GCEZEAdvancedConversationalSpanish Sem (SP)

Advanced Conversational Spanish:
Daily & Practical Uses

SECTION I: Course Overview
UNH Course Number: SPN311
Subject Areas: Spanish Language & Literature
Prerequisites: Intermediate Spanish II or the equivalent of 4 semesters of college-level Spanish Language instruction
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Contact Hours: 45
Recommended Credits: 3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course has been created for students who have already completed an intermediate level of Spanish and who,
consequently, have a thorough knowledge of the basics of Spanish grammar, but who now wish to turn their focus on
consolidating their understanding and expanding their ability to communicate through real practice, both orally and in
specific written formats. The main aim is to develop your communicative proficiency. To achieve the course goals, you
will participate in active conversation inside and outside the class, while you practice your grammar in class and on
homework activities to enhance your writing skills. Since successful communication always depends on the cultural
context, a key part of the course will be discussing topics related to the social and cultural context in which the course
is taught (i.e., Argentina and Buenos Aires). Various types of texts will be read and analyzed during class time. You will
be asked to write plot summaries or reports, short essays and reaction papers on movies.
To give you further opportunities to develop your linguistic and intercultural skills, this course will expose you to
interaction with the local community as you learn about Argentine society. This gives you a privileged opportunity to
develop first-hand insight and sensitivity towards cultural differences and to understand the ways in which culture and
language intersect. In this sense, you will be encouraged to utilize these lessons not just as a useful aid to your progress
in other courses at the CEA Study Abroad Center, but as a set of tools for unlocking a wide range of intercultural
discoveries whilst living and studying abroad.
Activities include: in-class discussions, debates, surveys, interviews, presentations, and writing activities. Given the
importance of using language in context, you will therefore experience the Spanish language and culture through real
practice: for example, you will learn to talk about food by researching in local restaurants or interviewing local chefs. A
key component of the course will be activities designed to promote direct contact with the host culture, via surveys,
interviews, and language exchanges with local students. This is an active course and to take full advantage of it, you
must be motivated to learn and ready to participate. Only in this way will you make real and observable improvements
in your oral and written competency.
Class size never exceeds 15 students so that you have sufficient opportunities to practice your spoken Spanish and
receive personal attention from your instructor.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Cognitive Skills (Listening & Oral Skills)
Demonstrate a consolidated ability to talk about a wide variety of topics ranging from personal experiences and
everyday life to social, professional and institutional subjects.
Be able to express ideas and opinions accurately and confidently.
Be able to interact with the host-community with a marked degree of fluency.
Acquire new vocabulary through practice in different types of discourse, including narration, description, critical
commentary, debate, and dramatic dialogue.
Recognize and identify specific characteristics of Spanish culture and society.
Analytical Skills (Interactive & Conversational Skills)
Develop and use critical thinking tools for understanding your new social and cultural surroundings
Apply your knowledge to make your communication more effective.
Defend a point of view, refute an argument and reach an agreement in Spanish.
Engage in communicative situations with a high level of complexity to express ideas, opinions, advice, feelings,
reactions, hopes and plans.
Affective & Behavioral Skills (Intercultural Competence)
Demonstrate curiosity for intercultural differences and Argentine society and culture
Gain a deeper insight into local customs and lifestyles and make more connections in the host community
Learn about current cultural aspects of society of the host community and country
Compare and analyze day to day experiences and communication patterns between the host and home culture and
society
SECTION II: Instructor & Course Details

