The University of Montana
Department of Modern and classical languages and literatures
Advanced Practice in Spanish Conversation
Professor Jannine Montauban
SPAN 321.01LA 426
Meeting Times: MWF 11:10-12:00Office Hours: MWF 10:oo-11:00
LA 334 and by appointment
Telephone: 243-2591
E-mail:
Required Text:
Conversación y controversia by Nino R. Iorillo and Andrés C. Díaz. Sixth edition
A Bilingual Dictionary, Spanish-English/English-Spanish (Collins, Simon &
Schuster International, Larousse or Oxford).
Course Description/Goals:
In addition to a general review of much of the Spanish you have already studied (the subjunctive, the difference between the preterit and the imperfect, etc.), you will also learn the vocabulary and grammar to discuss controversial topics such as abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, gun control, homosexuality, censorship, etc. I will also ask you to be prepared every day to comment on some aspect of the news. From time to time, I will ask you or you and a friend (or two) to perform spontaneously on a topic of my choosing. You will also be required to serve periodically as a spokesperson for group activity and/or panel discussion in addition to your regular participation. You will also see several Spanish language films and do corresponding exercises and worksheets.
The emphasis in this class will be on improving your communicative oral competency in Spanish. To do well in this course, you need to have already taken at least four semesters of college Spanish (or have the equivalent). Toward the end of the course you will be required to give a fifteen-minute oral presentation.
Outcomes:
After this course the student can expect to have acquired the following:
- the ability to speak extemporaneously for at least five to ten minutes in Spanish on a topic appropriate for a student at the advanced intermediate level
- the self-confidence to give a fifteen to twenty minute oral presentation in Spanish without using any written materials on a topic (chosen in consultation with the professor) related to the Hispanic world.
- the ability to work in groups to deliver skits, participate in panel presentations, coordinate debates, etc.).
- a more in-depth understanding of major topics in Spanish grammar (topics include: ser vs. estar, subjunctive vs. indicative, preterit vs. imperfect, etc.).
- key vocabulary to comment successfully on controversial topics in Spanish (topics include: abortion, gun control, euthanasia, etc.).
- an appreciation for Hispanic culture via the careful analysis of several Spanish language films and Spanish language newspapers
Assessment:
The course is structured so that the student regularly receives feedback so that (s)he can achieve the stated outcomes. Progress toward the stated outcomes is assessed using the following criteria:
Attendance:10%
Participation/Preparation/Homework 15%
Midterm15%
Group Skit15%
Final Oral Presentation/Project20%
Final Exam25%
Attendance:Consistent attendance is essential to acquire the skills needed to learn a new language. Students are responsible for class work and assignments they miss. Your cumulative final grade will be lowered by two points for every absence after the third regardless of the excuse.
Participation and Preparation: A satisfactory participation and preparation grade assumes that you come to class each day prepared to be actively engaged in all class activities. You will have the responsibility of reading over a new grammar point or learning new vocabulary on your own before we go over it in class so that class time can be used to answer questions and practice but not to reiterate what is explained in the book.
Group Skits: we will have group presentations/skits. We will determine the order of presentations a week in advance. You and no more than two other classmates will get together outside of class and decide on a topic for your presentation. (Suggestions include a parody of the material we cover in class or other topics of interest to you and your classmates: politics, art, civil rights—you and your classmates may even write and perform an original play). Make sure that you have my approval on your topic before beginning. You will then perform a skit about that topic for the rest of the class that lasts at least ten minutes but no more than fifteen minutes. You may not read anything nor may you have notes; everything you say will be well rehearsed. You will be graded on creativity, length, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. If any member of your group is absent on the day of the presentation, you must be able to improvise. If you miss your group presentation, you MUST provide a documented, verifiable excuse to be allowed to do an additional individual oral presentation to make up for your group skit. Otherwise, your grade will be a 0 for your group presentation.
Individual Oral Presentations/Projects: We will begin the individual presentations on October 23. I will first ask for volunteers. We will only have one presentation per class period. You will decide on a topic in consultation with me. The topic of your presentation must pertain to some cultural aspect of the Hispanic world. I would like to encourage you to use the vocabulary and grammar that you are familiar with when doing your presentation.
Your presentation is much more than just your personal opinion. You need to analyze and synthesize. Be sure that you have at least three sources (an article, a book, a review, an essay, etc.) on which you can rely. You must turn in a written bibliography the day that you present. You will also need an insightful conclusion. Please do not abruptly end saying that you have run out of time. Plan your talk so that you can offer a well thought out summary that highlights the major points of your presentation. Feel free to use posters, photos, artwork, or other props during your presentation. I will also ask you to write unfamiliar vocabulary on the board so that your classmates can better understand your presentation. Your talk should last fifteen minutes. On the day of your presentation, you MUST turn in a detailed outline to me before you begin. Should you forget part of your talk, I will be able to help you. You may not read anything nor may you use notes. Again, you will be graded on creativity, length, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and you bibliography.
Please take notes during each presentation as the material that your classmates cover will appear on the Final Exam. I will notify you of your grade the first class period after the last presentation is given. To be fair, I must listen to everyone’s talk before I can assign grades.
Exams:The midterm and the final will normally have a vocabulary section, a grammar section, and essays.
