MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dept. of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism
Spanish 332 - 01, Introduction to Hispanic Civilization and Culture II Spring 2008
LAS Computer Literacy; International/Intercultural
Classroom and Times: Murphy Hall 108 200 - 250 pm MWF
Instructor: Dr. Jason Youngkeit Office: SS/C (Eder Hall) 212 - C
Phone: 271-4322 Office hours: M W F 3:00-5:00 or by appt.
E-mail: jyoungkeit@missouriwestern.edu
Required Text: Fox, Arturo A. Latinoamérica: presente y pasado. 3rd Ed.
Objective: This course examines Latin-American history, society, and culture. We will read about and discuss in Spanish the history, customs, art, politics, and other important cultural aspects of Latin America from pre-Colombian times to the present. This course has been designated as an LAS Computer Literacy; International / Intercultural Ethics Intensive Course; therefore, we will concentrate on issues of contemporary and historical social concern. Furthermore, regarding your oral presentation I encourage you to use the internet as much as possible to research your topic, I would also strongly encourage everyone to use Microsoft PowerPoint.
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 20%
Exams 40%
Oral presentation 10%
Final paper 10%
Grading Scale
A 90-100 B 80-90 C 70-80 D 60-70 F below 60
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!!) for a justifiable and permissible reason (medical problems, University sanctioned athletic event in which you're participating, a few other legitimate reasons) 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 exams are possible only with the approval of the professor due to a genuine emergency or an excused absence on date 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. Each and every student will be expected to actively participate in class readings and discussions. Speak up in class! Do not be afraid to express yourself in Spanish, no comment will be considered inappropriate or too simple. Furthermore, please feel free to ask any questions (in Spanish or English, but preferably in Spanish) at any time during class.
Regarding homework assignments - all assignments must be type-written, printed and turned in on date due. No late work will be accepted.
Oral presentation Each student will give a brief presentation to the class summarizing your final paper. At the moment of the presentation the final paper doesn't necessarily have to be completed. The presentation must be completely in Spanish and must include visual aids, and as previously mentioned I would strongly encourage everyone to use PowerPoint to give this presentation. Furthermore, it should not under any circumstances exceed 10 minutes, 7-10 minutes will suffice!! The oral presentations will start probably the 12th week (Duodécima semana) of class.
Final paper Your final paper will be on a topic of your choosing that explores and analyzes a specific cultural phenomenon from Latin-America. This could be a particular geographical region, an indigenous culture, a certain historical event or figure, a specific cultural or social event/phenomenon, etc. It must be written in Spanish using good grammar and vocabulary using coherent and well developed paragraphs. It should include 2 or 3 quoted citations from books, encyclopedias, web pages, etc. (which may be in English or Spanish). Be sure to give credit to the documented sources; or rather, quoted material must written be within quotes (" ") and there must also be a "Obras Citadas" for the last page. I would ask all class members to please approve your topic with me before you begin to research it. The Final paper must be computer typed, double spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins, and must be 6 - 7 pages. (page 6 or 7 would be your "Obras Citadas" page.)
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.***
HORARIO TENTATIVO
Primera semana (enero 14 - 18) silabo, introducciones, Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulo 1
Segunda semana (enero 23 - 25) enero 21 Feriado Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 1, 2
Tercera semana (enero 28 - febrero 1) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 3, 4
Cuarta semana (febrero 4 - 8) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulo 4 Examen #1
Quinta semana (febrero 11 - 15) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 5, 6
Sexta semana (febrero 20 - 22) febrero 18 Feriado Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 6, 7
Séptima semana (febrero 25 - febrero 29) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 7, 8
Octava semana (marzo 3 - 7) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulo 8 Examen #2
Novena semana (marzo 10 - 14) Vacaciones de primavera
Décima semana (marzo 17 - 21) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 9, 10
Undécima semana (marzo 24 - 28) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 10, 11
Duodécima semana (marzo 31 - abril 4) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulo 11, película "Frida Kahlo", capítulo 12
Décimotercera semana (abril 7 - 11) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulo 12, Examen #3
Décimoacuarta semana (abril 14 - 18) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 13, 15
Décimoquinta semana (abril 21 - 25) Latinoamérica presente y pasado capítulos 15, 17
abril 28 capítulo 17
Examen Final - (Examen #4 covering chapters 13, 15, 17) (TBA!! Date, room, time to be announced!)