Course Syllabus

Span&221/222/223 5 CreditsIntermediate Spanish (IV, V, VI)

Fall Quarter 2023

Professor & Class Information

• Instructor: Carlie Johnson-Lillo (Lee-yo)
• Course: Intermediate Spanish (IV, V, VI)
• Quarter: Fall 2023
• Prefers to be addressed as: Profesora o Profe
• Email: cjohnson@tacomacc.edu
• Office Hours: By appointment. Email to set up.
• Class modality: Online asynchronous.               

Welcome Message

Welcome to Intermediate Spanish. I am looking forward to having you in my class this quarter. This is a multi-level course, so some of you may be in Span221 while others may be in Span222 or Span223. You will mainly be working with those in your same cohort, but occasionally, we will do group activities with all three sections. This is a challenging class, but if we work together, we can make this a great quarter. I’m here to help you succeed. If you feel worried about your learning and/or performance in this course, please come talk to me. I am happy to listen and strategize solutions that will improve your learning and performance.

Communication Policy

My preferred method of communication with you is email or Canvas inbox, which I check frequently. You can message me at any time, but you may not receive a response outside regular business hours. Generally, messages received after 5:30 p.m. will receive a response on the following business day. Business days are Monday–Friday, except for holidays.

Please set Canvas so that it sends you a message when I make a comment on your work. To do this, go to Canvas>Account>Notifications>Course Activities>Submission Comments. Click on the check mark for immediate notification to your home email or text, depending on what you prefer. You may also want to take a look at the other possible notifications and see what you would like to receive.

General Class Information

Class Information

Multi-level: Span221 24274/Span222 34275/Span223 34276

Course Modality

This is a fully online, asynchronous course. That means that you will not be required to attend any online sessions. Instead, you will work at your own pace in accordance with course/assignment due dates. Occasionally, you will interact with classmates from your cohort and or from the others. You may be asked to engage in discussion forums or work on collaborative projects together. 

Schedule and Location

There are no scheduled meetings for this class.

Catalog Description

This is an intermediate language course designed to build on and further develop your language skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing while at the same time increasing your knowledge and understanding of various cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world. Consistent with advances in second language teaching and learning research, this program is informed by several essential principles of communicative language teaching. Among them, that 1) learners need to focus on the message, as well as the form, contained in oral and written discourse to more successfully acquire language; and that 2) language must be used meaningfully in order to aid acquisition. Thus, this approach to language learning is information based, which is to say that the language acquisition process is supported through the exchange of meaningful/relevant information. What you say and write is as important as how you say and write it.  In second-year Spanish, you will actively use a great deal of Spanish vocabulary, will review all grammatical structures presented in first-year college Spanish, and will read and listen to large amounts of authentic oral and written Spanish. You will also learn extensive cultural information about the Spanish-speaking world. The class will be almost exclusively conducted in Spanish.

Our in-class work as well as outside homework and activities will support you in achieving these learning outcomes.  ACTFL (www.actfl.org) has very detailed and precise definitions of “intermediate mid” for the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing.  ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012.

Prerequisites

Span123 or instructor permission.

Required Textbook

• Blanco, J. A. & C. Tocaimaza-Hatch. 2015. IMAGINA: ESPAÑOL SIN BARRERAS (4th ed). Vista Higher Learning.
• Access key to SUPERSITE Plus (imagina.vhlcentral.com).
• ISBN 978-1-68005-684-6. 

You can purchase the required textbook at the TCC Bookstore.

Technology Required

You will need access to a computer to complete this course. You will also need to register for the VHL SuperSite online account. You will also need to access Canvas regularly to do other assignments and view additional Spanish language materials that will enhance your language learning. Additionally, you will be able to access your grades through Canvas as well as communicate with your instructor. Some assignments can be completed on your phone but others will be easier if done from a desktop, laptop, or tablet. If you need support using technology or learning how to use Canvas, please visit the Information Commons in Building 16 on the first floor at the end of the hallway.

