JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Course Syllabus

FL 230 Intermediate Spanish I - Spring 2010

FL 230-003 (10681)

 

Instructor:                                 Samuel Sommerville

Office: GEB 154 F                   Mailbox: OCB 204

 

Office Hours:    M 3:30-4:15               

T 11:00-12:30             

W 3:30-4:15               

R 11:00-12:30            

F 3:30-4:15                  or by appointment

 

E-mail: ssommerv@jccc.net (You may need to wait 24 hours for a reply)         

Voicemail: (913) 469-8500 Ext. 4586 (You may need to wait 24 hours for a reply)

Homepage: http://staff.jccc.net/ssommerv

 

COURSE INFORMATION

This course is the continuation of Elementary Spanish II (FL 131).

 

Credit Hours: 3

Time and Location: MWF 1:00-1:50 a.m.; CC 318

 

Required textbooks:      *Knorre, Dorwick, Perez-Girones, Glass, Villareal. Puntos de Partida. Eight ed., McGraw-Hill, 2008.

 

                                    *Arana, Sabló-Yates.  Puntos de Partida Workbook and Laboratory manual, Part 3. Eight ed., McGraw-Hill, 2008.

 

                                    Laboratory Audio Program CD’s (Capítulo 14-18) for Puntos de Partida. Eight ed., McGraw-Hill, 2008. The purchase of theese CDs is optional as the audio to these CDs is available online (provided that you have access to a fast internet connection)

                       

                                    *Submarino amarillo (exercise packet not available for purchase)

 

Cuaderno dorado (packet not available for purchase)

 

            Mi diario verde (packet not available for purchase)

 

* Spanish and English Dictionary          

 

                       

                                    * Indicates you will need to bring to class every day

 

 

Recommended:             Compact Spanish and English Dictionary

 

Spinelli. English Grammar for Students of Spanish. 6^th edition, 2007.

 

           

Supplies:           3-ring binder or folder for class-notes/handouts/worksheets; at least 1 different-color felt tip pen for self-corrections

 

 

PREREQUISITES

Completion of FL 131 (Elementary Spanish II) or equivalent college-level course with a grade of C or better or completion of four years of high-school Spanish with a grade of C or better.

 

Talk to me if you are unsure about your background in Spanish and if you are prepared for this class.

 

Placement Recommendation guide for students with prior background in Spanish

 

FL 130 Elementary Spanish I – no prerequisites

FL 131 Elementary Spanish II – Elementary Spanish I with a grade of C or better or two year of HS Spanish

FL 230 Intermediate Spanish I – Elementary Spanish II with a grade of C or three years of HS Spanish

FL 231 Intermediate Spanish II – Intermediate Spanish I with a grade of C or four years of HS Spanish

FL 234 Conversational Spanish – four years of HS Spanish

 

Placing yourself in the correct Spanish class is not a simple mathematical equation and will depend on many factors. Here are a few issues to take into consideration:

-Spanish courses taken in high school

-how long ago did the you take these Spanish courses

-grades earned in previous courses

-degree of motivation and level of expectation of high school teacher

-travel experiences to Spanish speaking countries

-school district attended

-current use of Spanish at work or other similar settings or if living with a Spanish speaking spouse

-current study habits and skills

 

The following are additional guidelines that offer placement suggestions. Keep in mind that you may not fall exactly within these guidelines as each student has had a unique Spanish language learning experience.

 

                       

Enroll in FL 130 ELEMENTARY SPANISH I that meets five days a week     

-If you have had no previous training in Spanish

 

Enroll in FL 130 ELEMENTARY SPANISH I that meets three days a week

-If you have had a year and a half of high school Spanish several years ago

 

Enroll in FL 130 ELEMENTARY SPANISH I that meets twice a week

- If you have had a high school Spanish class within the past six months

Enroll in FL 131 ELEMENTARY SPANISH II           

- If you have taken 2 years of high school Spanish within the last 6 months (with A grades in both classes)

- If you have taken 3 or 4 years of high school Spanish within the last 6 months (with B, C or D grades in all three classes)

 

Enroll in FL 230 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I

- If you have taken 3 years of high school Spanish within the last 6 months (with A grades in all three classes)

- If you have taken 4 or 5 years of high school Spanish within the last 6 months (with B, C or D grades in all four classes)

 

Enroll in FL 231 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II

- If you have taken 4 years of high school Spanish within the last 6 months (with A grades in all four classes)

 

Enroll in FL 234 CONVESATIONAL SPANISH

- If you have taken 4 years of Spanish within the last 6 months (with A grades in all four classes) and concurrent enrollment in FL 231 Intermediate Spanish II.

