Spanish 101-*** Syllabus CRN *****

School of World Studies (SWS) B.A. in Foreign Language Spanish 101 - Section 004 - Spring 2016 Course meets 3:00 – 3:50 pm & 3:00 – 3:50 pm Lab Days January 19th – May 3rd, 2016 (Evening classes through May 7th) Location: Hibbs 0431 Final Exam: Wednesday, May 11 from 1:00 - 3:50 PM Last day to withdraw from the course: Friday, March 25th, 2016 Instructor: Email: Office: Office Hours:

Marilyn Blake [email protected] Lafayette Hall, Rm 303 By appointment

Spring 2016





The B.A. in Foreign Language Mission: “Through culturally enriched language curricula, the School of World Studies B.A. in Foreign Language methodically guides students to excel in proficient interpersonal and professional communication skills as well as analytical abilities. Students will develop knowledge and abilities in both the target language and cultural competency in creatively engaging with diverse international and multidisciplinary communities in the U.S. and abroad.” Course Description of SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish (Spring 2016): “Continuous courses; 5 lecture/recitation hours. 4-4 credits. Prerequisite: completion of SPAN 101 to enroll in SPAN 102. Elementary grammar, reading and oral drills.” (Undergraduate Bulletin) 101 Course Objectives: • Understand classroom instructions from professor in the target language of Spanish • Carry on short conversations (2-4 minutes) about the topics presented in Spanish 101 • Understand brief conversations (2-4 minutes), with some repetition, about familiar topics from SPAN 101 • Read brief texts (1 page) about familiar topics from Spanish 101 • Write brief compositions (1 page) about familiar topics from Spanish 101, with the help of a dictionary and the book's glossary 101 Course Expectations: In order to meet the course objectives, students must • Recognize all and master most of the vocabulary in lessons 1-6 of VISTAS (all the verb lists are considered active vocabulary as well), which form part of Spanish 101, or the equivalent • Understand and recognize all the grammatical structures from chapters 1-6 Required text: VISTAS 5th ed., WITH SUPERSITE PLUS CODE (for SPAN 101, 102 and 201). Supersite registration instructions are in Blackboard under “Course Documents.” The textbook is available at the VCU Bookstore, the Virginia Book Co., & online: http://vistahigherlearning.com/store/vcu.htm/. Select “Spanish Programs,” then “Vistas, 5th Edition.” Instructor recommends purchasing the Loose-Leaf Edition AND the Supersite Plus code (Supersite & WebSAM & vText) found under the “Loose-leaf format” tab at the bottom of the page for $216. For those students who want to go all digital without the benefit and ease of a physical textbook, two totally online versions are available under the “Digital format” tab: For an iPad choose “eBook w/Supersite Plus code [w/ WebSAM + vText + Practice App)” for $170. For other devices choose “Supersite Plus code (w/ WebSAM + vText + Practice App)” for $140.

While you may be able to acquire a used textbook from a supplier not mentioned here, it will not include the “Supersite Plus Code” that is required for the class, and you will have to purchase the “Supersite Plus Code” separately. Recommended book: A thick, hardback English/Spanish bilingual dictionary, not the “pocket” size. It is the student’s responsibility to purchase the required textbook with the online Supersite Plus code within 24 hours of starting the course. If you do not have the tools needed for the class, you will not be successful in it. If you wait one, two or more weeks before getting the textbook, you sabotage your ability to learn the material and to complete your homework on time, and therefore risk failing the class. Language learning is cumulative, and you must keep up with the work on a daily basis. Do you need to take a Placement Test? If you’ve taken Spanish before, then YES. The Course Details of Spanish (from the VCU Bulletin) state the following: “Students planning to take Spanish courses at VCU who have had prior experience with the language must take the placement test in order to determine proper course selection. Students who wish to complete Spanish through the intermediate level or higher are required to consecutively complete 101, 102 and 201 or the equivalent. Students may then choose either 202 or 205 to complete the intermediate level.” To take a placement exam, use this SWS Media Center link: http://worldstudies.vcu.edu/placement/index.html GRADING:

Chapter (lección) exams Homework (Written & oral projects, Supersite exercises & other activities) Final exam (written & oral parts, percentages determined by instructor) Participation

