1

Espaol 201 (Bloques 3 y 4. 2015)

Profesor: Daniel Arroyo-Rodrguez, Ph.D.
Horas de oficina: Lunes y viernes 1:30-2:30;
mircoles 3:30-4:40. Tambin por cita previa
Oficina: Amstrong 336
Email:
daniel.arroyorodriguez@coloradocollege.edu
Pgina Web del curso:
http://ccspanish201.weebly.com/
Course Description
Bienvenidas/os! Learning a foreign language is essential in order to become a
world citizen in an increasingly interdependent world. In order to prepare you for this
challenge, this course will introduce you to several language functions through themebased units that will give you a meaningful context for communicating. You will learn
how to communicate effectively in Spanish integrating the following language skills:
listening, reading, speaking, writing and cultural knowledge. You will also acquire the
necessary grammatical structures, vocabulary, discourse strategies, and familiarity with
the cultural norms that are linked to communication. Examples of cultural topics covered
in this course include the cultural, social and economic value of coffee in Colombia, the
current debate about the ethics of bullfighting in Spain, the relationship between music
and politics in Cuban and Dominican cultures, technology and human relationships in the
contemporary world, etc. In addition, you will become more sophisticated when talking
about yourself and your needs. For example, you will acquire new vocabulary and learn
new grammatical structures in order to speak about your everyday life, personal
relationships, your preferences and needs while traveling, your emotional and physical
states, and your health and well-being.
Building upon the communicative skills and knowledge acquired in Spanish 101,
during block 1, we will explore in more depth some of the grammatical structures
introduced at an elementary level and will identify new contexts and situations for the use
of these structures. These contents and grammatical structures will be practiced in a
variety of communicative contexts that take into account different language registries, the
diversity found among Hispanic cultures, and other sociolinguistic considerations, such
as age, cultural norms and expectations. During Block 2, and moving into a higher
proficiency level, you will develop strategies for language learning, while improving
upon your communicative and interpersonal skills. You will also increase your capacity to
analyze and discuss a variety of films, literary texts and music from the Hispanic world.
Finally, and in preparation for Spanish 305, you will be introduced to the writing of short
comparative essays in Spanish. Finally, this course will help you identify resources for
learning Spanish autonomously and practicing the language outside the classroom. After
completing Spanish 201, you will acquire an intermediate-advanced command of the
language that will prepare you for Spanish 305.

Required materials: Enfoques. Curso intermedio de lengua espaola.

Third Edition
(2012). Course book.
Enfoques. Curso intermedio de lengua espaola.
Third Edition.
(2012). Student Activities Manual.
Web Resources:
Real Academia Espaola de la Lengua (Online
dictionary
www.rae.es
Radio Nacional de Espaa (Online Radio):
www.rne.es
El Pas (Spanish National Newspaper):
www.elpais.es
Objectives:
By the end of this course students will be able to accomplish the following objectives:
- Listen, speak, read and write in Spanish at the intermediate-advanced
level, according to the criteria established by the ACTFL.
- Develop grammatical knowledge and skills to express themselves with
clarity and correction in the past, present and future, and both in the
indicative and subjunctive.
- Expand their vocabulary through dialogues, film, literature and music.
- To pose advanced questions, express opinions, hypothesize, give
instructions and use commands.
- Summarize and paraphrase a short literary text and film
- Compare and contrast American and Hispanic cultural values in
relation to a variety of topics.
- Use computers and networks to access information, process ideas,
and communicate results.
- Develop their awareness of the importance of speaking a foreign
language in todays world.
Approach and Instructional Methods: In this course we will follow a communicative
approach to language learning and teaching. Through this approach we will emphasize
the connection between the language that is used in the classroom and in the target
cultures. In fact and based on the assumption that communicative competence in
content-specificwe will learn how to use Spanish in a variety of contexts. Lectures will
be reduced to the synthesis and review of those grammatical and cultural aspects that
require clarification or to the summary of key concepts at the end of each unit or
assignment. Please note that, except in very justified cases, no English will be spoken in
class. The classroom setting will be highly interactive, with an emphasis on listening and

3
speaking, and constant engagement in student-centered activities, often involving work in
pairs and group work. Some examples of classroom activities include:
-

