ROWAN UNIVERSITY

College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Department of World Languages
Core Syllabus Fall 2018

I. Course Title: Spanish I

Course Number: SPAN 05.101
Credits: 3
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Department of World Languages Phone: (856) 256-4070

II. Prerequisites:
None required. Native/heritage Spanish speakers and students who have previously studied
Spanish may contact Professor Mas at mas@rowan.edu in order to take the STAMP 4S
Spanish Placement Exam no later than Friday, September 7th so that they may place into a
higher level course for the Fall 2018 semester as long as there are open seats available.
Depending on the result on STAMP 4S Spanish Placement Exam, students may wish to
receive credit for the courses that they skip by completing the Authorization for Credit by
Examination form. If you are interested, please contact Professor Mas at mas@rowan.edu.

Also, depending on a student’s score on the CLEP Test in Spanish, he/she may earn up to 9
credits in Spanish, equivalent to having taken Spanish I, Spanish II and Spanish III. The
CLEP Test is administered through Rowan’s Academic Success Center in Savitz Hall,
Suite 304. For more information about the CLEP Test, visit
https://sites.rowan.edu/student-success/testing-services/clep.html and contact Testing
Services (testingservices@rowan.edu).

III. Required Text:

Blitt, Mary A., Exploraciones 2nd Edition – with iLrn, Cengage, 2016 (ISBN
9781305252479). The required text package includes the student text and the iLrn access
code.

IV. Catalog Description:

This course introduces the Spanish language and focuses on the students’ development of
communicative competence in Spanish with emphasis on the four skill areas of listening
comprehension, speaking, reading and writing.

V. Course Objectives:
The design of this course facilitates the students’ development of communicative
competence in Spanish, including lexical competence (acquisition of vocabulary),
grammatical competence (acquisition of grammatical structures and rules), discourse
competence (acquisition of appropriate Spanish beyond the sentence level), sociolinguistic
competence (acquisition of appropriate Spanish, depending on the context), cultural
competence (acquisition of knowledge pertaining to Hispanic cultures), and strategic
competence (acquisition of strategies for the transmission of meaning through
 paraphrasing, circumlocution and the negotiation of meaning). Students will be trained in
all modes of communication, including interpersonal (communication with the professor
and with each other), interpretive (the ability to understand and interpret input), and
presentational (to the class audience).

VI. Basis for Grading:

93% - 100% A 87% - 89% B+ 77% - 79% C+ 67% - 69% D+
90% - 92% A- 83% - 86% B 73% - 76% C 63% - 66% D
80% - 82% B- 70% - 72% C- 60% - 62% D-
Below 60% F

Under extraordinary circumstances that prevent completion of coursework during the term
of enrollment, the instructor may assign a designation of Incomplete, and a provisional
letter grade (A/B/C/D/F or P/NC where appropriate). The Incomplete designation must be
removed by the end of the semester following the semester of enrollment, excluding
summer. If students believe that circumstances warrant an extension, they may request the
instructor, in writing, for such an extension. If approved, the instructor will renew the
Incomplete in the Registrar's Office when grades are due. Failure to remove the
Incomplete designation within the prescribed time will automatically change the
Incomplete designation to the provisional letter grade. Students with a Major, Minor or
Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Spanish may not take Spanish I, II, or III for a grade
of P/NC (Pass/No Credit). Students wishing to receive a grade of P/NC must declare their
choice of this option at the Registrar's Office by the end of the Drop/Add period, Monday,
September 10th.

Also, students who wish to attend class and not receive credit may do so by registering in-
person for the course as an auditor. The designation “AU” for the course will be recorded
on the students’ transcripts. Auditors must register by the end of the Drop/Add period,
Monday, September 10th, after all students who wish to take the course for credit have had
the opportunity to register. Auditors may choose whether or not to do the normally
required course work; likewise, the instructor may choose whether or not to formally
evaluate auditors’ work.

The Fall 2018 Semester Drop/Add period will last from Tuesday, September 4th through
Monday, September 10th. From September 4th through the 10th, registration online through
Student Self Service will be available from 7am – 11pm. Registration in person at the
Office of the Registrar in Savitz Hall, Suite 121, will be available from 8:00am – 6:00pm
on September 4th, 5th, 6th, and 10th, and from 8:00am – 4:30pm on September 7th. Any
course dropped during the Drop/Add period will not be recorded on the permanent record.
After the regular Semester Drop/Add period, from September 11th – 17th, students who are
able to verify (via a faculty/staff signature) a legitimate reason for their delay may submit a
Late Drop/Add Form (https://sites.rowan.edu/registrar/_docs/late-drop-add-form.pdf) and
request a manual registration adjustment be performed by the Registrar. Late Drop/Adds
cannot be performed online in Self Service.

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 Students wishing to withdraw from a course between the Drop/Add period and mid-
semester (September 11th to October 29th), thereby obtaining a “W” on the official
transcript, must fill out the Course Withdrawal form
(https://sites.rowan.edu/registrar/_docs/course-withdrawal-form.pdf) along with the course
instructor. Students wishing to withdraw after mid-semester (October 30th to November
26th), thereby obtaining a “WP” (withdrawing with a passing grade) or a “WF”
(withdrawing with a failing grade) on the official transcript, must fill out the Course
Withdrawal form (https://sites.rowan.edu/registrar/_docs/course-withdrawal-form.pdf)
along with the course instructor and department chairperson, Dr. Marilyn Manley
(manley@rowan.edu). Withdrawal during the final four weeks of the semester (November
27th to December 20th) is considered exceptional and requires the student meet one or more
of the outlined hardship categories and submit appropriate supporting documentation to the
University Registrar (see https://sites.rowan.edu/academic-
affairs/officeofacademicaffairs/registration-adjustment-after-a-deadline/index.html).

VII. Methods of Evaluation:

Written Exam 1 (Capítulo 1): 10%
Written Exam 2 (Capítulo 2): 10%
Written Exam 3 (Capítulo 3): 10%
Written Exam 4 (Capítulo 4): 10%
Written Final Exam (Capítulos 1-5): 20%
Class Participation: 10%
Miscellaneous: 30%

VIII. Written Exams 1, 2, 3, and 4 (10%, 10%, 10%, 10%)

Students will take four written exams, covering the material of Capítulo 1 (Exam 1 worth
10% of the final grade), Capítulo 2 (Exam 2 worth 10% of the final grade), Capítulo 3
(Exam 3 worth 10% of the final grade), and Capítulo 4 (Exam 4 worth 10% of the final
grade). These written exams will test students’ listening comprehension, reading
comprehension, writing abilities and cultural knowledge. Students may only re-schedule or
make-up the written exams under extraordinary circumstances, and if the consent of the
professor was obtained prior to the test date.

IX. Written Final Exam (20%):

Students will take a written final exam, covering the material of Capítulos 1-5. There will
be special emphasis on Capítulo 5, as the content is not included in any of the other written
exams. This written exam will test students’ listening comprehension, reading
comprehension, writing abilities and cultural knowledge. Students may only re-schedule or
make-up the written final exam under extraordinary circumstances, and if the consent of
the professor was obtained prior to the test date.

X. Class Participation (10%):

Class participation takes attendance into account. According to Rowan University’s
official Attendance Policy, found at
https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Attendance+Policy, students who are absent
for reasons of illness, death of a loved one, inclement weather, religious observances,

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 official University activities, or for matters of personal conscience, should inform the
instructor, ideally with an official, written excuse, before the fact or as soon as possible
thereafter. Except in cases where classroom experience cannot be repeated, the instructor
may provide these students the opportunity to make up written work, tests or other
assignments at the earliest possible convenient time. The instructor is under no obligation
to make special provisions for students absent for reasons other than those listed above.

Beyond attendance, according to Rowan University’s Classroom Behavior Policy, found at

https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Classroom+Behavior, students have a
responsibility to support the educational environment and participate in the learning
process. Students who engage in disruptive behavior may be subject to discipline
in accordance with the procedures described in Rowan’s official policy. See the
instructor’s supplemental syllabus information sheet for further details regarding class
participation and appropriate classroom behavior.

XI. Miscellaneous (30%):

See the instructor’s supplemental syllabus information sheet for details.

XII. Language Laboratory:

Students are welcome to use the Language Laboratory, room 302 of Bunce Hall. The
Exploraciones 2e textbook is available for student use. Students may also obtain access
to the Exploraciones iLrn website in the laboratory. Students will need to use their iLrn
Code, included with the textbook package, in order to gain access to the website. The Fall
2018 open hours for the Language Laboratory are posted on the door. Additionally, class
reservations for the Language Laboratory, making it unavailable for others’ use, are
posted each week, in the hallway outside of the Language Laboratory. In order to be sure
that the Language Laboratory is open and available for student use, contact the Language
Lab Supervisor in advance, Mrs. Elaine Brigandi (brigandi@rowan.edu; 856-256-4072).