 

A placement decision should be made after several inquiries. In addition to the preceding placement guidelines, students should:

-Talk to JCCC counselors

-Talk to Spanish faculty members

-Take the Spanish placement test

 

 

Placement test:

A Spanish Placement test is available to all students in the Language Resource Center in LIB 223 and at the Testing Center in 334 SC. Students need to present their ID to take the test.

This test is not a perfect measure of the level of a student as it focuses on writing and reading. It does not evaluate a students listening and speaking skills. Students should avoid making a placement decision solely on their placement score as this test is merely a very general guide

 

The following ranges of scores are used for placement purposes:

 

FL 130 Elementary Spanish I                score 0-295

FL 131 Elementary Spanish II   score 258-355

FL 230 Intermediate Spanish I  score 355-439

FL 231 Intermediate Spanish II score 440 and up

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Manipulate basic structures to create with language. Improve discrimination among tenses and self-correct.

2. Conceptualize similarities and differences between texts that incorporate some degree of narrative complexity. 

3. Follow extended discourse for which topic and vocabulary have been reviewed in advance.

4. Write compositions on assigned material.

5. Create with language on sentence level, ask and answer questions albeit with some self-correction.

6.  Detect cultural differences as expressed in written text.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Evaluation:       

Attendance                                                                   3 %

Participation                                                                 3 %

Homework checks                                                       4 %

Film review                                                                   3%

Un invento: group project and presentation                    3 %

Cuaderno dorado: vocabulary descriptions (4)  8 %

Mi diario verde (4)                                                       8%

Quizzes (5, drop lowest grade)                         8 %

Tests & final (5, drop lowest grade)                              40 %

Oral exam I                                                                  10 %

Oral exam II                                                                 10 %

Extra credit                                                                   0-4 %

 

CLASS ATTENDANCE         3 %

Faithful attendance is crucial to the successful completion of this course.  There is no way to make up a missed class. Absences are neither excused nor unexcused. You should understand that frequent or extended absences will influence both your in-class and examination performance. Your grade includes attendance, arriving on time and staying the entire class period. If you miss three or less 50-minute class periods this semester you will earn the full 3% attendance points.  For each class you miss beyond the 3, you will loose 1 % of the attendance portion.  Arriving late or leaving early will also reduce the 3% attendance grade.  2 late arrivals or early exits will count as one absence.  You will only miss up to a maximum of 3% of your final grade, even if you miss more than 6 classes. Attendance is recorded when you initial the attendance sheet at the beginning of each class. You are responsible for signing the attendance sheet each day at the beginning of each class.

 

CLASS PARTICIPATION     3 %

Participation credit will be recorded on a daily basis. Since this is a Spanish language class, you should try, at all times, to speak in Spanish. Class preparation and class participation are extremely important.  Part of your success will depend on your arriving well prepared and able to respond quickly when called on.  Preparation includes learning new vocabulary and doing exercises at home.  Participation credit will be recorded on a daily basis. Since this is a Spanish language class, you should try at all times to speak in Spanish.

For proper participation credit you should speak only in Spanish during paired or group activities. In order to accrue points, make sure you arrive on time, sleep at home, bring your textbook and other materials, and come prepared for class. Volunteering to ask or answer questions is also another way to accrue participation points. Participation points will not be awarded to those who speak in English during paired activities or to those that do not stay on task. Comments that are distracting will result in points being deducted. Please understand that participation points are earned during each class. You will not automatically receive participation points by just coming to class.

 

CUADERNO DE EJERCICIOS                     

There are 2 parts to your Manual: Laboratorio and Workbook.  The Workbook provides writing practice exercises and the Lab manual offers the listening component of your homework. The audio CD’s for the Cuaderno de laboratorio come with the textbook packet if you purchase a new book.  The audio portion is also available online (Google Puntos 8)

If you have access to fast internet connection, there is no need to purchase de CDs. You are expected to complete the homework (lab and workbook) and then to correct it yourself in different color ink following the answer key.

 

Note: Tests will include similar (sometimes identical) listening exercises as those presented in the Laboratorio.

