Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies
University of Florida
SPN 1134: Accelerated Spanish Review
Fall 2013
Spanish & Portuguese Studies Department: http://www.spanishandportuguese.ufl.eduSyllabus available for download and printing: http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/glord
Instructor: / Section: MSL course code:
Office: / Office hours:
Telephone: / Email:
All 1000-level SPN classes in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies are taught in hybrid format. Hybrid courses are defined as classes in which instruction takes place in a traditional classroom setting augmented by computer-based or online activities which can replace classroom seat time. IMPORTANT: Please see below “A note about hybrid classes”. These types of courses are common in higher education in the United States, and even in language classes. While we maintain that human interaction is absolutely essential in learning and using a language, we also believe that advances in technologies have enabled us to reach a point where students, by managing their own time responsibly and creating their own study plans, can accomplish a great deal, reserving class time for true communication and interactive learning.
These classes are 5 credit courses but meet only three days a week, with supplemental instructional activities and assessments to be done at home to constitute the other two credits. Although the course requires reduced face-to-face class time, your success and learning require substantial commitment and study both in and out of class. The level of proficiency you attain will depend largely on what you put in to your learning. This course requires self-discipline and time. Please be sure to read the “Methodology and Activities” section of this document for tips on succeeding in a hybrid learning format.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
· ¡Anda! Curso elemental, 2e package. This package includes everything you need for the course and can be purchased at any local bookstore. It consists of a soft bound copy of your textbook and the Student Access Code Card, which will allow you to use all the on-line resources. No used copies are available.
· A printed copy of this syllabus, available from http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/glord.
· A reliable computer, either a PCrunningWindows 2000 or later, or a MacrunningOS X or later. Check MySpanishLab tune-up for browser specifications. Important note: A malfunction in your personal computer will never be a valid excuse for not doing your work. There are plenty of computers available on campus and you will always be able to reach the Pearson site from any one of them.
· A sound card and speakers or headphones.
· A hi-speed modem (Cable or DSL strongly recommended to download audio and video without delays).
· A dependable Internet Service Provider (ISP).
· A working e-mail address that you check regularly and keep under quota.
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
· A good quality Spanish-English dictionary, such as University of Chicago.
· 601 Spanish Verbs book, available at most major booksellers.
PREREQUISITES
· SPN 1134 is for students with prior study of Spanish but insufficient preparation to advance to intermediate (2000-level) coursework. Successful completion of SPN 1134 with a grade of C (S) or better satisfactorily fulfills the CLAS foreign language requirement.
· Students who took AP, IB or AICE exams in high school and have already received credit for SPN 1130, 1131 and/or higher level courses must meet with an advisor before taking SPN 1134.
· Students who are native or heritage speakers of Spanish or grew up speaking Spanish with family and friends must consult with the director of the Bilingual Program, Susana Braylan () in order to remain in any SPN 1000-level course.
GOALS
The primary goal of the Beginning Spanish courses is to offer students an introduction to basic communicative skills in Spanish while developing an awareness and appreciation of Hispanic/Latino cultures. The courses take their goals from the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century, also known as the 5 Cs, which focus on five general areas:
· Communicating in Spanish
· Gaining knowledge and understanding of cultures of the Hispanic world
· Connecting with other disciplines and acquiring new information
· Developing awareness of similarities and differences (comparisons) among language and culture systems around the world
· Using Spanish to participate in communities at home and around the world
METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES
This course stresses communication skills in Spanish. Every effort will be made to make this class student-centered. To help students succeed in this course, the class will engage in a variety of activities and assignments, including but not limited to activities such as the following:
· Communication using vocabulary and grammar learned in oral and written modes
· Sociolinguistic practice and functions through paired/group activities
Reading activities, such as pre- and post-reading, intensive and extensive reading
· Writing activities ranging from short paragraphs to developed compositions
· Integration of skills in projects and tasks, in small groups or as a class
· Video/audio/computer exercises, presentations, and discussions
A note about hybrid classes
The keys to success in this class are generally the same as those in any other class. However, given the nature of hybrid classes, in which you will meet less frequently (MWF only) and will be responsible for covering a good deal of material (including grammar concepts) on your own, you should keep in mind the following:
· Perform the MySpanishLab browser tune-up immediately, and any time you start to experience problems. Any other technological problems with MySpanishLab should be handled by contacting their tech support at the first sign of trouble (http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com). Always document these contacts.
· Be very careful in managing your time. Set aside specific times each week to complete class activities. It is your responsibility to cover all the required material before class, and if you do not it is likely that you will not get as much out of the class meeting as you should.
· Expect electronic glitches, power outages, or the like, and plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your work. The deadline for all work to be submitted in MSL is 11:59pm, and there are no exceptions. Any technological problems that cause you to miss a deadline must be documented through tech support (http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com) with an official case number before your instructor can consider accepting your work late.
· Check the calendar in MySpanishLab daily. The notes will remind you of important activities, tutorials, deadlines and exercises, and are there to help keep you focused. Learning a language is a daily endeavor.
· Some of the MySpanishLab activities you will be assigned will be oral or will not have any task to complete, but simply require you to go through a tutorial or practice on your own. While it may be impossible for your instructor to grade you on completing these tasks, it is in your best interest to complete them just as thoroughly and carefully as you would complete any other graded activity.
· It is especially important to be consistently prepared for and actively involved in all class meetings, since there are fewer of these than in traditional classes. Class preparation entails reading and studying the material assigned for that day, as well as completing any assigned activities indicated on your calendar.
