty, that is, cheating on tests and exams, and plagiarism (using another person’s words and passing them off as your own) is a serious offense and will be handled according to the Moravian policy on Academic Honesty (please, see the Student Handbook).  It is your responsibility to avoid dishonest behavior. In addition, be advised that improper use of the dictionary or use of online translating services for written assignments will result in a grade of zero.

The course grade will be distributed as follows:

Vocab quizzes (Pruebas de vocabulario) (5)                     25%

End-of-lesson tests (Pruebas de fin de lección) (5)             30%

Class participation                                                              20%                         

Homework                                                                                10%

Final exam                                                                          15%

Letter grade will be assigned as follows:

95-100 A

94-90     A-

89-87     B+

86-83     B

82-80     B-

79-77     C+

76-73     C

72-70     C-

69-67     D+

66-63     D

62-60     D-

59-0         F

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus. You will be notified within a

reasonable period of time.

ESPAÑOL 100: PROGRAMA DEL CURSO (specific assignments on MySpanishLab)

SEE SCHEDULE FOR COURSE PROGRAM FALL 2007