Missouri Western State College

Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism

Course: SPA 102--Elementary Spanish I

Semester: Summer 2001

Time: 12:00 pm to 2:05 pm MTWTh in SS/C 223

Instructor: Saundra Dibella

Instructor's Office and Phone Number: SS/C 271-4239

Instructor's E-mail address:

Office Hours: By appointment

Text: Dicho y hecho (Sixth Edition) by Laila M. Dawson & Albert C. Dawson
Packet of materials (available at cost in bookstores)

Course Objectives and Methodology: The goal of this course is to introduce students to the basic grammatical structures and vocabulary of the Spanish language and to understand cultural differences and similarities between Hispanic and American lifestyles, world perspectives, etc.

The grammar and vocabulary will be taught through a series of written homework assignments from the packet of materials and listening/speaking assignments. Each day students will work in pairs or small groups on oral performance and written exercises.

Course Outline:
Preliminary Chapter: Pronunciation and numbers
Chapter 1: Getting to know each other, the verb ser, the days of the week, nationalities, telling time, dates, and birthdays.
Chapter 2: The university, the verb ir, present tense regular -ar, -er, -ir verbs, the verb hay.
Chapter 3: The family, the verb tener, possessive and descriptive adjectives, the verb estar, ser vs. estar.
Chapter 4: Food, stem-changing verbs, ir + a + infinitive, the verb gustar, question words.
Chapter 5: Activities, body parts, verbs with irregular yo forms, weather and seasons, the present progressive, the verb hacer to express time.

Goals: At the end of this course, students will be able to form basic sentences using the present tense verb forms. Students will be able to follow a simple lecture in Spanish over a prepared topic. Students will be able to function socially in very controlled circumstances, such as greetings, giving their name, asking where something is located, etc.

Attendance and Participation: ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. Each student is allowed three absences, either excused or unexcused. After three absences, the student's final grade will be lowered one-half letter grade. Active participation individually and in groups is a must. The student is responsible for being prepared to participate during each class period.

Students with Disabilities: Ant student whose disability prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact the instructor personally so that class requirements can be discussed.

Academic Honesty Policy: Since honesty in the classroom and laboratory is required, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college constitutes a violation. A grade of zero may be assessed in the evaluation.

Grading Policy: The final grade will be determined by test scores, daily participation and preparedness, workbook activities, writing assignments, the final exam, and the attendance policy stated above.

Grading Scale: 100%-90%=A
89%-80%=B
79%-70%=C
69%-60%=D
59% and below =F