SPAN 1312

Course Syllabus George Henson

Spring 2011 Email: george.henson@utdallas.edu
Sections: 001 and 002 Office Number: JO 5.203
MWF 10:30 – 11:20 Office Hours: 12:30-1:20 MWF
MWF 2:30 -3:20 Office Phone: (972) 883-4506
Class location: CB2 1 204/CB1.1.106

NOTE: Students are responsible for all assignments, dates and policies and changes to the syllabus. All
matters associated with this course are subject to change at the instructor's discretion. Any changes
related to policy will be communicated to students in writing. Assignments may be added to the syllabus
on an ongoing basis. (Missing class does not excuse students from completing and turning in
assignments on the due date.)

Course Description

Beginning Spanish II is a course that allows beginning language learners to hear Spanish and experience
its cultural diversity while incorporating technology to enhance language skills. The text, Apúntate,
Español Introductorio, embraces a communicative approach, incorporates culture, through community
and connections, and introduces students to authentic language material (realia) and literary pieces from
various Spanish speaking countries.

All four skills involved in learning a foreign language (listening, speaking, reading and writing) will be
integrated into the course work and evaluations.

During class the components of listening and speaking will be emphasized. WE will spend most of the
time using the language, not talking about it. The grammatical explanations will be kept to a minimum
and, occasionally, you will be required to work in pairs and small groups. Your active participation in
individual and group work is required for the success of the class. The reading and writing components of
the class will be mainly practiced at home. The online workbook/lab manual serves multiple purposes: it
allows you to practice and develop listening, reading and writing skills; it prepares you to participate in
class; it prepares you to succeed on quizzes and exams.

Student Learning Objectives

To build basic competency in speaking, reading, listening and writing.
To develop and practice basic conversational Spanish, expressing concrete and abstract
information in the present and past
To prepare you to continue in Spanish 2311.
To develop a broad knowledge of Hispanic culture.
Chapter objectives include:
discuss your hobbies, pastimes and free time
discuss health, your body
comment on contemporary topics including professions, politics, music, art
discuss nature, environment, social relationships
talking about future plans, past actions, hypothesize about the present and future

Required Text(s)
Apúntate, Español Introductorio. Pérez-Girones/Dorwick, Mc Graw Hill, 1st edition (bundled with online
workbook access code).
Grading

Workbook 10%
Chapter Quizzes 40%
Notebook 5%
Midterm 15%
Final 20%
Daily Participation 10%
Total 100%

(I will make use of the +/- system in grading as stipulated by the University of Texas at Dallas
Undergraduate Catalogue, 2008 – 2010.)

Graded Categories

*The online workbook (www.mhcentro.com) must be completed outside of class and by the assigned
dates. After that date, the exercises will be locked, and you will not be allowed to complete them. This is
a qualitative grade, which means the exercises will be graded.

*15- to 20-minute quizzes will be given after each chapter.

*The midterm will be comprehensive through chapter 12.

*The final exam will be comprehensive.

*The notebook must be a three-ring binder and have five sections: 1) vocabulary/verbs, 2) class notes,
3) study notes, 4) “things I need to learn/study,” and 5) handouts/returned work. It will be turned in
twice, once on the date of the midterm and again on the day of the final.

*Daily participation includes responding when asked and volunteering. This is a language class. Speaking
is the most important of the four skills. Students are expected to be active listeners AND speakers. Effort
is important. Answers don’t have to be perfect, but they need to be comprehensible. Your participation
will be graded daily.

Class Attendance

Attendance is absolutely crucial to your success in Spanish 1312. Each student is allowed three missed
classes, no questions asked. Save them for when you really need them. Students who miss for any
reason will receive a “0” participation grade for that day. Each additional absence above the noted three
will cause 2.5% to be deducted from your final letter grade for the semester.

Nota bene: It is possible to fail this course based solely on attendance (or lack thereof).

Punctuality

Persistent tardiness to class is disrespectful to both your instructor and your peers. Continually arriving
late to class will affect your participation grade in the course. Three tardies will result in one unexcused
absence for the course; I will consider you absent if you arrive more than 10 minutes late to class. In
some instances, attendance will be taken by roll call; in others, it will be taken via a sign-in sheet. Time is
measured by my watch, not yours.

Class Participation

Your success in this course and your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish is a function of your
level of engagement in this class. I am interested both the quantity and quality of your participation.
Simply attending class does not guarantee a student a good participation grade.

Late Work

All work is due on the date specified. No late work will be accepted. No exceptions.

Nota bene: As free agents, you are free to make decisions about coming to class and completing your
assignments on time. But every decision (action) carries a consequence. The consequence for missing
class is outlined above. The consequence for missing an assignment deadline (regardless of the reason or
“intention”) is a zero on the assignment.

Out of respect for me and for your classmates, please do not ask me to deviate from this policy.

If you ask me to make an exception, I will refer you to the syllabus policy and expect the issue to be
dropped. All students are special, but no student is more special than any other. Asking me to make
exceptions to my policy, in effect, is making a claim of privilege over your fellow students.

Personal Communication Devices

Turn off all cell phones, laptops, MP3s, and other personal communication devices before the start of
class. Do not use them during class.

Email and Course Communication

Students must use their UTD email account for all correspondence. Please be aware of the following:

Failure to receive a reply does not constitute permission or consent of any kind.
No homework should be sent via email without prior approval.
Emails sent at night or on weekends may not be answered until the next class day.
Students must place their class number and section, e.g. Spanish 1311.001, in the subject field,
include a salutation and closing, and follow standard rules of style (grammar, capitalization,
spelling).

University Policies

University policies are available on Blackboard. Students are expected to familiarize

themselves with and adhere to those policies.
By signing below, I:

acknowledge that I have read the policies for Spanish 1311.001 and understand them;
agree to comply with the policies for the Spring 2011 semester;
realize that failure to comply with these policies may result in a reduced grade or failure in the
course;
understand that I alone am responsible for my own success or failure;
am aware that deadlines are not negotiable;
agree not to ask for special consideration, treatment or accommodations other than those
available to students with a disability.

Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Name (print): ___________________________________________________

E-mail address: _________________________________________________