Course Syllabus

Objectives:
This course is designed to further develop basic oral communication skills in Spanish to allow the students to use the language to talk about themselves and their life (work, study, hobbies). This semester we will cover many topics related to travel in Spanish speaking countries (weather and seasons, typical foods, eating out, vacations, holidays, spare time activities). Basic reading comprehension and writing skills will also be developed. Cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world will be highlighted, in order to raise cultural awareness and to use the language in a culturally appropriate manner.

Text:
Puntos de Partida, Knorre et al., 6th edition.

Attendance:
Attendance is required. If a student is unable to attend class for any reason, the student is still responsible for all work done during the missed class and for the adequate preparation of the following class as well. According to college policy, a student may be withdrawn from the class if s/he misses the equivalent of two weeks of instruction.

Participation:
Participation is not only strongly encouraged but also absolutely essential in order to accomplish the course objectives. Students are expected to prepare for class by studying the assigned pages from the book and completing assignments BEFORE each class meeting. Required class preparation and relevant dates for homework, compositions and exams are given in the course schedule. Poor participation/lack of preparation will result in a reduction of the final grade.

Exams:
There will be one quiz after the review chapters (1-4) and one quiz after EACH chapter (5-8) after that. Each quiz will be worth 10 points and the lowest one will be dropped. If a student misses an exam, s/he will receive a grade of 0 (zero) for that exam. There will be a COMPREHENSIVE final exam (chapters 1-9), worth 15 points.

Homework:
Students need to complete, as homework, the exercises in the workbook and in the laboratory manual. The sections vocabulario, pronunciación y ortografía and minidiálogos y gramática are required homework (up to 5 points per chapter). The other sections can be turned in for extra credit (up to 2 points per chapter). Due dates are listed in the course schedule.

Compositions:
Students will write two compositions. For each composition, there will be two versions: a first draft and a reviewed final version (both typed, double-spaced). Due dates for the first draft are indicated in the course schedule. The final version is due the second class meeting after the first draft is returned to the students. When turning in the final version, please staple it to the first draft. Each composition is worth 10 points. The grade for each composition will be the average of the grades received for both versions.

Late assignments:
I understand that we all have busy lives and emergencies sometimes do arise. Therefore, each student will be allowed to use 5 "late days" for assignments (homework, compositions) without any penalty. These 5 "late days" can be used as needed (one at a time, all at once, etc). Once these days have been used, no late assignments will be accepted (i.e., no credit for late assignments)

Oral presentation:
An oral presentation can be prepared for extra credit (up to 5 points added to the final grade). Oral presentations will take place on April 17 and May 13.

 

Final grade:
The final grade for the course will be calculated as follows:

Quizzes	40 points (5 quizzes, 10 points each, lowest dropped)
Compositions	20 points (2 compositions, 10 points each)
Homework	25 points (5 points per chapter: 3 for workbook + 2 for lab)
Final Exam	15 points

 

 

 

In addition, there may be a grade reduction for insufficient preparation and/or lack of participation, and there may be extra credit if you choose to do an oral presentation (up to 5 points) and/or additional homework (up to 2 points per chapter).

The final letter grade for the class will be based on the following scale:

A: 91-100
B: 81-90
C: 71-80
D: 61-70
F: below 61

 

Course Schedule