Bienvenidos a un excelente programa de espaņol en el Norte

COURSE SYLLABUS: SPAN& 121(Fall 2008)

SPAN&121:01 - 9-9:50 am -SPAN&121:02 -10-10:50am- SPAN&121:01- 11-11:50am

Classroom IB 3325

INSTRUCTOR: Cristina Czyzewski Zahajko
OFFICE: IB 2309A
Office Hours: 5:00-5:25 pm M.W
12:00-12:50pm M.T.W.Th (preferably by appt.)

Telephone: (206) 528-4539
Fax: (206) 527- 3784

E - mail: czahajko@sccd.ctc.edu

Web page: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/czahajko/

* for homework - go to Ass121Fall.htm

TEXTBOOK & LAB MANUAL: PUNTOS DE PARTIDA, 8th Ed., Knorre/Dorwick

RECOMMENDED MATERIAL:

Small Dictionary

OTHER MATERIAL:Audio Program - three options

Either) a): Online Laboratory Manual (could be purchased

aa) .with a credit card- online)

ab). at the bookstore)

Course Code:SPAN&121:01 - (9 am) - XHJCPD763

SPAN&121:02 - (10am) - KHJHBK879

SPAN&121:01- (11am) - GAA TX396

b) Hardcopy lab manual (purchased at the bookstore and set of CD,s purchased at the library) or for free at

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073534420/student_view0/capitulo_preliminar/laboratory_audio_program.html##

ADDITIONAL PRACTICE MATERIAL:

Online Learning Center
www.mhhe.com/puntos8

TUTORING CENTER - language learning assistance:

http://www.northseattle.edu/services/loft/h_langs.htm

COURSE DESCRIPTION: SPAN&121 is the first segment of a structured introduction to the language and to the cultural aspects of regions and countries where Spanish is spoken. There is no prerequisite for this course, but students are expected to understand the basic grammatical structures, such as the function of nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, pronouns, etc. in English and/or in their native language.

The learning process involves all four elements of language acquisition and use, i.e., reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Students begin with basic survival language, such as identification, address, numbers, etc. and are encouraged to use it even before understanding the grammatical formations. The structures develop alongside and eventually explain some of the spoken language already in use.

To facilitate this process and to address the different methods of memorization, we use in class and we have available in our resource center a series of audio and video programs and other electronic tutorial. We also have personal tutoring - free of charge

http://www.northseattle.edu/services/loft/h_langs.htm

.

COURSE OUTCOMES / LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

A) Based on General Education (North Seattle Community College)(January 2005)

A Definition of General Education

In accordance with the mission of North Seattle Community College , the college community affirms the place of general education in all programs. 

General education provides the non-specialized portion of students' education, emphasizing attitudes necessary to function as a citizen and life-long learner, skills required for college level inquiry and competence, and knowledge that demonstrates awareness of the complex world in which we live.

Attitudes

To help students achieve the outcomes of general education, certain attitudes should pervade the entire culture of NSCC and encourage faculty, staff and students to:

•  Recognize the value of intellectual inquiry, personal responsibility, and ethical behavior.

•  Discover the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge.

•  Demonstrate a willingness to learn from many cultures, persons, methods, and viewpoints.

•  Be actively involved in the community.

•  Find joy in the process of self-discovery, in expressing oneself creatively, and in life­long learning.

Skills

General education will provide introduction and practice in the ability to think critically, to use quantitative reasoning, to write, to demonstrate information literacy, to use computer skills, to work in groups, and to deal with diversity. 

This course will satisfy the following General Education outcomes:

Outcome 1. Think critically in reading and writing .

Outcome 6. Work and communicate effectively in groups.

Outcome 13. Understand the elements of a global society.

B) Specifically: By the end of this course, students should be able to: B

* read with a fairly good pronunciation

* understand basic instructions and communicate in the present tense with good use of descriptions (Students will prepare a small photo album with descriptions and locations of relatives and friends) ( They will also write a postcard and have it ready to send)

* conjugate verbs in the present tense with a variety of subjects and endings

* recognize the main similarities and differences between their own culture and the Hispanic world

* have a personalized mini-portfolio entitled "Mi vida en español" which will adapt the structures learned into their own experiences.

* communicate creatively about present situations

* BE CONVINCED THAT EVERYONE CAN LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MENTAL BLOCK FOR IT (*_*)

COURSE OUTLINE: Grammatical structures, vocabulary, idioms, etc., and written assignments, will be taken from the textbook and corresponding laboratory manual.

* Capítulo Preliminar - Ante Todo
* Chapters 1-5
* Audio program through Chapter 5 (available @ the Library - for nominal cost - and also available online - as stated above)

NOTE: Textbook exercises will be reviewed in class.  Laboratory manual exercises will be picked up on the days of the corresponding exams. Other individualized homework will be picked up, corrected and graded by the instructor.  The completion of all assigned homework is mandatory in order to receive a grade for this course.  Students are expected to spend at least one hour  a  day on homework in addition to the work done in class.

