University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee || Department of Spanish and Portuguese || Spring 2014
Spanish 308-004: Advanced Writing and Reading
(Per UWM Policy: Syllabus Links
Instructor: Dr. Allison Libbey TitusOffice: CRT 713E-mail:
Office Hours:Monday 1-2 pm, Wednesday 12-1 pm, Thursday 11 am – 12pm
Final Exam: Wednesday, May 14 from 12:30-2:30 pm
Department Chairman:R. John McCaw(CRT 729, )
Program Assistant:Karen Marquardt(CRT 733, 229-4257, )
TEXTS
Dominicis, MaríaCanteli, and John F. Reynolds. Repase y escriba: Curso avanzado de gramática y composición, 6th. ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2011. [Panther Books]
Riera, Carme. El verano del inglés. Punto de Lectura, SL. Madrid: España, 2007.[Exclusively at Panther Books]
An unabridged, college-level English-Spanish, Spanish-English dictionary and a good Spanish only dictionary are also recommended. The Diccionario de la lengua española and the Diccionario panhispánico de dudas of the Real Academia Española are available for consultation online:
COURSE INFORMATION
Prerequisites: Spanish 204 (at least a C-) or placing at level 5 in the UW Placement Test.
Description and objectives:The course is designed for the advanced intermediate student of Spanish. We will examine in detail some of the most complex aspects of Spanish grammar through theory, mechanical and lexical exercises from the text, reading, translations, conversation, and writing activities inside and outside the classroom. The main goal is to put the grammar into practice in order to attain advanced skills in reading and writing. Students will expand their knowledge of the Hispanic culture, and they will develop their own ability to reflect on learning the language. We will cover chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 of Repase y escriba in this course. Material from other chapters may be assigned as needed.Students must study all assigned material, although class time will be dedicated to the most complex subjects studied only. There is also an additional reading component, a novel that will be read outside class as independent reading (more details below.)
D2L Site || Mailing List: There is a D2L site for this course. Important course information and other documents will be uploaded to D2L throughout the semester. The instructor will also send out messages via a course reflector (mailing list) using students’ UWM e-mail addresses. Students who prefer to use email accounts other than the one at UWM, can go to and choose to forward their UWM email to their preferred account.To contact the instructor, it is advisable to use her personal e-mail address as listed above.
Attendance: It is necessary that students attend class every day. Regular class attendance is necessary for the successful attainment of the course objectives. Missing class negatively affects the progress of the entire group. If you are unable to attend class due to an unavoidable conflict, you are still responsible for the assigned material. Attendance means that students are present in the classroom and ready to work at the starting time. Missing classes and frequent tardiness will lower the final grade. Students who miss any classes during the first two weeks of the semester and fail to contact the instructor may be dropped from the class to make room for other students.
Student responsibilities: Learning a foreign language is an active process that requires constant individual effort outside the classroom and active participation in class. It is of the utmost importance that students come to class prepared and ready to actively participate so that every student can obtain the maximum benefit from the class. The study of grammar, the readings, and any book exercises or other tasks assigned by the instructor, must be completed before class. All assignments must be completed by the due date.
Due dates for all assignments are indicated in the syllabus and/or posted in the D2L site for the course. Following is a detailed explanation of the regular assignments for this course:
- Book exercises: Each section in the textbook includes several grammar exercises (“APLICACIÓN”) that must be done as preparation, that is, before the material is covered in the classroom. Each student is responsible for the individual completion of said exercises. Completion of these exercises means that students do the following:a) study the theory and the examples in the book before doing the exercises; b) complete the exercises consulting the textbook if needed; and c) self correct their work, with a different ink color, using the answers to the exercises posted by chapter in D2L. Some exercises may be assigned to be handed in during class. In any case, students have to come to class with all daily homework ready every day. The instructor may collect or review the daily homework sporadically, without further warning. It is also the student’s responsibility to ask questions and search clarification on any issues that may arise as the student studies and prepares for class in general, and on any problems that may arise with these exercises in particular. Failure to complete the homework will negatively affect the participation grade for the course.
- Readings: Each chapter covered in the book includes a reading. In addition to the readings in the textbook, the instructor may assign other readings occasionally.Students have to do all readings before coming to class. Each student must ensure basic comprehension of the reading. If students are unable to understand the reading, they can send questions to the reflector for other students, or the instructor, to answer them. The instructor will often assign in class brief written exercises about the readings. The readings will be discussed in class to explore their cultural and literary values, and to enhance students’ analytical skills and the understanding of the nuances of Spanish.
- Independent reading and journal: The text El verano del inglés must be read outside class, and students must keep a reading journal. Students will read this novel throughout the semester and will write about their personal reaction to the reading, as well as about the difficulties that they encounter as they read along. The instructor will revise the journal sporadically (see dates in this syllabus) and at the end of the novel as indicated below. Grammar will not be emphasized in the journal, although it is expected that students will incorporate their grammar knowledge in their commentaries. A detailed calendar and description of the journal follows:
By week 3 must have read pages 9 to 19 [Chapter 1] Must write three (3) entries.
By week 6 must have read pages 21 to 30 [Chapter 2] Must write three (3) entries.
By week 8 must have read pages 31 to 63[Chapters 3, 4, 5] Must write four (4) entries.
By week 11 must have read pages 65 to 101 [Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9] Must write five (5) entries.
By week 14 must have read pages 101 to 125 [Chapters 10, 11, 12] Must write four(4) entries in the journal, and a general reflection about the novel and the process of reading. You must write at least five complete paragraphs in the reflection portion of the writing. [Do not forget to write your general reflection!]
- Each entryin the journal must have at least two paragraphs, and each paragraph must explain in detail your impressions about what you have read. You are not asked to write a summary of the reading, but rather your personal reaction as a reader: emotional and intellectual reactions, questions and opinions about the plot and the characters, difficulties encountered while reading, feelings and impressions that the reading has awaken in you, etc. Date each entry, even if you write more than one entry on the same date and have to repeat the date.
- The instructor willwrite commentaries about the content of the entries, not the grammar. It is expected that students will incorporate into their writing the grammar concepts covered in class, but grammar errors will not be corrected; they will simply be mentioned to help students improve their ability to express themselves in Spanish.
- You must write in legible handwriting, on lined paper, and you must write double-spaced to allow room for
comments from your instructor.
- Compositions: All students must write four compositions throughout the semester. Two of them will be written in class, and two outside. Due dates are detailed in this syllabus. Topics will be assigned in class and through D2L. The instructor will return each of the first three essays with pertinent notes--see Correction Guide on D2L--so that students will have the opportunity to rewrite it. It is important that students meet with the instructor if they do not understand the instructor’s comments, or if they do not know how to correct grammar errors. The last composition done in class will not have a rewrite. Writing will be evaluated as a process; that is, students’ progress will be taken into account. However, progress by itself will not necessarily convert into an “A.” It is expected that, as the course progresses, students will improve their writing skills in Spanish. By correcting the initial errors in the rewrite, students will integrate theoretical concepts and avoid those mistakes in the future. This is the progress that will be evaluated. It is important to keep in mind that the first writing of a composition IS NOT A DRAFT, but rather the best work that the student can produce at that point.
- Format: The essays written outside class, as well as the rewrite of the first composition completed in class, must be typed, double spaced, no extra space between paragraphs, with a minimum extension of a page and a half, Times New Roman font size 12, and 1” margins all around. Please, set your margins properly. They must have a title and the date. No late compositions will be accepted. The compositions written in class have to be in legible handwriting, on lined paper brought to class by the student.
- Writing in class: The students will have writing activities in class occasionally. The instructor will collect these writings immediately after completion. The instructor, or a classmate, will indicate errors of syntax, grammar, and spelling, and will comment on the content and organization of the writing, but will not correct them. Students must write leaving an empty line in between. These empty spaces will be used by the instructor to insert comments, and by the students to insert the corresponding corrections. In class writings can be done only in class. There will be no make up for them.
Grading Scale:
87-89 B+ / 77-79C+ / 67-69D+ / 0-59 F93-100A / 83-86B / 73-76C / 63-66D
90-92 A- / 80-82B- / 70-72C- / 60-62D-
Grading: The final grade will have on the following components:
25%Compositions.10%Preparation and participation
30%Partial Exams (2) 5%Independent Reading Journal.
30%Final Exam: All covered chapters, including readings, and El verano del inglés.
Make-ups: Make-ups for exams and other assignments will only be given for official conflicts and excused absences. UWM recognizes as excused absences a family emergency, illness, religious observance or an unavoidable professional obligation. Such absences must be supported by WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION in order to be accepted. In order for a make-up to be allowed, the student must contact the instructorprior to the absence.
Electronic Devices:All cellular phones, IPods, etc. must be turned off during class time.
Credit Hour Policy: This is a three-credit course consisting of 2.5 hours of class time per week. You should expect to spend at 6 hours per week outside of class reading the textbook and course novel, working on homework assignments and compositions, and studying for exams.
Retroactive credits:A Student who begins their study of Spanish at UWM in 308 can receive 14 retroactive credits for 103, 104, 203 and 204 by receiving a B or better in this course and completing a form in the department office. Students must be taking the course for the first time in order to get the retro credits.
Special Needs: If you will need special accommodations in order to meet any of the requirements of this course, please contact your instructor as soon as possible. Said students must also contact the Student Accessibility Center (, Mitchell Hall 116, (414) 229-6287 Voice/TTY if they have not done so already.
“Major / Minor”: If you are pursuing a major or minor in Spanish and you have not declared it yet, you should contact the Spanish Undergraduate Academic Advisor as soon as possible:
StelliaJordán (Curtin 703)
Academic Conduct:Students are expected to follow the code on academic conduct at UWM on all their assignments. UWM student academic misconduct procedures can be found at:
Other Academic Resources:
-Student Success Center: For information on individualized help with academics and campus resources, visit their website at,
- International Partners: Students interested in meeting with someone from a Spanish-speaking country on a regularbasis can contact Jennifer Mattson, from the ESL Program, in Curtin 697 (229-4230; ). This experience can be both a cultural and language exchange between students.
- Resource Center: The Language Resource Center, located in the basement of Curtin Hall, has materials available for improving your oral and written skills in Spanish.
-Spanish Writing Center. The purpose of the Center is to assist students currently taking Spanish classes with the specific writing assignments assigned in their classes--for example: sentence structure, thesis development, grammar correction, etc.Because the Department has limited resources available to staff the Writing Center at the current moment, it is imperative that students contact them in advance for any assistance. To make an appointment, please contact Ms. StelliaJordán at .
Friendly Note: At times during a semester, personal circumstances interfere with a student’s ability to keep on track with the course work. Should any such situation arise in your life, you are encouraged to, and responsible for, discussing the circumstances with the instructor as soon as possible, so that a plan may be developed for you to be able to complete all the required tasks.
CALENDARIO TENTATIVO DE CLASES:
SEMANA 1(del 21 al 24 de enero)Capítulo 1
martesIntroducción al curso.