= 55% = 15% = 20% = 10% 100%

Final grades will be determined according to the following scale: 90 - 100 = A; 80 - 89 = B; 70 - 79 = C; 60 – 69 = D; 0 – 59 = F IF YOUR EXAM AVERAGE IS BELOW 60, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN F IN THIS COURSE REGARDLESS OF PARTICIPATION AND/OR HOMEWORK. ATTENDANCE: Success in a language course is directly related to classroom performance. The School of World Studies (SWS) attendance policy requires every student to attend class on a regular basis. The policy has been designed to accommodate reasonable student needs while maintaining the academic integrity of our courses and programs. Students should remember that ABSENCES FROM CLASS ADVERSELY AFFECT STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE AND THEIR ABILITY TO EARN A HIGH FINAL GRADE. During Fall and Spring semesters, the maximum allowed number of absences may not exceed 8 absences (excused or unexcused) per semester for classes meeting 5 times per week. If the student exceeds the number of 8 absences (excused or unexcused) before March 25th, 2016 and doesn’t withdraw from the class the student risks receiving an F for the course. If the student exceeds the number of 8 absences (excused or unexcused) after March 25th, 2016, the final grade will be lowered by one letter grade for each additional absence (i.e. a grade of A would become a B after an additional absence, a C after 2 absences, etc.). Exceptions are made for religious holidays and university-sponsored events (see “STUDENTS REPRESENTING THE UNIVERSITY” below). In cases of extreme unforeseen circumstances (death in the family, hospitalization or other care for physical and/or emotional trauma, etc.), please immediately contact your College Dean in order to access the University resources available for your situation. A doctor's note does not represent an excuse for an absence. Doctor appointments, interview appointments and other scheduled appointments are not considered acceptable excuses, as the student is expected to schedule these appointments outside of class time. The attendance policy explained above states that students could miss a certain number of classes (even though it is not recommended) without affecting their grades. Consider this your “sick leave” allowance, so use it judiciously. There will be no make-up quizzes, tests, presentations,

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opportunities to turn in late homework, etc., for absences 1) about which the instructor was not notified in advance, and 2) for which no appropriate documentation is presented. See “MAKE-UPS” below. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS. Instructors are NOT REQUIRED to give reminders of attendance status to each student. LATE ARRIVALS AND EARLY DEPARTURES are distracting to students and instructors alike. Students should be on time for class and should stay for the entire class period. Every minute absent from class will impact the student’s participation grade. Please plan your travel and parking strategies accordingly. Three late arrivals count as one absence. Penalties for tardiness and leaving class early are determined per instructor discretion within VCU and SWS guidelines. TIME COMMITMENT: University classes have few contact hours in class and require much independent study. As a general rule, university students should devote 2 hours to homework/study time for every 1 hour they spend in class (see “HOMEWORK” below). Languages are learned through practice, which means students may have to devote more work to their language courses than their other university classes in order to be successful, depending on their abilities. WHERE TO FIND COURSE INFORMATION: The course syllabus, list of assignments or class calendar, announcements and other important information may be found on Blackboard, which can be accessed at https://blackboard.vcu.edu. Check Blackboard and email between every class, as the current schedule/calendar is provisional only. Students will be informed of changes by announcements in class, Blackboard or by email. EXAMS (55%): Exams on the first six chapters (or “lecciones”) will be taken in class on paper and/or online in Blackboard or the VISTAS Supersite. FINAL EXAM (20%): The final exam will be cumulative and cover through Lección 6. It will have both a written section (on paper and/or online in Blackboard or the VISTAS Supersite) & an oral section (percentages of each determined by instructor). The oral exam will be between two & four minutes long, & will take place either during the written exam or at another time determined by your instructor. HOMEWORK (15%): Daily practice is the only way to learn a language, so it is imperative that you do all your homework assignments, and do them carefully. IF YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK CONSCIENTIOUSLY, YOU WILL MOST LIKELY BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS AND PASS ALL THE EXAMS. Ever played a musical instrument? Spanish homework assignments are your scales. Ever played a sport? These are your sprints, your laps, your drills. Ever been in a play or speaking competition? This is you memorizing your lines and preparing your arguments. Homework activities constitute a lot of the work you must do outside of class so you can come to class prepared with a good idea of how the Spanish words sound, what they mean and how they are used. You are expected to spend at least TWO HOURS reviewing what was discussed in one class and preparing for the next. Steadily do the homework assignments that correspond to the material covered daily in class, and/or within 24 hours of the date they are assigned. If you wait until the last minute before tests to do your homework, you waste your time, energy and money. Homework must be done consistently and on a daily basis to give your brain time to analyze, understand and absorb the material. Homework assignments may include but are not limited to the following: ! Textbook activities to be written out and brought to class ! Online exercises in the VISTAS Supersite Practice, WebSAM or Assessment sections ! Projects, skits or oral presentations ! Video or audio recordings ! Short pieces of writing either on paper or published online, based on class material PARTICIPATION (10%): Students should arrive on time to class prepared for the day’s lesson, stay alert in class, participate whenever possible in a productive way, treat classmates and the instructor

