PERSPECTIVAS HISPANAS

PARTE A

España ayer y hoy

Sra. Urian

Seaholm High School

Room F104

E-mail:

Course Blog:

Course Description

Hispanic Perspectives is intended for those who have a solid foundation in Spanish Language and wish to explore the rich world of Hispanic culture. Our class time will be spent listening to, watching and reading authentic sources (music, TV programs, movies, websites, etc.). We will discuss their meaning, share ideas and express opinions. Through these endeavors students will come to understand what life is like in contemporary Spain and s well as the historic, economic, and social underpinnings that shaped the country.

In the first trimester to this course, the focus is on Spain. We will begin with a summary of the first nineteen centuries. A major focus will be on the Spanish Civil War of the twentieth century, followed by a study of life under the dictatorship that followed. We will continue our study with the transition period after the dictatorship, wrapping-up the trimester with contemporary Spain.

Students will:

Study Spain through film, documentaries, music, TV, ancillary reading materials, internet sites and more

Demonstrate comprehension and express ideas and opinions regarding historical, social, and political information studied

Identify important people, periods and events in Spain’s history and understand how they relate to life and social themes in current times

Continue to develop their language skills by studying theme related vocabulary and conversational/colloquial expressions

Present orally

Participate in classroom debates and discussions

Write essays and such

 Refer to the blog, in the category section entitled “Tarea Semanal”to find the homework assignment choices.

Course guidelines

  1. Academic Expectations

It is expected that you:

DON’T MISS CLASS! DON’T BE LATE FOR CLASS! Since a significant portion of our class time is spent viewing and listening to media and participating in pair and group discussions, etc., it is crucial that students attend class daily. If your absence is excused and you miss part of the visual presentation we are viewing, you must come to me before school to make arrangements to view it during your lunch/X Block in a room assigned by me.

Any work missed due to an unexcused absence will result in a zero.

You are bound by the Seaholm High School Honor code as stated in the Student Handbook. Any violations will be dealt with accordingly. A student who engages in academic dishonesty during a final examination, whether the examination takes place over one day or multiple class periods, will receive a grade of zero (0) for the entire final exam.

Cell phones are not allowed in class. They must be kept in backpacks or elsewhere, neither visible nor audible. Cell phones have proven to be distractions in the learning process and students who are engaged with their phones are not participating thoroughly in class activities. As a result, students who violate the classroom cell-phone policy will receive a reduction of 15 points in Class Performance and Preparation (30 point total) for the week for the first violation. Subsequent violations will also receive a reduction of 15 points in Class Performance and Preparation for that week, the cell phone will be confiscated, given to the student’s assistant principal where it can be retrieved by a parent or guardian. Extended consequences for continued insubordination will be handled by the student’s assistant principal as well as continued 15 point reductions for Class performance and Preparation. If you have any special circumstances that require use of the cell phone, please see the teacher ahead of that day’s class period.

Participate dynamically in class.

Speak Spanish at ALL TIMES…except on English Friday.

Complete reading assignments with care and accuracy –there will be reading quizzes, graded discussions, etc. I expect you to look up necessary vocabulary and make a list of questions that you have.

Be prepared for discussion, debates, and class activities

Focus on grammar and vocabulary as you read (it is a great review)

Please communicate any concerns you may have so I can give you the help that you need.

Enjoy the class! (A good sense of humor and positive attitude are appreciated and rewarded!)

II Materials

You should bring the following materials to class everyday:

Assigned reading and handouts- it is essential that you save all handouts, ALL TRIMESTER LONG! YOU WILL NEED THEM TO REVIEW, STUDY AND PREPARE FOR YOUR ASSESSMENTS, DISCUSSIONS, ETC.

Three-ring binder with dividers and paper.

Your own Spanish-English dictionary, should you want your own copy handy. Larousse publishes a fantastic one.

III Grading: Refer to the student handbook for grading scale.

Homework, quizzes, in-class assignments: 30% (Some homework assignments will be graded for accuracy)

Projects, presentations, major assessments: 40%

Oral Performance: 30%

Please have your parent or guardian read your course outline with you. I would appreciate it if you can provide the information I’ve requested in order to communicate with you most effectively. Please reach me at my school e-mail address. You will find this at the World Language link of the Seaholm website and on the front page of this outline.

I have read and understand the course outline:

Parent /Guardian signature: ______Date______

Student signature: ______Date______

Parent/Guardian name(s) ______

E-mail address or phone number by which you would like me to communicate with you most effectively: ______

Any other information you would like me to be aware of: