Advanced Grammar and Composition
(S310) Fall 2002
~Syllabus~
~Syllabus~
Required Texts
Course Evaluation
Daily Preparation
Attendance
Quizzes/Exams
Compositions
Textbook Homework
Workbook Homework
Outside Help/Academic Integrity
Incompletes and Withdrawals
Automatic Grade of W
Office Hours
General Information:
Class discussion and assignments will be in Spanish.
1. Repase y escriba, 3rd ed. María Canteli Dominicis and John J. Reynolds
Evaluation:
2. Workbook for Repase y escriba.
3. Classpack: Spanish Grammar: A Quick Reference, by David Wren
4. A good Spanish/English dictionary (hard-back recommended)Quizzes (1 at 4%, 4 @ 6.5%) 30%Daily preparation:
Final exam 25%
Homework (6 from textbook @ 2%; 3 from workbook @ 1%) 15%
Compositions (2 written at home @ 8%; 1 in-class @ 4%) 20%
Class participation, preparation, attendance 10%Grading Scale:
A+ = 97-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69 F = 0-59
A = 93-96 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 63=66
A- = 90-92 B- = 80-82 C- + 70-72 D- = 60-62
Read the assignment (the Lectura and/or the grammatical/lexical explanations and examples that precede the exercises) carefully. Before class, write out all assigned exercises, which are indicated on the syllabus. Be sure to make a list of questions you would like addressed in class or during my office hours. We will collect homework assignments (a sample, not all) regularly, so please write on a separate sheet of paper and not in your book, indicate clearly the page number for each exercise, and bring the assignments with you to class each day. When we go over your homework in class, don't erase incorrect answers; make corrections in a different color (ink or pencil) so that I can see what types of problems you are having. No late assignments will be accepted unless you provide me with written documentation; this also means that if you do not attend class, you may not leave assignments in my mailbox and expect to receive a grade for the work. Attendance:
With any language, the way to improve is through practice; therefore, attendance is required. This also ensures that you get credit every day for having done your assignments. Students are expected to arrive on time, to be fully prepared for each class, and to participate actively. The first three absences count only against your participation grade (of course, if the absence is not excused, you will also lose grades if work is collected or a quiz or exam given). The fourth (and subsequent) absences are deemed excessive and also count against your final grade. Your overall grade will be lowered by 2% for each excessive absence. Absences may be excused if you present the appropriate documentation within one week of the absence. Please be on time for class; tardiness will be factored into your class participation grade. Please contact me at mdinvern@indiana.edu to clear emergencies and hospitalizations.
Quizzes/Exams:
During the term, you will take 5 scheduled exams prior to the final. These are meant to help you stay on top of the material at important points in the curriculum and make sure the building blocks are there for future chapters. Aside from these scheduled exams, depending on our needs as a class, I may give short (announced or unannounced) quizzes; the scores from these quizzes will fold into your class preparation and participation grade. Because of the pace of the class, it is critical not to miss an exam, so please keep the following in mind: Only under the most extreme circumstances is it possible to take a makeup exam or quiz. You must see me and present appropriate documentation as the initial step in making your case. The final exam is scheduled for Monday, December 16 from 2:45-4:45 pm. Please note: the final exam is comprehensive; it will cover material from all chapters presented during the semester. Although we have scheduled a review session at the end of the semester, it would be helpful for you to review your past work from time to time during the term and clear up any questions with me during office hours.Compositions:
Textbook Homework:
During the semester, you will write three compositions: 2 outside-of-class and 1 in-class. In order to develop your writing skills more effectively, we will follow a sequential writing process for the two out-of-class compositions: an outline (5%), first version (85%), and final corrected composition (10%). In order to receive a grade, your final version must be accompanied by the typed outline and first version; this way I can follow your progress and provide you with better feedback. Compositions must be typed, double-spaced, and include the word count at the bottom of the last page. Details on the required grammar structures and vocabulary will be sent to you via e-mail before each composition process begins; these should be underlined or highlighted on the draft and final copy. No late compositions will be accepted unless you provide me with appropriate documentation. You may not receive outside help on any version of your compositions. This includes electronic computer help in any form - spell-check or grammar-check programs, translators, etc. - as well as human help (e.g., tutors or friends who read and correct your errors). See section below on Academic Integrity.
Homework will be collected randomly 6 times during the semester. The grade for each assignment is calculated according to degree of completion (see below re Workbook grading). Please note that the course schedule has detailed the homework for the entire term. At the same time, the schedule must be sensitive to some degree to our class needs, particularly given the pace of the course. Any minor adjustments I make in order to accommodate our particular class will be announced in class (i.e. the elimination, addition, or substitution of an exercise). If for any reason you are absent, it is your responsibility to stay abreast of any changes. If a handout exercise has been distributed in order to clarify a grammar point, it is up to you to obtain that assignment.Workbook Homework:
A workbook accompanies Repase y escriba and provides additional reinforcement of the grammar points studied. You should prepare the assigned exercises and check them yourself (the answer key is in the back of the book). (See above re any potential adjustments). Additional exercises offer extra practice; some may appear on the exams. Your assignments in the workbook will be checked 3 times during the semester and will be evaluated as follows:100 = complete and corrected
75 = relatively complete and mostly corrected
50 = relatively incomplete
0 = very incomplete or not done at all
Outside help/Academic integrity:
The Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct defines “academic misconduct” as “any activity which tends to compromise the academic integrity of the institution and undermine the educational process.” This includes cheating [use of unauthorized materials, assistance, etc. during exams], plagiarism [to present ideas and statements of another person as one’s own] and facilitating academic misconduct [to help another student do any of the above]. With this in mind, please consider the following: all assignments for this course should be your own work only. You cannot have another student, a tutor, or friend correct the work you are to turn in. You may not use electronic translation programs to do any of the work for this course (print dictionaries are OK). For the sake of fairness to all students and as the only logical means by which I can realistically evaluate both your strengths and weaknesses, we want to emphasize that in S310, outside help of any kind on homework and compositions is simply not allowed. The only exception to the above is if I specifically assign you to work with another student. Cheating, plagiarism, and other examples of academic misconduct as outlined in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct will be pursued and sanctions will be levied. If you have any questions about the issue of academic integrity, you should consult with me or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Catherine Larson: office BH 844, email larson@indiana.edu.Incompletes and withdrawals:
Only under the most extreme and exceptional circumstances will the Department of Spanish and Portuguese consider a petition for an Incomplete. You must see me in order to begin this process.Automatic grade of W:
The last day to drop a course with an automatic W is Wednesday, October 30 at 4:00 p.m.Office Hours:
A final note regarding office hours. This course is fast-paced and deals with some of the most important and difficult grammar points you’ll tackle as a language learner. Don’t forget that staying on top of your problem points in S310 is half the battle. Although some points need practice and time for them to “sink in”, going over concepts or examples one-on-one can often be helpful. I encourage you to visit me in office hours to clear up any problem or confusion that might arise over the term regarding the material. This does mean that you have to work at being aware of where your problems are, but it also means that I am here as a resource for you in class and office hours when you pinpoint them.
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