Portland State University
Department of World Languages and Literatures
Spanish 203
Fall 2013
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE HOURS:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL:
OFFICE:
COURSE OVERVIEW
Spanish 203 is a language course that features a strong humanistic content and emphasizes communication
and critical analysis. In this class students will continue to develop their linguistic skills in the context of
Spanish and Latin American culture. In addition, we will gradually learn and review grammatical structures
and build new vocabulary. At the end of this course, students will be able to discuss a variety of topics in the
target language, employing complex structures and a sophisticated vocabulary, as well as exhibiting a great
familiarity with the cultural history of Spain and Latin America. They will also be able to access a wider
selection of authentic material in Spanish (journals, short stories, films, etc.) which will allow them to
continue to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the Hispanic world.
SPANISH SECOND YEAR OBJECTIVES
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To help students continue to develop their linguistic skills (speaking, writing, listening, and reading)
in the context of Hispanic culture, in order to reach ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of
Foreign Languages) intermediate level standards, as well as an understanding of some of the major
civilizations and social processes throughout history that influenced and shaped the language and
culture of the Hispanic countries as we know them today.
To foster communication and critical thinking in the target language through strategies directed at the
exercise of the following cognitive skills: seeking information, asking questions, giving descriptions,
narrating, comparing, ordering, sequencing, classifying, analyzing, inferring, justifying, persuading,
problem solving, synthesizing, giving opinions, perspective and role taking, empathizing, etc.
To offer an intellectually stimulating and academically challenging tool for awakening a general
interest in the humanities and enriching students’ interaction with other human beings, while making
them aware of cultural diversity and encouraging them to reflect on the socio-historical dynamics of
our species.
203 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
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Understand the expression of circumstance through subordination, use adverbial phrases in order to
express cause and effect, finality, and other circumstances related to the main action.
Understand the cultural aspects of the use of the body in communication, employ gestures to convey
intention
Talk about social development and progress
Understand the difference between the active and the passive voice and their contexts of use
(everyday use vs. academic setting)
PSU WLL Syllabus Spanish 203 Fall 2013
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Understand the difference between passive and impersonal structures
Understand and use mood/tense agreement
Express opinion, emotion, doubt, and persuasion in the past
Understand the form and function of augmentative and diminutive suffixes
Express hypothesis, advice, and recommendations using the conditional
Express future in relation to the past
Express courtesy using the conditional
Express contingency and degrees of possibility using the conditional and the subjunctive
Understand the structure and function of perfect tenses in Spanish
Understand the function of non-personal forms of verbs
TEXTS
Textbook: Gravina, Jaén-Portillo, Mendez y Shroeder. Épocas y avances: Lengua en su contexto cultural (Yale
University Press, 2007), available at the PSU bookstore.
Workbook: Funcia, Ramos, Reymundi y Simon. Épocas y avances: Lengua en su contexto cultural (Yale
University Press, 2007). We will use the online QUIA version, available at
http://books.quia.com/bookstore/15373.html. The first day of class, your instructor will provide
you the course code you need to start doing your homework.
A good bilingual dictionary
For a monolingual dictionary (highly recommended) please visit the Real Academia Española site
http://www.rae.es (a smart phone app also available)
For a grammar manual (in English), we recommend: Chiquito, Ana Beatriz. A Handbook of Contemporary
Spanish Grammar (Vista Higher Learning, 2012). This book is also used as class text for Spanish 3rd
Year.
PEDAGOGY AND METHODOLOGY
Second Year Spanish is based on an immersion, communicative, and content-based method. Classes are
conducted entirely in Spanish, work is mostly collaborative (in pairs and groups), and Spanish is taught
through a historical lens designed to provide students with a solid background on Hispanic culture and help
them be better citizens of the US multicultural community.
This is a student-centered class. Your instructor will not be providing you with traditional grammar or
culture explanations; rather, s/he will be assisting you in becoming the agent of your own learning process.
You will be learning Spanish in action, with the help of both your instructor and your peers.
You may find more details on the objectives, philosophy, rationale, and methodology of this course, in the
Preface of the textbook Épocas y avances (pages vi-x).
For any additional questions, please feel free to contact the Coordinator of Second Year Spanish, Dr. Isabel
Jaén Portillo at [email protected].
REQUIRED COMPUTER RESOURCES
If you do not have one already, you need to request an ODIN account at http://www.account.pdx.edu and
go to Smith 18 with your student ID to activate the account. You need to be able to access the interface D2L
where your instructor will regularly post materials, collect homework, and communicate with you. Please
contact the helpdesk at OIT services (503-725-4357 (HELP) or [email protected]) if you are experiencing any
problems accessing D2L.
