COURSE SYLLABUS: SPA 101( Spring 2008)

Intensive (5 weeks) (Mar 31- May 6)

CLASSROOM: IB 3325 (10-11:50 Mo-Fri)

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 Ass101SpringInt.HTM

TEXTBOOK & LAB MANUAL: Puntos de partida , 7th 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) * www.mhhe.com/puntos7

ab). at the bookstore)

Course Code:HMA734 (To be used only with purchased online lab manual)

b) Hardcopy lab manual (purchased at the bookstore - and a set of CD,s - purchased at the library)

ADDITIONAL PRACTICE MATERIAL:

Online Learning Center
* www.mhhe.com/puntos7
http://playlist.roanoke.edu/spanish/puntos

TUTORING CENTER - language learning assistance:

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

COURSE DESCRIPTION: (This is an intensive course and it runs for five weeks for two hours a day)

Spanish 101 is the first segment of a structured introduction to the language and the cultural aspects of regions and countries where the Spanish language 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.

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

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

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

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

... 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 3. Discover, develop, and communicate one's own creative and critical ideas in writing and respond in effective writing to the spoken, written, and visual ideas of others.

Outcome 6. Work and communicate effectively in groups.

Outcome 7. Deal constructively with information, ideas, and emotions associated with such issues of diversity and conflict as culture, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, and abilities.

Outcome 13. Understand the elements of a global society.

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

* read with a fairly good pronunciation

* understand basic instructions and communicate in the present tense with good use of descriptions (students will prepare a photo album with descriptions and locations of relatives and friends and they will also write a ready- to-send postcard )

* 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 textbook-learned structures into their own experiences.

* 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 Puntos de partida and from its corresponding laboratory manual.

* Capítulo Preliminar
* Chapters 1-5
* Audio program through Chapter 5 (available @ the Media Center and online - as stated above)

NOTE: The completion of all assigned homework and laboratory exercises is mandatory in order to receive a grade for this course. Textbook exercises will be reviewed in class. Other individualized homework will be picked up, corrected and graded by the instructor. 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 picked up. Students need to work through each exercise by writing and understanding complete sentences in order to be able to read and translate them in class.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Regular attendance, punctuality and participation. Because this is an intensive course, students are expected to spend at least two hours a day on homework in addition to the work done 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 and films viewed in class
* 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 320 will be tallied as follows:

Exams: 2 (50 min) of 100 points each (dates given below) . 100 points

QUIZ GRADE (FROM GUEST SPEAKERS OR OTHER ASSIGNMENTS):

There will be two 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 2 speakers there will be another written assignment required to be turned in that will count for the 10 points( quiz grade) , i.e., a set of sentences about a film in Spanish viewed in class, album of pictures with descriptions written in Spanish, etc (THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT GRADE ­THE SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT WILL BE PICKED UP ONLY ON THE DAY THAT IS DUE).. 20 points

Class Participation: A student will receive up to 100 points for his/her participation in class. This 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. 100points

Total______________________________320points

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 ( 10:00-11:50 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).
* Etc. (please submit your suggestions)

* 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. 3 points
*

* Borderline students may be granted up to: 3 points (rounded up on an exam- this will be judged by class performance and participation)

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: