Course Syllabus

SPANISH 103     Winter '18

Instrutor: Andrea Stiasny Carruthers

Office: MLB 3406

Office hours: Google Calendar (please sign up for a time slot)

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

Welcome to Spanish 103. This course is designed to re-introduce you to the Spanish language through theme-based units that will provide a meaningful context for the purpose of communicating. The four basic skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) will be developed during the semester through practice and the application of specific learning strategies. In this course we will also explore some of the many facets of Hispanic culture, allowing the facilitation of authentic communication.

In order to ensure that you receive credit for this course, confirm that you were placed into Spanish 103 and not a higher level. If you have doubts about your situation speak with your instructor immediately.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

1. Aventuras  textbook (Fourth Edition): Choice of two: ISBN: 978-1-61857-639-2. or ISBN: 978-1-61857-660-6
   They are the same book, but one is hardcover, and the other is loose-leaf; you may purchase whichever you prefer. The book is packaged with the supersite plus code.  If you already have the book, you can purchase just the supersite access code option. The ISBN for this choice is: 978-1-61857-066-6. You can purchase the materials at a campus bookstore or you may go directly to Vista Higher Learning http://vistahigherlearning.com/store/umichigan.htm/. BE SURE to compare prices between the bookstores and this site.  We negotiated special pricing for University of Michigan students.
2. Aventuras supersite plus code, this comes with the book, or can be purchased separately if you already have the textbook. 
3. Blue/Green books for journal writing (available at bookstores)

OPTIONAL:

• English Grammar for Students of Spanish. Emily Spinelli, The Olivia and Hill Press.
• Spanish/English dictionary, paper version. Your instructor will inform you if they allow you to use your phone to look up words.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 

• If you are registered for a Spanish 103 class, you must attend the first two days of class all 2 hours. Failure to do so will result in an automatic withdrawal from the class except in the case of extenuating circumstances. If you do miss one of the first two class sessions due to an extenuating circumstance, you must contact your instructor immediately and provide a documented excuse. If you fail to contact the instructor you will be dropped from the class. If you are not registered for the class you must follow the directions given to you by the main office in RLL. Your instructor has no part in determining whether or not you will be in their class.
• You need to look at the final exam date today to see if it conflicts with any special plans that you may have at that time. For example: a wedding, family reunion, vacation with your family, etc. If you do have a conflict you must drop the course and take it another semester. NO STUDENT may take the exam early for any reason. There are NO exceptions to this rule.

 

By enrolling in this course and receiving the syllabus you are agreeing to abide by the following rules: These policies are subject to change. 

CODE OF ACADEMIC CONDUCT: 

Students suspected of cheating, plagiarism, or aiding others in dishonest academic behavior will be brought before the Academic Judiciary Committee. You are responsible for reading & understanding the LSA Community Standards of Academic Integrity. Review http://www.lsa.umich.edu/academicintegrity/ for more information. If your instructor believes that academic dishonesty may have taken place, s/he will present the evidence to the coordinator, who will inform the Academic Judiciary. An example of academic dishonesty is submitting a piece of work; for example, a journal entry which, in part or in whole, is not entirely the student’s own work. If you have any questions or concerns about this, feel free to consult your instructor and/or the course coordinator.

The use of English and the communicatve approach to teaching/learning Spanish:

In Spanish 103 your instructor will speak Spanish 90-95% of the time. You are also expected to speak in Spanish during class for paired activities, small group work, and whole-class activities. Even if you need to ask a question, you must do so in Spanish. Speaking only in Spanish will enhance your ability to acquire the skills you are seeking to achieve. You must therefore study vocabulary and grammar constructions at home, before the next day’s class, so that you’ll be able to use them in class for effective participation. Your level of preparedness and your use of Spanish are an integral part of your participation grade. You should make every effort to speak in Spanish even when you have finished your group/pair work; always keep the conversation in Spanish.

STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY:

Every student is responsible for their own success in courses at the university level. We do all we can to ensure your success, but ultimately, the responsibility lies on you. Be aware, be proactive, be resourceful, be imaginative. Don't blame others for your failures, don't procrastinate, don't lose track of your priorities, remember why you are attending the University of Michigan.

GRADING:

In order to pass this course, students need to receive a minimum grade of C-.

Your final grade will be calculated as follows:

Attendance Class participation Journals Quizzes & instructor assigned HW Online assignments In-class writing Written exams Oral proficiency exam Final exam

05% 05% 05% 05% 15% 10% 30% 10% 15%

ATTENDANCE (05%):

Attendance Policy:

Given that regular exposure to Spanish is absolutely critical for developing communicative abilities in the language, class attendance is mandatory. Any absence represents the loss of a valuable classroom experience which no written work can replace. However, it is understood that certain circumstances (illness, family emergencies, funerals, job interviews, etc.) may prevent class attendance. Therefore, you will be allowed a total of 4 absences that do not count against you. These are not "free days"; they should be used wisely. 