PSU WLL Syllabus Spanish 203 Fall 2013
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COURSE COMPONENTS AND ASSESSMENT
1. Participation (25%: includes attendance, active class participation, and preparation. Maximum
weekly participation grade is 10 points):
a. Attendance is mandatory! We cover new material each day and every class builds upon the previous
one. All absences will be recorded as a “0”, regardless of the cause. Arriving to class late will lower
your daily grade. Students are allowed two absences for illness, work, civil duty, or family emergency.
After those 2 allowed absences, for every two additional absences (consecutive or non-consecutive
days) your final grade will be dropped one level (A- to B+, etc.).
b. It is essential to maintain a collaborative attitude and to participate as actively as possible in class
activities and discussions. Active participation means leaving your comfort zone to take risks with
the language, asking questions, answering thoroughly, listening to others, and following along
attentively in class. Active participation is essential to making progress in learning a language and is
therefore required.
c. Students are also required to prepare for the class in advance in order to be fully engaged. As part of
this preparation, the first day of each week students must bring typed (Times New Roman, 12 pts.,
double-spaced) to class the answers to the “preguntas de comprensión.” Not bringing the “preguntas”
to class or not bringing them typed lowers your weekly participation grade by 5 points.
It is important to note that the working language in the classroom is Spanish. Although this might be
difficult at the beginning, students must make an effort not to use any other language, since doing so may
interfere with class immersion. In a few occasions, for the sake of comparative linguistic analysis, English
or any other language might be referred to. However, under no circumstances should students employ a
language other than Spanish as means of class communication. Repeated use of English in class lowers
your weekly participation grade by 5 points.
Each class session, you will assign yourself a participation grade based on exclusive use of Spanish in the
classroom, preparation for the class as evidenced by your completion of the assigned homework, and
active participation in all class activities. If your instructor finds that the grade should be raised or
lowered, s/he will change the grade and explain why it was changed.
2. Homework (25%: includes online workbook through QUIA 10%, listening practice portfolio 10%,
and film guide 5%):
a. Each week your instructor will assign several activities from the online QUIA workbook (“cuaderno
de trabajo” aka EACT). These activities also appear on the “tarea” column of the syllabus’ weekly
schedule. Although all weekly QUIA activities are due each Friday, it is important to work on them
the same day they are assigned, since there is a specific synchrony between class content and home
practice. Students are strongly encouraged to ask additional questions about the homework and other
class content during office hours. The instructor may also assign other activities or homework as
necessary.
b. To exercise your listening skills you will complete a listening practice portfolio composed of a short
150-word narrative including summary and reaction (to be written in Spanish) to each of these: a
song, a telenovela episode, and 2 films (your instructor will provide you with a list of
recommendations). This portfolio (total approximately 600 words) will be submitted via D2L at the
end of week 5. It is important to work on the portfolio from the beginning of the semester.
PSU WLL Syllabus Spanish 203 Fall 2013
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The total number of points for each portfolio is 10 pts (see weight of each activity below):
 2 Hispanic Films (3.5 points each = 7 points)
 Song (1 pts.)
 Telenovela episode (2 pts.)
Please upload your portfolio as a single document to the dropbox provided by your instructor in D2L.
c. Based on the film featured in class, the activities included in the film guide will help you review
grammar, vocabulary, and culture while exercising your language and analytical skills, as well as your
critical thinking. These activities are both oral and written.
3. Quizzes (15%). There will be three 50-minute quizzes during the term (each quiz will cover
approximately two chapters). They will include the following sections: one listening comprehension
activity, one grammar activity, one multiple choice culture activity, and one short writing activity. After
your instructor returns your exam with your errors marked, you will be able to work on an improved
version and raise your grade up to 10 points, depending on the quality of your new version. You will then
return both the original quiz and your typed improved answers to your instructor, along with a 150-word
reflection on your performance (written in English). Please refer to the “clave para la corrección de las
composiciones” at the end of this syllabus for a list of the symbols that your instructor will employ when
correcting your writing. In addition, in order to track your progress, your instructor might give you small
unannounced quizzes and include your grade as part of your weekly participation.
4. Essay (10%): a 250-word written assignment. There will be two versions of this essay. The first version
(draft) will be written in class (topics and more detailed guidelines will be distributed in advance). This
assignment will be conducted as a writing workshop in which you will be able to ask your instructor
questions, use a print dictionary, and use your textbook. No electronic devices will be permitted.
