TR 10:30AM-11:45AM T14 and T227
Professor: Esperanza Román Mendoza
Telephone: 993-1232
E-mail: eromanme@gmu.edu

Department of Modern and Classical Languages
George Mason University
Office: Thompson 235A
Office hours: TR 12:00-1:00PM and by appointment



Course description

Spanish 351 is a post-intermediate level course for non-Spanish speaking students. The main goal is the development of conversational skills through class discussions and oral and written reports based on topics of current interest. Native speakers of Spanish, including students who speak Spanish at home, are not eligible to take this course. Section 001 of SPAN 351 will make extensive use of technology to support oral and written activities. Your grade will be determined as follows:

Class participation and preparation: 15%
Oral Class Projects: 20%
Group Project: 25%
Forums and chatrooms: 20%
Portfolio and final oral interview: 20%

Course objectives

The aim of this course is to enable you to acquire new vocabulary in order to improve your conversational skills. It is expected that you learn at least 10 new words each class, and that you use them throughout the semester, at the end of which you should be able to carry on a basic conversation in Spanish without making too many mistakes.

Materials

Assesment

Participation and preparation

This is primarily a conversation class and you must be present to participate. Attendance is crucial. No make-up work will be accepted for lost class time. Your grade will be determined by both quality and quantity of your oral participation in class and your homework.

Oral Class Projects

As part of Spanish 351 you will be carry out different oral assignments, which will include interviews, short presentations on TV commercials, role plays, etc.

Group Project

You will be required to choose a topic related to GMU university life and prepare a multimedia presentation on the chosen topic. More details in class.

Forums and chatrooms

As part of this course, you will be required to participate in the on-line discussions and chatrooms that will be set up specifically for this course. Topics of discussion will be determined accordingly to the text book contents.

Portfolio and final oral interview

You are required to keep a portfolio that you will present on the last day of class and discuss with your instructor on the final exam day (Thursday, May 13, 1999). All the homework assignments will have to be included in your portfolio. Details about specific content and format of the portfolio will be given in class.

HONOR CODE: Exams, presentations and assignments must be done independently. Consult the GMU Honor Code for information.

Grading Scale

A 100-93
A- 92-90
B+ 89-87
B 86-83
B- 82-80
C+ 79-77
C 76-70
D 69-60
F 59-0

Spanish 351 – Spanish Conversation – Spring 1999 (Tentative Schedule)

Fecha

Contenido

Tarea

Martes 26/1

Introducción al curso

 

Jueves 28/1

Lab. 232. Vamos a conocernos

Traer audiocasete

Martes 2/2

C1: ¿Qué significa ser hispano?

Lectura: Entre dos mundos

Activ. 7, 8, 9; Preparar lectura

Jueves 4/2 L

Discusión

Foro I

Martes 9/2

C2: El español en el mundo

Lectura: Español e inglés, las lenguas del futuro

Activ: 5, 6, 7, 8 & 10; Preparar lectura

Jueves 11/2 L

Discusión

Foro II

Martes 16/2

C3: Todos somos diferentes

Lectura: Rafael

Activ: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16 &17; Preparar lectura

Jueves 18/2 L

Canción Hablemos el mismo idioma

Foro III

Martes 23/2

C4:La familia

Lectura: Los lazos que sanan

Activ. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12; Preparar lectura; Traer foto de tu familia

Jueves 25/2 L

Discusión

Foro IV

Martes 2/3

C5: La familia en crisis

Lectura: El divorcio

Activ. 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 & 13; Preparar lectura

Jueves 4/3 L

Discusión

Foro V

Martes 9/3

C6: La comunidad

Lecturas

Activ. 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12; Preparar lectura

Jueves 11/3 L

Canción No hay marcha en Nueva York

Foro VI

15/3-19/3

Vacaciones de primavera

Martes 23/3

C7: Los estudios

Lectura: Aprenda más en menos tiempo; estudie con propósito

Activ. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 13; Preparar lectura

Jueves 25/3 L

Discusión

Foro VII

Martes 30/3

C8: En la universidad

Lectura: Los ojos del dragón

Activ. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11; Preparar lectura

Jueves 1/4 L

Discusión

Foro VIII

Martes 6/4

C9: Las carreras del futuro

Lectura: Las mejores profesiones del futuro

Activ. 6, 7, 8, 9 & 11; Preparar lectura

Jueves 8/4 L

Discusión

Foro IX

Martes 13/4

C10: Ud. como profesional

Lectura: Signos de puntuación

Activ. 6, 7, 8 & 11; Preparar lectura

Jueves 15/4 L

Canción Buscando visa para un sueño

Foro X

Martes 20/4

C17: Un problema social: la violencia

Lectura: ¿Quiere usted rabiar conmigo?

Activ. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11; Preparar lectura

Jueves 22/4 L

Discusión

Foro XI

Martes 27/4

C20: La libertad de expresión

Lectura: Los censores

Activ. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 & 12; Preparar lectura

Jueves 29/4 L

Vida universitaria I y II (Presentación en grupo)

Foro XII

Martes 4/5 L

Vida universitaria III y IV (Presentación en grupo)

Comentarios sobre las presentaciones

Jueves 6/5 L

Vida universitaria V (Presentación en grupo)

Comentarios sobre las presentaciones

Portfolio

Jueves 13/5

Final individual interview with instructor

 

 *L: Laboratorio Thomson 232 – C: Capítulo 


©1999 E. Román