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Click here for printable version of the syllabus in MS
Word
Instructor: Darren Witwer
Room K 2200 M,W 12:00-2:15 Office H4119 (English-Humanities Suite) Phone # 612-659-6444
My office hours are 11:00-11:50 Monday & Wednesday 1:00-1:50 T
(sometimes Thursday 3:00 to 4:00) I am in my office a lot, and if I’m not
too busy, I can take walk-in visits.
Home ********* e-mail: darren.witwer@minneapolis.edu
Darren's Web Page: http://home.minneapolis.edu/~witwerda
(resources, links, tutorials, syllabus, etc.)
Desire 2 Learn Login (for
on-line gradebook)
My home phone is available
for important messages. I expect to receive some visits and calls
for class related issues or to make an appointment for a longer discussion.
Also, I have office hours for a reason--come see me at least once, but it's
nice if I know you are coming so that you don't come when somebody else is
already there.
In appropriate situations it is best to come see me in small
groups if you have similar questions. The same goes for tutors--it is
usually best to go with at least one other person. You may not think of a
question that somebody happens to ask and it is more fun and efficient.
You can communicate with me
by e-mail: I can help you use a Spanish keyboard on all PC-based machines
using Windows XP, 95, 98 and even Windows 3.1 See me for details. (or click
here)
REQUIRED TEXTS (used for entire 1st year prog.):
Vistas: Introducción a la
lengua española
single package contains a number of required course materials including a
cassette, a CD-ROM, a textbook, student activities manual (workbook),
dictionary and other things. This is the same package used in first
semester, so continuing students do not need to buy any buy more
books for Spring semester.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
a)
attendance/participation. Due to the nature of a language course, it is not possible to
miss classes to any extent. Beginning in Fall of 2006, a new college policy
allows teachers to drop students from the class for non-attendance. Teachers can determine how the policy
will be carried out in the classroom.
The way I will handle it is as follows: Students who do not show up for class
within the first two weeks (4 sessions) will be automatically dropped from
the class so that students who are attending can take those seats. That means that the first two weeks are
very important. Any two-week period
of absence after that point will also result in an automatic drop from the
class. I will make exceptions if you
have a good reason and/or we have discussed this. But, if you miss four classes in a row
without calling me, you can expect to be dropped. This means that you may be responsible
for repaying financial aid awards you have received, rather than the school
being responsible to repay it and then try to recover it from the student.
Classroom attendance is
tallied in the D2L gradebook. That
component of the gradebook takes a lot of columns, but does not carry the
final grade value. At Midterm and
Final I will do a simple class average to determine how to convert those
numbers into a grade value that I will average with a subjective grade I
give on the basis of the quality of your participation. Basically, my system is designed so that
the Attendance/Participation portion of your grade will be a maximum of B
at 4 absences.
I will count tardiness as
partial absences. Be certain to keep a log of your
"extracurrcular" time: tutoring, seeing tutors, working in the
Learning Center, etc. Give it to me at the end of the quarter and let
me know what you are doing. Keep me informed and I'll keep you
informed. If you are absent for an extended period, I will waive this
policy only if a valid medical excuse is provided. No mercy will be shown
to those whose Spanish skills are strong enough that they think they can
miss classes. They should have taken
a higher level of Spanish.
Regardless of excuses, your
participation grade will still be based upon the number of classes
attended. Missing 1/3 of the class sessions will result in at least
a 33% reduction of the participation grade. Without a valid excuse, a
similar absence will result in a grade of F for the course. Missing 4 classes will mean that with extra
effort on participation, you might be able to get a B, if you do A work on
the tests. Vacations to Spanish speaking countries do not count
as an excuse--especially to places like Mazatlan, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres,
Cancún, etc. If you are absent for more than ¼ of the class sessions for
any reason, you should consider withdrawing from the course to
avoid a negative impact on your GPA. I will not grant a grade of Incomplete
unless you have been present for at least 2/3 of the class sessions, and a
valid excuse is provided. I will also not grant an incomplete unless it is
possible for you to complete the necessary work within the next school
term. In case of extended absence, be sure to remain in contact with me so
that we can determine your alternatives. If you fail to keep me informed,
and provide valid excuses, I will not consider special provisions for you.
Failure to complete an incomplete in one term automatically results in an F
(school policy). Even given a serious reason for extended absence, cannot
give an incomplete unless all of the remaining work can be completed
without attending classes in a later semester (also a school policy).
Attendance is an important part of your grade that cannot be made up,
though it is definitely not the only significant factor.
10 Hours must be
allocated to Learning Center Activities. You are encouraged to use the tutors in the Learning
Assistance Center on the 4th floor of the T bldg. for oral
practice, even if you are not having difficulties. I am sorry, but I cannot
accept tutoring from people who are not employed by the school. There is no
accountability, and it is too easy to deceive. I will discuss alternative
assignments with you if the hours for these services don't fit your
schedule. One alternative that I recommend for students who are progressing
rapidly is to tutor classmates who are having more difficulties.
