Northern ArizonaUniversity

SPA 201 Course Description

Spring 200411:30-12:20MWTHF23/114

Instructor:Ed Hood

Office Hours: MW, 1:00-3:00, BAA 213

Phone:523-9635

email:Edward.Hood@nau.edu

homepage:http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~ewh

Course Description:

This course is a continuing Spanish course that assumes prior knowledge or experience with Spanish at the 102 level. Like the elementary Spanish courses (SPA 101 & 102) , this course emphasizes the development of all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The goal of the course is to help students develop the skills to communicate in Spanish, while at the same time introducing them to Hispanic culture. A strong emphasis is placed on using the language in practical situations, while also helping students grasp the basics of Spanish grammar, syntax (sentence formation), and morphology (word formation). Since reading and writing are skills that can be practiced at home, class time will be devoted to developing further listening and speaking skills through various activities, and the explanation and practice of grammar points.

Keep in mind that Spanish classes are designed to present the basic tools necessary for learning Spanish. Students do not automatically become either fluent or proficient by completing this program as language acquisition must occur outside the classroom. Students hoping to become proficient in Spanish are strongly encouraged to participate in study abroad or an immersion program. Please contact the Department of Modern Languages or the NAU International Office for information on such programs.

Course Objectives:

Before taking Spanish 201, students should already be able to communicate in familiar situations and have a basic command of the structures learned in Spanish 101 & 102. By the end of this semester, students should begin to advance beyond the novice stage into the intermediate level.

Students will increase their levels of proficiency via the everyday use of the target language. By continuous practicing of the target language, it is expected that students will be able to begin to create with the language, initiate, sustain and close intermediate-level exchanges, ask and answer questions and posses the skills necessary to circumlocute when faced with a more difficult communicative task. Additionally, students will be able to meet intermediate practical writing needs by creating compositions, descriptive narratives and, most important, will determine the message, the primary thesis, and/or the socio-cultural context of simple expository and narrative texts (written and oral).

In summary, students should be able to:

Participate in progressively more challenging conversations;

Narrate in the past, present, and future, using a variety of verb tenses;

Express feelings, opinions and hypotheses by using compound verb structures;

Create with language instead of relying on memorized structures;

Appreciate both formal and informal culture through various media.

Required Texts:

Puntos de partida, 6th edition (Knorre, Dorwwixk, Pérez-Gironés, Glass, Villareal);

Puntos de partida Workbook, 6th edition (Arana, Arana);

Puntos de partida website; http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/spain/puntos/index.mhtml

Coursepack;

Additional selected readings will be assigned as appropriate.

Recommended:

A good Spanish/English—English/Spanish dictionary

¡OJO! ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend every class session and to make up all work missed because of legitimate absences. Unexcused absences will automatically lower a student’s grade if they exceed 4 per term in a 4 credit course (MODL attendance policy).

Evaluation Criteria:

Quizzes(7 of 8)15%

Chapter Exams (3)30%

In-class Compositions (2) 10%

Oral Presentation(1)10%

Workbook (Cuaderno)(3)15%

Final Exam(1)20%

Grading Scale: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C; 60-69=D, 0-59=F

Homework:

You are responsible for preparing all homework assignments and completing workbook pages corresponding to the material studied in class. These assignments are designed to help you reach your ultimate goal: being able to communicate in Spanish. You must complete all assignments on time and come to class prepared to actively use the vocabulary and structures you are studying. Remember that the ability to communicate in another language is a skill that requires daily proactive. You should plan on spending 1.5 to 2 hours of preparation for every hour you are in class.

Chapter Exams:

There will be three 50-minute exams and a comprehensive final exam, all of which will include listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and composition. Remember: Information you learn through spaced repetition stays with you longer than information you “cram.” Daily study periods of shorter duration are more productive than marathon study sessions just before an exam.

Quizzes (Pruebas):

You should expect a quiz every week, except when there is an exam or other major activity. These quizzes will emphasize information covered in class, in addition to assignments from the text and workbook. NO MAKE UP QUIZZES will be given. Your instructor will detail the specific format, content and date for each quiz.

In-class Essays:

Each student will write two in-class essays. You will be given topics and specific instructions beforehand.

Oral Presentations:

The oral presentations will be scheduled during reading week. The topics should be chosen early in the semester. The assignment includes investigating on the topic chosen, preparing a one and one-half page report and presenting it in front of the class. The report can’t be read (Students will be penalized a grade for reading their reports).

Final Exam:

The final exam will be comprehensive.

Want or need help?If you need help, you can seek assistance from me as soon as possible. You can also go to the tutors of Spanish in the LearningAssistanceCenter for free tutorial assistance. Better scheduling is guaranteed by phoning ahead for an appointment (x-4301).

SPA 201: Intermediate Spanish

Tentative Schedule

Subject to change under extenuating circumstances.

Additional homework and/or other materials will be assigned as appropriate.

A more detailed schedule will be given in class as needed.


Week 1
1/12-1/16
cap. 12, prueba
Week 2
1/19-1/23
cap. 12, prueba
Week 3
1/26-1/30
cap. 13, prueba
Week 4
2/2-2/6
cap. 13, Examen #1, entregar Cuaderno #1
Week 5 
2/9-2/13
cap. 14, Composición #1
Week 6
2/16-2/20
cap. 14, prueba
Week 7
2/23-2/27
cap. 15, prueba
Week 8
3/1-3/5
cap. 15, Examen#2, entregar Cuaderno #2
Week 9
3/8-3/12
cap. 16, prueba

3/15-3/19
las vacaciones de primavera
Week 10
3/22-3/26
cap. 16, Composición #2
Week 11
3/29-4/2
cap. 17, Examen #3, entregar Cuaderno #3
Week 12
4/5-4/9
cap. 17, prueba
Week 13
4/12-4/16
cap. 18, no hay prueba
Week 14
4/19-4/23
Repaso
Week 15
4/26-4/30
Presentaciones orales / Repaso
finals
5/510-12
Examen Final