College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dept. of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism
Spanish 102 - 01, Elementary Spanish I, Summer 2008
Classroom and Times: 9:00 A.M.-10:15 A.M. MTWR in Eder Hall, Room 223
Instructor: Saundra Dibella
Office: Eder Hall 212-E
Phone: 816-271-4312 Office hours: By appointment E-mail: dibella@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. 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 read and write 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, speaking, and
listening 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.
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.
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.
Foreign
Language Lab in Murphy 107 - You will
have access to the Foreign Language lab from
In-class
assignments or quizzes given
during a missed class period cannot be made up under any circumstances.
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.
Official Policy: Attendance
and missed work
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
and 200 level courses. Instructors are required to monitor and track student
attendance. 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. Any additional excused absences
are at the complete discretion of the instructor.
All other
absences will be deemed unexcused. The
maximum number of unexcused absences allowed for this class before June 30 is
4. Thus, when you have 5 unexcused absences 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.
MY POLICY:
For SPA 102, students
are allowed 3 “free” absences. After three absences, a student’s final grade
will be lowered 1% for each subsequent absence (whether excused or not). In ALL
cases, students are responsible for all materials covered during their absence.
Late arrivals are disruptive to the class and will be counted as absences.
Official Policy: 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
MY POLICY:
Cheating or plagiarism is not
acceptable. You will receive a 0 (zero) for any work that shows evidence of
cheating and/or plagiarism.
Assistance
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.