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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SPAN 202"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Spanish II"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sofia Sanz Alonso
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement or SPAN 201 (As of Fall 2022: Placement or SPAN 201 with a grade of C or above)
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A continuation of SPAN 201. While continuing the review of grammar, the course emphasizes the development of reading and composition skills in the context of Spanish and Hispanic cultures. Literary readings, newspaper articles, and films, are an essential component of the course.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is designed to review and study in-depth the following grammar points: verb tenses in the indicative and subjunctive moods, sequence of tenses, “if” clauses, relative pronouns, indefinite adjectives and pronouns, indirect discourse, and the use of prepositions and conjunctions. The course concentrates on consolidating specific communicative tasks, including stating opinions and constructing hypotheses, in both speaking and writing. Specialized vocabulary is expanded and appropriate variables in register are introduced in expository writing and conversation.

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course, students will possess the ability to:

- understand written and spoken Spanish at the upper intermediate level

- participate in complex conversations on a variety of topics, using present, past, conditional, and future tenses

- ask for and obtain information in a variety of settings

- express opinions, feelings, needs, approval and disapproval, possibility and make conjectures

- comprehend the general meaning and details of upper-intermediate level texts

- produce written texts on a variety of topics, using present, past, conditional, and future tenses

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Nuevo Español en marcha 4 - Libro del alumnoFrancisca Castro, Ignacio Rodero, Carmen SardineroSgel9788497787826     
Nuevo Español en marcha 4 - Cuaderno de ejerciciosFrancisca Castro, Ignacio Rodero, Carmen Sardinero, Mercedes ÁlvarezSgel9788497787246     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
2 TESTSThe two tests are designed to evaluate the student's knowledge of the grammar, vocabulary coverd, their reading and listening comprehension and written ability. 25%
Midterm examThe midterm exam is designed to evaluate the student's knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary covered up to this point, their reading and listening comprehension and written ability.25%
Final ExamThe final exam is designed to evaluate the student's knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary covered,their reading and listening comprehension, and the written ability.25%
Oral ProficiencyIn-class oral activities (5%) and final oral exam/oral presentation (10%). Students are examined singularly and in pairs or small groups. The types of tests are: conversation between the two students or the small groups, monologues, role playing. 15%
Class participation and HomeworkStudents are expected to come prepared to class and participate in all activities. Active participation is crucial, since the learning process requires considerable practice.10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cour
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Students are supposed to come prepared to class and participate in all activities. Active participation is crucial, since the learning process requires considerable practice. Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation.

Students are allowed three (four if it’s an eight-credit course) unjustified absences. The final grade will be lowered by 2 points for each additional absence. Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with the class schedule.

Two late entrances or leaving early for two times count as one absence. 

MAKE-UPS

Individual arrangements for make-ups will be done only for students with medical emergencies or any other valid reasons. The Midterm and Final Exam can only be made up with approval from the Dean of Academic Affairs  (Please see the John Cabot University Catalogue and Student Handbook).
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1 - 31 August - 1 September

Presentations. Let’s know each other

Learning from a past experience

Review of forms and uses of the past tenses in Spanish: pretérito indefinido/pretérito perfecto/pretérito imperfecto/pretérito pluscuamperfecto

Week 2 7 - 9 September

Writing a personal letter

Describing the use of objects

Final clauses: para/para que



Review of the present tense of the subjunctive mode

Week 3 - 14 - 16 September

Technology and domestic objects in the future

The future tense and the future perfect tense to express probability

Week 4 - 21 - 23 September

The use of the subjunctive mode to express feelings in the present and in the past



The imperfect tense of the subjunctive mode

QUIZ 1



Week 5 - 28 - 30 September

Cont. forms and uses of the subjunctive mode: present tense and imperfect tense

Writing emails



Week 6 - 5 - 7 October

Talking about food and cooking

Idiomatic expressions with food

Week 7 - 12 - 14 October

Temporal clauses



Writing recipes



How to prepare an oral presentation. Discourse markers

Week 8 - 19 - 21 October

Midterm review

MIDTERM EXAM

Week 9 - 26- 28 October

Health habits. Idiomatic expressions with the parts of the body

Conditional sentences: first, second and third conditional



Pretérito pluscuamperfecto of the subjunctive mode

Week 10 - 2 - 4 November

Conditional sentences: first, second and third conditional (cont.)

Week 11 - 9 - 11 November

Writing newspaper advertisements

Talking about living together

The formation of nouns (sustantivación)

QUIZ 2

Week 12 - 16 - 18 November

Relative clauses (el que, el cual, del que, en el que, dónde)

Talking about immigration



Week 13 - 23 - 25 November

Writing an article for a news magazine



Reported speech

Week 14 - 30 November - 2 December

ORAL EXAMS/PRESENTATIONS

FINAL REVIEW