SPAN 3106 SYLLABUS

Spring 2004

Grammar, Composition, and Conversation


 
Dr. Jessica Folkart
313 Major Williams Hall
Department of Foreign Lang & Lit
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Email: jfolkart@vt.edu
Tel: (540) 231-9076
Fax: (540) 231-4812
Homepage
Office Hours: MWF 12:15-12:45, 2:30-3:00 and by appt.


COURSE PREREQUISITE: SPAN 3105 or consent of the professor.

TEXTBOOKS: We will use a combination of the following texts, including the same text used in 3105. In 3106 we will also read a full-length play.
 

  1. Mujica. El próximo paso. 2nd ed. Boston: Heinle, 2002. Assignments designated as "Mujica" in the programa de clases listed below.

  2. Mullen and Garganigo. El cuento hispánico. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999. Assignments designated as "Mullen" in the programa de clases listed below.

  3. Casona. La dama del alba. Be sure to buy the edition with the black cover, edited by Rodríguez Richart.

  4. The professor will also provide supplementary handouts in class and online in the "tarea" folder of the class website.

  5. A large Spanish/English dictionary, such as Collins, Cassells, or Larousse.

CLASS WEBSITE:

COURSE GOALS: The primary goal of the course is improved proficiency in Spanish through reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Grammar, composition, and conversation are the tools through which improved proficiency will be gained. Proficiency levels referred to here have been established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
 

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
  • demonstrate reading comprehension at the intermediate high level of proficiency for authentic literary and popular press selections; 
  • demonstrate writing proficiency at the intermediate mid level in argumentation essays; 
  • demonstrate listening comprehension at the intermediate high level; 
  • demonstrate speaking proficiency at the intermediate mid level; 
  • organize and structure ideas to communicate in a logical and convincing fashion; 
  • use appropriately those grammatical and linguistic structures that are problematic for non-native speakers of Spanish; 
  • describe the major elements of literary writing, including short stories and drama; 
  • make effective and limited use of a Spanish/English dictionary


GRADE BREAKDOWN:
 

20% Participation and Preparation

15% Pruebas (Quizzes)

25% Composition

20% Exam I

20% Exam II

20% Participation and Preparation:

Excellent attendance and active participation are crucial to completing this course successfully; a daily participation grade will be recorded. Factors taken into consideration will include attendance and punctuality, thorough and timely preparation of all assignments, quality of oral participation, and attitude toward the material.  Homework will be posted in the "Tarea" folder of the class website. The specific URL is http://www.fll.vt.edu/Folkart/3106/folkarttarea/index.html USERNAME: spanish. PASSWORD: spanish.

Since the course meets three times a week, each student is allowed three absences.  After that, each unexcused absence will lower the final grade by one percentage point. Any student who is absent is still held responsible for all assignments and in-class activities for the following class day.  Please exchange phone numbers with at least three classmates at the start of the semester so that you will have someone to call to get any information you missed during your absence.

15% Pruebas:

There will be five announced quizzes on the major grammatical points that we cover in class, to help you thoroughly learn the grammar, step by step. These will give you good preparation for the exams.

25% Composition:

The composition will focus on the play, La dama del alba, answering a specific, detailed question that will be posted on the homework webpage. Your formal written essay will express ideas and content organized through the effective use of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. The final evaluation of the composition will be based on both form and content. Since this essay expresses your own interpretation, no research is allowed. The essay should be your work, not that of another speaker of Spanish (see the section on the Honor Code below).

20% Exam I:

Details on first exam will be given later in the semester. The date is indicated in the programa de clases below.

20% Exam II:

Details on the second exam will be given later in the semester. The date is indicated in the programa de clases below.

HONOR CODE: Your professor subscribes to the Virginia Tech Honor Code as detailed in the University Policies for Student Life Handbook. All VT students must abide by this code. Plagiarism is an extremely serious matter. ANY STUDENT SUSPECTED OF ANY FORM OF DISHONEST CONDUCT RELATED TO THIS CLASS WILL BE SENT TO THE VT HONOR COURT. This has happened before, resulting in very serious consequences. Do not give any cause for it to happen to you!

STUDENTS NEEDING SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS: Any student who has a condition that may prevent full demonstration of his or her abilities should contact the professor personally to discuss learning needs and accomodations. Also, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students who will provide the instructor with a written description of the necessary specified accommodations.

PROGRAMA DE CLASES:
 

enero

19 Introducción a la clase

21 Acentos escritos y Pretérito/Imperfecto

23 Pretérito/Imperfecto; Prueba 1 (sobre la conjugación del pretérito y el imperfecto)

26 Pretérito/Imperfecto

28 Pretérito/Imperfecto

30 Pretérito/Imperfecto; Prueba 2 (sobre los usos del pretérito y el imperfecto)

febrero

2 Mullen, "Continuidad de los parques" de Julio Cortázar

4 Mullen, "Continuidad de los parques" de Julio Cortázar

6 Mujica capítulo 9

9 Mujica capítulo 9

11 Mujica capítulo 9

13 Mujica capítulo 9; Prueba 3 (sobre el capítulo 9)

16 Mujica capítulo 10

18 Mujica capítulo 10

20 Mujica capítulo 10

23 Mujica capítulo 10

25 EXAMEN I

27 Repasar el Examen I. OJO: Ultimo día para dejar la clase

marzo

1 La dama del alba de Alejandro Casona

3 La dama del alba

5 La dama del alba

 

8-12 Vacaciones de primavera

15 La dama del alba

17 La dama del alba

19 La dama del alba

22 La dama del alba

24 La dama del alba

26 Preparación para la Composición

29 Preparación para la Composición

31 Película: La dama del alba; Entregar la Composición.

abril

2 Película: La dama del alba

5 El subjuntivo

7 El subjuntivo

9 El subjuntivo; Prueba 4 (sobre la conjugación del subjuntivo)

12 El subjuntivo

14 El subjuntivo

16 El subjuntivo

19 Repasar para el Examen II

21 EXAMEN II

23 Repasar el examen
26 Mullen, "El hombre muerto" de Horacio Quiroga

28 Mullen, "El hombre muerto" de Horacio Quiroga

30 Cláusulas con "si"

mayo

3 Cláusulas con "si"

5 Prueba 5