Spanish 211
Fall 2011
Syllabus
MTh


Welcome to Spanish 211, the first course in Ohio University's three-quarter, second-year Spanish sequence.

QUARTERS TO SEMESTERS:  In order to fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences language requirement prior to the switch to semesters, you should take and pass Spanish 211, 212 and 213 in the next few quarters.  CLICK HERE for the list of classes offered by quarter during the 2011-2012 academic year.  

What to expect of the program:  Our textbook, Mas alla de las palabras, takes a culture-based approach to second-year Spanish.  Each unit focuses on a broad cultural theme about which students will read, write, speak, and listen.  These language skills, in addition to grammar and vocabulary, are integrated with the culture and history of the Spanish-speaking world in the textbook, the Activities Manual, many classroom activities, and the exams.  The Mas alla... program will familiarize you with the diversity of Hispanic cultures and help you acquire the language skills necessary to engage with those cultures both in the classroom and in the real world.  In addition, as you learn about the Hispanic world, Mas alla... asks you to reflect on characteristics of your own culture, compare it to the cultures studied, and thus increase your understanding of the nature of culture.

Your Role and Responsibilities:  You should expect to spend an average of 8 hours per week practicing and completing homework assignments (two hours for each hour spent in class).  The syllabus indicates due dates for formal writing assignments and video activities, but most of your homework will involve reading cultural and literary passages and studying grammar explanations in the text in addition to completing exercises from the Activities Manual, which reinforce verb forms and grammar concepts, cultural content, writing skills and listening proficiency.  Be sure to follow the Activities Manual Guidelines. You can also log on to the WileyPlus website for more practice.  The audio files for listening comprehension activities in the Manual are available on the "Guidelines" page and in WileyPLUS.  You should spend some time early in the quarter exploring WileyPlus in order to target activities that appeal to you.

A Note on Required Classes:  The College of Arts and Sciences requires its students to study the equivalent of two years of college language in recognition of the essential role that language and culture play in a liberal arts education.  The ability to communicate in another language, analytical skills, proficiency in reading and writing, familiarity with the products and practices of other cultures, and an awareness of one's own culture in relation to those others are all defining characteristics of the liberally educated individual and are all goals of the 200-level Spanish curriculum.  Language study is so much more than an inconvenient requirement for graduation; in language classes you will enhance your Ohio University education through new knowledge, connections to Arts and Sciences disciplines across campus, as well as acquisition of language skills.
Prerequisites:  Placement via the online placement test or completion with a C- of Spanish 113 or Spanish 199 at OU AND two or more years of high school Spanish.  Students must complete Spanish language courses in sequence.  If you've already taken and passed a Spanish class at a higher level than 211, you may not enroll in 211 this quarter.  If you plan to repeat Spanish 211 to improve your grade, you may not move on to 212 and later return.

C- RULE: In order to continue to the next course in the sequence, you must receive at least a C- (70%) in the previous class (after deductions due to absences). For example, if you have a 71% in the class, but 5 absences, your final grade will be a 69% and you will not be eligible to take the next class in the series. A passing grade for 213 is 60%, a D-.

Materials:  Mas alla de las palabras (second edition). (Student Edition with Audio CD, Activities Manual, and WileyPLUS Set.)  John Wiley and Sons.  ISBN: 9780470533420.  (Includes text w/CDs, Activities Manual for homework, and a code for accessing homework audio and supplementary activities.)  YOU MUST PURCHASE ALL THREE COMPONENTS, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AS A PACKAGE IN THE BOOKSTORES.  IF YOU PURCHASE COMPONENTS SEPARATELY, YOUR COST WILL INCREASE.  You should also purchase an English/Spanish Spanish/English dictionary to help you complete daily homework assignments.

Please note that if you purchase Mas alla de las palabras from a bookstore and open the cellophane package, you cannot return the book or the WileyPLUS registration code to the bookstore.  You might sell the book to another student, but the registration code is non-transferable.  If there is a chance you will drop Spanish 211 this quarter, you should check out the CDs and photocopy the book and Activities Manual pages from course reserves in Alden Library during the first week of the quarter until you are sure you will stay with the class.  Or, click here for electronic copies of the text, AM and audio files.

GRADUATE STUDENTS: Graduate students enrolled in SPAN-511, 512 or 513 will receive CR on their transcripts if their final grade is a B or above; otherwise, the letter grade earned will appear on the student’s transcript.

Extra Practice: If you would like more practice in preparation for exams or if you would benefit from extra help, please consult the tutoring policy on the course homepage.

EVALUATION

  • 2 exams covering reading, writing, listening, grammar, and culture on Unidad 1 and 2
 30%
  • quizzes
  6%
12%
12%
10%
 6%
24%

* You will receive a mid-term evaluation of your participation/preparation during the 5th week of classes.