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Recall vocabulary from everyday situations in Spanish. 1, 3, 5
2. Apply different grammatical and structural aspects of Spanish in oral and written communication focus on present. 1, 3, 5
3. Speak basic Spanish in everyday situations. 1, 2, 5
4. Explain comprehension of spoken Spanish in a variety of listening situations (using present tenses). 1, 3, 4, 5
5. Communicate effectively and creatively in written Spanish in present tense. 1, 3, 5
6. Interpret a wide range of Spanish written materials. 1, 2, 4, 5
7. Learn another culture through another language. 1, 2, 4
8. Recall elements of the Spanish culture that influence people’s use of language in daily life. 1, 3, 4, 5

Degree Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the degree, the student will be able to:

1. Core of Knowledge (COK)
   Demonstrate a basic knowledge of each of the distribution areas (Written Communication, Humanities, Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences; or, as applicable, specific professional/technical programs), integrate knowledge across disciplines, and apply this knowledge to academic, occupational, civic and personal endeavors.
2. Communication (COM)
   Listen, speak, read, and write effectively and use nonverbal and technological means to make connections between self and others.
3. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CRT)
   Compare, analyze, and evaluate information and ideas, and use sound thinking skills to solve problems.
4. Information and Information Technology (IIT)
   Locate, evaluate, retrieve, and ethically use relevant and current information of appropriate authority for both academic and personal applications.
5. Living and Working Cooperatively / Respecting Differences (LWC)
   Respectfully acknowledge diverse points of view, and draw upon the knowledge and experience of others to collaborate in a multicultural and complex world.
6. Responsibility & Ethics (RES)
   Demonstrate and understanding of what constitutes responsible and ethical behavior toward individuals, the community, and the environment.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

1. Be able to distinguish the many forms of human expression (COK, CRT).
2. Exercise skills in interpretation and analysis (COK, CRT).
3. Explain the importance of the creative process (COK, COM).
4. Express and produce work, which demonstrates heightened awareness to both cultural and historical diversity (COK, COM, LWC).
5. Confidently and competently practice performance skills (COK, COM).

Instructional Methods Used

In this class, I use a mixture of discussion, online activities, and group work activities. You can expect to:

• be engaged in frequent classroom activities to build on the readings, activities, and/or homework you have done for each class;
• work in small groups during class and for those groups to change on a regular basis
• ask your instructor for clarifications, rather than expecting lectures.

Professor and Student Expectations

Professor Expectations

As your professor, we will work to create an atmosphere that will encourage and support your mastery of course concepts. As such, objectives for which I will strive to meet include to:

• Get to know you and what your goals are for this class.
• Maintain a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Provide a schedule of activities that is clear and communicate changes by email and on Canvas.
• Grade assignments, quizzes, etc. within one week after the stated due date.
• Grade projects (if assigned) and hand them back to students in class no later than one week after the stated due date.
• Answer email within one business day.
• Provide feedback and comments that are thorough and meaningful.
• Be available for students during my office hours and by appointment and inform students of any changes to my office hours by email and Canvas.
• Equip students with general skills applicable to multiple career paths.

Student Expectations

• Check Canvas: Assignments and other assessments are in Canvas. Check Canvas once a day to ensure you complete work on time, understand instructions, and read any announcements or messages from your instructor.
• Respect others: Behave with respect toward each other including other students and your professor. Refrain from profane language or inappropriate/unrelated remarks. 
• Communicate with me: If you experience an emergency situation or illness that will impede you from completing your assignments on time, please reach out to me as soon as possible. I am here to help you learn and can be flexible if something unexpected comes up in your life.
• Self-Advocacy: Seek the resources you need to be successful. There are many resources available to help you succeed at TCC, for example, the Writing and Tutoring Center, Access Services, and Counseling. Use the Student Resources Canvas page to access these resources and more.

If there is a concern with your behavior during this quarter, we will use the Student Code of Conduct to frame our discussion. For more information on TCC policies related to student behavior, please refer to the TCC Classroom Standards and Culture webpage.

Recommended Study Habits

You can expect to devote an average of two hours outside of class to the subject matter (readings and preparation, as well as substantive assignments and participation exercises) for every 50 minutes in class (i.e. one class session). As this is a five-credit class, you can reasonably expect an average of 10 hours of reading/homework each week. Before each class, read the chapter sections that correspond to that class day. Formulate questions about the content that you cannot answer on your own. 

I have tried to ensure that the workload is evenly distributed throughout the class, but some weeks will weigh heavier than others, depending on the content we are learning. If you find that you have less than the normal amount of work one week, I suggest meeting with a classmate, going to the Writing and Tutoring Center, and/or attending a Supplemental Instruction (SI) session to review the concepts. Students who do well in this class are able to connect concepts within the class and beyond the class to their other classes and their personal experiences. The more time you spend building connections with the class material to other areas of your life, the better!

