College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dept. of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism
Spanish 102 - 01, Elementary Spanish I, Summer 2007
Classroom and Times: 9:00 – 10:20 a.m.
MTWH in Eder Hall, Room 223
Instructor: F.Eduardo Castilla Ortiz Office: Eder Hall 212-A
Phone: 816-271-4167 Office hours: by appointment
E-mail: fcastillaortiz@missouriwestern.edu
Required Text: Vistas 3rd Edition,
authors Blanco / Donley. ISBN 1 600075401 in highervista.com
Course description
Spa 102 fulfills the Category IV of General Studies
requirement. Spa 102 is a first-year introductory course in language and
culture. Students will learn basic grammatical structures and vocabulary, as
well as cultural information, all of which will be helpful if you travel to
1. To understand Spanish spoken
at a slow-normal rate of speed within a limited range of vocabulary.
2. To respond appropriately in
simple Spanish.
3. To write and to understand
written Spanish within a limited range of grammar and vocabulary.
4. To understand basic cultural
differences and similarities between Hispanic and American lifestyles, world
perspectives, etc.
The language and grammar will
be taught through reading, writing, and speaking assignments from the text and
workbook exercises as well as through participation in pair/small group
role-plays and oral performance exercises.
Course beliefs
Studying a
foreign language broadens one's perspective of the world and enhances one's
understanding of self. It enables you to participate in a multi-cultural
community, prepares you for graduate school, a career, and for use of the
language in the future. It helps dispel stereotypes and enhances respect for
others.
Final Grade: Your final
grade does not determine your worth as a human being nor does it pertain
to my personal regard for you. It is a barometer of your performance both in
and outside of class. Final grade evaluation is done according to the following
activities.
Evaluation and Grading Policy
The
final grade will be determined by test scores (quizzes/chapter tests), daily
participation, text and workbook activities, writing assignments, and the
attendance policy stated in the syllabus.
The
activities are weighted as follows:
Class
participation and attendance 10%
Orals 20%
Assignments
and workbook activities 20%
Exams,
quizzes, tests 60%
Grading
Scale:
100%
- 90% = A
89% - 80% = B
79% - 70% = C
69% - 60% = D
59% and below = F
Daily preparation, homework and
participation
Attendance is crucial and mandatory. Please
see the Attendance Policy section below for the university’s official
attendance policy. Class attendance and
participation are essential to your progress in this course. Persistent, active in-class participation
develops your speaking and comprehension skills. Therefore, it is essential
that you attend every class. Trying to
catch up once you have fallen behind will be difficult, as much new material
will be introduced in each class.
Late
arrivals are disruptive to the class and will reflect upon your grade.
Homework will not be
accepted after the date on which it is due.
Homework assignments will be given out periodically by me.
Foreign
Language Lab in Murphy 107 - You will have open access to the
Foreign Language lab from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. As
in any other lab, you need to sign in when you enter.
In-class assignments or quizzes given during a missed class
period cannot be made up under any circumstance.
Philosophy
Success in this course depends
on the combined efforts of the student and instructor. The responsibility of
the student is to prepare thoroughly for class and to participate actively in
class. The primary role of the instructor is to facilitate real
communication in Spanish. Classroom time is planned according to this
philosophy so that lack of preparation will severely impede any benefits
students may gain from the classroom experience.
Exams and Quizzes
There will be an exam at the
end of each chapter covering the material in the chapter. Make-up exams are at
the discretion of the instructor. If you know in advance that you will not be
able to take a test, you may make an appointment with your instructor to take
it early. There may also be other
quizzes and oral exams.
Attendance Policy
In order to improve
student learning as well as to achieve compliance with federal financial aid
policies, Western has a mandatory attendance policy for all 100-level courses.
You will be given an
excused absence when acting as an official representative of the university,
provided you give prior written verification from the faculty/staff supervisor
of the event.
Academic Honesty Policy and Due
Process
Academic honesty is
required in all academic endeavors. Violations
of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking
credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any
other fraudulent activity. Violations of
academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in
the course, or expulsion from the University.
When a student’s grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty
will be reported to the Provost or designated representative on the Academic
Honesty Violation Report forms.
Please see the 2006-07
Student Handbook and Calendar (page 21) for specific activities identified as
violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. It is
available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf
Cheating or
plagiarism is not acceptable. You will receive a 0 (zero)
for any work that shows evidence of cheating
and/or plagiarism.
Assistance
If you need assistance,
please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. Do not hesitate to
forward any question you might have through
email as well. The Center for Academic Support offers free tutoring for
Spanish courses. The website in order to obtain more information is
http://www.missouriwestern.edu/CAS.
Handicapped Policy
Any student in
this course who
has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me
personally as soon as possible so we can discuss class requirements.