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with respect, do homework carefully, and speak Spanish as much as possible. Excessive apathy will interfere with your learning process. Other details of what constitutes acceptable participation will be determined by instructor preference within the “Grading Criteria for Class Participation” below. QUIZZES: Quizzes are provided to students as a way for you to measure your understanding and facility with the course material. Quizzes may be conducted on paper, online or orally. Quiz scores may be counted as homework grades, as credit toward lesson exams or in any other way per instructor preference. MAKE-UPS: Make up assignments are allowed at the discretion of the instructor. Generally there are no make-up opportunities for exams or other assignments due to unexcused absences. Make-ups for excused absences (such as VCU-sanctioned events) should be arranged after presenting documentation in a timely fashion. See “STUDENTS REPRESENTING THE UNIVERSITY” below. THE FOLLOWING UNIVERSITY POLICIES CAN BE FOUND AT THIS LINK. CLASS REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE: Students may attend only those classes for which they have registered. Faculty may not add students to class rosters or Blackboard. Therefore, if students are attending a class for which they have not registered, they must stop attending. MANDATORY RESPONSIBILITY OF FACULTY MEMBERS TO REPORT INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT: It is important for students to know that all faculty members are mandated reporters of any incidents of sexual misconduct/violence (e.g., sexual assault, sexual exploitation and partner or relationship violence). This means that faculty cannot keep information about sexual misconduct/violence confidential if you share that information with them and they must report this information immediately to the university's Title IX Coordinator. In addition, department chairs, deans, and other unit administrators are required to report incidents of sex or gender-based discrimination to the university's Title IX Coordinator. Confidential reporting sources include staff in Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence at the Wellness Resource Center, University Counseling Services and University Student Health Services. The Policy on Sexual Misconduct/Violence and Sex/Gender Discrimination - Interim, can be found in the VCU Policy Library. E-MAIL POLICY: E-mail is considered an official method for communication at VCU because it delivers information in a convenient, timely, cost effective and environmentally aware manner. Students are expected to check their official VCU e-mail on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed of university-related communications. The university recommends checking e-mail daily. Students are responsible for the consequences of not reading, in a timely fashion, university-related communications sent to their official VCU student e-mail account. This policy ensures that all students have access to this important form of communication. It ensures students can be reached through a standardized channel by faculty and other staff of the university as needed. Mail sent to the VCU e-mail address may include notification of university-related actions, including disciplinary action. Please read the policy in its entirety at the VCU Policy Library under the Education and Student Life tab. VCU HONOR SYSTEM AND UPHOLDING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: The VCU Honor System policy describes the responsibilities of students, faculty and administration in upholding academic integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. According to this policy, "Members of the academic community are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity." In addition, "All members of the VCU community are presumed to have an understanding of the VCU Honor System and are required to: ! Agree to be bound by the Honor System policy and its procedures;

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! Report suspicion or knowledge of possible violations of the Honor System; ! Support an environment that reflects a commitment to academic integrity; ! Answer truthfully when called upon to do so regarding Honor System cases, and, ! Maintain confidentiality regarding specific information in Honor System cases.” More information can also be found at the VCU Policy Library under the Education & Student Life tab.

USING GOOGLE TRANSLATE, SpanishDict OR ANY OTHER TRANSLATION PROGRAM IS FORBIDDEN, AS IS RECEIVING UNAUTHORIZED HELP FROM ADVANCED SPANISH PROGRAM STUDENTS AND/OR NATIVE OR HERITAGE SPANISH SPEAKERS. Using such resources constitutes an Honor Code violation and if you are caught, charges will be filed against you. Instead of cheating, USE THE GRAMMAR AND THE VOCABULARY THE BOOK PRESENTS TO YOU AND THAT WE USE IN CLASS. PRACTICE WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING. Every assignment is designed for you to use the material you are learning in class, so you should not look elsewhere for how to complete your work. STUDENT CONDUCT IN THE CLASSROOM: According to the Faculty Guide to Student Conduct in Instructional Settings, "The University is a community of learners. Students, as well as faculty, have a responsibility for creating and maintaining an environment that supports effective instruction. In order for faculty members (including graduate teaching assistants) to provide and students to receive effective instruction in classrooms, laboratories, studios, online courses, and other learning areas, the university expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly and cooperative manner." Among other things, cell phones & beepers should be turned off or to the silent setting while in the classroom. The Student Code of Conduct also prohibits the possession of or carrying of any weapon. For more information, see http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=3436. MILITARY SHORT-TERM TRAINING OR DEPLOYMENT: If military students receive orders for short-term training or deployment, they should inform and present their orders to Military Student Services and to their professor(s). For further information on policies and procedures contact Military Services at 828-5993 or access the corresponding policies. STUDENTS REPRESENTING THE UNIVERSITY - EXCUSED ABSENCES: Students who represent the university (athletes and others) do not choose their schedules. Student athletes are required to attend games and/or meets. All student athletes should provide their schedule to the instructor at the beginning of the semester. The Intercollegiate Athletic Council strongly encourages faculty to treat missed classes or exams (because of a scheduling conflict) as excused absences and urges faculty to work with the students to make up the work or exam. CAMPUS EMERGENCY INFORMATION for What to Know & Do to Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU: Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (http://www.vcu.edu/alert/notify). Keep your information up-to-date. Within the classroom, the professor will keep his or her phone on to receive any emergency transmissions. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms. Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities. Within the classroom, follow your professor's instructions. Know where to go for additional emergency information (http://www.vcu.edu/alert). Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234).