TCC Student Policies

TCC works hard to create a vibrant learning culture where you can succeed. Please refer to the college-wide standards and policies that support this important work.  Some of these policies include Religious Accommodations, Withdraw/Retakes, and the Student Code of Conduct.

Class Policies and Procedures

• Attendance: Attendance is not tracked in this class. However, a lack of attendance will negatively affect your overall performance in class. 
• Due Dates: All assignments are due by 11:59 pm the day of the due date unless otherwise listed on Canvas.
• Late work: I do not accept late work on homework, projects, quizzes, tests, etc. Anything that is not turned in by the deadline will receive an automatic zero. Emergency situations and illnesses will be treated on a case-by-case basis and must be communicated in a timely manner.
• Tests must be taken on the scheduled day. You may not take them before or after. If you have a medical emergency or a serious illness that impedes you from taking the exam, you must reach out to me beforehand. There are no makeup exams for conflicts of running start students, appointments, transportation issues, work, and or vacations. You have been provided with all of the test dates well in advance. Therefore, it is your responsibility to schedule your personal and work life around them.
• Incomplete Grade at the end of quarter:  NO INCOMPLETES.

Classroom Concerns/Disputes/Final Grade Appeal Process

If you believe you have received a final course grade that has been awarded improperly or in an arbitrary or capricious manner, you may grieve or appeal the grade. Details of the process are located on the TCC Portal at: https://my.tacomacc.edu/uPortal/p/StudentForms.ctf9/max/render.uP?pCm=view&pP_NSHistoryParam=21426%2C21435%2C21435%2C26224&pP_struts.portlet.action=%2Fview%2Findex&pP_ticket=ST-215398-bcm1AKn0zYfxmqTwgrVm-portalsvr2.tccnet.edu    

Academic Dishonesty

In this class, academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade (“E”) for the assignment or the quarter. Direct copying is prohibited, while incorrect citation and referencing will result in points taken off. I also reserve the right to remove any inappropriate posts on Canvas such as, but not limited to, profanity or plagiarism. In such a case, you will lose posting privileges and be given alternate assignments. As stated in the TCC Catalog, “Students are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic dishonesty corrupt the learning process and threaten the educational environment for all students”. The complete Administrative Procedure for Academic Dishonesty is available on the TCC website.

Grades & Feedback From Me:

I do my best to grade and give feedback on assignments promptly. In Canvas, I give feedback by the following: rubrics, points, submission comments, in-line comments on the doc viewer. In general, most assignments are graded within 5 days of the due date. If you have questions about your performance on a specific assignment, please contact me directly.

Evaluation Criteria & Grading Standards:

Grades earned for this course use the following World Languages Scale. Please note, there are no plusses or minuses -just a flat letter grade.

Your grade for this class will be determined as follows:

Cultural Projects & Compositions/Writing assignments: (20%)

You will create four Cultural Projects that you will present via video. Some of them may also have a written component. You will also have compositions and other short writing pieces. The compositions and writing activities will closely reflect the content, grammar, and vocabulary covered in the portion of the course they align with.

PLEASE, read carefully: Compositions are open assignments in which you develop the topics given by the instructor. You can use the textbook (vocab and verbs) and a dictionary online (vocab and expressions). However, you cannot use any other kind of help or device to write the composition (like people you know/ Google translation, etc.). Therefore, if I see a text written in Spanish that does not seem written by you (according to the samples in your course work) or that uses grammatical structures we have not covered in the course, I will call your attention in this way:

1. Your grade will be a plain passing grade (70%) or
2. You will write another composition live on Zoom with me present.

VHL SuperSite Homework: (30%)

You will read through the assigned chapters and do the assigned VHL SuperSite activities at your own pace within the parameters of the due dates. The assignments will focus on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Grammar, vocab, pronunciation, and cultural elements will also be a main focus.  

Discussion Forums: (10%)

You will have several discussion forums throughout the quarter. You will be provided with specific topics or questions to discuss. You will need to upload an original post as well as a response to a peer. Specific instructions will be provided for each forum.

