MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Dept. of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism

Spanish 310 - 01, Spanish Readings, Fall 2008

Classroom and Times: Popplewell Hall 104 100 - 150 pm M W F

Instructor: Dr. Jason Youngkeit Office: Eder Hall 212 - C

Phone: 271-4322 Office hours: M W F 3:00-5:00 or by appt.

Required Texts: En contacto octava edición, (Gill, Wegman, Méndez-Faith)

Course Objectives: This course offers students an opportunity to begin to analyze literature, (essays, short stories, short biographies, interviews, etc.) from a thematic approach. The study includes works from Spain and Latin America and incorporates different genres. The primary course objective is to improve the student's reading comprehension skills in the Spanish language and also to increase his or her vocabulary of Spanish. There will also be a speaking component to the class; or rather, there will be much pair/group/entire class discussion of the readings and vocabulary exercises, every student will be expected to actively participate (in Spanish) in these discussions!

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 components:

Grading components:

Attendance / Participation 20%

Homework assignments 30%

Exams 50%

Students' Responsibilities:

1. Attendance is required for all class sessions. You will be allowed three (3) unexcused absences during the semester. Each unexcused absence thereafter will result in the lowering of the participation part of your grade by a half letter. Only documented absences (you must provide some type of written documentation!!) due to medical problems or other unforeseen and legitimate situations that are genuine emergencies will be excused. All other absences will be considered unexcused. Furthermore, students are required to remain in the classroom for the entire 50 minutes. Except in the very rare instance of a genuine emergency anyone that leaves class before the class ends will be marked as absent for that day.

2. Make-up assignments and tests are possible only with the approval of the professor due to a genuine emergency or a very excusable absence on due date of assignment/day of exam. Make-up exams must be taken during my office hours, absolutely no exceptions!!

3. Students are required to arrive to class on time.

4. Again, each and every student will be expected to actively participate in class discussions, activities. Speak up in class! Do not be afraid to express yourself in Spanish, no comment will be considered inappropriate or too simple!

Disability 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 that we can discuss class requirements.

***Although it is my intention to adhere to the course plan as fully as possible, I reserve the right to modify the syllabus based on unforeseen circumstances. Any changes to the syllabus will be announced in class and also via class e-mail.***

HORARIO TENTATIVO

Primera semana (agosto 25 - 29) Silabo, introducciones, En contacto capítulo 1

lunes 1 de septiembre Feriado Labor Day

Segunda semana (septiembre 3 - 5) En contacto capítulo 1, 2

Tercera semana (septiembre 8 - 12) En contacto capítulo 2 Examen capítulos 1 - 2

Cuarta semana (septiembre 15 - 19) En contacto capítulo 3

Quinta semana (septiembre 22 - 26) En contacto capítulo 4

Sexta semana (septiembre 29 - octubre 3) En contacto capítulo 4 Examen capítulos 3 - 4

Séptima semana (octubre 6 - 8) En contacto capítulo 5

viernes 10 de octubre Mid-term break, no hay clases

Octava semana (octubre 13 - 17) En contacto capítulo 5, 6

Novena semana (octubre 20 - 24) capítulo 6 Examen capítulos 5 - 6

Décima semana (octubre 27 - 31) En contacto capítulo 7

Undécima semana (noviembre 3 - 7) En contacto capítulo 7, 8

Duodécima semana (noviembre 10 - 14) En contacto capítulo 8 Examen capítulos 7 - 8

Décimotercera semana (noviembre 17 - 21) En contacto capítulo 10

Décimocuarta semana (noviembre 24) capítulo 10, 11

miércoles 26 & viernes 28 de noviembre Feriado Día de Acción de Gracias

Décimoquinta semana (diciembre 1 - 5) capítulo 11

Examen Final capítulos 10, 11 (TBA!! Date, room, time to be announced!)