Illegible handwriting will result in points lost. Your instructor will read your draft and will employ a
symbol key (see “clave para la corrección de las composiciones”) to mark your errors and will indicate
those areas that need improvement (including content, organization, use of grammatical structures and
vocabulary).You will then rewrite your composition at home to produce a final version, making the
necessary changes. Your second and final version must be typed (Times New Roman 12 pts.) and,
depending on the quality of your work will raise your grade up to 20 points.
5. Presentations (10%). In groups, students will work on presentations around a previously assigned topic
related to the course content. These presentations are based on the principle of collaborative learning and
their purpose is to motivate and help students to further explore the Hispanic culture. Through these
presentations your instructor will also assess your oral production skills. Students will go through the
following steps: 1. documentation and research, 2. organization and practice, and 3. presentation.
Presentations must be interactive and include an activity to involve everyone. Students must present in a
conversational fashion (reading notes or memorizing texts is not allowed and will result in a grade of 0).
Power Point must be used only for projecting images (only titles allowed). All students must pay full
attention, take notes during the presentations (notes will be collected by the instructor at the end of the
trimester), and engage actively in the presentation interactive activity. More detailed directions will be
provided later on in the course.
6. Final exam (15%). You will be tested on listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary, and culture. The
content of these exams will be related to the textbook, workbook, class discussions, and the film featured
in class.
PSU WLL Syllabus Spanish 203 Fall 2013
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GRADING
The final grade will be determined by the following formula:
Participation 25%
Homework 25% (10% online workbook, 10% listening portfolio, 5% film
guide)
Quizzes 15%
Essay 10%
Presentation 10%
Final Exam 15%
TOTAL 100.00%
Grade scale:
A
100-94
A- 93-90
B+ 89-87
B
86-84
B- 83-80
Pass
C+ 79-77
C
76-74
C- 73-70
D+ 69-67
D
66-64
D- 63-60
F 59-0
No Pass
PASS/NO PASS POLICY
In order to earn a passing grade, students must complete all portions of the course.
FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS AND REGULATIONS
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No late assignments or make-ups are allowed. If you couldn’t finish an assignment on time or were
absent during an exam or other class assessment activity, you will be responsible for compensating for
the points missed with your work in other areas. Requests for exceptions to the no-make up policy
will be granted only in special circumstances (mainly civil duty and medical emergency) and with the
approval of both the instructor and the course director.
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Cell phones and other electronic devices (including laptops) may not be used in class. If you are
expecting an emergency call, let your instructor know at the beginning of the class. Please take your
notes manually.
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Each student must have her/his own copy of all class materials to bring to class daily. If you are
buying your textbook used, please make sure to purchase the correct student version in “like new”
state, without interfering markings (please note that the instructor edition is not allowed as student
textbook, nor any used texts that have the exercises already answered for you).
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Second Year Spanish is a demanding course! Preparation and homework time outside of class is
approximately 2 ½ hours per hour of class. Exams and other assignments will require additional
time. Please plan your time accordingly. Please be also aware that the last three weeks of the course
will demand extra time, as you will undergo additional practice and assessment.
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Students are encouraged to see their instructor during office hours.
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CLASSROOM COURTESY AND DIVERSITY: Please address other class members and your
instructor with respect and please contribute to create an atmosphere of tolerance and constructive
exchange in the classroom. On class discussions and collective projects it is important to acknowledge
and incorporate one another’s ideas and contributions.
PSU WLL Syllabus Spanish 203 Fall 2013
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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Students must do their own work. Please note that using language
translators or copying texts (or fragments of texts) from the Internet or any other source is not
permitted and constitutes plagiarism. This type of plagiarism is easy to spot and will have serious
academic consequences. Be wise; don’t jeopardize your academic standing.
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND MECHANICS OF THE COURSE
1. Your instructor will cover approximately a book chapter per week. As preparation for each week, you
need to:
a. Read the chapter’s main text (“En el horizonte” section), answer the “preguntas de comprensión”
(comprehension questions) and bring them typed to class for discussion (your instructor will also
collect them at the end of the class).
b. Study the vocabulary (“Compás” section) with special attention to the gender of nouns. Please
note that English translations are not provided and may only be found at the end of the book, in
the glossary. Try to learn words in their context, by locating them in the main text.
c. Read preliminarily the grammar explanation (“Brújula” section). Please note that the grammar
section is written entirely in Spanish. Should you require grammar explanations in English, you
are welcome to use an additional Spanish grammar reference book of your choice as an aid in
your study. Your instructor will not be explaining grammar to you in English. Rather than
explaining grammar “traditionally”, s/he will present it to you in an inductive manner, through
exercises, and then will help you infer the rules.