INSTRUCTOR DETAILS
NAME:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
Class will meet twice a week for 90 minutes. Class time is devoted predominantly to speaking and practicing Spanish.
Classroom activities are devoted to speaking Spanish, and reading and discussing real-life Spanish material. This is not
a lecture class, and therefore students are expected to spend class time engaged in practical exercises and in individual
and group work. This course has been designed around 4 communicative contexts, which will prepare you to cope with
both basic and specific needs such as expressing personal preferences, debating a particular topic or doing public oral
presentations. Participation and interaction are crucial in the dynamics of this course not only for practice, but also for
linguistic reflection. You are expected to commit at least 4 6 hours a week to self-study and homework for the duration
of the semester.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
If you require any special accommodations or have any special learning needs, please inform the instructor and submit
a request using CEAs Special Accommodations Form to the onsite CEA academic staff by the end of the first week of
classes for full consideration. See Section III.B.CEA Policies below for additional details.
FORMS OF ASSESSMENT
The instructor will use numerous and differentiated forms of assessment to calculate the final grade you receive for this
course. For the record, these are listed and weighted below. The content, criteria, and specific requirements for each
assessment category will be explained in greater detail in class.Any questions about the requirements should be discussed
directly with your faculty well in advance of the due date for each assignment.
Class Participation & Oral Activities
Homework Assignments
Individual Presentation
Written Essays
Field Studies
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
15%
5%
15%
15%
10%
20%
20%
Class Participation: This grade will be calculated to reflect your participation in class discussions, your capacity to
introduce ideas and thoughts dealing with the texts, your ability use language effectively, and to present your analysis in
intellectual, constructive argumentation. When determining your class participation grade, traditional criteria such as
material preparation, completed reading before class, and collaborative group work are all evaluated. But it is the active,
meaningful and informed verbal and written contribution that you make that is most important to your overall
participation grade. Indeed, willingness to share views in classroom discussions and the insightfulness of your comments
and questions about assigned readings will all be taken into account when evaluating your participation. Additionally, it
is important to demonstrate a positive and supportive attitude to the instructor and your classmates, and give full
attention to class activities (i.e., cell-phones off, laptop for notes only, etc.). Whereas attendance and punctuality are
expected and will not count positively towards the grade, laxity in these areas will have a negative effect. The instructor
will use the following specific criteria when calculating your class participation grade:
Criteria for Assessing Class Participation
Grade
You make major and original contributions that spark discussion, offering both critical
and analytical comments clearly based on readings and research and displaying a
A+ (9.7010.00)
working knowledge of theoretical issues.
You make significant contributions that demonstrate insight as well as knowledge of
A-/A (9.009.69)
required readings and independent research.
You participate voluntarily and make useful contributions that are
B/B+ (8.4089.90)
usually based upon some reflection and familiarity with required readings.
You make voluntary but infrequent comments that generally reiterate the basic points
C+/B- (7.708.39)
of the required readings.
You make limited comments only when prompted and do not initiate debate or show a
C
(7.007.69)
clear awareness of the importance of the readings.
You very rarely make comments and resist engagement with the subject, attending class
D
(6.006.69)
having manifestly done little if any preparation.
You make irrelevant and tangential comments disruptive to class discussion, a result of
F
(05.90)
frequent absence and complete un-preparedness.
Homework Assignments (5%): Homework assignments (set out in the Assignment column of the course content) will
be corrected at the beginning of each class. You are responsible for all assigned work and you should be aware that
absence from the preceding class is not an excuse for non-preparation. All assignments are subject to change based on
class progress, and you will be normally told in the preceding class of such changes. At any point, you may be called
upon to respond to questions dealing with material previously assigned by the instructor. Your instructor will ask to see
your workbook at regular intervals during the course in order to monitor your performance and your progress.
Individual Presentation (15%): You will chose a topic (from one of your readings) and prepare the class discussion for
that particular day. You must provide a handout for your classmates, comprising an outline or summary of your
presentation and a specialized vocabulary list. If your presentation is dependent upon images you are strongly
encouraged to use software such as PowerPoint and other visual aids for your discussion. Bring your presentation on a
USB and load it onto the class room PC a few minutes before the class starts. Finally, you should be prepared to answer
any questions your classmates ask about the meaning of any of the words used in your presentations. It will be important
for everyone in the class to understand the meaning and usage of these vocabulary items since they will be incorporated
by your instructor into the ongoing curriculum and included on the midterm and final examinations.
Written essays (15%): You will write 2 essays. Possible topics for these essays will be related with the topic of the session.
Comprehensive guidelines and suggestions will be distributed at the start of the course. Your work will be evaluated on
the basis of accuracy of expression, integration of new vocabulary and creative content. As you write, draw on the
structures and vocabulary of recent lessons. Avoid drafting a composition in English and then translating it into Spanish.
Instead, recombine creatively the Spanish models you have mastered so far.
**NOTE: Plagiarism is unacceptable: never copy your composition from another source. Always cite every source used
in your papers, including sources obtained via the Internet. You are not allowed to ask anyone for help writing or even
proofreading the compositions. The use of Internet translation services is considered plagiarism. Students who are guilty
of plagiarism will be assigned a 0 for the assignment and their home institution will be notified. No late compositions
will be accepted.
Field Studies (10%): You will participate in two activities outside class where there will be interaction with Spanish
speakers. The idea behind these activities is to get you to interact with your surroundings and test you language skills
first-hand in a real situation. You will have to write a report on the experience based on the guidelines provided by the
instructor and may be asked to present it in front of your peers. (Students will be informed beforehand of the specific
day, time and outcome-related activity).
Mid-Term Exam and Final Exam (20% each): The midterm and final exams are designed to establish and communicate
to you the progress you are making towards meeting the course learning objectives listed above. They are comprised of
questions and exercises that test your abilities in important areas of competency outlined in the learning objectives
above. These tests will also incorporate idioms and vocabulary items introduced by you and your classmates during your
presentations.
CEA Grading Scale
Letter
Numerical Grade Low
Grade
Range
A+
9.70
A
9.40
A9.00
B+
8.70
B
8.40
B8.00
C+
7.70
C
7.00
D
6.00
F
0.00
W
Withdrawal
INC
Incomplete
Numerical Grade High

