Note:   All students must have their books by the second day of classes.  Books can be bought at any HCCS bookstore. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

SPAN 1300, Conversational Spanish I, constitutes an alternative beginning Spanish course designed for students who have had no previous contact with Spanish.  It is particularly for those who wish to acquire limited conversational skills for travel or the workplace, or who wish to start their study of Spanish more gradually than in 1411.  This course does not count toward a university language requirement, but generally transfers as elective credit. 

OBJECTIVES

1.    Understand the spoken language in the context of the
       everyday situations studied.  To understand means to grasp
       the basic message, not necessarily to comprehend every word
       uttered.

2.    Speak using words, then phrases and simple sentences to give 
       information, ask and answer questions, and participate in
       conversations in the contexts studied.

3.    Become aware of customs and attitudes of Spanish-speaking
       countries which apply to the contexts studied.

4.    Comprehend simple written materials such as signs, menus,
       timetables, ads, short dialogues, etc.

5.     Write simple phrases and sentences related to the 
        situations studied.
 

CLASSWORK

The emphasis in class is on oral communication:  listening and speaking skills.  It will include talking about topics covered in the chapters and role-playing everyday situations.  There will be no systematic study of grammar.  Only those structures needed to communicate in the situations presented will be introduced.  Topics include home, school, family, work, shopping, getting around.  You will learn to greet others, introduce yourself and ask about others, ask where something is, ask for general information when traveling, talk about the time, dates, and weather, describe family members, work, and housing, buy clothing, and order something to eat or drink.   

COURSE GRADE                      

HCCS Grading Scale     
90-100 = A; 80- 89  = B; 70- 79  = C; 69- 60  = D; 0- 59  = F
 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is essential.  In accordance with HCCS official policy, a student may be dropped after missing more than two weeks of class (6 hours). Regular attendance is especially important in a foreign language class.

Class will begin at the scheduled time.  Please be on time, as coming and going is disruptive.  The class roll will be called every day at the beginning of class.  Students are expected to attend classes every day and will be responsible for materials covered during their absence, as per the course lesson plan and additional materials assigned by instructor.  Students will lose points on the participation grade for every class missed.  As per HCCS policies, stated in the Student Handbook, the instructor has full authority to drop a student after the student has accumulated absences in excess of 6 hours.  However, it is recommended that the student be responsible for dropping the course if he/she has been absent more than 6 hours of class.  This policy will be strictly enforced, particularly for veterans.  If a student is late by more than 10 minutes or leaves class 15 minutes before the class ends, the student will receive one ¹/₂ absence.  After 2 of these absences the student will get one full absence.  Attendance is essential.

Absences will be counted from the first class day of the semester, no matter when the student registers or first attend.

MAKE-UP POLICY

Students are responsible for material covered during their absences. There will be no make-up tests except in well documented dire circumstances.  One make-up test will be allowed per semester.  It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the instructor to arrange to take a make-up test.  Exchanging phone numbers with one or two other students for times when you miss a single class is a good idea.  LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

POLICY ON ACADEMIC DISHONESTY 

Students are expected to do their own work, unless an assignment is made specifically as a group assignment.  Plagiarism (handing in another person's work as your own), or cheating will result in a grade of F for the assignment, quiz,  test in question, or for the course. 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to report to Room 102 SJAC or call (713) 718-6164 to make necessary arrangements. Faculty are only authorized to provide accommodations requested by the Disability Support Service Office.

IMPORTANT DATES THIS SEMESTER            

TENTATIVE COURSE PLAN FOR SPAN. 1300 

The plan below indicates the approximate pace of the course.  There may be some adjustments during the semester.  Your instructor may make adjustments and give more detailed daily assignments. 

TRUE BEGINNERS OF SPANISH NEED TO PLAN ON AN AVERAGE OF 8 HOURS PER WEEK OR MORE STUDY TIME TO KEEP UP WITH THE PACE OF THE CLASS. 

Tuesday, December 12, 2006        FINAL EXAM, 11:00-1:00 a.m.