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Report suspicious activities and objects. Keep your permanent address and emergency contact information current in eServices. IMPORTANT DATES for the spring 2016 semester are available at http://www.academiccalendars.vcu.edu/ac_fullViewAll.asp?term=Spring+2016 VCU MOBILE: The VCU Mobile application is a valuable tool to get the latest VCU information on the go. The application contains helpful information including the VCU directory, events, course schedules, campus maps, athletics and general VCU news, emergency information, library resources, Blackboard and more. To download the application on your smart phone or for more information, please visit http://m.vcu.edu. CLASS REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE: Students may attend only those classes for which they have registered. Faculty may not add students to class rosters or to Blackboard. Therefore, if students are attending a class for which they have not registered, they must stop attending. WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASSES - Before withdrawing from classes, students should consult their instructor as well as other appropriate university offices. Withdrawing from classes may negatively impact a student’s financial aid award and semester charges. To discuss financial aid and the student bill, contact the Student Services Center at 1015 Floyd Avenue (Harris Hall) and/or contact your financial aid counselor regarding the impact on financial aid: http://www.enrollment.vcu.edu/finaid/. The last day to withdraw with the grade of “W” during Spring 2016: Friday, March 25th, 2016 STUDENT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Students assume the responsibility of full payment of tuition and fees generated from their registration and all charges for housing and dining services, and other applicable miscellaneous charges. Students are ultimately responsible for any unpaid balance on their account as a result of the University Financial Aid Office or their third party sponsor canceling or reducing their award(s). FAIR USE OF MATERIALS: In this class we will use materials found online, and/or materials created by the instructor or the students. Students may use their own images, text, music, and other materials, but if they use somebody else’s materials they should give proper credit to the respective authors. Any addendum to this syllabus will be announced in class and/or by email.

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STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: SECTION 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended require that VCU provide "academic adjustments" or "reasonable accommodations" to any student who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. To receive accommodations, students must register with the Disability Support Services Office on the Monroe Park Campus (828-2253) or the Division for Academic Success on the MCV campus (828-9782). Please also visit the Disability Support Services webpage: http://www.students.vcu.edu/dss/ and/or the Division for Academic Success webpage at http://healthsciences.vcu.edu/DAS/ for additional information. Once students have completed the DSS registration process, they should schedule a meeting with their instructor(s) and provide their instructors(s) with an official DSS accommodation letter. Accommodation letters will outline the required classroom accommodations. Additionally, if coursework requires the student to work in a lab environment, the student should advise the instructor or a department chairperson of any concerns that the student may have regarding safety issues related to a disability. Students should follow this procedure for all courses in the academic semester. 7

Provisional Spanish 101 Course Calendar Spring 2016 (instructor informs if there are any changes)

Weeks 1 and 2: Tuesday, January 19th – Friday, January 29th. Lesson 1: Hola, ¿qué tal? Pronunciation: Spanish alphabet. Informal & formal greetings, introductions and goodbyes. Nouns and articles (gender & plurality). Numbers 0 – 30. Present tense of the verb SER. Telling time.

ADD/DROP: Tues., January 19th to Mon., January 25th



Weeks 3, 4 & 5: Monday, February 1st – Friday, February 19th. Lesson 2: En la universidad. People and things found in Spanish-speaking classrooms. Numbers 31 and higher. Days of the week. Pronunciation: Spanish vowels. Present tense of –AR verbs, including GUSTAR. Forming questions in Spanish. The present tense of the verb ESTAR. Writing about class schedules and university life.







