SPANISH F101X: Elementary Spanish I

Section FE1-Fall 2017

Mon & Wed 5:50-6:50 GRUE 306

Tues & Thurs 5:20-6:50 GRUE 306

Instructor: Michael McGillEmail:

Office: Gruening 607D

Office hours: T-Th 3:30-4:30

COURSE MATERIALS

Required text/materials:

  • Panorama: Introducción a la Lengua Española (5th edition). Blanco and Donley, (2013).
  • Supersite Plus code from Vista Higher Learning (see “setting up your VHL Central WebSAM Account p.6 )
  • Both textbook (of some form) and Supersite code are REQUIRED by September 11th
  • Note: if you buy a used book you will most likely need to buy a new code to Supersite
  • A textbook is on reserve in the library under Michael McGill. You may check it out (within the building) for two hours if you need to copy Chapter 1.

Other course materials:

  • Blackboard access- I will post grades there.
  • Various online Spanish-English dictionaries or a good paperback dictionary.
  • Spiral-style notebook (for note-taking)
  • A slim three-ring binder is recommended for keeping handouts.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español 101! This course is designed for students who have never had previous instruction in Spanish (or truly minimal instruction). The following is taken directly from the catalog:

Introduction to the language and culture: development of competence and performance in the language through understanding, recognition and use of linguistic structures; increasing emphasis on listening, comprehension and speaking; basic vocabulary of approximately 1,000 words; exploration of the cultural dimension, implicitly through language and explicitly through texts and audiovisual materials.

Essentially, we will focus on: basic vocabulary and grammar, speaking and pronunciation, listening and reading practice, and confidence-building in the use of Spanish in everyday situations using a variety of classroom tools and practices. This course will prepare you for Spanish 102 and further study of the Spanish language. If you have had Spanish in high school or college, are a native speaker or heritage speaker, you need to speak to me as soon as possible to discuss other options in Spanish (CLEP test, more advanced classes, etc.).

The big idea of this course is that the Spanish language is the all-American language of the future. Spanish is the 3rd most widely-spoken language in the world and the second most spoken language in the United States (which recently became known for having more Spanish-speakers than Spain). Learning Spanish will open doors for you in work, study, and travel.

COURSE GOALS

  • Build a solid foundation of Spanish grammar/vocabulary for real communicative purposes
  • Provide the opportunity for students to interact and use Spanish with other students and native speakers
  • Improve listening and reading skills
  • Appreciate the variety of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world

STUDENT LEARNING/COURSE OUTCOMES

  • Students will be able to describe their daily lives, likes/dislikes, courses, career goals, family in Spanish
  • Students will be able to sustain a basic conversation in the present tense about a variety of topics
  • Students will be able to comfortably use both the present and past tense in speech, writing and reading

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

This is a communicative language class, and as such, the instructor will act principally as a resource, and as a facilitator of interaction. There will be whole class interaction, small group interaction, and pair work. There may also occasionally be some (educational) games, films and music.

Language Lab: Gruening 609, hours TBA. There are computers with internet and printing access available for foreign language students. Additionally, there are language-specific tutors who can help you with your work, or act as conversation partners.

COURSE POLICIES

Student responsibilities
  • Preparation. Students must come prepared for every class. Your preparation will have a direct effect on your participation. Due to the intensive nature of this course, you will be expected to study at least one hour OUTSIDE of class for every one hour of class time (5 hours per week). The idea is that you will review the day's workand preview the next day’s lesson so that you have looked it over prior to coming to class.
  • Attendance and participation. In-class interaction is required. Missed class: if you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to check with the instructor or a classmate to see if you missed any assignment or schedule change.
  • Monitoring of course grades. I will post test, quiz, and WEbSAM grades on Blackboard. Please check periodically to see that the grades match what you received.

Appropriate class behavior.

You are welcome to bring a drink or snack to class, but please do not bring your dinner to class. Side conversations are not acceptable once class is under way. I expect you to be courteous to classmates and the instructor at all times. Cell phone use for texting, checking your social network accounts and making/receiving calls in class is not allowed. When we are working on writing activities you may use your cellphones or laptops to access online dictionaries. I strongly discourage you from using the translation functions of the many online dictionaries when doing writing exercises. Not only will you not practice the grammar we are studying, but I’ll generally be tipped off by your use of grammar we haven’t learned yet!

Students with disabilities. UAF makes appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities who have been documented by the Office of Disability Services (203 Whitaker Building, 474-7043). Students with learning or other disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to obtain the appropriate documentation if they do not have it. Please meet with me during office hours so that I can collaborate with the Office of Disability Services to provide the appropriate accommodations and support to assist you in meeting the goals of the course.

Student support services. UAF is committed to equal opportunity for all students. Students who are the first in their families to attempt a four-year college degree, or students whose incomes are low, have opportunities for tutorial and other forms of support from the office of Student Support Services. Please make an appointment with Student Support Services at 474-2644.

Student code of conduct. As a UAF student, you are subject to UAF's Honor Code:

"Students will not collaborate on any quizzes, in-class exams, or take-home exams that will contribute to their grade in a course, unless permission is granted by the instructor of the course. Only those materials permitted by the instructor may be used to assist in quizzes and examinations.

Violations of the Honor Code will result in a failing grade for the assignment and, ordinarily, for the course in which the violation occurred. Moreover, violation of the Honor Code may result in suspension or expulsion."

