Destinos Course Winter, 1997

Syllabus

Course Title:	Elementary Spanish
Course Code & Number:	SPA .
Instructor:	Assunta Montes de Oca de Marshall
Quarter:	1997
Office:	asunta@nacnet.com
Phone:	1-937-898-4791
Web--page:	http://www.nacnet.org/assunta
E--mail:	assunta@nacnet.com
Fax:	(937) 264-1572
Department:	Modern Languages
Division:	Liberal Arts and Sciences

Prerequisites(s)	Instructor's Approval
Recommendation:	52 Lessons to be taken in three quarters or two semesters.

Index:
I. Rationale, II. Description, III. Goals, IV. Objectives, V. Methodology, VI. Texts, VII. Requirements, VIII. Grading, IX. Attendance, X. Calendar, XI. Assistance: Laboratory, Reference Materials, Television,Internet Users, Internet Resources, Other Information.

Course Rationale: A foreign language is an asset to learn. There are 20 countries where Spanish is the official language. It is important to know the language for business travel or recreation. The United States ranks number 5 in Hispanic population in the world. Learning Spanish changes our paradigm and makes us detail oriented. Spanish is a very romantic and melodious language and has similar grammatical construction to English but differs in the use of the verbs.

II.

Course Description: This course is designed for the student interested in learning to speak Spanish and in understanding the culture from which it springs. Oral practice is stressed and discussions center around the understanding of the language within its cultural context.

Distance Learning courses are independent study courses intended as alternatives to traditional classroom courses for individuals who, for various reasons, have scheduling conflicts or who prefer to work independently.

DESTINOS: An Introduction to Spanish. Bill VanPatten, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Martha Alford Marks, Richard V. Teschner, University of Texas, El Paso. 1992. This is an innovative beginning Spanish program based on 52 half hours shows. The series use the powerful appeal of a uniquely Hispanic genre – the telenovela (soap opera) – to make language and culture come alive.

The situation and context of each episode introduce students to the basic structures, language functions and vocabulary groups of Spanish that are then presented in the print materials. (Most grammar explanations and exercises are in the workbook/study guides.)

The complete one—year course is designed to help students develop communicative proficiency – listening, speaking, reading, and writing – as well as cultural awareness in Spanish.

The plot of DESTINOS is designed to engage student viewers from the very beginning. A wealthy Mexican patriarch, nearing the end of his life, reveals a secret he has kept from his family for many years. His revelation leads to some important questions that must be answered before he dies. Raquel Rodríguez, a Mexican-American lawyer, embarks on a search for those answers, a search that takes her to Spain, Argentina, Puerto Rico and back to Mexico.

Students can join the search – learning Spanish about the rich and diversified cultural context in which it is spoken throughout the world.

III.

Course Goals: This course briefly examines the development of Hispanic culture from the earliest recorded history to the present through a view of artistic and aesthetic expressions such as visual arts, music, architecture, literature and ideas.

A.	Recommended number of Lessons per quarter: Destinos Beginning - Chapters 1 to 18. - 3 Credits. Destinos Intermediate - Chapters 18 to 34. - Prerequisite: Beginning. - 3 Credits. Destinos Advanced - Chapters 35 to 52. - Prerequisite: Beginning and Intermediate. - 3 Credits. These chapters cover the basic structure format of grammar: the Articles, Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections, and Idiomatic expressions within each country visited.
B.	Emphasis will be given to the Verb in all its forms and Modes of Regular and Irregular verbs. The Pronouns must be mastered in order to conjugate the verbs.
C.	Introduction to conversational strategies: Initiating and closing conversations. Building of initial conversational skills through problem/situation resolution skills.

IV.

Course Objectives:

Knowledge.

1.	To apply rules of pronunciation, grammar, and lexicon to unfamiliar material, when reading.
2.	To answer simple spoken communication.

Skills

1.	To ask for directions and answer basic dialogue.
2.	To read menus, transportation schedules, magazines.

Attitudes

1.	Demonstrate mastery of and use basic gestures and other linguistic features of the language.
2.	To respond appropriately to a wide range of individual characteristics of the Spanish and Latin American culture.

Values

1.	To appraise the values and character of both Western and non-Western cultures.
2.	To value the comparisons and contrasts behind the cultures, based on historical background.
3.	To appreciate the contributions of the Hispanic culture in the United States of America.
4.	To be culturally prepared to deal with transactions in the global business world.

Methodology:

Independent study with assistance from the facilitator.

1.	Via: fax, mail, E----mail, phone conferences
2.	Audio/visual Media

Small group interaction (self with friends)

1.	Discussion groups in my personal Web page.
2.	Problem solving exercises and simulation

Individualization

1.	Field survey project
2.	Individual project
3.	Abstracts from literature, media, and/or Internet

VI.

Required Texts:
T-1: The textbook Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish, Bill VanPatten, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Martha Alford Marks, Richard V. Teschner, University of Texas, El Paso. 1992. ISBN: 0-07-002069-8. Also, The Workbook -Study Guide I for Lessons 1 to 26, Bill VanPatten, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Martha Alford Marks, Richard V. Teschner, University of Texas, El Paso. 1992. ISBN: 0-07-002072-8.

T-2: The same textbook "Destinos."
The same Workbook/Study Guide I , but also Workbook/Study Guide II for Lessons 27 to 34, ISBN: 0-07-002073-6.

T-3: The same textbook Destinos
The Workbook/Study Guide II - it covers Lessons 35 to 52.

You may order directly from the Editorial by dialing 1800-LEARNER

A good Spanish-English/English Spanish Dictionary.

The following material is optional but not necessary to purchase:
Student Viewer’s Handbook to accompany Destinos. ISBN 0-07-067209-1
Videoscript ISBN: 0-07-067202-4
Audio script ISBN: 0-07-067203-2.
DESTINOSalso has thesoftware for IBM 3.5 and 5.25. Also for MAC.

The following books are recommended but not required:
New World Spanish-English/English-Spanish Dictionary. Revised Second Edition by Signet. (ISBN: 04511818689).
The Oxford - Duden Pictorial Spanish and English Dictionary, (New Edition) by Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1995. (A technical dictionary).
The New Oxford Picture Dictionary by Sergio Gaitán and E.C. Parnwell. Oxford University Press. (A fun dictionary).
Jiffy Pharsebook Spanish by Langenscheidt Publishings, Inc. (An ideal traveling companion).
Quick Study SPANISH. The Essential University Course Outline (ISBN 1-57222-057-0). (A condensed grammar chart).
El pequeño Larousse Ilustrado por Ramón García Pelayo y Gross, Ediciones Larousse. Barcelona, México, París, Buenos Aires.1997 . A Spanish/Spanish pictorial dictionary. (ISBN 970-607-558-5)

VII.

Course Requirements. Course Survival Skills: Every learner is expected to prepare weekly, all of the assignments in both the text and workbook, in written form, to acquire the full benefit of the instructional activities in every lesson.

VIII.

Grading: Sinclair’s scale is
A = 90 to 100, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69.
It will be distributed in the following fashion for each 3 credit hours taken.
10% for an Interview in a audio tape or video tape.
10% Journal on 10 entries of events happening in the Hispanic world.*
10% for audio exercises, and workbook.
20% for a Composition.
50% for Final Test. 10% of it would be oral and 40% comprehensive.

Sinclair Community College General Education Assessment Tools:
Writing Checklist
Thinking Checklist
Values/Citizenship/Community Checklist
Oral Communication Checklist

Please feel creative, and utilize the additional suggestions which will give you the total immersion feeling of learning another language. You may want to engage in any of the following self directed options to fit your own learning styles:

	Journal from 10 clippings and/or notes you have taken from the news in radio, television or newspaper. Your reaction to the news expressed in one sentence written in Spanish. This exercise will show your progress on the usage Spanish. One entry due weekly. Inquisitive cultural work.*
	¨ "Internet". Ten printouts of news articles in Spanish from Spanish Language Newspapers on the "WWW". Some translation work*
	¨ Interview with a person who is a tourist, an immigrant, or naturalized citizen preferably from a Hispanic country, regarding views on cultural differences.
	Research work.
	¨ Laboratory. In your workbook, answer all the exercises with the tapes.
	¨ "Internet". In your log include date, time logged on, time logged off, site address, and brief description of research. You may use "source document" printouts in place of a description of your research.
	¨ Presentation three minutes long in Spanish of your favorite hobby, skill or family.
	¨ Letter to a friend or pen pal in a Hispanic country or to an Embassy in Latin America. Protocol work.
	¨ "Internet". Printouts of at least two E: mail messages in Spanish to a "Key Pal" in a Spanish speaking country.
	¨ Dialogue - (Skit) 5 minutes long, Clever team work .
	¨ Triple Play, Caricaturas Clásicas, or Who is Oscar Lake in CD-ROM. Or another vocabulary or grammar drill available for computers in the market. The ILC at Sinclair, has materials available for students. Team work and make sure you log data and write reaction paper, using the Spanish you learned.
	¨ *Translation. 100 words minimum. Accurate, dictionary work.**
	¨ Oral question/answer to follow directions: T.P.R. (Total Physical Response). Survival team work.
	*open book, open dictionary, and open mind! A theme that is related to a situation in a Hispanic country. Your grade is based on your commitment to the language, your dedication, your communication to me about your needs and limitations of your schedule. The goal is for you, the learner, to acquire the language as if your were in "total immersion" environment.

IX.

Attendance: Due to the highly interactive nature of the learning process that is needed to master a foreign language, your attendance and participation is expected in the final exam! Arrangements to send the final test to your Institution may made if you live out of the city, county, or state.

Make-up work: If for reasons beyond your control you are not able to make it to the final, please contact me immediately to arrange for an Incomplete. All missed assignments, quizzes, and exams must be made-up within 20 school days after the following quarter. Make-up work will not be granted for an unexcused absence.