XIII. E-mail:
If they have not already done so, students must obtain Rowan University e-mail accounts.
Students may obtain Rowan e-mail accounts by going to the Technology Help Desk of
Memorial Hall. Students wishing to have their Rowan e-mail forwarded to another
preferred e-mail account may do so (inquire about this at the Technology Help Desk). The
professor and the department secretary may send students important information about
class assignments or class cancellations via Rowan University e-mail.

XIV. Students’ Accommodation Statement:

Students’ academic success is important. If students have a documented disability that
may have an impact upon class work, they should contact the professor. Students must
provide documentation of their disability to the Academic Success Center in order to
receive official University services and accommodations. Students must receive a Letter
of Accommodation from Disability Resources for the current term and present the letter
to the professor at the start of the semester. In the case that a student wishes to take an
exam at Rowan’s Testing Center, at least five days in advance of each test, the student
must inform the professor of his/her intent to test with Testing Services and also schedule

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 an appointment with the Testing Center. The Academic Success Center can be reached at
(856) 256-4259. The Center is located on the 3rd floor of Savitz Hall, Suite 304. The staff
is available to answer questions regarding accommodations or assist students in their
pursuit of accommodations. They look forward to working with students to meet their
learning goals.

XV. Academic Integrity Policy:

According to Rowan University’s Academic Integrity Policy, found at
https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Academic+Integrity+Policy,
The integrity of academic programs is imperative to Rowan University’s mission. While
acknowledging the social and collaborative nature of learning, the University expects that
grades awarded to students will reflect individual efforts and achievements. All members of
the Rowan community are responsible for understanding what constitutes academic
dishonesty; upholding academic integrity standards and encouraging others to do likewise;
and knowing the procedures, rights and obligations involved in the Academic Integrity
Policy. Academic dishonesty, in any form, will not be tolerated. Students who commit an
act of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary sanctions up to and including
expulsion from the university.

XVI. Rowan Success Network powered by Starfish®:

The Rowan Success Network powered by Starfish® is designed to make it easier for
students to connect with the resources they need to be successful at Rowan. Throughout
the term, students may receive emails from the Rowan Success Network team (Starfish®)
regarding their course grades or academic performance. Students should pay attention to
these emails and consider taking the recommended actions, utilize the scheduling tools to
make appointments at their convenience and keep an eye on their reminders and flags to
track their progress and get help when needed. Additional information about RSN may
be found at http://www.rowan.edu/rsn.

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 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: Spanish I (SPAN 05.101) Fall 2018
DATE TOPICS TO BE COVERED
Week 1:
Tues. 9/4/18 Capítulo 1
Thur. 9/6/18 Capítulo 1
Week 2:
Tues. 9/11/18 Capítulo 1
Thur. 9/13/18 Capítulo 1
Week 3:
Tues. 9/18/18 Capítulo 1
Thur. 9/20/18 Written Exam 1 (Capítulo 1)
Week 4:
Tues. 9/25/18 Capítulo 2
Thur. 9/27/18 Capítulo 2
Week 5:
Tues. 10/2/18 Capítulo 2
Thur. 10/4/18 Capítulo 2
Week 6:
Tues. 10/9/18 Capítulo 2
Thur. 10/11/18 Written Exam 2 (Capítulo 2)
Week 7:
Tues. 10/16/18 Capítulo 3
Thur. 10/18/18 Capítulo 3
Week 8:
Tues. 10/23/18 Capítulo 3
Thur. 10/25/18 Capítulo 3
Week 9:
Tues. 10/30/18 Written Exam 3 (Capítulo 3)
Thur. 11/1/18 Capítulo 4
Week 10:
Tues. 11/6/18 Capítulo 4
Thur. 11/8/18 Capítulo 4
Week 11:
Tues. 11/13/18 Capítulo 4
Thur. 11/15/18 Capítulo 4
Week 12:
Tues. 11/20/18 Written Exam 4 (Capítulo 4)
Thur. 11/22/18 Thanksgiving Break – No Classes
Week 13:
Tues. 11/27/18 Capítulo 5
Thur. 11/29/18 Capítulo 5
Week 14:
Tues. 12/4/18 Capítulo 5
Thur. 12/6/18 Capítulo 5
Week 15:
Tues. 12/11/18 Capítulo 5
Thur. 12/13/18 Reading and Review Day
Finals Week:
Written Final Exam (Capítulos 1-5)
12/14 – 12/20