Range
10.00
9.69
9.39
8.99
8.69
8.39
7.99
7.69
6.99
5.99
Percentage Range
97.0 - 100%
94.0 - 96.9%
90.0 93.9%
87.0 89.9%
84.0 86.9%
80.0 83.9%
77.0 79.9%
70.0 76.9%
60.0 69.9%
0 - 59.9%
CEA ATTENDANCE POLICY

Every student is expected to attend all scheduled class sessions on time and be thoroughly prepared for the days class
activities. In compliance with NEASC and UNH accreditation requirements, CEA instructors compile regular
attendance records for every course and take these records into account when evaluating student participation and
performance. CEA tolerates reasonable, but limited absences not to exceed more than five contact hours of accumulated
absences in any given course due to sickness, personal emergency, inevitable transport delay and other related
impediments. No documentation is required for such absences, as CEA does not distinguish between excused or
unexcused
In this course, the following attendance policy applies:
A maximum of three (3) days of accumulated absences due to sickness, personal emergency, inevitable transport
delay and other related impediments will be tolerated.
Your final course grade will drop one full letter grade (e.g. A- to B-) for each additional class missed beyond
this, regardless of the reason for your absence.
If your absences exceed six (6) days, you will automatically fail this course.
Late arrivals or early departures from class, sleeping or causing disruptions in class or during class activities can result
in being marked absent from class. Furthermore, to comply with immigration and financial regulations, you must
maintain full-time student status and attend at least 12 hours of class every week for the duration of the semester.
Consequently, CEA will dismiss from all CEA courses, programs, activities and housing any student who fails to
maintain satisfactory academic progress or full-time student status.
WORKLOAD EXPECTATIONS
In conformity with CEA policy, all students are expected to spend at least two hours of time on academic studies outside
of, and in addition to, each hour of class time.
REQUIRED READINGS
Listed below are the required course textbooks and additional readings included in the Mandatory Course Packet. These
are required materials for the course and you are expected to complete readings as assigned each class period. You must
have constant access to these resources for reading, highlighting and note-taking. It is required that you have unrestricted
access to each. Access to additional sources required for certain class sessions may be provided in paper or electronic
format consistent with applicable copyright legislation. In addition, the academic office compiles a bank of detailed
information about the many libraries, documentation centers, research institutes and archival materials located in the
host city and accessible to CEA students. You will be required to use these resources throughout your studies.
Required texts:
Textbook (selection from):
Garca Serrano, M. Victoria, Cristina de la Torre and Annette Grant Cash. A que s! 3rd Edition. Boston: Heinle
Publishers, 2005. pp.374. (TXT)
Garca Serrano, M.Victoria, Cristina de la Torre and Annette Grant Cash. A que s! Cuaderno. 3rd Edition. Boston:
Heinle Publishers, 2005. pp.292 (CUA)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
UNH ONLINE LIBRARY
As part of this program, you are provided with direct access to additional resources and databases available through
the online library of the University of New Haven. To access the online UNH library, go to
http://www.newhaven.edu/library/Services/CEA/ .
Students at CEA Study Abroad Centers have access to the several online research databases through the University of
New Haven Library for the purposes of research. Access to these online databases is granted only during the time of
enrollment, requires the use of a UNH ID number, which is issued individually to all Study Abroad Center students at
the start of the semester. Access to the UNH Library is available through the MyCEA Account.
You must comply with UNH policies with regard to library usage. Policies can be found at:
http://www.newhaven.edu/library/general/Policies/
Online Reference & Research Tools:
Grammar and vocabulary:
- http://www.spaleon.com/index.php (Spanish Verb Conjugation Trainer)
- http://www.indiana.edu/~call/ejerci.html
- http://www.trinity.edu/mstroud/grammar/index.html
- http://www.auladiez.com/ejercicios/index.html
- http://babelnet.sbg.ac.at/carlitos/index.htm
- http://spanish.about.com/
- http://www.el-castellano.com/
- http://www.travlang.com/languages/indextext.html
- http://www.studyspanish.com/
Readings:
- http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~fernand4/
- http://cvc.cervantes.es/aula/lecturas/
- http://www.chauche.com.ar/aruges_ar/cuentos_breves/index.html
- http://www.tecuento.com/
Media:
Newspapers & Magazines
- http://www.clarin.com/
- http://www.lanacion.com.ar/
- http://www.ambito.com/
- http://www.cronica.com.ar/
- http://www.infobae.com/
- http://www.laprensa.com.ar/
- http://www.larazon.com/
- http://www.artealdia.com.ar/
- http://www.ole.com.ar/
- http://www.apertura.com/interior/index.php
- http://www.mercado.com.ar/
Radio
- http://www.continental.com.ar/
- http://www.fmpalermo.com.ar/
- http://mega.10musica.com/
- http://www.cienradios.com.ar/argentina/Mitre_AM790/home
- http://www.rivadavia.com.ar/
Advanced Conversational Spanish: Daily & Practical Uses

