MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dept. of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism
Spanish 112 - 02, Elementary Spanish II, Spring 2008
Classroom and Times: 1100 - 1150 M W F in Murphy Hall 109
Instructor: Dr. Jason Youngkeit (Don Jasón) Office: Eder Hall 212 - C
Phone: 271-4322 Office hours: M W F 300-500 or by appt.
E-mail: jyoungkeit@missouriwestern.edu
Required Text: Vistas 3rd edition. Blanco, Donley
Course description
Spa 112 is a continued study of the Spanish language and culture with a Prerequisite of Spa 102 or equivalent. Students will learn basic grammatical structures and vocabulary, as well as cultural information, all of which will be helpful if you have contact with any Spanish-speaking people or if you travel to Spain or Latin America. By the end of the semester the dedicated student will be able:
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 a few basic cultural differences and similarities between Hispanic and American lifestyles, world perspectives, etc.
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 using 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
1. Participation (includes attendance and in-class oral participation) 20%
2. Homework & On-line Workbook/Lab Manual assignments 20%
3. Quizzes 20%
4. Exams 35%
5. Oral exam 5%
Final grade evaluation is based on the following scale:
A 90-100 B 80-90 C 70-80 D 60-70 F below 60
***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 and all 200-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. Other forms of excused absences are those where you have some type of written documentation (a doctor's note, etc.) All other absences will be deemed 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.
You will be allowed three (3) unexcused absences (freebies) during the semester. Each unexcused absence thereafter will result in the lowering of the participation part of your grade by a half letter. Furthermore, the maximum number of unexcused absences allowed for this class before the midterm report, March 19, 2008 is five (5). Thus, if you have six (6) unexcused absences before the midterm you will be reported to the Registrar's Office, who will automatically withdraw you from this class. The Financial Aid Office will reduce financial aid as appropriate. If you reach six (6) unexcused absences anytime after midterm you will automatically receive a grade of "FA" for the course.
Homework will not be accepted after the date on which it is due. Homework assignments will be given out periodically by me.
Included in the Vistas textbook you will get a code to access the electronic workbook. Your instructor will explain in class how to use the code to access the workbook. All workbook activities will be assigned from the electronic workbook so you will need to have access to the Internet in order to complete them. There will be written and audio components to the on-line workbook, these may be done anywhere you have Internet access. Workbook exercises will be assigned for each lesson and must be completed by the date specified by the instructor. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Foreign Language Lab in Murphy 107 You will have open access to the Foreign Language lab from 8 - 6 Mon.- Thurs. and 8 - 4:30 Fridays. As in any other lab, you need to sign in when you enter.
Philosophy
Success in this course depends on the combined efforts of the student and instructor. The responsibility of the student is to attend class consistently, participate actively during each and every class session, do all assignments (primarily electronic workbook) and prepare thoroughly for quizzes/exams. The primary role of the instructor is to assist in the acquisition of vocabulary/grammatical concepts and to facilitate real communication in Spanish. Classroom time is planned according to this philosophy therefore excessive absences, unwillingness to participate in class, not completing assignments and lack of preparation for quizzes/exams will severely impede any benefits students may gain from the classroom experience.
Speaking
Facility in oral communication is the most important goal for many foreign language students. The best way to develop such facility is to practice speaking. Students are strongly encouraged to speak as much as possible in Spanish during class time, without fear of making the inevitable mistakes (making mistakes helps you learn!!). Moreover, be advised that a large part of the participation component of your final grade will be based on how well I observe you actively and enthusiastically participate (using Spanish) in class throughout the semester.
Exams and quizzes
There will be five exams and also five shorter quizzes covering material in chapters 6-10. There are no make-ups unless you have a genuine and unforseen emergency or a very excusable reason to be absent on the day of the exam/quiz. If you know in advance that you will not be able to take an exam/quiz, you must make an appointment with me to take it one class day early. If you have a genuine emergency on the day of the exam/quiz, you must make an appointment with me to take it the next class day after. Any make-ups of quizzes/exams must be taken during my office hours, no exceptions!!
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 2007-08 Student Handbook and Calendar for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf
Assistance
Please come to see me during my office hours or make an appointment with me. 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.
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.
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.html 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).
***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.***
HORARIO TENTATIVO
Primera semana (enero 14 - 18) Syllabus, introductions, capítulo 6 - Prueba
Segunda semana (enero 23 - 25) enero 21 Feriado capítulo 6
Tercera semana (enero 28 - febrero 1) capítulo 6
Cuarta semana (febrero 4 - 8) capítulo 6 - Examen capítulo 7
Quinta semana (febrero 11 - 15) capítulo 7 - Prueba
Sexta semana (febrero 21 - 23) febrero 18 Feriado capítulo 7
Séptima semana (febrero 25 - febrero 29) capítulo 7 - Examen capítulo 8
Octava semana (marzo 3 - 7) capítulo 8 - Prueba
Novena semana (marzo 10 - 14) Vacaciones de primavera
Décima semana (marzo 17 - 21) capítulo 8
Undécima semana (marzo 24 - 28) capítulo 8 - Examen capítulo 9
Duodécima semana (marzo 31 - abril 4) capítulo 9 - Prueba
Décimotercera semana (abril 7 - 11) capítulo 9 - Examen
Décimocuarta semana (abril 14 - 18) capítulo 10 - Prueba
Décimoquinta semana (abril 21 - 25) capítulo 10
28 de abril - Examen oral
Examen Final capítulo 10 - (TBA!! Date, room, time to be announced!)