Conversely, students who are having difficulties can arrange tutoring
sessions with classmates approved by me. I will expect documentation of the
time from both parties. This reveals an important secret of success in
foreign language classes in general--those who excel stand to learn a great
deal by helping other students master the basics, while those who are
struggling will learn more by working in the classroom with students who
understand more. In other words, rather than sitting in groups with
students of equivalent abilities, or lack thereof, it really pays to break
out of your classroom cliques and work with the other students in a more
active way.
b) Completion of workbook exercises and reading textbook as
directed by the teacher. The workbook is rather demanding so I will not have
any other homework beyond quizzes, tests and compositions. The most
important exercises are the exercises that do not have answers in the back
of the book and may require extra paper to be inserted into the book.
PLEASE STICK EACH OF THESE IN THE BOOK WHERE APPROPRIATE--so I don't have
to guess where you put it. I am not terribly concerned about blatantly
silly, mechanical and repetitive exercises, but anything that is
challenging, open-ended, and demands significant writing will certainly be
important. Many exercises have answers in the back. I expect you to check
them yourself. I will not give any credit if you do not do the exercises
that don't have answers in the back. The chapters are divided into
three sections that are scattered in three parts to the workbook.
There is a writing/grammar section that appears in the first 1/2 of the
workbook. The next 1/3 of the workbook contains the exercises that
must be done with a tape copied in the language lab. The last small
portion is the video segment. We will do these in class more
extensively than the workbook requests. You don't need to hand in the
video section of the workbook, but we will probably refer to it on the
scheduled days we do the video in class.
The optional mp3 disk
available in the bookstore is the easiest way to do the workbook if you
have easy access to and familiarity with playing audio files on a computer
with speakers or headphones. If you prefer to use cassette tapes, the
language lab will copy the necessary tapes for you onto cassettes that you
bring (recommended: high bias medium quality tapes of 90 mins) Procedures
will be explained by the instructor and/or the lab technician. When doing
the workbook, it is necessary to have the tape at hand all the way through
each chapter. If you have difficulty comprehending the tape, refer to
the tapescript (available in the lab) after you have made an attempt to
write down the sounds you think you hear. Compare that to the script to see
how you did. Don’t drive yourself crazy repeating the audio, but do not
rely exclusively on the tapescript either, or you will probably flunk
listening exercises in class and for the final exam. Listening is probably
the most difficult skill to develop. Spend time practicing!
Each chapter must be handed in completed before the next
chapter test is taken in order to receive any corrections or feedback. Late
assignments will be examined and credited only. This is my way to encourage
you to do the work and, at the same time, to take advantage of
procrastinators. When correcting workbooks, I focus my attention on open
writing assignments. Failure to
complete the workbook will have a negative effect on your grade. Because of the way grading is structured,
a student who has straight A’s in all other categories could receive a C
for the course if no workbook assignments are handed in.
c) Classroom
participation.
Answer when called upon, participate in small groups. NO WALLFLOWERS! Speak
in Spanish when possible, even if you make a mistake. Also, if you
participate a lot, then others cannot participate. I may ask you to
be quiet to allow others to answer if you have already been speaking a
lot. You should take this as a good sign, and not as an
insult.
d) Quizzes, Tests, final written, and Oral
skills exam in class.
e) A relatively relaxed
and positive attitude.
Attendance Policy Beginning in Fall of 2006, a new
college policy allows teachers to drop students from the class for
non-attendance. Teachers can
determine how the policy will be carried out in the classroom. The way I will handle it is as
follows: Students who do not show up
for class within the first two weeks (4 sessions) will be automatically
dropped from the class so that students who are attending can take those
seats. In the Beginning 1 Spanish
classes, this is critical because there are so many students trying to get
into filled classes. That means that
the first two weeks are very important.
Any two-week period of absence after that point will also result in
an automatic drop from the class. I
will make exceptions if you have a good reason and/or we have discussed
this. But, if you miss four classes
in a row without calling me, you can expect to be dropped. This means that you may be responsible
for repaying financial aid awards you have received, rather than the school
being responsible to repay it and then try to recover it from the
student.
Classroom attendance is
tallied in the D2L gradebook. That
component of the gradebook takes a lot of columns, but does not carry the
final grade value. At Midterm and
Final I will do a simple class average to determine how to convert those
numbers into a grade value that I will average with a subjective grade I
give on the basis of the quality of your participation. Basically, my system is designed so that
the Attendance/Participation portion of your grade will be a maximum of B
at 4 absences.
Grading Policy: It must be clear to you that D grades
will be given, although such a grade definitely does not indicate that the
student should proceed to the next level. There will be no grade curving,
we shall use a straight percentage scale as follows:
100-91%=A 90.9-81%=B
80.9-70%=C 69-60%=D 59-0% F
Incompletes will not be
given unless there are clear reasons which support such. i.e. extended
illness.
BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE FILED
PASS-FAIL or AUDIT before the Nov. 3 deadline. If you think you are
auditing, but forget to change it, you will receive an F. If you decide to
"fade away" be absolutely sure to file a withdraw notice or you
will get an F. File to withdraw before the Nov. 17 deadline
35% 4 quizzes and 3 tests
(these will emphasize writing, reading and listening)
20% class participation,
attitude, etc.
