Syllabus

Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Spanish 324 (Class code: 9292 ) Section 01
Fall 2013
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
202 Humanities Building
Dr. Manuel F. Medina
manuel.medina@louisville.edu

Prerequisites:Required:SPAN 202,or equivalent or placement score between 440 and 559. Open only to heritage speakers of Spanish.
Credit Hours: 3
Office and contact information:Humanities Building, Third Floor, 329-B
Telephone: 852-0501 (Office)
Fax: 852-8885
E-mail: medina502 at gmail.com
Class URL: http://medina502.com/classes/span_324/

Office Hours:

Tuesdays: 11:00 p.m.-12:00 p.m., Wednesday: 4:30 - 5:20 p.m.
and by appointment.

Course description, objectives & goals:

This class contributes to the development of writing,reading,and critical thinking and skills. Students also review and practice Spanish grammar.

Course objectives:

  1. Students review and learn the tools necessary to use Spanish more effectively in personal and professional situations.
  2. The course stresses all four skills - reading, writing, speaking, and listenting.
  3. The course improves your command of major points of Spanish grammar
  4. The class increases your knowledge of Spanish vocabulary./li>
  5. Students receive a brief introduction to the cultural of Latin American countries, Spain and the US Latino population.
  6. Students develop or expand their critical thinking skills.

Course goals:

Required Texts:

Attendance: First: If you don’t attend class, you’ll miss important information that will help you better understand the subject matter, the readings and to do well on the exams.

Second: I will deduct points from your grade for every un-excused absence, after the first two, using the following scale:

▸ Three to five: 5% deduction from the class grade
▸ Six to eight: a one letter grade reduction
▸ Nine or more: a failing grade (F) in the class

Note: Please, contact me regarding excused absences such as medical emergencies, jury duty, and other I could include in this category.

Grading policies: Assignments Percentage of Course Mark

1. Class Participation & attendance: . . . . . . 10%
Reading, analytical thinking, and writing represent the main components of this course. Please, make sure to complete all the assigned reading before class so you can participate in class discussions.

Attendance: I expect you to be present in all class sessions. If you don’t attend class, you’ll miss important information that will help you better understand the subject matter, the readings and to do well on the exams. You will also loose class participation points.

I will deduct points from your grade for every un-excused absence, after the first two, using the following scale:

▸ Three to five: 5% deduction from the class grade
▸ Six to eight: a one letter grade reduction
▸ Nine or more: a failing grade (F) in the class

Note: Please, contact me regarding excused absences such as medical and family emergencies, jury duty, and other I could include in this category.

2. Writing assignments . . . . . . 60%
These assignments must be submitted before class period (1:00 p.m. if electronically) or at the beginning of class (if hand delivered it).

3. Two Exams: . . . . . . 30% The midterm (15%) and the final exam (15%) will each consist of writing exercises, voucabulary exercises and grammar questions.

Submitting work: You must submit your paper and related assignments at the start of the class on the date stated in the assignment schedule. I will not accept late papers unless you and I have mutually agreed upon an extension before the paper's deadline. I very seldom grant extensions.

Grading scale:
95.5%-100% A+
92.5%-95.4% A
89.5%-92.4% A-
85.5%-89.4% B+
82.5%-85.4% B
79.5%-82.4% B-
75.5%-79.4% C+
72.5%-75.4% C
69.5%-72.4% C-
65.5%-69.4% D+
62.5%-65.4% D
59.5%-62.4% D-
0%-59.4% F

100%:

95%-99%:

90%-94%:

80%-89%:

70%-79%:

0%-69%:

Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities:

Every student is expected to be thoroughly familiar with the University's Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Student Conduct which can be found in the General Information section of the Undergraduate Catalog.

p>Along with preparing for and attending class, each student has the responsibility of promoting high academic standards. Students are expected to cooperate in all classes with the instructor to achieve an optimal learning environment. The College of Arts and Sciences does not tolerate cheating, fabrication, falsification, multiple submission, plagiarism, or complicity in academic dishonesty. The College of Arts and Sciences has a statement of academic discipline for action against students who cheat or plagiarize.

University Policy on Discrimination and Sexual Harassment:

The University of Louisville strives to maintain the campus free of all forms of illegal discrimination as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students.
Sexual harassment is unacceptable and unlawful conduct and will not be tolerated in the workplace and the educational environment.
If an individual is shown to have violated the sexual harassment policy, the individual will be subject, depending upon the seriousness of the violation, to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from the University.

Policy on Instructional Modifications or accommodations:

I encourage students who have a disability or other educational, physical or mental limitations or conditions which may impair their ability to complete assignments or otherwise satisfy course criteria to meet with me to identify, discuss and document any feasible instructional modifications or accommodations. Please notify me no later than the end of the second week of the semester or no later that the end of the second week after you get diagnosed with a disability or condition, whichever occurs first. You may contact the Disabilities Resource Center for information and auxiliary aid.

The University of Louisville is committed to providing access to programs and services for qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodation to participate in and complete requirements for this class, contact the Disability Resource Center (Tobbins A Hall 852-6938) for verification of eligibility and determination of specific accommodations.

Policy on Mobile devices:

You cannot text, e-mail, im, connect to a social network or browse the internet in class. On a first offense, you will receive a warning. Second incidents will merit further consequences that will include confiscating devices and conflict resolutions sessions with the Dept. chair. I will also deduct points (up to 80%) of your overall class participation grade.

Note: The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus when necessary to meet learning objectives, to compensate for missed classes, or for similar reasons.


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