Exam Dates:
Midterm: October 9
Final Exam: December 17
There are no make-ups for the midterm (and for any written homework). If you miss it, I will substitute whatever grade you make on the final exam (which is cumulative) for your missing (test) grade(s).
Movies:
We will watch three movies in class. If you miss class those days by any reason, you, MUST, however, watch the movie on your own and come to class prepared to discuss it on the days marked on the syllabus. There is no excuse for not being able to watch the movie. Please take notes while you watch the movie so that you can ask questions and make astute commentaries in class. You must bring a movie review to class that you are prepared to summarize and critique.
Grading Scale:
A 93-100A- 90-92B + 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82 C+ 77-79
C 73-76 C- 70-72 D+ 67-69 D 63-66 D- 60-62F 0-59
** All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
** The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students (DSS). If you think you may have a disability adversely affecting your academic performance, and you have not already registered with DSS, please contact DSS in Lommasson 154. I will work with you and DSS to provide an appropriate accommodation.
Calendario
SEMANA 1
Lunes 31 agosto: Presentación del curso.
Miércoles 2 septiembre: Capítulo 1 págs. 1-5 / Skits
Viernes 4 septiembre: Capítulo 1: Ser y Estar págs. 6-9 / Reporte de noticias sobre el mundo Hispánico
SEMANA 2
Lunes 7 de septiembre: Labor Day
Miércoles 9 de septiembre: Capítulo 2 págs 10-14/ Análisis de texto
Viernes 11 de septiembre: Capítulo 2: Futuro págs. 16-21 / Reporte de noticias sobre
el mundo Hispánico
SEMANA 3
Lunes 14 de septiembre: Película: El día de la bestia
Miércoles 16 de septiembre:Película: El día de la bestia
Viernes 18 de septiembre: Discusión de la película
SEMANA 4
Lunes 21 de septiembre: Capítulo 3 págs. 19-23 / Presentaciónengrupo A
Miércoles 23 de septiembre:Repaso Subjuntivo / Presentación grupo B
Viernes 25 de septiembre: Capítulo 3: Subjuntivo págs. 24-26/ Presentación grupo C
SEMANA 5
Lunes 28 de septiembre: Repaso Subjuntivo /Presentación en grupo, grupo D
Miércoles 30 de septiembre: Capítulo 4 págs. 27-32 / Presentación en grupo, grupo E
Viernes 2 de octubre: Capítulo 4: Pretérito págs. 33-35/ Pretérito e imperfecto
SEMANA 6
Lunes 5 de octubre:Capítulo 5 págs 36-40
Miércoles 7 de octubre:Reporte de noticias/Skits/Repaso para el examen
Viernes 9 de octubre :Examen de medio semestre
SEMANA 7
Lunes 12 de octubre: Capítulo 6 págs. 41-45 / Comerciales de TV
Miércoles 14 de octubre: Capítulo 6: Conjunción sino págs. 46-49 / Reporte de
noticias del mundo hispánico
Viernes 16 de octubre: Capítulo 7 págs. 50-54 / Inventar horóscopos en español
SEMANA 8
Lunes 19 de octubre: Película: La teta asustada
Miércoles 21 de octubre: Película: La teta asustada
Viernes 23 de octubre: Discusión de la película /Presentación oral 1
SEMANA 9
Lunes 26 de octubre: Capítulo 7: Verbo Gustar págs. 63-66 / Presentación oral 2
Miércoles 28 de octubre: Capítulo 8, págs 59-62/ Presentación oral 3
Viernes 30 de octubre: Capítulo 8: Subjuntivo, págs 63-66/ Presentación oral 4
SEMANA 10
Lunes 2 de noviembre: Capítulo 9 págs. 67-71 / Presentación oral 5
Miércoles 4 de noviembre: Capítulo 9: Subjuntivo págs. 72-74/ Presentación oral 6
Viernes 6 de noviembre: Película: Mar adentro
SEMANA 11
Lunes 9 de noviembre: Película: Mar adentro
Miércoles 11 de noviembre: Veterans Day
Viernes 13 de noviembre: Capítulo 10 págs. 75-79/Presentación oral 7
SEMANA 12
Lunes 16 de noviembre: Capítulo 11 págs. 80-83/Presentación oral 8
Miércoles 18 de noviembre: Capítulo 11: Pronombrespágs 85-89/Presentación oral 9
Viernes 20 de noviembre: Capítulo 12págs 90-94/Presentación oral 10
SEMANA 13
Lunes 23 de noviembre: Capítulo 12: El infinitivopágs 95-98/Presentación oral 11
Thanksgiving break Wednesday November 25-November 27
SEMANA 14
Lunes 30 de noviembre: Capítulo 13 págs 99-103/ Presentación oral 12
Miércoles 2 de diciembre: Capítulo 13: Pronombrespágs 104-106/Presentación oral 13
Viernes 4 de diciembre: Capítulo 14/Análisis de texto/Presentación oral 14
SEMANA 15
Lunes 7 de diciembre: Capítulo 16 págs 117-121
Miércoles 9 de diciembre: Capítulo 16: Pronombrespágs 122-126/Repaso para el
examen final
Viernes 11 de diciembre: Repaso para el examen final/Evaluaciones
Examen Final: Viernes 17 de diciembre, 8:10-10:10 a.m.