Christina Isabelli-García, PhD
Illinois Wesleyan University
Advanced Grammar and Composition
Spanish 303
  - Fall 2009


Hispanic Studies
IL.Wesleyan University

PO Box 2900
Bloomington, IL 61702
USA 

309-556-3174
309-556-3284 (fax)

email me
 

11/18/09

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free tutors
accent & essay information
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Textbook 
  Ayllón, et al, Spanish Composition through Literature, 5th edition, Prentice Hall.
  An excellent bilingual dictionary (The New World)
Highly Recommended
  A Spanish language dictionary  (VOX)
Course Description
Thorough review of basic problems of grammar and vocabulary with focus on nuances of word choice. Study of all tenses of the subjunctive. Writing assignments increase in complexity and length, involving literary analysis and other topics.  The course also includes reading excerpts from literary texts, from which various writing assignments are based. 

This course is designed to help students make their writing more accurate, organized and to develop a notion of style in Spanish using the reading excerpts as examples. This course also focuses on: 1) the development of argumentation skills; 2) the inclusion of supporting documentation and references to support conclusions; 3) the articulation of a coherent position on a given topic; 4)  editing; 5)  grammatical points; and 6) tackling difficult reading. 

Assignments in this course consist of: 1) vocabulary, 2) grammar, 3) answers to text comprehension, or 4) mirco-essays.

Grading System
The final grade will be based on student performance in the following: 
 1. Essays (7) - 30% 
 2. Homework (16) - 30% 
 3. Participation- 10% 
 4.  Exams (2) - 30% 

Essays
 1) Include on one line on top left of the page, your name and assignment name. 
 2) Type using Times New Roman 12 point font, double-spaced, double-sided, 1” margins. 
 3) 1 page with typed accents, tildes, and punctuation. 
 4) Incorporate a title and divide into paragraphs, bold main idea
 5) 1, 2, 4, 6 will be revised, 3, 5, 7 will only have one draft. 
 6) In revised essays, see check sheet on corresponding website for what to include.
 7) Staple the original and second drafts together when turning them in.

Homework
 1) Include on one line on top left of the page, your name and assignment name. 
 2) Type using Times New Roman 12 point font, double space, double-sided, 1” margins. 
 3) For vocabulary/grammar exercises, list the correct vocabulary word/grammar item in its correct form after the item number.  Do not retype the whole sentence presented in text. 
 4) For translation exercises, provide the English sentence along with the Spanish translation underneath it.  Double space.
 5) For comprehension questions, provide a detailed analysis, no quick responses. These will be graded for content and grammar. See a tutor to help with editing for grammar errors. Minimum expected: complete sentences, no direct quotes from the text, excellent grammar.
 6) Homework assignments will be reviewed in class before turning them in. Only comprehension homework will be graded. 

Participation:
Due to the nature of the structure of this course - remember that writing is a process - unexcused late work will not be accepted. If circumstances beyond your control arise, please notify me by e-mail as soon as possible. If your absence is valid, you will either - at my discretion - be given adequate time to complete that scheduled work or exempt from it. Participation points cannot be made up, you are either in class or not.

Starting the second week of class, I will evaluate your class participation in the following manner: 
3 - student well prepared for class shown through frequent oral participation; frequently leads discussion; expands effectively on topics
2 - prepared, but must be encouraged to participate
1 - doesn’t talk; prepared or preparation inadequate to allow full participation; asleep; speaks English
0 - no preparation; absent from class 

Exams:
There are two exams that cover the material seen in the homework and also what is covered during class time. The Midterm (examen parcial) covers Chapters 1-4 & 7 and the Final (examen final) covers Chapters 8-10 & 12.

Tutors:
It is PROHIBITED to consult a translation website (they don't work) or friend to help you write essays. Remember, the goal is to improve your writing and critical thinking skills and become an excellent writer for your other Spanish classes. Erin Brown in the Writing Center (Buck 102) will be holding office hours specifically for this course.  She is free to meet with you to talk about the structure of any essay on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8pm.There are FREE tutors available in the LRC (Buck 107) to help with grammatical aspects of this course.
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. 
Make careful note of  announced office hours as these are the best times to try to contact me. You may leave a message with the voice mail system, but that does not constitute consultation. Likewise, the nurse's note is considered information only, and does not, by itself, give permission to make up work missed due to illness. 
Office hours are times of the day that I announce myself available for consultation with students. If you know in advance that you are going to need time, let me know, either by leaving a 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, exams; complements or reproaches.


WRITING ASSIGNMENTS and additional information


PRACTICA | Ensayo #1  | Ensayo #2 | Ensayo #3 | Ensayo #4 | Ensayo #5 | Ensayo #6 | Ensayo #7
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Imperfect vs Preterite practice  Goldilocks

Taller con el estilo MLA (2009)

Tarea 14: Completa estas preguntas adicionales para Tarea 14 (pdf)

Tarea 16: Información que vas a necesitar para mejor entender el cuento (pdf)

Examen Final

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