juevesLectura: “Águeda” (p. 2-4)
Vocabulario, comprensión e interpretación (p. 5-6, todas las preguntas)
Sección gramatical: Pretéritoeimperfecto (p. 7-11, “Aplicación” 1-3)
SEMANA 2(del 27 al 31 de enero)Capítulo 1
martesMás práctica con pretérito e imperfecto (p. 11-17, “Aplicación” C 1-8, D 1-7, E 1-6, G 1, A 1-2)
juevesAmpliación léxica: diminutivos, aumentativos y despectivos (p. 18-21, “Aplicación” A 1-5, B 1-6)
Distinciones léxicas I: Soler, acabar de, por poco (p. 21-22,“Aplicación” A 1-4, B 1-3, C 1, D 1-4)
Para escribir mejor: Observaciones sobre la grafía española(p. 23-26,“Aplicación” A, B, C y D [la mitad])
SEMANA 3(del 3 al 7 de febrero)Capítulo 2
martesLectura: “Nuestros semejantes” (p. 28-30)
Vocabulario y comprensión (p. 31, todas las preguntas)
Sección gramatical: Ser y estar(p. 32-37, “Aplicación” p. 34-5 B 1-5, C 1-5 / p. 36-7 B, D 1-5)
juevesSección gramatical: Ser y estar(p. 38-45, “Aplicación” p. 38-9 F 1 / p. 41 1-8 / p. 42 1-7 / p. 44 A 1-4, B 1-7)
Primera entrega del diario de lectura
SEMANA 4(del 10 al 14 de febrero)Capítulo 2
martesAmpliación léxica: El género de los nombres de los animales (p. 45-47, “Aplicación” B 1-8, A y C [la mitad])
Distinciones léxicas: Equivalentes de toknow (p. 47-49, “Aplicación” D 1-7)
Para escribir mejor: La acentuación (p. 49-53, “Aplicación” p. 50 1-10 / p. 52-3 A 1-5, B)
Composición #1
juevesRepaso para el primer examen parcial.
SEMANA 5 (del 17 al 21 de febrero)Capítulo 3
martesExamen parcial #1: Cap. 1 y 2 | El verano del inglés
juevesLectura: “El Hombre de Plata” (p. 56-60)
Vocabulario, comprensión e interpretación (p. 61-62, todas las preguntas)
Repaso de los pronombre de objeto directo e indirecto (en clase)
SEMANA 6(del 24 al 28 de febrero) Capítulo 3
martesSección gramatical: Construcciones verbales especiales (p. 63-70, “Aplicación” p. 66 B 1-5, C, D 1-5 / p. 69- 70 A 1-4, B 1)
juevesUsos especiales de los pronombres de objeto directo e indirecto (p. 71-73 A 1-2, B 1-5, C, D 1-4)
Los tiempos perfectos y estructuras de tiempo especiales: Hace + período de tiempo + verbo (p. 73-78, “Aplicación” p. 75-6 A 1, B 1-3, C D 1-3 / p. 77-8 A 1-2, B 1-4)
Segunda entrega del diario de lectura
SEMANA 7(del 3 al 7 de marzo)Capítulos 3 y 4
martesComposición #2 - en clase
juevesAmpliación léxica: Los nombres de los sonidos (p. 78-79, A 1-6, B)
Distinciones léxicas: Equivalentes de top (p. 79-81, A 1-5, B 1-4, C 1-2)
Para escribir mejor: Las palabras de enlace (p. 81-85, A 1-10)
Lectura: “Réquiem con tostadas” (p. 88-92)
Vocabulario, comprensión e interpretación (p. 92-93 todas las preguntas)
SEMANA 8(del 10 al 14 de marzo)Capítulo 4 Last day to drop course: March 14th
martesSección gramatical: El subjuntivo y el subjuntivo en cláusulas nominales (p. 95-103, “Aplicación” p. 98-9 A, B 1-6, C 1-5 / p. 100-1 A 1-5, B 1-5 / p. 102-3 A 1-4, B 1-2, C 1-5))
juevesSección gramatical: Más subjuntivo en cláusulas nominales y el subjuntivo en cláusulas independientes
(p. 106-113, “Aplicación” p. 107-8 1-2 / p. 108-9 todo / p. 111-13 A 1-4, B 1-4, C 1-4, D, E 1, F 1-4)