Chapter Exams: (40%)

Depending on what cohort you are in, you will have 3 or 4 chapter exams. Span221 and 222 will have 3 exams, and Span223 will have 4. 

Late Work Policy

I do not accept late work on homework, projects, quizzes, tests, etc. Anything that is not turned in by the deadline will receive an automatic zero. 

Tests must be taken on the scheduled day. You may not take them before or after. If you have a medical emergency or a serious illness that impedes you from coming to campus on the day of the exam, you must reach out to me beforehand. There are no makeup exams for conflicts of running start students, appointments, transportation issues, work, and or vacations. You have been provided with all of the test dates well in advance. Therefore, it is your responsibility to schedule your personal and work life around them.

**Policy for incompletes:  NO INCOMPLETES.

Access and Accommodations

TCC is committed to ensuring access for students with disabilities in the online environment. If you have already established approved disability accommodations with the Access Services office, please remember to request that your Accommodation Letter is sent to me by email. If you have a disability or health condition and have not yet established services, please contact the Access Services office at access@tacomacc.edu or by submitting the New Student Application located on their web page.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Diversity: TCC welcomes people all across the wide scope of races, colors, nationalities, ethnicities, sexual identities and orientations, genders, religions, political affiliations, physical abilities, economic backgrounds, professional histories, marital and parental statuses, and generations. Like our school, I value the diversity in our classroom because it enriches our learning environment and deepens our understanding of others. Additionally, I hold an expectation that my students will eventually cultivate a similar appreciation for such diversity.     

Equity:  TCC empowers our community through equitable access to opportunities, knowledge, and resources. We promote intercultural engagement, institutional responsibility, and awareness of historical inequities and direct action toward overcoming systemic barriers to create a community where all people can be welcomed, heard, known, represented, and successful.   

Inclusion: We will work together to create an environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and is offered a platform to contribute to our space. To this end, every student: 1) has the right to be called by the name they wish and to have their name pronounced correctly; 2) has the right to be referred to by the pronouns that they share; has the right not to be forced to share pronouns if they do not want to 3) has the right to express their opinion without fear they are speaking for an entire identity group; and 4) has the right to respectfully identify any barriers to their inclusion in the course without fear of being punished by the professor. 

Reasonable Accommodations for Religion/Conscience:

If you will be absent from course activities due to reasons of faith or conscience, you may seek reasonable accommodations so that grades are not impacted. Such requests must be made within the first two weeks of the quarter and should follow the procedures listed in the Leave for Faith & Conscience policy webpage.

Library:

TCC’s Library offers access to a range of research materials including books, e-books, DVDs/CDs, and subscription databases that carry thousands of publications covering a wide range of disciplines. The faculty librarians offer research support for all students, of all levels of research experience.  Library faculty (Melissa, Rebekah, Heather, Jennifer, Sherry, Christina, Chris, Becky and yours truly) are available during all hours the Library is open. Find one at the Reference Desk or call 566-5134.  

Writing and Tutoring Center:

TCC’s Writing and Tutoring Center, located on the 2nd floor of Building 7, Rm 221, offers you one-on-one help with your writing. Tutors are available to discuss your work, help you to think about your writing process, suggest revising strategies, and discuss ways to approach an assignment. All services are free. Making an appointment is recommended. Contact the Center at 566-6032.

Safety

We care about the safety of our campus and community and all of us are needed in order to create a safe and secure learning environment. Please review the full list of safety resources available to you, which are listed on our TCC Ready website. Additionally, please watch this brief video to familiarize yourself with our general safety practices. Please program the Public Safety number into your cell phone (253-566-5111) or 5111 from any campus phone (If this number is inoperable due to an emergency, dial 253-495-4146) and sign up for TCC Alerts! to receive emergency notifications to your cell phone.

Student Conduct:

Admission to Tacoma Community College carries with it the expectation that the student will conduct himself/herself as a responsible member of the academic community and observe the principles of mutual respect, personal and academic integrity and civility. The Code of Student Conduct establishes rules governing academic and social conduct of students, including due process rights. Violations of the Code may result in dismissal from class for the day and/or referral to the Student Conduct Administrator for sanctions.

Privacy and Data Collection Policies

If you have questions or concerns about Privacy and Data Collection Policies at TCC please review the following websites:

Tacoma Community College's Privacy Policy

Tacoma Community College: Data Confidentiality and Security Policy