PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 
MASTER SYLLABUS

SPANISH CONVERSATION
SPAN 2510
 

Class Hours: 3.0

 

Credit Hours: 3.0

 

Laboratory Hours: 0.0

 

Date Revised: Spring 06

 

Catalog Course Description:

 

 

 

Spanish Conversation and Composition: Focus on the functional aspects of speaking Spanish and writing to increase proficiency through sustained, topic-related conversations and written compositions, with grammar review.

Entry Level Standards:

 

 

 

Intermediate level competency in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing Spanish

Prerequisites:

 

 

 

SPAN 2020 or 4 years of high school Spanish or equivalent in life experience

Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:

 

 

Jarvis,  Ana,  et  al.,  Basic Spanish Grammar.  4th  edLexington, Massachusetts:  D.  C.  Health and Company, 1992.
Jarvis,  Ana,  et  al.,  Spanish for Social Services.  4th  edLexington,  Mass: D. C. Heath and Company, 1992
(Other titles: Spanish for Medical Personas, Spanish for Business, etc.  may be used in alternating semesters.)

I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:

 

 

 

Week 

Topic

 

1

Social Welfare; Present Tense, Adjectives.

 

2

Social Welfare;  Irreg.  Pres.  Tense,  Possession

 

3

Social Security;  Stem-changing Verbs

 

4

Social Security;  Object Pronouns

 

5

Conducting Interviews;  Reflexive Verbs

 

6

Nutrition; Preterit Tense, “por” and  “para

 

7

Social Services;  Irreg.  Preterits, Imperfect

 

8

Employment; Preterit and Imperfect Contrasted

 

9

Medical Services;  “Gustar” -Type Verbs

 

10

Child Abuse;  Present/Past Perfect Tenses

 

11

Aid for the Aged;  Future and Conditional Tenses

 

12

Medicare;  Present Subjunctive - Volition

 

13

Resolving Problems;  Pres. Subjunc. - Emotion

 

14

Giving Advice;  Pres. Subjunc. - Doubt, etc

 

15

Giving Advice;   Imperfect Subjunctive

 

16

Final Exam Period

II. Course Objectives*:

 

 

 

A.

Listening Comprehension: comprehend spontaneous face-to-face conversations, and simple media announcements, reports, and documentaries.  I, III

 

B.

Speaking Skills:  participate in sustained conversations on general and some specific topics.  I, III

 

C.

Reading Comprehension:  read authentic texts.  I, III, IV

 

D.

Writing Skills: write compositions dealing with specific topics, demonstrating control of basic tenses, syntax, and morphology.  I

 

E.

Cultural Understanding: gain increased awareness of Hispanic society and culture.  IV

*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR’ general education goals.

III. Instructional Processes*: 

 

 

Students will:

 

 

 

 

1.

Read articles on specific topics from text and current Hispanic newspapers and magazines.  Communication Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome

 

2.

Discuss and express opinions about theme-related issues. Communication Outcome, Personal Development Outcome

 

3.

Create mini-dramas through role-playing, interviews and dialogs in pairs or small-group activities. Communication Outcome,  Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Active Learning Strategy

 

4.

Write weekly compositions on specified topics, expressing opinions, ideas, and feelings in writing. Communication Outcome, Personal Development Outcome

 

5.

Understand and discuss Spanish video documentaries on specific topics.   Communication Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Transitional Strategy

*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.

IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 

 

 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1.

Comprehend increasingly difficult dialogues. A 

 

2.

Pronounce correctly all vocabulary. B

 

3.

Carry on conversations on a variety of topics. B

 

4.

Use a variety of verb tenses. B

 

5.

Understand the main ideas in magazines and newspapers. C

 

6.

Be understood by a native speaker not used to dealing with foreigners. B

 

7.

Have good control of basic composition forms. D

 

8.

Write a simple letter in Spanish. D

 

9.

Fill out forms, write messages and notes well enough to meet practical, social demands. D

 

10.

Understand the culture as it differs from the student's culture. E

 

11.

Recognize and discuss major works of art, music, and architecture. E

*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.

V. Evaluation:

 

 

 

A. Testing Procedures: 30% of grade

 

There will be three written examinations worth 30%.

 

B. Laboratory Expectations:

 

The students must do a laboratory assignment that corresponds to the current assignment in the text.  They may listen in the Media Center, or they may purchase the tapes and listen at home.

 

C. Field Work:

 

Students are required to read current events from a Spanish language periodical at the library, weekly.

 

D. Other Evaluation Methods: 70% of grade

 

30% Weekly compositions 
20%  Class participation 
20%  Oral presentations 

 

E. Grading Scale:

 

Students are evaluated by three written exams, weekly compositions, participation in class discussion, debate, situational role-playing, and individual oral presentations.

A   90 -100
B+ 87-89
B   80 -86
C+ 77-79
C   70 -76
D   60-69
F   Below 60

VI. Policies:

 

 

 

A. Attendance Policy:

 

Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. 

 

B. Academic Dishonesty:

 

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.  Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class.  In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular Pellissippi State procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course.  (Pellissippi State, 2004-2006 Catalog, pages 62-63)

 

C. Accommodations for disabilities:

 

If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.