Beginning Spanish I

Course Description

Introduction to the Spanish language and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Emphasis on active listening, speaking, writing, and reading, and applied vocabulary. Equivalent to SPA 121; students may not receive credit for both SPA 101 and SPA 121. Prerequisite: None; Notes: Students with previous knowledge of Spanish are required to take the placement test. Students who are native or heritage speakers of Spanish MUST obtain permission from the instructor before enrolling in the course. No academic credit will be given without department permission if students have already earned credit for an equivalent or higher-level course or have been placed into a higher-level course.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

MAC Category and SLOs

  • Describe dynamic elements of different cultures.
  • Explain how similarities, differences, and connections among diverse groups of people or environmental systems affect one another over time and place.

Course Specific SLOs

  • Demonstrate at least ACTFL novice-low/mid proficiency in the interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication.
  • Complete and comprehend simple conversations about familiar, practiced topics.
  • Formulate and answer simple questions/sentences to communicate basic requests.
  • Explain the main ideas of authentic written/spoken texts from Spanish-speaking cultures.
  • Demonstrate understanding, describe, and compare aspects of cultures of people who speak Spanish around the world.

Course Grading Information:

sections 01-07 and 09

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Participation20%
Connect Homework30%
Knowledge Checks10%
Cultural Assignments10%
Language Tasks30%

section 08

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Participation15%
Homework (Connect)5%
Homework (Canvas)15%
Language Quizzes15%
Cultural Competencies5%
Language Application Tasks45%

sections 10-13

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Homework (Connect)20%
Language Quizzes (Connect)15%
Adaptive Learning Assignments5%
Language Application Tasks40%
Cultural Competencies10%
Practice activities (reading, writing, listening speaking)10%

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
93–100A
90–92.99A-
88–89.99B+
83–87.99B
80–82.99B-
78–79.99C+
73–77.99C
70–72.99C-
68–69.99D+
63–67.99D
60–62.99D-
0–59.99F

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance and participation are essential and directly affect the final grade.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • Trayectorias e-book with Connect platform access
  • Computer with microphone and webcam

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.