Syllabus

SPAN 302: Readings in Hispanic Literature for Advanced Speakers

Course Description

Introduction to the study of Spanish language, poems, essays, short stories, plays, and novels. The course also includes an intense Spanish grammar review.

Course Learning Outcomes

In the course you will:

  1. Develop an awareness of the mechanics of Spanish grammar, including learning the parts of speech: subjects, verbs, pronouns, etc.
  2. Demonstrate a mastery of all 16 verb tenses in Spanish, both in conjugation and application.
  3. Acquire an elevated vocabulary from exercises that will help in language production.
  4. Master tricky areas in Spanish-por versus para, ser versus estar, etc.-which often hold English-speaking learners back in their command of Spanish.
  5. Acquire a deeper awareness of, and appreciation for, the richness of Hispanic literature by reading a variety of authors from many different Spanish-speaking cultures and from different time periods.
  6. Apply literary concepts to the readings to enhance the study of Hispanic literature.
  7. Analyze in depth many literary themes by making connections between the literature and us as human beings and expanding on the literal meaning of the texts.
  8. Acquire confidence in reading by sharpening and enhancing reading skills through extended reading practice, rather than by using counterproductive strategies such as looking up each unfamiliar word.

Course Schedule

The course has been designed to follow a schedule in which you will complete one lesson per week. You are expected to complete all of the learning activities for each lesson in the order they are listed and not skip ahead without finishing a lesson (i.e. you should complete all of Lesson 01 before beginning anything in Lesson 02). The instructor may shift the order of assignments and even extend the deadlines on assignments for the whole class if circumstances warrant it.

Due dates and times for all assignments are found using the Calendar tool in I-Learn. Also, activity directions will have information on when the assignment opens and closes. The due dates and times listed in the activity directions are based on Mountain Time in the United States and are for students on campus at BYU-Idaho. If you are in a different time zone, you may see some adjustments in the I-Learn Calendar and "Due in Two Weeks" list. If you have additional questions about when an assignment is due, you should contact your instructor.

The deans of the colleges at BYU-Idaho have determined that the average amount of time students will put in each week per credit is three to four hours. So, for a three-credit class each week the deans expect students to spend an average of nine to 12 hours studying. For this course it will take students about nine hours of study time to complete all the learning activities assigned each week; this is the amount of time that you should expect to put into this class if you want to get a passing (C) grade. If you want a higher grade you may need to put in more study time, maybe even beyond 12 hours per week. Also, be aware that with this course there is no "time off" for holidays. You should arrange your study schedule so that any holiday activities do not keep you from completing learning activities by the posted due dates and times.

Required Materials

There is no required textbook for this course. All readings and other resources are available for free on the Internet. Since this is an online course, it is your responsibility to arrange to use a computer with Internet access. (The higher speed you have for your Internet access the better.) It is also your responsibility to make sure you have the word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software required to complete the assignments.

In order to participate in online meetings with the instructor and your classmates, you are required to have a microphone and a set of earphones that will work with your computer. You will use the microphone and earphones to talk with classmates in a variety of learning activities in this course. Directions for setting up your microphone and earphones will be provided later on in the Course Introduction.

Grading

Grades will be based on a weighted percentage of the total number of points earned from exams, assignments, quizzes, and completion of other learning activities. You can find information in your I-Learn grade book on the weighted grading categories and their percentages. You may check your progress in the course at any time by accessing the grade book.

In assigning final grades for this course, the instructor will use the BYU-Idaho Standard Grade Definition criteria listed below.

A-The grade of 'A' represents outstanding understanding, application, and integration of subject material and extensive evidence of original thinking, skillful use of concepts, and ability to analyze and solve complex problems. It demonstrates diligent application of Learning Model principles, including initiative in serving other students.

B-The grade of 'B' represents considerable/significant understanding, application, and incorporation of the material, which would prepare a student to be successful in next level courses, graduate school, or employment. The student participates in the Learning Model as applied in the course.

C-The grade of 'C' represents sufficient understanding of subject matter. The student demonstrates minimal initiative. Sequenced courses could be attempted, but mastering new materials might prove challenging. The student participates marginally in the Learning Model.

D-The grade of 'D' represents poor performance and initiative to learn, understand, and apply course materials. Retaking a course or remediation may be necessary to prepare for additional instruction in this subject matter.

F-The grade of 'F' represents failure in the course.

Grading Scale:

A = 100% - 93%
A- = 92% - 90%
B+ = 89% - 87%
B = 86% - 83%
B- = 82% - 80%
C+ = 79% - 77%
C = 76% - 73%
C- = 72% - 70%
D+ = 69% - 67%
D = 66% - 63%
D- = 62% - 60%
F = 59% and lower

Course Policies

You should read the following course policies and make sure that you understand what these policies mean regarding your interactions with the instructor and other students in this course. If you have questions about any of these policies, you should contact your instructor.

Personal Honor

In this class, our interactions with each other should be guided at all times by the following principles of personal honor.

Principles of Personal Honor - "True at all Times"

You should make sure that you understand the above principles of personal honor. It is important for all class members to strive to follow the above principles in our associations with one another.

If you have any questions about how Personal Honor is related to academic honesty or the university's dress and grooming standards, you may visit the University Standards web page (http://www.byui.edu/StudentHonor/UniversityStandards.htm) to get more information.

Students with Disabilities

BYU-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability that may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office by phone at 208-496-4283 or via email at taylorr@byui.edu. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by this office. If you need assistance or feel you have been unlawfully discriminated on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established policy and procedures. Contact the Human Resources Office at 208-496-1700 or via email at humanresources@byui.edu.

Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program that receives federal funds, including federal loans and grants. Title IX also covers student-to-student sexual harassment. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please contact the Human Resources Office at 208-496-1700 or via email at humanresources@byui.edu.