Weeks 6 & 7: Monday, Feb 22- Friday, March 4th. Lesson 3: La familia. The names of family members, including maternal and paternal last names. Pronunciation: dipthongs and linking vowels. Descriptive and possessive adjectives. Present tense of –ER and –IR verbs, as well as the verbs TENER & VENIR. Letter writing in Spanish.

Week 8: Spring break, Sunday, March 6th- Sunday, March 13th FRIDAY, MARCH 25TH is the last day to withdraw from a class with a “W”.

Weeks 9, 10 and 11: Monday, March 14th – Friday, April 1st. Lesson 4: Los pasatiempos. Hobbies & outdoor life in Spanish-speaking cultures. Pronunciation: Word stress & written accents. Present tense of the verb IR, e"ie & o"ue stem changing verbs & irregular YO forms.







Weeks 12 & 13: Mon., April 4th– Fri., April 15th. Lesson 5: Las vacaciones. Travel within the Spanish-speaking world during the months and seasons of the year. Ordinal numbers and counting floors in Spanish for multi-story buildings. Pronunciation: similarities and differences between the English & Spanish “b” and “v.” The verb ESTAR with conditions, emotions and the present progressive. The verbs SER and ESTAR. Direct object nouns and pronouns.





Weeks 14 - 16: Monday, April 18th - Tuesday, May 3rd. Lesson 6: ¡De compras! Shopping in the Spanish-speaking world: traditional open air markets & modern malls. Articles of clothing and colors. Pronunciation: similarities and differences between the English & Spanish “d” and “t.” The verbs SABER and CONOCER. Preterite tense of regular verbs. Indirect object nouns and pronouns. Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. (Evening classes continue through May 7th.) Wednesday, May 4th: Reading day, no day classes held – Monroe Park campus

FINAL EXAMS: Thursday, May 5th. – Saturday., May 14th. Check the link below for your individual exam: http://www.enrollment.vcu.edu/rar/registration/exams.html/

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Grading Criteria for Class Participation 100%: Student is well prepared & on time for class with the requisite class materials (textbook, notebook, writing implements, etc.) ready to use, participates actively in Spanish (including volunteering to answer questions & share ideas), shows a positive attitude toward learning, makes a clear effort to achieve the objectives of each lesson, uses practice time wisely, is always on task.

80- 90%: Student is well prepared for class but perhaps arrives tardy and without class materials ready. Sometimes passively participates in Spanish, shows a positive attitude toward learning, makes an effort to achieve lesson objectives & stays on task. Uses practice time adequately or well. 60-70%: Student is somewhat prepared for class, but shows more passive than active participation in class, has a less-than-positive attitude toward learning. Has to be prompted to bring out or use class materials. Makes a minimal effort toward achieving lesson objectives, tends to stray from the task at hand & could make better use of practice time. Arrives tardy more than a couple of times. There is significant room for improvement. 20-50%: Student is not well prepared for class, is a passive or non-participant in class activities, shows a negative attitude toward learning, makes little to no effort toward achieving lesson objectives, is easily distracted off task and often wastes practice time. Consistently arrives tardy. Does not bring class materials or refuses to use them. Immediate improvement is necessary. 0-10%: Student is absent all week and thus participation is unratable, or student behaves in a disrespectful, distracting, or otherwise unacceptable manner (sleeping in class, reading the newspaper, leaving the room frequently or for lengthy periods of time, talking or texting on cell phone, etc.) and/or makes it difficult for others in the class to learn. Grading Criteria for Writing Assignments Writing assignments are primarily graded on

COMPLETION (to what extent instructions are followed and assignment is finished), and ACCURACY (to what extent the course material is used with mastery). The evaluation of CONTENT (germane subject matter, appropriate length, etc.), ORGANIZATION (logical structure, coherent idea order, smooth transition between ideas, etc.), VOCABULARY (extent to which appropriate vocabulary is incorporated and used correctly) & CREATIVITY (imaginative approach, presentation or perspective; personal touch, etc.) will vary depending on the type of assignment (fill-in-the-blank exercises vs. sentence creation vs. short compositions). Instructors usually deduct one point per error, whether it be for a spelling mistake, missing word, missing or incorrect punctuation, etcetera. Additional points may be deducted for incorrect verb conjugations and/or material especially germane to any one particular assignment. Instructors IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF ERROR that has been made INSTEAD OF CORRECTING THE ERROR FOR THE STUDENT, so that students develop analytical skills by 1) determining the exact mistake, and then 2) rewriting the assignment correctly.

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