Texts (available
at IWU Bookstore)
Zayas-Bazán, Bacon, García. Conexiones: Comunicación
y cultura. 2nd Edition and the accompanying workbook.
Gabriel García Márquez. La aventura de Miguel Littín
clandestino en Chile.
A bilingual dictionary
Course Description
Every effort will be made to stick to the course syllabus, but variations
are inevitable. It is the responsibility of the student to find out
what modifications have been made in the syllabus, if any, and arrive for
class appropriately prepared.
The 200-level courses are designed to review grammar structures and to
give students practice in using basic speaking, listening, reading and
writing skills. The in-class time will be devoted, as much as possible,
to the oral skills (speaking and listening), while out-of-class time will
be directed toward the development of reading and writing. Therefore,
class will be conducted in Spanish, and every effort will be made to give
each student as much opportunity as possible to speak.
It is very important that students come well prepared to speak in class.
You should consider class time, not as a period of passive observation
(as in a traditional lecture course), but almost as a performance (like
a music lesson or acting class). Students should anticipate classroom
activities by not only reading assignments carefully, but by planning in
advance comments or questions about the material along with the appropriate
vocabulary. Shy people will have to work extra hard at this.
Grading System
The final grade will be based on student performance
in the following:
1. Essays (5) - 30%
2. Tests (2) - 20%
3. Final (1) - 10%
3. Oral exams (3) - 30%
4. Homework- 5%
5. Participation - 5%
Essays:
Students will write 5 essays, which will increase in complexity and length
as the semester progresses. Occasionally these will require outside reading
or other preparation. As in other types of writing, correct punctuation,
paragraphing and correct grammar are expected. Equally important,
however, are the freshness of ideas, their coherent organization and effective
expression. These essays are done in-class (sometimes as homework)
and grammar, content, and structure will be the focus.
Tests
and Final: A total of 2 tests will be given and they will contain grammar,
culture, vocabulary, and reading. There will be one cumulative final
exam which is scheduled for Dec. 10th at 10:15 in the Beckman Auditorium
of the Ames Library.
Oral
Exams: The 3 tests have two parts. In the analytic part, which
consists of questions based on vocabulary and structures, responses are
scored for correctness. In the global part, which consists of situations
or topics, overall proficiency is assessed through performance in a role-play/conversation.
The question/answer scale emphasizes accuracy; the conversation/situation
scale emphasizes the ability to sustain a conversation.
Homework:
This
includes assigned homework from the 1) Workbook and Lab Manual and 2) your
answers to the reading
guides for the chapters from the novel "La aventura de Miguel Littín
clandestino en Chile." The novel has 10 chapters and will be read
as homework throughout the semester. It is important that each student
arrive to class prepared to discuss the chapters from the novel.
Participation:
Active daily participation in class is a required part of the course and
will be evaluated every day according to a 5-point scale. The points are
awarded as follows:
5 - student well prepared for class; hand raised frequently in drill and
conversation; in small groups, sticks to business and expands
effectively on topic.
4 - well prepared, but must be encouraged to participate.
3 - preparation inadequate to allow full participation; relies on
others to do the real work.
2-1 - poor preparation; disruptive to groups; little to add to activity;
speaks English.
0 - no preparation; asleep or absent from class.
Policies
I will make myself available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations
that you may require as a student with a disability. Before course accommodations
will be made, students may be required to provide documentation to the
Associate Provost, 211 Holmes Hall, 556-3107.
You are expected to turn in papers, homework and take tests on the date
specified. Special arrangements may be made when justified by certain circumstances
, but only when the professor has been consulted IN ADVANCE. Make careful
note of announced office hours as these are the best times to try
to contact the professor. You may leave a message with the voice mail system,
but that does not constitute consultation. Likewise, the nurse's list is
considered information only, and does not, by itself, give permission to
make up work missed due to illness.
A
word about office hours: University professors spend a lot of time preparing
class. This preparation takes place at home, in the library, and elsewhere.
Office hours are times of the day that the professor announces him/herself
available for other kinds of work: consultation with students, but also
with other faculty, etc. Feel free to drop in or call during office hours,
but if you know in advance that you are going to need time, let your professor
know, either by leaving a voice message or by speaking briefly after class.
Due to limited class time, please see me during my office hours if you
have questions regarding: course policy; grade explanations on homework,
compositions, or exams; complements or reproaches.
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