 

 

HOMEWORK CHECKS                    4 %     

You will have daily homework assignments that will help you come prepared for class. The assignments checked will be from:

1. the Textbook
2. Cuaderno de ejercicios
3. Cuaderno de laboratorio
4. and Submarino amarillo exercises

 

Class preparation and class participation are extremely important. Part of your success will depend on your arriving well prepared and able to respond quickly when called on.  Preparation includes learning new vocabulary and doing exercises at home.  I am assuming students will do between 1 and a half and 2 hours of homework for each credit hour spent in class. I will randomly select a day during the week to check for proper completion of homework (I may check twice in one week).  Each homework check will count as 0.5 % (or 5 points each) of your grade for a total of 4 % of your final grade.  I will make a total of 10 homework checks and you will have 2 “free” assignments.  Save these 2 “free” assignments for when you are sick, out of town, have a family emergency, funeral or are unable to come to class.  Homework will be due at the beginning of the class period only.  Homework may be checked on quiz days. Since you have 2 “free” checks no late credit or early homework will be awarded. In other words, you must be in class to earn this 6 % homework check credit. If you arrive a few minutes late, you will not earn homework credit. The best way to master a foreign language is if you study a bit every day (this is why I check homework).

 

FILM REVIEW 3%

You will select a film from a list of suggestions and view it a home. You will also research the social, cultural and historic background of the film. Finally you will write a report in the form a of a movie review. Later in the semester, your instructor will provide more details.

 

UN INVENTO 3%

You and a classmate will invent a new product. In class you will present the product as if it were a commercial to advertise it on TV (or radio). A written version will also be turned in. Later in the semester, your instructor will provide more details.

 

EXTRA HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS     

Throughout the semester I may assign an additional homework activity that is not contemplated in the Homework Assignment Sheet (Mar de tarea). Likewise, it may be necessary to modify the Mar de tarea throughout the semester. Make sure to take note in class regarding these extra homework assignments.  If you miss or arrive late to class you are responsible for finding out and obtaining what you have missed.  I suggest that you contact a classmate to find out what you have missed.  For missed handouts you will need to stop by my office.  You are expected to be in every class session therefore, when you are absent YOU are ultimately responsible for homework and other assignments that are due.

 

Ask names, phone number, and e-mail address or 3 of your classmates:

 

Name 1 __________________________ phone __________________ e-mail ____________

 

Name 2 __________________________ phone __________________ e-mail ____________

 

Name 3 __________________________ phone __________________ e-mail ____________

 

 

 

VOCABULARY DESCRIPTIONS (CUADERNO DORADO)          8 %

A key component of this class is to learn new and review old words. Spanish speaking countries use different words for the same noun; therefore it is important to practice the art of describing nouns and verbs. For every chapter you will write 5 vocabulary descriptions of words for the rest of the class to guess. Describe 2 verbs, 2 nouns, and 1 adjective (some chapters  may only have nouns and verbs).  Vocabulary descriptions should be written in the Cuaderno dorado and turned in at the end of class. Make sure your handwriting is clearly legible. Your grade will be based on the quality of your vocabulary descriptions. You will only need to turn in four chapters (2 % or 20 points each). Do not use Spanish computer software programs or ask help from tutors, friends, or relatives. Such practices will be considered academic dishonesty. Due dates for vocabulary descriptions are included in the Homework Assignment Sheet. Vocabulary descriptions may not be written in class.  Likewise, you must be in class when each chapter is due. If due to illness, family emergency or a trip you are unable to turn in one of the Cuaderno dorado chapters, you may turn in the one corresponding to chapter 18. Because of the chapter 18 make up Cuaderno dorado, no late or early Vocabulary descriptions (Cuaderno dorado) will be accepted.

MI DIARIO VERDE 8%

The purpose of Mi diario verde is to encourage you to write in Spanish about your own opinions and experiences, using the vocabulary and structures we are currently studying. You will turn in Mi diario verde the class after each chapter test. For more details read the instructions included in Mi diario verde.

 

You will need to turn in 4 of the 5 chapters. Save your free Mi diario verde for when you are sick, have a family emergency, or will be out of town. Mi diario verde is due the class after the corresponding chapter test. You may turn it in two classes after the test, but it will be considered late and you will automatically loose 4 points from a total of 20 points. After the two classes following the chapter test, a late Mi diairo azul will not earn any credit.

 

Your grade will be based on covering all requested information and the quality of your sentences.

Use your textbook and class notes. Do not use Spanish computer software programs or ask help from tutors, friends, or relatives. Such practices will be considered academic dishonesty.

 

QUIZZES        8%

Dates for quizzes appear on the Homework assignment sheet. Quizzes will be given after the first grammar point and will cover both the vocabulary for the current chapter and the first grammar structure. There will be 5 quizzes and you may drop one and therefore there will be no make up quizzes.  Likewise, you may not take these quizzes before the predetermined time & date. If you miss one vocabulary quiz (due to illness, emergency, etc.)  this one will be the quiz you will drop.  The Testing Center is not an option for taking quizzes. These frequent quizzes will force you to study midway through each chapter, making it easier for you to slowly absorb new vocabulary words and grammar.

 

CHAPTER TESTS      40%

You will take 4 chapter tests during the semester and the final exam.  The lowest grade of these 4 tests and the final will be dropped and therefore there will be no make up quizzes. Because of the listening-comprehension component, tests need to be taken in class during the scheduled time.  Likewise, you may not take these tests before the scheduled date. If you miss one test due to illness or family emergency this test will be the one you will drop. Each chapter test will consist of a listening-comprehension component, and a written component. 

 

The Testing Center is not an option for taking tests.  The dates for each chapter test appear on the Homework Assignment Sheet. If you are forced to miss more than one quiz (due to illness, funeral or other emergency situations) you will need to provide valid documentation to qualify for a make-up quiz.  If you have taken all 4 quizzes and are satisfied with your grade, you may opt to not take the final comprehensive exam.

 

 

ORAL EXAMS                       20 %

There will be two oral exams and they will be conducted with a classmate and with your instructor.  The oral exam evaluates the student’s speaking and understanding, with regard to speed, accuracy, and knowledge.

 

EXTRA CREDIT                     0-4 %

 

Cultural activity: you may receive 1% for attending a cultural activity related to the Hispanic world.  You will write a 200-word report in English on the activity and reports will be due 7 days after the event. Those interested in this extra credit opportunity should let me know. I will keep you posted on some upcoming events in the KC area. You may suggest other possible cultural activities to attend.  Make sure you get my approval before you attend a cultural event.

 

 

WEB BASED PRACTICE ACTIVITIES

This textbook has some web based activities that will help you re-enforce what we have covered in class.

 

Google Puntos 8

 

 

OTHER CLASSROOM ISSUES

 

·    No food in allowed the classroom.  Drinks are OK just as long as you do not leave the classroom to purchase them.  You cannot expect to speak understandable Spanish with your mouth full of gum, candies, or miscellaneous materials, such as pencils, pens, and the like.

 

·    Make sure you turn off cell phones and beepers before you enter the classroom. It is inappropriate to check your cell phone or text message in class. Leaving the classroom to answer or make a phone call or checking messges is not acceptable.

 

·    Place all backpacks under your seat to allow space for walking around in the classroom.

 

·    During each class period there will be at least one paired or group activity. During these periods you are encouraged to converse in Spanish with your classmates. However, it is inappropriate to speak or chat out of turn or when not called on. If you enjoy socializing, please do so before or after class. 

 

·    Students are expected to arrive on time and stay the entire class period.  It is inappropriate to leave the classroom before the class period is over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASK FOR HELP

Please come to me with questions/concerns/suggestions, etc.  I am always willing to give extra help. You need to come see me immediately if you are having problems.

 

STUDENT WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities.  Any student in this course who has a disability that might prevent him/her from fully demonstrating his/her abilities should contact the Student Access Center (SC 253, 913/469-8500 ext. 3521) as soon as possible discuss accommodations necessary to complete the course requirements.

 

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM (WAC) STATEMENT

The Communications Division holds that writing is a means of learning; there is a correlation between reading and writing; and that writing helps one discover, clarify, examine and synthesize knowledge. Writing is, therefore, integral to any course and should be evaluated on its form as well as its content. In the Foreign Language Program, students will be required to write and be evaluated on the following types of writing:

1. Depending on the course level, students in foreign language courses are expected to write clear, accurate sentences, paragraphs, or multi-paragraph papers in the target language.

2. Students are also sometimes required to write English sentences, paragraphs, or papers. When they do write in English, students are expected to use clear, correct English, following standard grammar, usage and punctuation.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Academic dishonesty may result in one or more of the following:

1. Failing the assignment or test.

2. Failing the class.

3. Expulsion from the college.