15% Final Comprehension Exam
10% Oral skill exam (reading
aloud, answer a few questions)
20% workbook assignments
(these must be complete. I will check them during quizzes. DO NOT BOTHER TO
SHOW ME PARTIALLY COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS. You must complete all exercises to
receive full credit. A tapescript is available in the Learning Center
for checking difficult passages. Attendance will be taken in the
Learning Center as well. Ten hours is required in the Learning Center
(tutoring or other activities there). If the schedules do not work for you,
talk to me immediately about alternative options. It is extremely important
to have this extra time in order to build language skills.
Miscellaneous:
You will be writing some
in-class compositions. You are expected to prepare these outside of class.
You can get help from tutors or friends, but be certain that you understand
the grammar structures you are using. It is not a good idea to use a native
speaker for help unless it is a tutor that is trained to know what level of
Spanish you understand. Do not use your dictionary to look up conjugated
verbs! Be extremely careful to check that you are getting the right word
(noun, adjective, verb, etc.) from your dictionary. Always double check by
looking up the word in the other side of the dictionary (Spanish--English).
Another very important
rule seems to require mentioning: NEVER, NEVER write your compositions in
English and translate them to Spanish. The results are invariably
disastrous and immediately visible to me. Be advised that although you may
think it is easier, you are in reality doing the most difficult thing
possible. Your knowledge of English far exceeds your knowledge of Spanish
so you will be best off to think immediately in Spanish. If you don't know
how to say it at that moment, you will not be any better at it after
writing 200 words of difficult stuff. Dictionaries do not help with
grammar! Try to stick to writing what you do know how to say with a
minimal amount of reference to the dictionary. Tutors are under strict
instructions not to translate for you. They are there to help you learn
Spanish, not to do it for you.
If you have difficulties in
the class, please contact me as soon as possible. Problems in language
learning build up quickly and will "drown" you in a short time.
If my office hours are not convenient, please contact me, other times can
be arranged easily and tutoring is available through the college.
Do not be afraid to make
mistakes, effort counts much more than correctness. Mistakes are a
completely natural part of language learning, and often do not interfere
with communication. Some errors can be humorous and even educational.
Because this class is based largely upon the absorption of vocabulary, it
is highly advisable that you make a set of flash cards to drill yourself.
Be sure to work them from English to Spanish. You can do it the other way
too, but Engl-Span is more difficult and important. A far better approach
to vocabulary acquisition is to use what I call a plagiarism journal.
Unlike your other classes, I encourage literary thievery and lying. As you
encounter useful sentences that contain the vocabulary you are learning,
write the entire sentence down, marking the new vocab word(s). To tackle
grammar problems, incorporate a mixture of new vocab and new grammar
structures in each sentence. Write a translation of the sentence. These
journals can be designed as flashcards too, but the point is to memorize
sentences rather than words.
A note on lying: Creative
compositions in the class, and responses to personal questions on tests do
not have to be truthful. Be creative. If the question or essay involves
factual information about Spanish speaking culture or geography, I expect
truthfulness and correct answers.
Updated Schedule (see web
site):
Oral interviews will take
place the week and a half before finals
See Current
Schedule page for classroom schedule
"No Class Days"
Monday Sept 3
Thursday, Friday Oct 18-20
(won’t affect this class)
Monday December 12th
Thanksgiving—Thursday,
Friday Nov 22-24 (won’t affect this class)
Final Exam Week December
17-21
Dates to Remember
Last day to file
Pass/Fail—Thursday, November 9
Last day to withdraw
Friday, Friday, December 8
Final Comprehension Exam
– Thursday, December 20th 11:00-1:45
A note about withdrawing
from classes. If you miss a lot of classes, and you don't have a
REALLY good excuse with evidence, and you have also missed tests and
classroom activities, then please withdraw from the course. If you do
not withdraw, you will receive an F, and that F will remain on your
transcript until you retake the same course.
Semana 1: 27,
29 de agosto
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monday:
monday and wednesday: Introduction to class, texts, etc and first
exercises in Spanish
Vistas pp. 1-4.
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wednesday:
review pp. 6-9, 10-13, 14-21, Useful
classroom phrases presented. CD-ROM in class & Vistas pp.
5-8, 6-9. (I will try to start 10-13 if we have time .
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Semana 2: Labor Day holiday, 5 de
septiembre
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lunes
No Class--Labor Day Holiday
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miércoles:
review 14-21 do 22-29
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Semana 3: 4-6 de septiembre
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lunes :
Review up to 29, do 30-33
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miércoles: TEST 1,
& Start Capítulo 2 pp. 35-37
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Semana 4 11,13 de septiembre
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lunes :
Continue with cap. 2 38-45
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miércoles: 46-50
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The remainder of the
semester’s schedule, and updates can be found on the website “Current
Schedule” page.
If you need an accommodation
to participate in this class please see your instructor or contact the
Office for Students with Disabilities at 612-659-6730 (voice) 612-659-6731
(TTY). Course materials can be
provided in alternative formats if needed.
Contact the
Office for Students with Disabilities.
(http://www.minneapolis.edu/osd/index.cfm)
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