** The final exam for all sections of Spanish 211 is Friday, November 18th at 4:40 p.m.   NOTE:  This time conflicts with the final exams for several other classes.  Please check this day and time against your other scheduled exams.  If you have a conflict, consult the OU policy at http://www.ohiou.edu/registrar/info/fall2011-12/combined.htm (see "Note" at the bottom of the page).  If the policy requires SPAN 211 to reschedule, speak to your instructor, who will give you further instructions.

GRADING SCALE


 B+  87-89 C+  77-79 D+  67-69
A   93-100 B    83-86 C    73-76 D     63-66 F   0-59
A-  90-92 B-   80-82 C-   70-72 D-    60-62

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The Ohio University Student Code of Conduct prohibits all forms of academic dishonesty. These include -but are not limited to- cheating; plagiarism; forgery; furnishing false information to the University; and alteration or misuse of University documents, records, or identification. In addition, assignments that are totally/partially taken from an external source such as published information (book, web page, etc.), produced by a translation program or by another person will receive NO credit. All forms of dishonesty will be reported to the Director of the program. Possible consequences include a grade of zero on the assignment, course failure, and/or referral to judiciaries.  See The OU Student Code of Conduct.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Under the learner-centered framework of the Department of Modern Languages courses, your attendance is of utmost importance. Certain circumstances may arise that prevent you from attending class, therefore, you are allowed three (3) absences. These three absences are not “free” but should be used to account for events such as colds, routine medical appointments, away-games for athletes, religious observances, court appearances, weddings, funerals, car problems, job interviews, etc. Beginning with the fourth absence (and for each subsequent absence), 1% will be deducted from your final grade calculation. A student who has accumulated 10 or more absences will automatically receive an “F” for the class. Use the 3 days wisely. Note that attendance is taken on regular exam days too. Note also that 3 late arrivals (up to 5 minutes) equal one full absence. Excessive bathroom breaks and early departure from class will not be tolerated.

For instance, if you earn a 71% (C-) in the class but have 5 absences (penalty of 2 percentage points), you will receive a 69% (D+) in the course.

Note: The attendance policy does not distinguish "excused" from "unexcused" absences; all absences count towards the maximum of ten.  In case of extended absence due to sever illness, hospitalization or disability, please consult with your instructor.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

We are committed to ensuring equal opportunity for students with a disability. This is a collaborative process and effort among the Disability Services office, the student and the instructor. Students with disabilities should provide the instructor with written notification of their disability via Disability Student Services and make a direct request for accommodations to establish the means of providing accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids within one week of the beginning of the course. If you have any condition (physical/learning disability), which will make it difficult for you to perform class work as delineated in this syllabus or if you require special accommodations, it is YOUR responsibility to notify your instructor the first week of class.
 

SCHEDULE

DATE
IN CLASS
HOMEWORK 
 Thurs. 9/8
 Capitulo 1
Introduction to Spanish 211, Texto pp. 1-9.
Complete assignments after attending class each day.  (TB=Textbook; AM=Activities Manual)

"MisPaginas.com" reading  in text; AM Complete 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10.  Follow the Activities Manual Guidelines.

CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO REGISTER FOR WILEYPLUS


WEEK 2
Mon. 9/12
 Texto pp. 10-16: Gramatica, Vocabulario para conversar, Curiosidades, Miniconferencia
 Listen to Miniconferencia on TB audio CD, AM 1.11-1.17.  Turn in AM pp. 1-14 on Thursday.
Video activity due Monday
Wed.
Last day to add a Fall Quarter class without instructor's approval.
Thurs.
Texto pp. 17-22:  Gramatica, Vocabulario para conversar, Curiosidades
AM 1.19-1.23.  Follow the Activities Manual Guidelines.


 BACK TO 211 HOME  Review in WileyPLUS "Read, Study, Practice": grammar tutorials, verb conjugator, autopruebas, etc.


 WEEK 3
Mon. 9/19 VERB QUIZ: Present indicative
Texto pp. 23-29: Lectura, Gramatica
Introduction to Composition Process
Video activity due
 "Deporte, literatura..." reading in text; AM 1.24-1.29, begin "Redaccion/Composition
p. 40-41 in text.  Turn in AM pp. 15-22 on Thursday.
Tues.
Last day to register for Fall Quarter.  Last day to remove a Fall Quarter class from  student's academic record.  Fall Quarter classes dropped Wednesday will remain on student's academic record with WP/WF grade.
Thurs.
Texto pp. 29-38: Gramatica, Vocabulario para conversar, Color y Forma, Introduction to Tego Calderon
 Tego Calderon reading in text, AM 1.30-1.33.
Composition Folder Due Monday



Review in WileyPLUS "Read, Study, Practice": grammar tutorials, verb conjugator, autopruebas, etc.