X.	Course Calendar: WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS FOR SPANISH 297. Asignaturas semanales para Español 297.

Semana de	Temas a tratar:
Jan. 6.	Syllabus, Lecciones 1, 2. In your videotapes, your book and the workbook. Journal. Entry 1.
Jan 13.	Lecciones 3 y 4 with the videotapes, book and workbook. Journal: Entry 2.
Jan 20.	Campus and all facilities closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Lecciones 5 y 6 del libro, el cuaderno y el video. Journal: Entry 3.
Jan. 27	Lecciones 7 y 8 del libro, el cuaderno y el video. Journal: Entry 4.
Feb.3	Lecciones 9 y 10 del libro, el cuaderno y el video. Journal: Entry 5.
Feb. 10.	Lecciones 11 y 12 del libro, el cuaderno y el video. Journal: Entry 6. Schedule an interview with a Hispanic person at work or on campus. In a audio cassette, record the interview in Spanish pretending you are a reporter and you will be publishing the interview.
Feb. 17.	Lecciones 13 y 14. Journal: Entry 7.
Feb. 24.	Lecciones 15 y 16. Journal: Entry 8.
March 3.	Composición. Draft and edit. Mail the final composition by March 10. Journal: Entry 9.
March 10.	Lección 17. Work on the Interview in a audiotape due by the 14th. (mail or deliver at Office: 16007 in Continuing Education, Sinclair Community College, 444 Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Attention to Assunta Marshall. Journal: Entry 10.
March 17.	Review for Final. Make sure all the exercises in the workbook have been completed. Journal must be presented on the day of the test.
March 21	Final Test: Meeting at 8:30 a.m. in Room 2320 or Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Room 2320
March 22	Alternative date: Meeting at 8:30 a.m. in Room 2320

XI.

Special Assistance: All of us at Sinclair Community College are committed to meet the needs of our diverse population. The Student Services and other important information is in the last two pages of this syllabus (not included in this web page).

Language Laboratory:

A. It is located in Room 2321. Hours will be announced in the second week of classes. Half an hour per week of study in the lab is strongly recommended! Please sign your name on a sheet if you attend. Also, video a nd audio tapes of "Destinos" are located in the Lab.

B. The same tapes that are housed in the Foreign Languages Lab are also held in the Media Services Center of the LRC. These tapes are needed to prepare the Listening Comprehension in the Manual. The learner needs to prepare that section for homework assignments before class.

Reference Materials: Many different types of bilingual dictionaries are available in our Learning Resources Center (LRC). You will also find many excellent novels, short-stories, comic books, records, tapes, and other print materials in Spanish in our LRC's extensive collection. Also, many video-tapes of movies and educational programs in Spanish are available. They must be requested 36 Hrs. in advance. The LRC is open Mon.-Thurs. from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fri. from 8:00 to 5:00, and Sat. 8:00 to 3:00. Never on Sunday.

Our Reference Librarians, will be able to assist you to access the Ohio Link in the Internet from the computer terminals in the LRC.

Television: If you have access to a parabolic antenna, I strongly recommend that you view any television program in Spanish to give you the "total immersion" feeling of visiting or living in a Hispanic country.

Computer Programs in the ILC: There are computer programs in the Individualized Learning Center (ILC) Building 11 - Room 346 that will help you master vocabulary, grammar, and verb forms in the seven simple tenses of Spanish.

From my personal CD's, there are three games and one movie with cartoons in storage at the ILC. Hours for the ILC are Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sat. 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call 226-2742 to reserve your computer access time.

Internet Users: For those who have access to the "Internet", it is strongly recommended that you use this resource. You will be given the full "Lab" credit, providing that you turn in a log showing the hours of "Internet" time on one or more of the sites in the "Internet".

If you do not have a computer at home, you can access the Internet through our LRC. You may surf the Hispanic world through the University of Chicago, Utah, and in Latin America, through Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Perú. You just need to type my "home page" as follows: http: //ww w.nacnet.org/assunta

My web page is constantly under construction. I am planning to have a chat room in my web page very soon.

Once you are there, look for Spanish Language Internet Links and you will go Latin America or Spain. "AltaVista" is the fastest and most effective launching site in the Internet, just ask for your topic or country and a world of information will come to you. "AltaVista" is found at http://www.nacnet.org (The Internet Launching Pad).

Other information: I am available if you need to talk about anything regarding Spanish class. You may reach me 24 hours a day via my E-mail or Fax numbers. I will try to return your call within those 24 hours. Or you may leave a phone message with the secretary at Continuing Education: 226-2782 or at my home (please call before 9:30 p.m.).

Congratulations! You decision to study Spanish will enrich your life in many ways. At the end of the quarter, you would be pleased to have empowered yourself to speak, read, listen and write another language and have a better understanding of the cultures from which it evolved. I hope it turns out to be both a challenging and profitable course for you. Estoy a sus órdenes! (I am at your orders/service!).

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