Course Syllabus

SPAN 2010 Intermediate Spanish I

Course Description

This course reviews and expands upon the communicative aspects of the Spanish language acquired by students in SPAN 1010 and SPAN 1020, by employing three main areas of focus: linguistics, literature and film, and culture. The linguistic focus of the course is on vocabulary development, accuracy of expression, and improved communication. Students review structures and vocabulary learned in elementary courses and use them in longer, more detailed speech and compositions. The course's literary focus centers on developing reading skills for authentic texts, from print and other media. The cultural focus of the course is on increasing the knowledge and understanding of the geography, history, and traditions of the Hispanic world. This course is interactive with a focus on learner participation in reading, speaking, listening, and writing in Spanish.

Justification

This course satisfies the foreign language requirement for the A.A. degree. It is a prerequisite for advanced study of the language. Students prepare for advanced Spanish language, literature and civilization courses through increased emphasis on accuracy of linguistic expression as they explore various themes in Spanish-speaking cultures via reading and writing activities and oral presentations. Students also continue their in-depth study of the language, cultures, and values of Spanish-speaking peoples. Learning Spanish, particularly in combination with studies in other fields, such as art, music, philosophy, business, medicine, political science, social science, and technology can provide a valuable and employable life resource. This course is most similar to SPAN 2010 at Salt Lake Community College, SPAN 2010 at Utah State University, and SPAN 2010 at Utah Valley University.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students complete readings, discussions, and other assignments that require them to reflect on multiple cultures and analyze underlying similarities between cultures. They are required to explore the basis for cultural traditions, customs, music, and art, and describe similarities and differences across cultures. Students demonstrate fundamental knowledge of Spanish culture through in-class presentations involving food preparation and description, game research and demonstration, and many other cultural practices, which they must describe to others.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students are exposed to Spanish language and culture through video, text, and audio sources on the Internet and through music. They demonstrate their ability to read and interpret Spanish text through structured online tasks, as well as written media, and subsequently evaluate its meaning and cultural significance. Through feedback from the instructor online and during class discussions, students discover research techniques that further their exploration of Spanish language and culture, as well as other fields of interest.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students are introduced to perspectives different from their own and learn through readings, discussions, and their own research how people from other countries and regions of the world address problems in unique ways that meet their needs. These experiences allow students to draw on international perspectives when facing complex problems. Students are assessed during in-class discussions, on homework assignments, and on written quizzes and exams.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students develop critical thinking skills as they learn Spanish, where they must draw clues based on their own experience from the aural and visual input they receive. Students complete verbal and written assignments that demonstrate the ability to reason analytically and creatively evaluate the cultures, facts, and values of hispanophone peoples. Students are assessed during in-class discussions, on homework assignments, and on written quizzes and exams.
5. A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Students are assigned readings, discussion topics, audio, video, and other assignments that require reflection on multiple cultures and analysis of underlying similarities between cultures. They are required to explore, participate in, and expound on cultural traditions, customs, music, and art, through in-class discussions, online self-reflection journal entries, and formal essays. They are able to appreciate and discuss similarities and differences across cultures. Students will be assessed through in-class discussions and presentations, online self-reflection journal entries, and formal essays, with feedback from the instructor and their peers.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students produce and interpret oral and written language in various formats (e.g., informal conversation, announcements, descriptions, songs). The instructor evaluates their performance in class and during oral assessments, and provides feedback on accuracy of expression and appropriate use of language and gestures. Students produce and interpret oral and written language in various formats (e.g., informal conversation, announcements, descriptions, songs). The instructor evaluates their performance in class and during oral assessments, and provides feedback on accuracy of expression and appropriate use of language and gestures.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Interpretive Listening: Students will understand everyday words, phrases, and questions about themselves, their personal experiences, and their surroundings.
2. Interpretive Reading: Students will understand and perform a basic analysis of authentic Spanish texts written in Spanish. Their analyses will include identification of main ideas, characters, themes, symbolism and literary tools.
3. Interpersonal Spoken: Students will begin to speak in multi-sentence length and discourse.
4. Presentational Spoken: Students will provide information about a variety of Spanish cultural topics.
5. Presentational Written: Students will begin to write in paragraph and essay-length discourse. They will analyze the behavior of Spanish-speaking groups based on their study and understanding of history, economic conditions, values, geography and artistic expressions.
6. Interpersonal Satisfaction: Students will express satisfaction with their achieved level of communication skill.
7. Cultural Understanding: Students will demonstrate a knowledge of cultural traditions, customs, and values in Spanish-speaking countries. They will increase their appreciation and understanding of their own culture and language, as well as those of the Spanish-speaking world.

Course Content

The topics covered in Spanish 2010 include but are not limited to: A review of linguistic material presented in SPAN 1010 and SPAN 1020; Historical, geographic, cultural, and social themes in the Hispanic world; Introduction to advanced grammar principles including the subjunctive, compound tenses, and past tenses; Expressing comparisons; Position and meaning of adjectives; The use of prepositions and conjunctions; Agreeing/disagreeing with, and reacting to opinions and actions; Making suggestions and giving advice; Information questions, inversion, registers of language; Telling a story, linking events, situating events in the past; Organizing paragraphs into an essay; Talking about the past using imperfect and preterite tenses; Talking about daily activities related to professional, recreational, and domestic themes; Expressing emotions; Interviewing someone or being interviewed; Past, present, and future tenses; The indicative and subjunctive moods; Literary texts and excerpts by various Latin American and Spanish authors; Current events and people important to Spanish-speaking cultures; Exposure to authentic Spanish-language music; Composition practice; and oral presentations. This content is delivered through interactive lecture, multimedia presentation, partner and group work, and instructor modeling of concepts. This course addresses cultural issues overtly during lessons (see topics above) and indirectly via images presented to the class during everyday lessons that represent Spanish-speaking people from different ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, etc.