Department of English, AELP, Reading and Foreign Languages

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE

Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus

Department of English, AELP, Reading and Foreign Languages

Spanish 101 – Elementary Spanish I – Fall, 2007

Professor: Shelley Jones

Phone: 240-567-1673

Email:

Office hours: RC 201 Mondays through Thursdays 3:30-4:30 and upon request

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION:

Elementary Spanish I – SN101 – CRN: 22076. Class Meetings: Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00-6:15 p.m.

Room—MP 144.

3 credit hours supplemented by independent work in the Writing Center. Independent work requirements will be explained below.

This course is NOT designed for native speakers of Spanish.

DESCRIPTION:

Spanish 101 is a beginning language course focusing on the study of Spanish language and culture. Students begin to develop the ability to communicate in Spanish through the consideration of cultural themes, language functions, and authentic situations as they acquire the structures and lexicon to work with written language, conversation, and composition.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will demonstrate a command of the Spanish sounds in basic pronunciation.

2. Students will develop grammar and vocabulary that will enable them to:

a) Exchange greetings and introductions

b) Request information

c) Ask for assistance

d) Formulate descriptions of appearance and locations

e) Give and receive directions

f) Express opinions

g) Describe events in the present, past and future

TEXT: Caminos by Renjilian-Burgy, Chiquito, and Mraz, Second Edition.

This text and its accompanying workbook are mandatory. Students should not attempt to take this course without purchasing the textbook and workbook.

Both are available in the bookstore as a package.

GRADING CRITERIA:

Attendance and punctuality...........15% of final grade

Participation....................................25%

Independent Practice (lab and workbook completion)......................10%

Test and quiz average...................................40%

Writing assignments and oral presentation……10%

The following is the grading scale with regard to absences and tardiness:

Number of unexcused absences % of attendance and punctuality credit earned

1 100

2 90

3 80

4 70

5 60

6 50

7 0

*2 tardies are equivalent to 1 absence

GRADING SCALE:

90-100-A 80-89-B 70-79-C 60-69-D 59 and below-F

TESTS: Four (4) 100-point-tests will be given during the semester. Since a language builds on itself, each test will necessarily include material from previous chapters. At the end of the semester, an average of all four tests (including the final exam), plus attendance, punctuality, participation, writing assignments, the oral presentation, and independent practice will result in a student’s final grade.

It is the student’s obligation to be prepared for each test. “I did not know there was an exam” is not a valid excuse since tests are scheduled in advance and listed in this syllabus. Should the date of an exam change, it will be announced in advance. Students who demonstrate poor attendance will experience the natural consequences of absenteeism. If a student misses more than 2 classes, her/his grade will drop accordingly.

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP TESTS UNLESS A PHYSICIAN’S SLIP IS PROVIDED! Unless a student is absent from class due to a documented illness, there will be no make-up tests given. Make-up tests due to illness will be taken in the Assessment Center.

ATTENDANCE: The process of learning a language involves listening, writing and oral practice. Students need to be present for all of that to occur. Poor attendance will result in a poor grade. Students will not be dropped from the roster after excessive absences, but rather will suffer the consequences of a poor grade. The instructor will not file for an official withdrawal; this is the students’ responsibility.

PUNCTUALITY: Late arrivals will count against the student on the “attendance/punctuality” part of his/her grade. It is rude to interrupt a class in progress by entering the classroom late and looking for a place to sit. Such interruptions are not fair to the instructor and fellow students who have arrived on time. Students who foresee a problem with arriving on time must talk to the instructor in advance.

PARTICIPATION: A dynamic classroom makes for a more interesting and effective learning environment. Both the instructor and students are responsible for producing this environment. Students who are engaged and participating will benefit greatly from their experience in Spanish 101. Questions about the material being presented are ALWAYS welcome as are general questions about the subject matter. All can benefit from classmates’ questions. A willingness to speak in Spanish, whether asking or responding to questions, further enhances a student’s process of learning a language. Don’t be afraid; we are all here to learn.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE (LAB): There is a requirement that students complete the ACE Practice Tests for the Preliminary Chapter through Chapter 6 in the language lab prior to each exam. In addition, students are required to listen to and watch Chapter 1-6 of the video portion of the lab program in the language lab. All classes will receive an orientation to the language lab during the first two weeks of class.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: The text is supported by relevant cassette tapes and CDRoms, study modules, and compact disks, all available at the lab. The instructor has also included her email address so students may contact her anytime. The textbook is further supported by a website (http://college.hmco.com/languages/spanish/burgy/caminos/2e/students) that contains relevant exercises, chapter-specific self-tests, and quizzes. Students who do not have access to a PC at home need to know that there are many PC’s available on campus. Tutoring is available in the Writing Center as well.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT: The College believes in the premise that students are adults who are responsible for their own actions and who should be free to pursue their educational objectives in an environment that promotes learning, protects the integrity of the academic process, and protects the College Community. The instructor treats all students as adults, and expects adult, responsible behavior from them. Please see the Student Code of Conduct for a reminder of appropriate behavior if necessary.

**STUDENTS MUST TURN OFF THEIR CELL PHONES BEFORE ENTERING THE CLASS**.

ACCOMMODATION LETTERS: Any student who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please make an appointment to see me during my office hour. A letter fromDisability Support Services(R-CB122; G-SA175; or TP-ST120) authorizing your accommodations will be needed. Any student who may need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation must identify to the Disability Support Services Office; guidelines for emergency evacuations for individuals with disabilities are

found at: www.montgomerycollege.edu/dss/evacprocedures.htm.