WEEK 4
Mon. 9/26 Texto pp. 38-42: Ven a conocer, El escritor tiene la palabra
Composition folder due
 AM 1.37, 1.39, 1.40.  Follow the Activities Manual Guidelines.
TB Isabel Allende reading and 1.59.
Thurs.
Oral exam (click for instructions)
Review for written exam (2nd hour)
 Turn in AM pp. 27-31 at written exam on Monday.


BACK TO 211 HOME Review in WileyPLUS "Read, Study, Practice": grammar tutorials, verb conjugator, autopruebas, etc.


WEEK 5
Mon. 10/3 Written exam (click for review sheet)
Capitulo 2
Texto pp. 45-53: Lectura, Gramatica
part/prep this week

"Familias" reading in text, AM 2.6, 2.7, 2.9, 2.11
Thurs.
Texto pp. 53-59: Vocabulario para conversar,  Curiosidades, Miniconferencia, Introduction to Preterit/Imperfect
AM 2.12, 2.13, 2.16. Turn in AM pp. 41-46. Listen to Miniconferencia on textbook CD,
Video activity due Monday



Review in WileyPLUS "Read, Study, Practice": grammar tutorials, verb conjugator, autopruebas, etc.


WEEK 6


BACK TO 211 HOME
Mon. 10/10 VERB QUIZ: Preterit
Texto pp. 59-66: Gramatica (pret/imperf), Gramatica (comparatives), Vocabulario para conversar, Curiosidades
Video activity due
 Last day to drop a class from Fall Quarter schedule.  Course remains on student's academic record with WP/WF grade.		 AM 2.17-2.24.  Follow the Activities Manual Guidelines.
Thurs.
Texto pp. 67-76:  Lectura, Gramatica, Vocabulario para conversar, Color y forma
Introduction to Composition 2
"Pasando el rato" reading in text, AM 2.25-2.31.  Turn in AM pp. 47-56 on Monday



Review in WileyPLUS "Read, Study, Practice": grammar tutorials, verb conjugator, autopruebas, etc.


WEEK 7
Mon. 10/17 Texto pp. 77-85: Lectura, Ven a conocer, Introduction to Pablo Neruda
In-class video
 "Laura Esquivel" reading in text, AM 2.36-2.39, Pablo Neruda poem and 2.54 in textbook (pp. 85-86)
Composition Folder Due Thursday
Thurs.
Oral exam (click for instructions)
Texto pp. 85-86: El escritor tiene la palabra
Review for written exam (2nd hour)
Composition folder due
 Turn in AM pp. 60-64 at written exam on Monday.  Follow the Activities Manual Guidelines.



Review in WileyPLUS "Read, Study, Practice": grammar tutorials, verb conjugator, autopruebas, etc.


WEEK 8
Mon. 10/24 Written exam (click for review sheet)
Capitulo 3
Texto pp. 89-94: Lectura, Introduction to subjunctive
 "Ser hispano" reading in text & "Momentos de reflexión".  AM 3.5- 3.8
Thurs.
Texto pp. 94-106: Gramatica, Curiosidades, Miniconferencia.  Introduction to second use of subjunctive.
 AM 3.13, 3.14, 3.16.  Listen to Miniconferencia on textbook CD.  Video activity due Monday


BACK TO 211 HOME


WEEK 9
Mon. 10/31 VERB QUIZ: Subjunctive
Texto pp. 107-115: Gramatica, Lectura
Video activity due
 AM 3.17, 3.18, 3.19, 3.21.  Turn in AM pp. 70-83 on Thursday.
"Espanglish" reading in text.
Thurs.
Texto pp. 116-125: Gramatica, Color y Forma.  Introduction to Composition 3  AM 3.26, 3.27, 3.28.  Follow the Activities Manual Guidelines. 
Composition Folder Due Monday


WEEK 10
Mon. 11/7 More practice with Gramática
Texto pp. 122-125 ("Beneficios" lectura)
Texto pp. 129-130 (pre-reading for Alonso S. Perales lectura)
Composition folder due
Alonso S. Perales reading and 3-46 in text, AM 3.35, 3.37, 3.38.  Turn in AM pp. 85-95 Thursday.
Thurs. 11/10 Texto pp. 129-132: El escritor tiene la palabra.
Review for exams.

Last day to withdraw (drop all classes).  Courses remain on student's record with WP/WF grades.
Review for exams in WileyPLUS "Read, Study, Practice": grammar tutorials, verb conjugator, autopruebas, etc.



Mon.
 11/14
 Last Class Meeting.  Review for final exam.  Listening comprehension for final exam (1st hour)
Oral exam (2nd hour)


BACK TO 211 HOME
Fri. 11/18 FINAL EXAM 4:40 p.m. (LOCATION TBA)