· Class time will be spent primarily on communicative activities, pair work, etc. However, your instructor will always make sure there are no vocabulary or grammar questions from the homework before moving on, so as you do your exercises, be sure to take note of any confusion or questions you have so you can bring them to class.
ASSESSMENT
The final grade scale is as follows:
A = 100-93 / C(S) = 76-73 / NOTE: A grade of C- will not be a qualifying grade for major, minor, Gen Ed, Gordon Rule or Basic Distribution Credit courses. For further information regarding passing grades and grade point equivalents, please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog at (http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html).A- = 92-90 / C-(U) = 72-70
B+ = 89-87 / D+ = 69-67
B = 86-83 / D = 66-63
B- = 82-80 / D- = 62-60
C+ = 79-77 / E = 59-0
The assessment categories below will be measured according to three major criteria of language performance: accuracy, fluency, and complexity. Testing procedures will be representative of the type of language instruction offered through classroom and web-based practice. You will be evaluated based on your achievement of the course goals (above) and the following criteria:
· Class Participation and Preparation / 15%· In-class exams (2)
o Midterm (in class)
o Final (during exam week) / 10%
15%
· MySpanishLab
o Homework (activities and exercises)
o Chapter Tests / 10%
15%
· Written Compositions (2) / 15%
· Oral Component:
o Oral Presentation
o Effective Communication Practices (2)
o Oral Exam / 6%
8%
6%
COMPONENTS
ATTENDANCE POLICY
You must be exposed to Spanish and use Spanish in order to learn Spanish, i.e., you must be in class. For that reason, attendance is required and will be taken on a daily basis. You will be allowed THREE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES for which no documentation or excuse is required. After the THIRD unexcused absence one point per absence will be deducted from your final grade. If you are absent the day of a test, quiz, oral exam or composition, you will receive a 0 on that assignment. There are no make-ups and no exceptions. Three late arrivals and/or early departures will count as one absence.
Assignments are due on the day indicated, regardless of whether or not you are in class that day. If you miss class, arrange for your assignment to get to your instructor’s box before your scheduled class time. There are no make-ups and no late work will be accepted. Make sure to get the name and phone number of a classmate, as you are responsible for finding out about any changes in the syllabus or any additional assignments announced in your absence.
In the case of university approved absences (i.e., illness, university-sanctioned events, etc. – refer to your undergraduate catalog), you must provide official documentation to your instructor within a week after the absence in order to be excused. Any work missed due to excused absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with advice from the program director.
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND PREPARATION
Participation in class involves a number of variables, including but not limited to:
· Your use of Spanish in the classroom
· Your willingness to participate actively in all class activities
· Your cooperation during group and pair work
· Your respect and attitude toward the class and your peers
· Your daily preparation for each class.
· Your instructor may assign written homework that will be collected and graded; these assignments form part of your participation grade.
· Your instructor reserves the right to administer pop quizzes on grammar, vocabulary etc. in order to assess students’ preparation. These grades also form part of your participation grade.
· The use of cell phones, pagers, iPods or mp3 players and all other electronic equipment during class is prohibited unless otherwise indicated by your instructor. All equipment must be turned off in the classroom.Any evidence of cell phones (use, ringing, buzzing, etc.) and similar equipment use will result in an automatic zero in participation for that day. Using a cell phone during a composition or test will result in a zero on that assignment.
Participation grades will be assessed approximately every three-four weeks throughout the semester, using the rubric included later in this syllabus. You may ask your instructor for your participation grades at any time.
IN-CLASS EXAMS
There will be two written exams administered face-to-face, a midterm and a final. The midterm exam will be given during class time in the semester (see Calendar for specific date), and the final exam will be given during Final Exam Week according to the schedule provided by the University Registrar (see Calendar or http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/soc). The goal of the tests is to assess your ability to assimilate what you have learned about Spanish grammar, vocabulary, language, and culture. You are also expected to critically respond to and analyze the topics covered in class and in the texts. Tests will consist of listening, reading and writing sections in which your overall knowledge of the course material is evaluated. Tests are not curved and no make-up tests will be given. NO DEVIATION OF THE TEST SCHEDULE WILL BE ALLOWED, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES; this means NO early or late exams. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you will be present for both scheduled exams
MYSPANISHLAB ACTIVITIES
You will be assigned a variety of homework assignments from the MySpanishLab site generally divided as follows (see assessment for information on how this are graded):
· Grammar and vocabulary exercises
· Listening and writing practices
· Tutorials
· Chapter Tests
You are responsible for completing all the assigned activities. The online exercises that are assigned will appear in the MySpanishLab calendar on the dates assigned. Most of these exercises are computer-graded and your instructor will receive notification of your work. We do not expect you to get all the exercises right on the first try, which is why the program offers you feedback and hints. You have various attempts to complete each assignment and improve your score as much as possible and the program will provide you with feedback as you move on in your work. The final score you receive on the activity will be the grade you receive for that homework assignment. The exercises and practices assigned for a chapter will be averaged, resulting in a grade for each chapter, which is what will be calculated for your homework grade.
Keep in mind that the program:
· Is set to allow for a limited number of attempts
· Will count the highest grade of all attempts in your grade book
· It allows you to “Save for later”. Remember: saving for later counts as an attempt
· Asks you to answer all questions in an activity before you are able to submit for scoring
· Will on occasion allow you to submit activities after the due date. Your instructor will determine if the grades will be accepted or not following the guidelines set in this syllabus.