Students who miss no more than four days will be well rewarded: these students’ communicative skills will undoubtedly improve, and their grades will be credited with the full 5% allotted for attendance. However, any absences in excess of those 4, regardless of reason, will result in a lowering of the attendance grade. After a total of 4 absences, then the final attendance grade will be lowered 10% for each additional absence. Students with such an excessive number of absences should consider withdrawing from the course and taking it when circumstances permit regular class attendance. Students who tally more than 16 absences will automatically fail the course. 

Note: Absences for the following two reasons will not affect your attendance grade and will not be applied towards your four allowed absences:

1. Religious holidays. ONLY religious holidays approved by the University of Michigan can be excused. An instructor must be notified in advance (by the add/drop deadline for the term) and arrangements must be made to make up the work missed. 
2. Officially representing the University of Michigan: Students who miss class due to an athletic and/or other official obligation must provide written documentation in order to have the absence count as an excused absence. Your instructor must be notified in advance and proper arrangements must be made to make up any work missed.

When missing class it is recommended that you contact a fellow student to find out what was covered in class and/or what homework has been assigned. Do not rely on your instructor to keep you informed. 

PARTICIPATION (05%):

Your participation will be assessed every day, although you will only receive an average grade approximately every two weeks. This takes into consideration, but is not limited to: 

1) your use of Spanish in paired, small-group, and whole-class tasks; 2) your level of participation and cooperation in paired, small-group, and whole-class tasks; 3) your level of preparedness for class: completion of assignments, performance on in-class work, required materials brought to class; and 4) your respect and attitude towards the class (your instructor and your classmates).

Late arrivals disrupt the flow of class, for both instructor and fellow students; you are expected arrive on time. Repeated tardiness will result in a lower participation grade.

Please see the Grading Criteria here.

JOURNALS (05%):

You will keep a journal (“diario personal”) throughout the semester. The purpose of this journal is to help you reflect on the material presented in class and integrate and express your thoughts in Spanish. You are to write two entries per week. One entry should be on a topic of your choice (friends, family, academic life etc.) while the other entry will be on a more specific topic related to material covered in class. The assigned topics for the diarios, can be found in the weekly schedule under Units. These entries are to be completed in a blue/green book and need to be 1 page double spaced. The journal will be collected periodically (see due dates column for when they are due) Your journals will be graded for completion only, but full credit will only be given if: all assigned journals are in Spanish only, comprehensible, on topic, and follow the length requirement. Students wishing to receive specific feedback as to how to improve their writing need to meet with their instructor during his/her office hours. 

QUIZZES AND INSTRUCTOR ASSIGNED HOMEWORK (05%):

This category includes in-class quizzes, and any homework assignments distributed by your instructor to be submitted by hand. Late homework assignments done by hand will only be accepted if you have an excused absence, you must submit your homework promptly upon your return to class. 

ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS (15%):

The work you complete in this category will serve as an important learning tool to practice grammatical functions and new vocabulary as well as to evaluate your reading and listening comprehension. These assignments come from exercises you are assigned via the Aventuras online Supersite (www.vhlcentral.com). Late online homework assignments will not be accepted. These assignments will be graded for completion as well as for accuracy. 

IN-CLASS WRITING (10%):

You will be given three in-class writing assignments, please look at the daily schedule for the dates of these assignments and make any plans accordingly. Your instructor will assign the topic in class and students will be given approximately 15 minutes to complete the writing. Please remember that the more time, thoughtfulness, and care that you put into your journal writing at home, the better your results will be with the in-class writings. 

WRITTEN EXAMS (30%):

There will be an exam after units 1, 2 and 3. Unit 4 will be integrated into the final exam. Please look at the daily schedule for the dates of these exams and make any plans accordingly. You may not take the exam at another time because of other commitments, for example: family visits, vacation, job interviews, etc. In the case of an extreme circumstance the day of the exam, you must notify your instructor immediately and have a documented excuse to be able to make up the exam. For more information on exams, please refer to the additional course materials on Canvas. Exams are not curved in Spanish 103, nor are they returned to students. Your exams are available for you to look at throughout the semester; you just cannot keep them.

ORAL PROFICIENCY EXAM (10%):

This exam will be done in pairs, and take place in your regularly scheduled classroom. The exam will last approximately 10-12 minutes, and consist of two parts: a conversation with your instructor and a role-play with your partner. The conversation may include different tasks such as asking and answering questions, describing and/or responding to a situation etc. More detailed information can be found here. 

FINAL EXAM (15%):

Refer to the course schedule for the specific date. The final exam will be comprehensive and cumulative in nature. The questions will come from material covered in class and will require short and extended writing as well as an understanding of cultural material, functions and vocabulary covered in class.

COURSE OVERVIEW:

COURSE SCHEDULE

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