Course Content
Session
Topic
Activity
Brainstorming on Communication
strategies & Resources for
Communication
Welcome
- Course Objectives: Syllabus
- Outline of the students expectations
Unit I
Public Spaces for Entertainment

2
- Expressing likes and preferences

- A matter of opinion: How to hold views in
Spanish
Bares & Appetizers for Fun

3
- Giving explanations
- Making excuses
- Giving advice
- States of mind
Entertainment & Folklore

- Requesting for information
Student Assignments
What would you like to do this weekend? Students make a
detailed list of activities for the weekend.
Entertainment
Making plans for this weekend:
Lets explore the city.
Practicing with ser, estar, gustar,
haber
Prepare Reading (TXT)

Bares a millares, Antonio Gmez Rufo. pp.3-8
Grammar Review (CUA)
Preliminares. pp.1-10
Homework Practice (CUA)
Preliminares. pp.87-95
Teaching of communication
strategies to advice and show
concern for or empathy with
other people.
Practicing with gustar and
adjectives

Picar a la espaola, C. Andrews. pp.3-8
Chapter 1. pp.11-12
Chapter 1. pp.97-100
Comparing & Contrasting

Argentine & Spanish Bull
Traditions
Practicing with reflexive verbs

Una fiesta de impacto y de infarto, Joaqun Vidal. pp.46-53
Chapter 2. pp.18-19

Course Content
Session
Topic
Religion as Spectacle
- Talking about personal views
Social Conventions & Rituals
Social Behaviors= Scandal or Just for

Fun?
-Telling anecdotes and experiences
- Reacting to new information
Social Behaviors= Scandal or Just for

Fun?
-Telling anecdotes and experiences
- Giving advices
Entertainment, Social Spaces &

Behavior
Activity
Student Assignments
Expressing Agreement and

Disagreement
Practicing with Imperfect &
Preterit

La santera, una religin sincrtica, Darin Davies. pp.54-59
Chapter 2. pp.20-24
Debate on Controversial Issues

Practicing with Future Tenses

Una bola de humo, Mercedes Carrillo. pp.65-71
Chapter 3. pp.26-28
Group Discussion on
Controversial Topics
Practicing with Future Tenses

Liberalizar la droga, Juan Toms de Salas. pp.72-77
Chapter 3. pp.26-28
Field Study: On Site Visit to

Palermo Hollywood
Neighborhood
Prepare Reading
Research on Palermo Holywood as the Soho of Buenos
Aires
Written Assignment #1

Course Content
Unit II
10
11
12
Agreements
and
Disagreements
Analyzing Spanish Uses in Latin

America
Practicing direct/indirect objects

Dime cmo hablas y te dir de dnde eres,. pp.107-116
Chapter 4. pp.32-34
Food & Beverages from the Americas

-Describing Habits
Group Activity: Students organize

a survey about old and new habits
in Buenos Aires
Using Time Expressions

Hamburguesas y tequila,. pp.125-132
Chapter 5. pp.38-39
Food & Beverages from Buenos Aires

-Describing Habits
Students report their findings from

a survey conducted about old and
new habits of people in Buenos
Aires and share thoughts with their
classmates

Hamburguesas y tequila,. pp.125-132
Chapter 5. pp.38-39
Where are you from?

-Comparing and Contrasting
Disagreements
Debate
Making decisions and Arguing for and against
Reviewing Pronouns
them.