EVALUATION

To measure the expected learning outcomes, we will use the following resources:

A. Participación

Learning a language is not done in isolation. Speaking, listening, and interacting with others are essential parts of the learning process. Therefore, you will be graded on your classroom performance—not on whether you get the right answer, but on whether you are in class, with your materials, prepared and willing to speak. It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that you cannot participate if you are not present, and absences will affect your grade. An excused absence is one that is beyond your control and can be verified in writing- doctor’s note, court appearance, etc. However, you will be allowed 4 “free” absences before your grade will be affected. Missing 23 hours of class or more will result in an automatic “F”. Please be on time for class.

B. Exámenes

There is a test after chapters 1-7. Each chapter exam will also have a graded listening comprehension component. Exams may not be made up without advance accommodation. At the end of the semester your lowest test grade will be dropped (if you miss an exam, it will automatically be the dropped grade).

C. Tarea

Your written homework assignments will be done online through the Panorama website: You should have received a WebSAM code with your textbook when you purchased it. You will need to activate your code and register online for the class. Be sure that you register for the correct section for this class-FE1. I have attached printed instructions for registering on the site. If you did not receive a WebSAM code (either you purchased a used book, or are sharing a book), you may purchase one directly from the publisher. If either you do not have a computer at home or your computer does not have the capability to do the workbook, you may use the computers in the Language Lab. (GRUE 609). Homework is due on the day before the exam for each chapter (dates listed in calendar below). Late homework will be accepted with a 20% per day grade reduction.

D. Pruebas

I will give numerous (at least one per week) short quizzes to see if you are acquiring the grammar and language structures we are working with. These "pop" quizzes may not be made up, but I’ll drop your lowest two scores.

E. Examen Final: Will be comprehensive but will focus heavily on Chapters 5-7. We will review for the final exam on Dec. 6-7.

Components of the final grade and weight by percentage:

Classroom participation30%

Chapter tests25%

Quizzes10%

Homework 25%

Final exam10%

Departmental grading scale
A+97-100
A93-96
A-90-92
/ B+87-89
B83-86
B-80-82
/
C+77-79
C73-76
C-70-72
/
D+67-69
D63-66
D-60-62
/
F0-60

Drop dates:

Friday, Sept. 8- deadline for student and faculty initiated drops with refund(course does not appear on student record)

Monday, Sept. 11- deadline for tuition and fee payment and refunds, 5 p.m. in person, midnight at UAOnline

Monday, Nov. 3 is the last day for student and faculty-initiated withdrawals (W grade appears on academic record)

Horario de clases: (may be amended as the semester progresses)

28 de agosto: Introducción

29-31 de agosto-1 de septiembre: Capítulo 1

5 de septiembre- No hay clases

5-11 de septiembre: Capítulo 1

10 de septiembre: WebSAM due

11 de septiembre: Examen (Capítulo 1)

12-25 de septiembre: Capítulo 2

24 de septiembre- WebSAM due

25 de septiembre Examen (Capítulo 2)

26 de septiembre- 9 de octubre: Capítulo 3

8 de octubre- WebSAM due

9 de octubre: Examen (Capitulo 3)

10-23 de octubre: Capítulo 4

22 de octubre- WebSAM due

23 de octubre: Examen (Capítulo 4)

24 de octubre -6de noviembre: Capítulo 5

5 de noviembre- WebSAM due

6 de noviembre- Examen (Capítulo 5)

7-20 de noviembre - Capítulo 6

19 de noviembre- WebSAM due

20 de noviembre- Examen (Capítulo 6)

21-22 de noviembre-Capítulo 7

23de noviembre- No hay clases- El día de las gracias

27 de noviembre-5de diciembre- Capítulo 7

4 de diciembre- WebSAM due

5 de diciembre: Examen (Capítulo 7)

6-7de diciembre- Repaso para el examen final

FINAL EXAM: WED,DEC. 13 5:45-7:45 PM

Setting up your PANORAMA Supersite account and enrolling in your Instructor's course

In order to see and submit your assignments, receive important announcements, and communicate with your Instructor, you will need to set up an account on the PANORAMA Supersite, and then enroll as a registered student in your Instructor's course.

Instructions

Step 1 - Go to VHLCentral

To begin, go to vhlcentral.com (the link will open in a new window).

Step 2 - Create an Account

  • In the "Login Information" section of the account creation page, enter a username of your choice.
  • Enter the email address you would like to associate with your account.
  • Enter and confirm a password of your choice.
  • In the "Personal Profile" section, enter your first and last name as you wish them to appear in your Instructor's roster.
  • Select the year of your birth from the drop down list.
  • Enter a student ID (optional).
  • In the "Security Information" section, you will provide the answer to a secret question, which may later be used to help you access your account if you forget your password.
  • After you enter all of the information, click "create an account."
  • Click "agree." (Before your account is created, you must agree to the terms and conditions of use policy.)

Step 3 - Activate Code

  • On the code activation screen, enter your Supersite Plus code.
  • Click "activate code" to continue.
  • Look for a flash alert confirming that the code was successfully redeemed.

Step 4 - Select a School

  • Locate your school by typing your school’s name: University of Alaska Fairbanks. To narrow the search results, include the city and state) in which your school is located.
  • Click "find." If the terms you entered did not result in a successful search, follow the on-screen tips to revise your search.
  • Select your school from the list by clicking the radio button next to the school name.
  • Click "select school" to add the school to your account.
  • Look for a flash alert confirming you successfully added the school.

Step 5 - Select a Course/Class

  • From the list of available classes at your school for your textbook's Supersite, look for Instructor "McGill, Michael" and the course "Elementary Spanish 1".
  • Click the radio button for the course section "Section FE1." If more than one class is listed for your Instructor, click the information icons in the class listings until you locate the section.
  • Click Save. You should see a confirmation that you successfullyenrolled in your instructor's course.

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