Course Description

SPAN 2311 Intermediate Spanish I

SPANISH 2311, Intermediate Spanish I, further develops proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, building upon the skills acquired in Beginning Spanish.

Prerequisites

Spanish 1412 or equivalent.

Course Goals (includes core competencies, incorporation of SCANS, etc.)

These descriptions reflect what most students will be able to do by the end of the course. The terms given in parentheses are descriptive terms of proficiency in foreign language, based on a classification developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Listening Comprehension (Intermediate -Mid)

Comprehend longer recombinations of learned materials that refer primarily to personal background, activities, the students' world. Understanding is less dependent on visual reinforcement.

Speaking (Intermediate-Low)

Speak in a limited number of specific social situations. Ask and answer questions, make simple statements, and maintain face-to-face conversations, but with many inaccuracies. Strong interference from the native language may occur. Misunderstandings often arise, but the speaker can generally be understood by native-speakers used to the speaking of non-natives.

Reading (Intermediate-Mid)

Read and understand texts dealing with a variety of topics where the vocabulary has been previously learned. May read authentic short passages of prose with rereading and assistance. Misunderstandings occur frequently.

Writing (Intermediate-Mid)

Can write short paragraphs about personal interests, activities, and topics of social interest based on personal observations. Can write in the present tense with some use of other time frames. Writing tends to be fragmented. Writing is understandable to native speakers used to the writing of non-natives.

Cultural Awareness

1. Be able to identify regions of the world and name some countries where Spanish is spoken.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of a few basic facts about several Spanish-speaking countries or regions.
3. Show understanding of Spanish customs relating to introductions and initial social contacts, interaction in public places, dining, interaction between family and friends.
4. Show some understanding of issues in intercultural communication and cultural misunderstanding.
5. Acquire and demonstrate cultural awareness and understanding of Hispanic countries and peoples.

CORE CURRICULUM
Spanish 2311 fulfills the six basic intellectual competencies of the Core Curriculum.

READING: Reading material at the college level means having the ability of analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials, books, articles, and documents.

WRITING: Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to knowing correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, students should also become familiar with the writing process, including how to discover a topic, how to develop and organize it, and how to phrase
it effectively for their audience. These abilities are acquired through practice and reflection.

SPEAKING: Effective speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.

LISTENING: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.

CRITICAL THINKING: Critical thinking embraces methods for applying both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and to construct alternatives strategies. Problem solving is one of the applications of critical thinking used to address an identified task.

COMPUTER LITERACY: Computer literacy at the college level means having the ability to use computer based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of the technology and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and
learn new technologies ad they become available. (Houston Community College System 2000-2001 Catalog, 35)

Instructor Information

Textbook Information

Textbook: Puntos de Partida, Knorre, et. al., McGraw Hill, 5th ed. Chapters 14-18
Accompanying workbook
Supplementary Materials, Forster, et al., Primis Custom Pub.
Spanish 2311 Literary Readings, Grana (1997)

Lab Requirements (if any)

LAB REQUIREMENTS
Unlike the first year course, Spanish 2311 does not include a laboratory period. However, tapes are available for student use outside of class.

Students with Disabilities

Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to report to the ADA counselor on campus, to make necessary arrangements. Instructors are authorized to provide only accommodations requested by the Disability
Support Services Office.

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to do their own work, unless an assignment is made specifically as a group assignment. Plagiarism (handing in another person's work as your own),  or cheating will result in a grade of F for the assignment, quiz, or test in question. For a second offense, the student may receive a grade of F for the course.

Attendance and Withdrawal Policies

ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL. In accordance with HCCS official policy, a student may be dropped after missing more than 12.5 % of class time. Absences will be counted from the first day class day of the semester, no matter when the student registers or first attend.

Grading Policy

Course Requirements for example: Testing, Projects, Assignments, Portfolios, Service Learning, Internships, etc.

Class Participation
Quizzes,
Homework
Major tests
Final exam                             

Make-up policy

Students are responsible for material covered during their absences. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the instructor for make-up assignments.

Course Content

The course will include verb and pronoun review as well as new grammar--additional uses of the subjunctive, future and conditional verb forms. Vocabulary and language patterns are introduced and applied in the context of communicative situations such as talking about leisure time and daily life, money, job, travel, current events, customs and mores. In addition, the students will begin to use a reader for reading and discussion of short stories. You will also learn cultural information about values, beliefs and practices related to the above situations and to speakers of
Spanish. In a more general sense, you will learn about the cultural contexts of the Spanish language.

Course Calendar with Due Dates for Assignments and Testing

Other Student Information (clubs, tutoring, web resources, student services, etc.)

Students may obtain copies of lab tapes by providing new or used cassette tapes to the library and filling out a request form. It may take up to a week to get the copies back. Be sure to write your name and college on the request form.
Puntos de Partida, 5th ed. CAS 1171
Chapters 14- 18 & Repaso 5/6   5   90-minute tapes

TUTORING
Free tutoring is available at Central, Southwest, and Northwest Colleges. Please consult with the departments for the schedules.

TASP REQUIREMENTS
Students who have failed any part of the TASP test must be enrolled in at least one developmental course (in any of the areas not passed).  If you do not enroll, or drop, or do not attend your developmental courses, you will be withdrawn from all your classes with no refund.

SEMESTER CALENDAR
First class
Holidays
Last day to drop
Last day of instruction
Final exam

Web sites:
www.mhhe.com/Puntos
www.studyspanish.com
www.bbc.com