Tercera entrega del diario de lectura
SEMANA 9 (del 17 al 21 de marzo)
NO HAY CLASE: Vacaciones de primavera
SEMANA 10(del 24 al 28 de marzo)Capítulos 4 y 5
martesAmpliación léxica: Verbos formados con prefijos en-, em- y a- (p. 113-114, “Aplicación” A 1-7, B 1-5)
Distinciones léxicas: Equivalentes de but (p. 114-117, “Aplicación” A 1, B 1-7)
Para escribir mejor: Usos de la coma (p. 118-121, “Aplicación” A 1-7, B 1-2)
juevesLectura: “Calvarios de un fumador” (p. 124-127)
Vocabulario, comprensión e interpretación (p. 128-129 A y B todas las preguntas, C 1-4)
Sección gramatical: El subjuntivo - expresiones impersonales (p.130-133, “Aplicación” A 1-5, B 1, C 1-5, D)
SEMANA 11(del 31 de marzo al 4 de abril)Capítulo 5
martesSección gramatical: El subjuntivo en cláusulas relativas y expresiones idiomáticas que requieren el subjuntivo (p. 134-140, “Aplicación” p. 134-6 A 1-7, B/ p. 138 A 1, B, D 1-5 / p. 140 A, B 1-3, C 1-4)
Composición #3
juevesAmpliación léxica: La influencia del inglés en los países hispánicos (p.141-143, “Aplicación” A y B)
Distinciones léxicas: Equivalentes de toask (p. 143-145, “Aplicación” A 1-7, B 1-3, C 1-3)
Para escribir mejor: El punto y coma (p. 145-146, “Aplicación” A 1-3)
Cuarta entrega del diario de lectura
SEMANA 12(del 7 al 11 de abril)
martesRepaso para el segundo examen parcial.
juevesExamen parcial #2: Cap. 3, 4 y 5 | El verano del inglés
SEMANA 13(del 14 al 18 de abril)Capítulo 6
martesLectura: “La puerta condenada” (p. 149-152)
Vocabulario, comprensión e interpretación (p. 153-154, A y B todas las preguntas, C 1-5)
Sección gramatical: El subjuntivo en cláusulas adverbiales (p. 155-159, “Aplicación” A 1-2, C 1-2, D 1-4, E 1-3, F 1-3, G 1)
juevesSeccióngramatical: El subjuntivo en cláusulas de tiempo y las oraciones condicionales (p. 160-166, “Aplicación” p. 161-2 A1-6, B 1-4, C 1-4, D 2 / p. 164-6 A 1-5, B 1-2, C 1-5, D 1-5, E 1-4)
SEMANA 14(del 21 al 25 de abril)Capítulo 6
martesAmpliación léxica: Los prefijos in- y des (p. 166-168, “Aplicación” A, B, C 1-6, D 1-3)
Distinciones léxicas: Equivalentes de tobecome (p. 168-171, “Aplicación” A 1-5, B, C 1-5)
Para escribir mejor: Otros signos de puntuación (p. 171-174, “Aplicación” A 1-8)
Última (5ª) entrega del diario de lectura
juevesComposición #4 - en clase
SEMANA 15(del 28 de abril al 2 de mayo)Capítulo 12
martesLectura: “La ruta de los mercados maya” (p. 323-325)
Vocabulario, comprensión e interpretación (p. 326-327, “Aplicación” A y B todas las preguntas, C 1-4)
Sección gramatical: Verbos reflexivos yse impersonal (p. 328-333, “Aplicación” p. 331 1-8 / p. 332-3 1-5)
juevesSección gramatical: La voz pasiva y la pasiva refleja (se pasivo) (p. 333 -340, “Aplicación” p. 335-6 A 1, B 1- 6 / p. 338-40 A 1-6, B 1-5, C 1-5, D, E 1, F)
SEMANA 16(del 5 al 8 de mayo)Capítulo 12
martesAmpliación léxica: La contribución de las lenguas indígenas al español (p. 340-342, “Aplicación” A, B, C 1- 10)
Distinciones léxicas: Equivalentes de to get (342-345, “Aplicación” A 1-2, B 1-5)
Para escribir mejor: El informe (p. 345-347 A y B)
juevesRepaso para el examen final