2. Each day of class, your instructor will assign online homework related to class content. Homework
assignments appear on the second column of the weekly schedule table below. They will also appear
as assigned activities on the QUIA workbook.
3. The last hour of the week will be devoted to conversation about current cultural and political issues.
Your instructor will bring some of the most important news of the week (from Hispanic papers and
programs), for you to practice your oral production skills.
4. Please note that the last three weeks of the course you will no longer be required to do online
homework and comprehension questions. These last three weeks will function as a “workshop” in
which you will review and further put in practice all you have learned, through a film guide, a
composition, and a presentation. These activities will also help your instructor to assess your skills
and progress, along with the final exam.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
En clase
Tarea
Semana 1 (30 Septiembre-4 octubre)
Breve introducción al curso
EACT vocabulario: 16-1, 16-2, 16-3
EACT gramática: 16-5,16-6, 16-7 y comprensión
Tema 16: La América colonial
auditiva: B
En el horizonte
Compás/Itinerarios
Brújula: Presente de subjuntivo IV (subordinadas
adverbiales)
Noticias y conversación
PSU WLL Syllabus Spanish 203 Fall 2013
Tema 17: Crecimiento y desarrollo en
Hispanoamérica
En el horizonte
Compás/Ampliación de vocabulario
Itinerarios
Brújula: La pasiva en español
Noticias y conversación
Semana 2 (7-11 octubre)
EACT vocabulario: 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, 17-4
EACT gramática: 17-5, 17-6, 17-7 y comprensión
auditiva: B
Semana 3 (14-18 octubre)
EACT vocabulario: 18-1, 18-2, 18-3
EACT gramática: 18-5, 18-6, 18-7 y comprensión
auditiva: A
Quiz 1
Tema 18: La Ilustración en España
En el horizonte
Compás/Itinerarios
Brújula: El imperfecto de subjuntivo
Extensión: Diminutivos y aumentativos en español
Noticias y conversación
Semana 4 (21-25 octubre)
EACT vocabulario: 19-1, 19-2, 19-3
Tema 19: Intervención e independencia
EACT gramática: 19-5, 19-6, 19-7 y comprensión
En el horizonte
auditiva:
Compás/Itinerarios
A, B, C, D
Brújula: El condicional
Extensión: Expresiones de cortesía en español
Noticias y conversación
Semana 5 (28 octubre-1 noviembre)
Quiz 2
EACT vocabulario: 20-1, 20-2, 20-3
Tema 20: Del Romanticismo a la Independencia EACT gramática: 20-5, 20-6, 20-7 y comprensión
auditiva:
En el horizonte
AyB
Compás/ Itinerarios
Brújula: Oraciones condicionales con SI
Noticias y conversación
Semana 6 (4-8 noviembre)
EACT vocabulario: 21-1, 21-2, 21-3
Tema 21: El Siglo XX en Latinoamérica
EACT gramática: 21-5, 21-6, 21-7, 21-8, 21-10 y
En el horizonte
comprensión auditiva: A, B
Compás/Itinerarios
Brújula: Tiempos compuestos
Noticias y conversación
Semana 7 (12-15 noviembre)
*no hay clase el 11 de noviembre
Quiz 3
EACT vocabulario: 22-1, 22-2, 22-3
EACT gramática: 22-5, 22-6, 22-8 y comprensión
Tema 22: El siglo XX en España
auditiva:
En el horizonte
A, B
Compás/Itinerarios
Práctica con los tiempos verbales
Noticias y conversación
Semana 8 (18-22 noviembre)
El viaje de Carol
Comienza la preparación de las presentaciones
Práctica y repaso con la película
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PSU WLL Syllabus Spanish 203 Fall 2013
Semana 9 (25-27 noviembre)
*no hay clase el 28 ni el 29 de noviembre
Trabajar en la guía de la película
Práctica y repaso con la película
Composición (primera versión)
Semana 10 (2-6 diciembre)
Prepararse para el examen final
Presentaciones
Examen final: semana del 9 al 14 de diciembre
(consultar http://www.pdx.edu/registration/final-exams-schedule#Fall%202012)
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