The homework assigned from the textbook has abreviated answers on the back of the book. This form will not be accepted as completed homework. The purpose of writing these exercises is to have a foundation for the individualized " creative thinking" projects that will be "turned in" to the instructor. Students need to work through each exercise by writing complete sentences and understanding them in order to be able to read and translate them in class.

(Suggested Organization)

#1. A notebook with 5 divisions is ideal for this course:

The proficiency in conversation, structure, vocabulary, reading and overall communication will be measured by:

* class participation and reading
* preparation of questions for classroom dialogues
* commentaries and discussion of video series
* interviews and discussions with guest speakers
* Interviews with classmates (intended to create a relaxed classroom atmosphere)

GRADING SYSTEM:

The final grade will be based on the number of points earned during the quarter. The maximum of 330 will be tallied as follows:

Exams: There will be three major exams based on textbook and other material covered in class. The exams will be worth 100 points each. Two of the three will be considered for the grade. The lowest score will be automatically dropped by the instructor. 200 points

NOTE: If a student took the first two exams, s/he may be exempt from the final provided that:

1) s/he has perfect attendance and has completed all written assignments from the day of the second exam (Fri. Nov 14) to the last day of class (Fri, Dec 5)

2) s/he has scored at least 75% on exams #1 and #2 (without adding extra points).

IMPORTANT: If s/he has two passing exams but did not fulfill the attendance or the homework requirements, s/he must take the final exam. In this case, the final exam will be included in the final grade and the lower score of exams #1 or #2 will be dropped. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

QUIZ GRADE (FROM GUEST SPEAKERS OR OTHER ASSIGNMENTS):     There will be three sets of questions in Spanish required from each student to interview guest speakers; each set will be worth 10 points.  If we should not have 3 speakers there will be another written assignment required to be turned in to compensate for the 10 points.  (THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT GRADE ­THE SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT WILL BE PICKED UP ONLY ON THE DAY THAT IS DUE) 30 points

Class Participation: A student will receive up to 100 points for his/her participation in class. The instructor's criteria will be based on discussion of written and oral assignments, laboratory exercises, pronunciation, reading techniques, preparation of questions for classroom dialogues and class attendance.

75% Directly derived from attendance for the full class period each day. Homework - turned in or reviewed in class on the day that it is due. Laboratory exercises turned on the day of the corresponding exam, or the last day of class before finals begin. Pronunciation. Class participation. Discussion of Destinos video.Comprehension and structure.

25% Overall oral proficiency. 100 points
Total ______________________________330 points

VERY IMPORTANT: Class attendance is mandatory and the key element in grading class participation. If the student foresees more than three hours of absenteeism during the quarter, s/he must discuss the circumstances with the instructor.

NOTE: This course is not designed for students who have a reasonable knowledge of the language and want to take a couple of exams. If this is your situation, please ask about our Challenge exams.

Other Credits:
* Perfect attendance (9:00-9:50 , 10:00-10:50 amor 11:00-11:50 am) 10 points
* Extra credit from the selection following: To a max. of 10 points
* 5 min. skit (turn in a written draft to be corrected before oral presentation)

*Class presentation and drill of a grammatical point.
* Presentation of "how to use or operate" something (full explanation given in Spanish)
* Written presentation of vocabulary and its application -from sources outside of the textbook - i.e. magazines, films, radio, TV, Internet, etc.
* Meeting of study groups --students must obtain a standard form to record the 5 meetings
* Peer-tutoring helping a classmate at least 5 different times for one hour each time. Tutor gets credit. (Form must be obtained)
* Working at the Loft with Spanish multimedia material or online with ancillary material from Puntos de Partida (5 different hours) (form must be completed and material attached).
* Etc. (please submit your suggestions)

* Spanish Conversation. Students may get 5 points for participating in 5 different conversation hours (5 x 1 hour or 10 x 1/2 hour) (Sign-up form must be obtained from the instructor and turned in with verfication of attendance) 5 points

* Service Learning. Students may get 5 points for working as volunteers in a Spanish-speaking helping capacity. Students must work at least 5 hours. They must present a) documentation signed by the supervisor of the program b) a brief report 10 sentences in Spanish about the project.

*Mini-porfolio "Mi vida en español". Organizing all "para entregar" homework after rewriting all corrections and turning it in. (Students must make all of the corrections in order to get the full points) 3 points
* Borderline students may be granted up to: 3 bonus points

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

GRADE BREAKDOWN:

The Seattle Community Colleges use a numerical grading system. Numerical grades may be considered equivalent to letter grades as follow:

Students cannot receive a grade of W (withdraw) after the eighth week of classes. If you need to withdraw from this class for any reason,please do so before the final day of the eighth week.

¡BIENVENIDOS AL MUNDO HISPANICO!