PARKING: Parking is an issue here on campus and will continue to be as long as construction of new buildings continues. Parking for students is located at Bonifant and Dixon Streets. A free college shuttle will bring students to campus. The shuttle runs from 8-5 five days per week. Please allow 30 minutes to park and get to campus by shuttle. LATENESS DUE TO PARKING DIFFICULTIES WILL NOT BE COUNTED AS AN EXCUSED TARDY. Please plan ahead.

STUDENT MC EMAIL: This year all students will have MC email accounts which they will be able to access through MyMC. Please check your email regularly as I will communicate with the class as a whole, if necessary, by way of email.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS: This is a fast-paced, demanding course which requires independent study as well as participation in classroom activities. Spanish is not easy. The rigors of Spanish grammar and verbal practice will be immediately felt by those who do not develop the habit of regular practice. The instructor welcomes questions at any time, and invites students to arrange to meet with her if they should have questions not answered during class time.

Students must view this document as a contract. All requirements are explained here. Failure to follow requirements will result in a poor grade.

Everything is in place for all students to take advantage of this class. Enjoy the experience! ¡Disfruta la experiencia!

<><><>

CLASS SEQUENCE:

Sept. 5 Orientation. Discussion of syllabus, lab requirements, additional support, etc.

Capítulo Preliminar : The sounds of Spanish. Greetings.

Sept. 10 Introduction to Capítulo 1. Familiar words. What is there in a room? Colors. Talking about people and things. Indefinite and definite articles.

Sept. 11 Last day to drop a class and receive a refund.

Sept. 12 Continuation of Capítulo 1. Numbers 0-199. Vocabulary in action. Noun and adjective agreement. Describing people and things using the verb ser. Descriptive adjectives. Thematic vocabulary.

Sept. 17 Continuation of Capítulo 1. Cognates. Reading headlines. Discussing academic schedules. Actions in the present tense. Asking and responding to questions. Telling time. Expressing likes and dislikes. Reading comprehension and discussion.

Sept. 19 Review and preparation for Exam #1

Sept. 24 Exam #1. This exam will begin promptly at 5:00 and will be finished at 6:15, exactly.

Sept. 25 Last day to drop a class without a grade and last day to change from credit to audit or audit to credit.

Oct. 1 Introduction to Capítulo 2. Expressing locations and emotions with the verb estar. Describing household items and chores. Possessive adjectives. Irregular yo verbs in the present tense. Uses of saber/conocer.

Oct. 3 Continuation of Capítulo 2. Talking about the weather. Physical conditions and obligations. The verb tener. Use of the verbs ir and venir. Reading comprehension and discussion.

Oct. 8 Review of Capítulo 2. Introduction to Capítulo 3. Describing places in the city. Large numbers: 200-2,000,000. Present of stem-changing verbs. Means of transportation. Reading comprehension and discussion.

Oct. 10 Continuation of Capítulo 3. Affirmative and negative expressions. Reflexive verbs and pronouns. Reading comprehension and discussion. Ordering food.

Oct. 15 Continuation of Capítulo 3. Dialogue at a restaurant. Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. Reading comprehension and discussion. Adverbs of location. Shopping for food. Vocabulary.

Oct. 17 Continuation of Capítulo 3. Describing actions in progress. Using ser and estar together. Reading comprehension and discussion. Begin overview.

Oct. 22 Review and preparation for Exam #2 (Midterm).

.

Oct. 24 Midterm Exam. This exam will begin promptly at 5:00 and will be finished at 6:15, exactly.

Oct. 29 Introduction to Capítulo 4. Talking about travel. Indirect object pronouns. Reading comprehension. Expressing location. Describing likes and dislikes. Establishing relationships through prepositions.

Oct. 31 Continuation of Capítulo 4. Planning a vacation. Preterite of regular verbs. Reading comprehension. Direct object pronouns.

Nov. 5 Introduction to Capítulo 5. Checking into a hotel. Preterite of irregular verbs. Pastimes. Culture: Reading comprehension and discussion.

Nov. 7 Begin oral presentations. Continuation of Capítulo 5. Adverbial expressions of time. Culture: Reading comprehension and discussion. Preterite of stem-changing ir verbs.

Nov. 12 Continuation of Capítulo 5. Talking about family members. Describing professions Narrating a sequence of events using the preterite. Double object pronouns. Regular verbs in the imperfect.

Nov. 14 Continuation of Cqpítulo 5. Reading comprehension and discussion. Review for Exam #3.

Nov. 19 Exam #3. This exam will begin promptly at 5:00 and will be finished at 6:15, exactly.

Nov. 21 No classes—Thanksgiving break.

Nov. 26 Introduction to Capítulo 6. Talking about music and dance. Culture: Reading comprehension and discussion. Narrating in the past. Contrasting the preterite and the imperfect.

Nov. 28 Continuation of Capítulo 6. Indicating reason, duration, purpose and destination. Reading comprehension and discussion. Discussing technology. Giving instructions and making requests. Oral presentations given in class.

Dec. 3 Continuation of Capítulo 6. . Talking about cars. Describing unplanned and unintentional occurrences. Impersonal and passive constructions. Reading comprehension and discussion.

Dec. 5 Review Chapter 6

Dec. 10 Review and preparation for final exam.

Dec. 12 Review and preparation for final exam.

Dec. 17 Final Exam 5:00-7:00