The University of Texas at Tyler
Department of Literature and Languages
Spanish 1413.001—Fall 2012
INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH I
MWF 11:00-11:50pm
Ana Cuervo-Utley, MA
Office Number: TBA
Telephone: TBA; Department: 903.566.7373
E-Mail:
Office Hours: MWF 1:00-1:30 or by appointment
Course Description and Objectives: SPAN 1413 is the first of a two-part introductory course to Spanish for those who have had little or no previous exposure to the language. (Native or heritage speakers of Spanish along with those who have previously studied the language in college or high school should not take this course [except for grade replacement]; native or heritage speakers or those who have studied the language before may receive up to 12 hours of credit through the CLEP examination in Spanish.) The course objectives are:
· develop basic conversational skills involving everyday topics;
· develop basic writing skills with a good fundamental command of
grammar and vocabulary;
· develop the ability to understand simple texts;
· foster an understanding and appreciation of as well as an interest in Hispanic culture.
Texts: Jarvis, Ana C., Raquel Labredo and Francisco Mena Ayllón. ¿Cómo se
dice . . .? 10th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2012. Packaged with
workbook and access card to iLrn (online course site).
Note: This package is available in the UT Tyler Bookstore, ISBN: 978128501342; the same package will be used in the second-half of the course during the spring semester.
Course Requirements:
Attendance:
Regular attendance is essential for success in the course. All students, however, are allowed five (5) unexcused absences to use for non-severe illness, travel, etc. With the sixth (6) unexcused absence, your final course grade drops by one letter grade (eg. A>B). With the seventh (7) unexcused absence, your final course grade drops by two full letters (eg. A>C). An eighth (8) unexcused absence will result in a failing course grade. Excused absences are only allowed in the case of participation in university-sponsored activities, religious holiday/observance, emergency situations, jury duty, or serious illness, and you must provide evidence that your absence should be documented by the instructor as such. Students have 2 days to provide evidence of an excused absence. Punctuality is required. Chronic late arrival and/or early departure will negatively affect your attendance grade. If you need to leave class early, please inform the instructor beforehand. When you do miss class, please contact a classmate about class notes, missed assignments, homework, etc. Please let me know always in advance if you anticipate being absent from class.
Participation:
Students should actively participate in class. Good participation means that you need to use Spanish as much as possible in class, be proactive and attentive, have a positive attitude, be prepared, listen respectfully to others, and participate actively in individual, small group, and whole class activities and discussions. We do a fair amount of pair and group work in this class, and you will have to be proactive about finding partner(s) to work with each day. Simply showing up for class is not enough to earn a good participation grade. Rather, your presence should make a positive difference in the quality of the class.
Homework:
The completion of Workbook and online activities through iLrn (see attached for enrollment instructions) for each lesson is the principal element in this section. Students must turn in the corresponding/assigned Workbook and iLrn activities (as indicated by calendar on iLrn site) at the time of each exam. Additionally, you must read the sections in the textbook that we will be covering in class prior to coming to class. Any other assigned homework specified by your instructor must be prepared before coming to class.
LATE WORK WILL BE SUBJECT TO A SIGNIFICANT PENALTY UNLESS IT IS DUE TO PARTICIPATION IN A UNIVERSITY SPONSORED EVENT, RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES, JUR DUTY, A DOCUMENTED ILLNESS OR EMERGENCY SITUATION.
Testing:
We will cover lessons 1-9, and there will be four examinations given during the term. The first examination will cover lessons 1-3; the second, lessons 4-5; the third, lessons
6-7; and the fourth examination will cover lessons 8-9. Please note that there is no comprehensive final for this course.
Oral Project:
Each student will give an oral presentation (in Spanish) near the end of the semester. The theme of the presentation may be any element of Hispanic culture—a prominent writer, painter, musician, singer, or political figure; typical foods; historical events; etc. The presentation must be five minutes in length and employ some visual aids. Although the student is responsible for choosing his or her theme, he or she should consult with the professor once in order to assure that it is appropriate and feasible. The use of some visual aids is required. Students should memorize as much as possible of their presentation.
Laboratory: The laboratory for this course will consist of on-line activities on iLrn (see above).
Grading Breakdown:
4 Tests 50%
Workbook and iLrn Activities 25%
Oral Presentation 15%
Attendance and
Participation 10%
100%
The actual percentages that the student receives from each category will be added together and the final grade will be based upon the following scale:
100-90%=A
89-80% =B
79-70% =C
69-60% =D
59-00% =F
Students Rights and Responsibilities
To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please follow this link: http://www2.uttyler.edu/wellness/rightsresponsibilities.php
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies
Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at http://www.uttyler.edu/registrar. Each semester’s Census Date can be found on the Contract itself, on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates are eligible to exercise grade replacement for only three course repeats during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on each Grade Replacement Contract.
The Census Date is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions that students need to be aware of. These include:
• Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold
directory information, approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No
Credit.
• Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after
the Census Date)
• Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a “W”
grade)
• Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment
• Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid
State-Mandated Course Drop Policy
Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the census date (See Academic Calendar for the specific date).
Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any questions.
Disability Services
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University offers accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or psychiatric disabilities. If you have a disability, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, PTSD or ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous educational environment you are encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility and Resources office and schedule an interview with the Accessibility Case Manager/ADA Coordinator, Cynthia Lowery Staples. If you are unsure if the above criteria applies to you, but have questions or concerns please contact the SAR office. For more information or to set up an appointment please visit the SAR office located in the University Center, Room 3150 or call 903.566.7079. You may also send an email to
Student Absence due to Religious Observance
Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester.
Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.
Social Security and FERPA Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically.
Emergency Exits and Evacuation:
Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class. Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services.
Important Information: Students’ academic work will be held to the highest standards of integrity in this course. Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty will be pursued by disciplinary actions. If there is any question about what is explicitly allowed for specific assignments, please do not hesitate to ask. You may consult with your classmates and/or friends about homework, but you may not copy someone else’s work or have them do any part of it for you. All tests must be completed on your own. All sources in written work must be properly acknowledged.
The last day to drop this course is 24 October 2012.
Incompletes: A grade of incomplete is given only in emergency situations and in consultation with the instructor.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
August 20, 22, 24 Introduction to the course
Lección (L) 1
27, 29, 31 L1/2
September 3 NO CLASS—LABOR DAY
5, 7, 10, 12 L 2/3
14 Review
17 TEST I, COMPLETE WORKBOOK AND ILRN ACTIVITES
FOR L 1-3
19, 21, 24 L 4
26, 28 L4/5
October 1 L5
3, 5, 8 L5
10 Review
12 TEST II, COMPLETE WORKBOOK AND ILRN
ACTIVITIES FOR L 4-5
15, 17, 19 L 6
22, 24, 26 L 7
29 Review
31 TEST III, COMPLETE WORKBOOK AND ILRN
ACTIVITIES FOR L 6-7
November 2, 5, 7 L8
9, 12, 14 L 9
16 Review
19, 21, 23 NO CLASS—¡FELIZ DÍA DE ACCIÓN DE GRACIAS!
26 TEST IV, COMPLETE WORKBOOK AND ILRN
ACTIVITIES FOR L 8-9
28, 30 PRESENTATIONS
December 3, 5 PRESENTATIONS