SYLLABUS FOR SPANISH 1

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Assuming good attendance, homework, and active participation, you will be able to:
1. Use the simple present, present progressive and preterit tenses, including high-frequency irregular verbs, subject and object pronouns, and adjectives.
2. Initiate and maintain simple conversations in Spanish on everyday topics
3. Comprehend and respond to short messages and questions in spoken Spanish.
4. Write coherent paragraphs containing descriptions of people, places, and everyday activities.
5. Use appropriate vocabulary for greetings, school-related items, family members, clothes, food, etc
6. Read and comprehend the main ideas presented in level appropriate Spanish texts and magazine articles.

7. Demonstrate cultural awareness and insights about the Spanish-speaking world

TEXTBOOK- Please read and follow carefully:

Our textbook is VISTAS 6th edition with its online Supersite (for homework assignments). You must have the online access code.  Plan about 1 hour of work online and other assignments for each class. 

1. Purchase at the SRJC bookstore
2. Choose either  1) "Split-volume format" (online access code + loose leaf textbook) OR 2)  "Code and other materials" (code but without loose leaf textbook) Either is fine - some students like the paper textbook. The code is good for six months.
3. Make your purchase, get your online access code.
4. With you code set up your online VISTAS account, find "Santa Rosa Junior College", find me "Benjamin Lev" and link to my class section.
5. Start on the first assignments that are waiting for you
   
6. VISTAS  STUDENT HELP LINE 1-800-248-2813

 

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

You will also need: 1) Three ring binder 2) Journal or notebook, not loose leaf 3) Spanish-English dictionary or app (I recommend WordReference) 4) We will read a short novel written for Spanish 1 students which costs $10

CLASS PARTICIPATION

This is a highly interactive class. Join in! It's the key to learning a language and counts for 25% of your grade.

FAMILIAS
Each student will be randomly assigned to a "Familia." You do not get to choose your family, just like in real life. You must commit to helping each other, just like in real life. If you are absent or struggling, you must reach out to them so they can catch you up. If someone in your familia is absent or struggling, your familia will persist in making contact so they don't fall behind. On some quizzes I will average the score of your entire familia and you will get that score. If there's a problem let me know.

TESTS AND EXAMS

There will be quizzes or exams for each of the six chapters. Some quizzes in class will be unannounced. There will be a new chapter about every five classes.

GRADING

25% Attendance and active participation
25% Homework on VISTAS online website (Supersite) and other Assignments
25% Exams and Quizzes, announced and unannounced
25% Final Exam / Project

Grade for the course:  A=90%+ B=80-89% C=70-79% D=60-69% F= below 60%

CLASS POLICIES

1) I use SRJC email to communicate, so students need to check their email every few days and respond.

2) Texting: Please turn off your cell phone and put it away during class. No texting, no ear buds, gracias. If you use your phone I will give you one warning. If you continue to use your phone then you will have to leave class for that meeting. You and I will have a conference about it before the next class meeting.

3) Conduct: Respect the rights of other students and the instructor. If you violate the Student Conduct Code you may be suspended from 2 classes and referred to the Vice President of Student Services for discipline.

4) Students may not speak English without permission. I will speak to you at least 90% of the time in Spanish. Occasionally for directions or explanations I will briefly use English. Students may not chat or blurt out in English. You may ask clarification (¿Cómo se dice XYZ en inglés?) or for permission to speak English (¿Me permite hablar inglés?). Disruptions or use of English will lower your participation grade.

5) Late homework will be accepted for 50% credit, which is a lot more than 0%... BUT by doing the homework on time you will be better prepared for class activities and quizzes. If you are consistently late with homework then you and I will conference about how to help you be prepared on time.

ATTENDANCE

Since I know that disasters and illnesses happen unexpectedly during the semester, I allow you three absences. There's no such thing in this class as an "excused" absence. Your three absences are your business. If you have a major illness or family emergency please email me.

This is a highly interactive class, which means a major part of the work we do happens in class. The textbook is not the class. Attendance at all sessions is important.

I start right on time and expect students to be ready for class. If you're sick please stay home.

You may miss up to three sessions for any reason -- illness, religious observance, sporting events -- without being dropped.  If you miss four classes your grade will lower by 5 points, unless we've come to an agreement in advance (regarding medical concerns, for example.) We will have a discussion about how to help you.  If you miss five classes you will be dropped from the course.  If you are late twice or leave class early twice that equals one absence. If you miss class you must 1) send me an email and 2) check with your "familia."

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Faculty and students are partners in maintaining the college's academic integrity in accordance with the College guidelinesLinks to an external site.. Cheating, dishonesty, impersonation, inappropriate use of translation tools will not tolerated or ignored, and will be be promptly reported.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS: