Center for Global Education -- Program information for Mexico

Syllabus for SPA 411: Advanced Conversation and Composition

Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 311 or its equivalent

Fulfillment of Graduation Requirements at Augsburg College: Writing Skill. This course counts toward the major or minor in Spanish.

Course Description

This course is designed for advanced language students who have already completed one conversation and composition course. The goals is for students to increase the facility and correctness of their written and oral expression through conversation, discussions, reports, debates, occasional lectures about writing, written compositions, and grammar review, as necessary. Much class time will be spent on oral presentations and peer review of the written compositions.

Special emphasis will be placed on developing writing skills and writing research papers, as this course fulfills the writing skill graduation requirement at Augsburg College. Students will write and submit at least two drafts/rewrites before completing the final version of each composition. The first draft will be submitted for peer review and discussion in class and the second will be submitted to the instructor.

Instructional Goals

Students will improve their written and oral expression in Spanish.
Students will master advanced grammar.
Students will expand their Spanish vocabulary.

Required Text and Other Materials

1. Ponce de León, José Luis S. El Arte de la conversación, El Arte de la composición, Sexta edición. Heinle Publishers, 2000. www.heinle.com (You can order books directly from them.) ISBN 083840823

2. *Libro de sintónimos y antónimos para estudiantes. Barrons. ISBN 0-7641-1447-6

3. Spanish/English dictionary.

* = Highly recommended but not required

We have a few used copies of these Spanish books in Cuernavaca. If you want to purchase a used copy, please email Julie Rogers at JulieCGE@gmail.com immediately to find out if the books you want are available and to reserve one. These books can also be ordered through your local bookstore or over the Internet. Books from Heinle publishers can be directly ordered from them at www.heinle.com. Be sure to place your order six weeks in advance.

Course Requirements (100% = 100 points)

10% (10 points) Active class participation. Class participation includes punctuality, presence in class, active engagement in class sessions, and completion of all assignments and required readings or listening assignments on time. (See grading criteria listed below.)

45% (45 points) Three formal oral presentations of topics to be determined between the student and the instructor, accompanied by a written outline. Students may not read a written presentation. Instead, they should use a written outline, which they must give to the instructor at the end of the presentation. Each presentation should be approximately 5-10 minutes long and is worth 15 points.

30% (30 points) Two compositions on topics to be determined between the student and the instructor. Students will write and submit two drafts/rewrites before completing the final version of each composition. The first draft will be submitted for peer review and discussion in class and the second will be submitted to the instructor. The drafts will not be graded. However, final versions of the composition will NOT be accepted without at least two drafts that demonstrate the student's progress. Each composition, which should be 2-3 typed pages in length (500-750 words), is worth 15 points.

15% (15 points) Final research paper, accompanied by an outline, list of references, and at least one draft. This paper should be approximately 5 typed pages in length and should involve independent research. The topic will be determined between the student and the instructor.

Weekly Assignment Schedule for SPA 411

	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.
Week 1	1^st day of class.	Tarea due.	Tarea due.	Oral Presentation #1
Week 2	Draft #1 of Composition #1 due.	Draft #2 of Composition #1 due.	Final version of Composition #1 due.	Oral Presentation #2
Week 3	Draft #1 of Composition #2 due.	Draft #2 of Composition #2 due.	Final version of Composition #2 due.	Oral Presentation #3
Week 4	No assignment due. (Work on research paper.)	Draft 1 of Final Research Paper due.	No assignment due. (Work on research paper.)	Final Research Paper due, plus ungraded post-test in class.

Grading Criteria for Class Participation

Full participation involves speaking only Spanish in class, completing assignments on time, coming to class prepared and on time, participating in all class activities with enthusiasm and interest, collaborating with the instructor and other students (as applicable), and demonstrating effort at improving Spanish abilities. Because all Universal classes seek to assist the students in becoming conversational in Spanish, class participation is extremely important.
Students must be punctual. One-half of a point will be deducted each time you are more than five minutes late to class. Two points will be deducted per unexcused absence. Excused absences are for religious holidays, emergencies, and illness when the student has called the Universal Spanish director Irma Salazar (318-2904) and asked her to advise the instructor of her or his absence prior to the start of class and later documented with a doctor's note.
You may miss one class during the entire course for a reason other than illness without being penalized if you clear this absence in advance with your teacher or the director (Irma Salazar) and if the reason for missing class is acceptable. Examples of an acceptable absence include the following: a visit from friends or family, an especially heavy workload in other courses at that moment, or extenuating emotional circumstances. You may NOT miss class simply because your alarm clock didn't go off and you slept in! For any UNEXCUSED absences in your Spanish classes, you will be docked two points per absence, regardless of your progress in the course.
Students are responsible for talking with the instructor about what they missed in class, getting notes or handouts from other students, and for making up any assignments that were completed in class.

Grading Criteria for Compositions

Structure: Introduction; organization, sequence, and development of ideas; and conclusion
Content: Clarity and complexity of ideas
Grammar: Correct use of complex forms studied in class
Style: Effective use of appropriate style for given assignment (description, narration, argumentation, or exposition)
At least two drafts: Demonstration of clear improvement from first two drafts

Final versions of compositions will NOT be accepted without at least two drafts demonstrating revisions.

Grading Criteria for Oral Presentations

Structure: Introduction; organization, sequence, and development of ideas; and conclusion
Content: Clarity and complexity of ideas
Grammar: Correct use of complex forms studied in class
Style: Effective use of appropriate style for given assignment (description, narration, argumentation, or exposition)
Oral Expression: Pronunciation, articulation, volume, and tone
Written Outline: Organization of ideas and main points

Oral presentations are not considered complete (and will be graded down significantly) if they are not accompanied by an outline.

Note to Augsburg students: You must prepare a portfolio of all your work from this course and present it to Susana Sandmann upon return to Augsburg. The portfolio should include:

1. Oral Presentations (At least four)

a. An outline of each of your oral presentations

b. A written evaluation of each oral presentation by the course instructor (with the grade)

2. Compositions (At least 3)

a. Final compositions, accompanied by 2 drafts/rewrites per composition

b. An evaluation of each final composition by the course instructor (with the grade)

3. Final Research Paper

a. Final research paper, accompanied by outline, list of references, and at least one draft

b. An evaluation of each final composition by the course instructor (with the grade)

4. Any other documents that demonstrate your achievement of the course objectives.