Drop and Withdrawal policy
After the fourth unexcused
absence, the student will be reported to the Registrar, who will
administratively withdraw the student from the course. Financial aid will be reduced as
appropriate.
For
your information - Foreign
Language Test-Out Procedure
If
you have studied French, German, or Spanish in high school or college, and wish
to receive credit, or if you are unsure which level of French, German, or
Spanish is the best one for you to continue your language studies, take the
free placement test offered in your language.
Depending on your results, you may be eligible for 3 to 12 hours of
credit.
Placement
test dates are scheduled in the weeks prior to pre-registration and during
summer registration. Please consult the
EFLJ department for those dates/times or check our website at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/eflj/flpe.asp. It is not necessary to register for the test
or bring any materials to the test site.
The placement test is done by computer and will take 20-30 minutes.
If you
successfully earn credit hours, the test administrator will complete the “Petition
for Foreign Language Test-Out.” Part I of the form must be completed and
signed by the administrator of the test at that time. Please note the following policies: You have exactly one year from the date of
the test in which to claim your credit. If you enroll in the course recommended
by the placement test, you must claim the credit prior to completing the
recommended course.
To claim
your credit, present your Petition for Foreign Language Test-Out to Vicki
Schneider in the English, Foreign Languages, and Journalism Department (Eder
Hall, Room 222-B) along with your check for payment. Please note that taking the placement test is
free. If you are eligible for credit and choose to claim that credit, the
cost is $75, regardless of how many
credit hours you earn.
You may take
the test as many times as you wish.
However, each attempt costs $75 when you claim the credit. For example, if you take the test three times
before your score is high enough for credit, your cost to claim those credit
hours will then be $225 (3 attempts @ $75 each).
Ms.
Schneider will process your payment and it will be credited to your MWSU
account. She will also send the
information to the Admissions Office to be applied to your transcript. The credit hours should appear on your
transcript as CR for credit (no grade is indicated) in two to three weeks. The original payment receipt, along with a
copy of the Petition for Foreign Language Test-out, will be mailed to your home
address for your records.
If you
enroll in the course suggested by the placement test and complete that course
with a grade of C or better, your test fee will be refunded in full. Please see Vicki Schneider in the EFLJ
department to initiate the refund. You
have 18 months from the date of your test in which to take the recommended
course and request a refund.
Effective
Fall 2004, students whose high school transcripts show three or more years of
French, German, or Spanish (with grades of C or better, and within three years
of the semester in question) should attempt the placement exam because they
will not receive credit should they enroll in the beginning French, Spanish, or
German course (FRE/GER/SPA 102).
For your
information:
General Studies Competencies and Associated Assessment in
FRE 102, GER 102, SPA 102
Communicating
A. Analyze and evaluate their own and others’ speaking and writing
Students read and write in the foreign
language, edit and discuss texts.
B. Make formal written and oral presentations employing correct
diction, syntax, usage, grammar, and mechanics.
Students
prepare dialogs and writing assignments in foreign language that emphasize
accuracy.
C. Communicate effectively in groups by listening, reflecting,
and responding appropriately and in context.
Students must demonstrate strong
listening and speaking skills in foreign language order to be understood in pair and
group work.
Higher-Order Thinking
A. Formulate questions for clarifying issues and solving
problems.
Students
analyze grammatical, lexical, and oral structures, as well as formulate
hypotheses and experiment with said
structures.
B. Reflect and evaluate their critical-thinking processes.
Students identify
and apply effective learning strategies for foreign language.
Valuing
A. Compare and contrast historical and cultural ethical
perspectives and belief systems.
Students explore
foreign cultures, are exposed to variety of perspectives and belief systems.
B. Utilize cultural, behavioral, or historical knowledge to
clarify and articulate a personal value system.
Students analyze and compare foreign
cultural and behavioral concepts with
their own to better understand the origins of their own values.
C. Recognize conflicts within and between value systems.
Students
discuss contradictions among civil, religious, and social practices in foreign
cultures and compare them to parallel practices in their own culture.
Social & Behavior Sciences
A. Draw on history or the social and behavioral sciences to
evaluate the contemporary problems.
Students use major historic events in
foreign countries as a basis to understand current social structures.
B. Describe and analytically compare social, cultural, or
historical settings and processes other than one’s own.
Students study and discuss social and
cultural processes in foreign countries.
C. Describe the interconnectedness of people and places in
different parts of the world.
Students discover
similar practices and perspectives that exist among a variety of social groups
in foreign countries.
Humanities & Fine Arts
A. Identify works in humanities and fine arts.
Through exposure
to foreign authors and artists, students are familiarized with said works.
B. Understand differences and relationships between formal and popular culture.
Through exposure to contemporary and
classic texts, music, and art, students distinguish between different types of
cultural representations.