El eclipse,. pp.133-138
Chapter 5. pp.34-37

Course Content
13
14
15
Disagreements
them.
Disagreements
Discussing Political Views and
Conflicts
them.
Basic Subjunctive Revision
Oral Examination
Oral Speech: I Believe
Midterm Exam
Unit III
16
17
Brainstorming: think of clichs on

immigrants/foreigners in society
and culture.
Basic Subjunctive Revision
Minorities
Refuting Arguments.
Racial Issues
Expressing Opinions

In Between Mirta Toledo,. pp.157-163
Chapter 6. pp.42-43
Cancin de la exiliada Alicia Partnoy,. pp.167-173
Chapter 6. pp.47-50
Review all Class Readings & Course Materials
Struggles, Law & Rights
Using Verbs of Communication

Gitanos Rosa Montero,. pp.187-192
Chapter 7. pp.54-58
Debating on Sexism
Contrasting uses of Subjunctive &
Indicative

Mujer negra Nancy Morejn,. pp.193-198
Chapter 7. pp.58-60

Course Content
18
19
Survivors
Reaching an agreement.
Survivors
Further Strategies to Argue.
Film Debate: Garage Olimpo

Preso sin nombre, celda sin nmero. Jacobo TImerman,.
pp.210-221
Chapter 8. pp.62-64
Film Review
Working on Testimonies
Practicing Subjunctive in Relative
Clauses

Pan, Alicia Partnoy,. pp.222-230
Chapter 8. pp.64-66
20
Survivors
Further Strategies to Argue.
Working on Testimonies
Reviewing Subjunctive Compound
Forms

Epigrama Reinaldo Arenas,. pp.239
Los derechos humanos. Eduardo Galenao. pp.239-246
Chapter 9. pp.67-71
21
The Disappeared
-Talking about Dirty War in Argentina
Field Study: On Site Visit to

ESMA Detention Camp
Prepare Reading
Research on ESMA history
The Disappeared
-Talking about Dirty War in Argentina
Reflection on Site Visit: Group

Presentation of Photography &
Testimony
22
Prepare Reading
Group Research
Written Assignment #2

Course Content
Unit IV Voices & Stories
23
24
25
26
Eva
-Describing personality
Malinche
-Talking about past events and memories
Remedios Varo
-Describing personality
Rigoberta Menchu
- Supporting Human Right struggles
Talking about important life events

Practicing Subjunctive in Adverbial
Clauses

Eva Cristina Peri Rossi,. pp.297-303
Evaluating arguments
Stating Cause/Effect
Reviewing Reported Speech

La Malinche Suzan Jane,. pp.307-315
Expressing Conditions
Practicing Subjunctive &
Conditional Forms

El arte de Remedios Varo Peter Engel. pp.316-325
Admitting or Rejecting Phrases

Expressing Probabilities
Practicing Subjunctive &
Conditional Forms

Madre campesina Quino. pp.344

Course Content
27
Raising My Voice
- Coherence and cohesive relations
- Sequencing ideas
- Speech transitions
28
Raising My Voice
- Coherence and cohesive relations
- Sequencing ideas
- Speech transitions
29
Final Exam
30
Final Exam & Final Remarks
Oral Individual Presentation

Students show a number of photos
they have taken and explain what
these photos reflect

Individual Selection
Oral Individual Presentation

Students show a number of photos
they have taken and explain what
these photos reflect

Individual Selection
Written Examination
Oral Examination


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Advanced Conversational Spanish:

Daily & Practical Uses

SECTION II: Instructor & Course Details

Numerical Grade High

CEA ATTENDANCE POLICY

Advanced Conversational Spanish: Daily & Practical Uses

Public Spaces for Entertainment

- Expressing likes and preferences

Bares & Appetizers for Fun

Entertainment & Folklore

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Comparing & Contrasting

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Advanced Conversational Spanish: Daily & Practical Uses

Social Behaviors= Scandal or Just for

Social Behaviors= Scandal or Just for

Entertainment, Social Spaces &

Expressing Agreement and

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Debate on Controversial Issues

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Field Study: On Site Visit to

Advanced Conversational Spanish: Daily & Practical Uses

Analyzing Spanish Uses in Latin

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Food & Beverages from the Americas

Group Activity: Students organize

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Food & Beverages from Buenos Aires

Students report their findings from

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Where are you from?

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Advanced Conversational Spanish: Daily & Practical Uses

Brainstorming: think of clichs on

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Struggles, Law & Rights

Using Verbs of Communication

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Advanced Conversational Spanish: Daily & Practical Uses

Film Debate: Garage Olimpo

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Field Study: On Site Visit to

Reflection on Site Visit: Group

Advanced Conversational Spanish: Daily & Practical Uses

Unit IV Voices & Stories

Talking about important life events

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Admitting or Rejecting Phrases

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Advanced Conversational Spanish: Daily & Practical Uses

Final Exam & Final Remarks

Oral Individual Presentation

Prepare Reading (TXT)

Oral Individual Presentation

Prepare Reading (TXT)