Role play
Interviews
Games
Debates and Discussions
Pair and group work
Learning by teaching
Film and literary analysis
Online Canvas Presentations
Short essays

Disclaimer: In this course, we will explore a variety of Spanish cultural productions in

all their complexity. As a result, some of the films, texts and music may include sexual
references, and violence. Please let me know it advance if you have a problem with these
contents and I will accommodate your needs.
Accessibility Resources: Any student who feels s/he may need an
accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss
her/his specific needs. Please contact Accessibility Resources at 719-227-8285 to
coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
http://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/accessibilityresources/
Honor Code: Students are expected to read and understand the Honor Code System.
Any violation of this system will be handled by the Honor Council.
<http://www.coloradocollege.edu/academics/honorcouncil/Constitution.html>
Office Hours: Attendance to office hours is not only highly recommended but also
expected. If you cannot meet during my office hours, please contact me to make an
appointment. The best way to contact me is by email.
Participation: Class participation is defined by the students thoughtful contributions
to class, showing that he/she is engaging intellectually with the material and fostering an
environment of learning for all course participants. Regular attendance and active and
informed class participation are crucial to succeed in this class and will be reflected in the
students class participation grade. Students are expected to do all the reading
assignments marked on the calendar before coming to class. Coming to class unprepared
will affect the students participation grade.
Note: We will regularly use our laptops in the classroom for language and cultural
learning. Dictionary applications through your phone are also acceptable. Using your
cellphone or computer for personal reasons during the classroom time (ie. social
media, facebook, email, texting, news, etc) will result in a penalization of 2% off
your final grade each time that you misuse these learning resources.

4
Quizzes (4; 2 quizzes per block): The purpose of the quizzes is to help students assess
their own understanding and assimilation of the contents covered in the course and also
their study and learning strategies. The second quiz of each block is cumulative, that is, it
includes the cultural contents and grammatical structures included in the previous quiz.

Homework: In addition to the Student Activities Manual, students will need to

complete written and cultural activities. It is essential to complete all homework assigned
before coming to class. Homework must be turned in during class hours. I will not
accept homework turned in after class or via email.
Cultural Presentations: At the end of each block, students will make a cultural
presentation. Working in pairs, students will elaborate a 15-20 minutes presentation of the
unit assigned. Students will need to summarize the information presented in the course
and expand on this information. They will also need to pose a critical question for the
class about their topic and facilitate a discussion. Students need to use the grammatical
structures and the vocabulary studied in the course. Additional information and guidelines
will be provided in class.
Canvas Presentations: Each Friday, students need to submit their
answer to a cultural question posted on Canvas. In these
presentations, students need to work in pairs or groups of 3.
Questions will be posted each Thursday after class. Students need to
submit their answers by Friday at 9 am.
Cooperation Bonus: This course values cooperation among students as a tool to
enhance their learning and communicative skills. Cooperation is expected both inside and
outside the classroom. In order to recognize students efforts and commitment in this
area, at the end of block 2, each student will award 1% of recognition grade to another
student that has significantly helped him/her achieve the goals of the course. This grade
will be added to the recipients final grade. Each student can receive a maximum of 5%
recognition grade and a minimum of 0. The concession of the recognition grade is
strictly confidential and will be submitted on the last day of class.
Late work: Except in justified cases, late work will not be accepted. All homework
needs to be submitted in class.
Assessment: Each block will be graded independently. Your final
grade for the course will be the average of both grades.
Block 1 will be graded according to the following criteria:
Class Participation: 20%
Quiz 1: 15%
Quiz 2: 20% (Quiz 2 will include grammatical concepts covered in Quiz 1)

5
Homework: 15%
Canvas Presentations: 15%
Cultural Presentations: 15%
Block 2 will be graded according to the following criteria:
Class Participation: 20%
Quiz 1: 15%
Quiz 2: 20% (Quiz 2 will include grammatical concepts covered in Quiz 1)
Homework: 15%
Canvas presentation: 15%
Cultural presentations: 15%
Attendance policy: Attendance is mandatory, and will be recorded at each class
session. Unexcused absences will affect the students final participation grade according
to the following guidelines:
1 hour of unexcused absence or late arrival does not affect students
participation grade.
The students final participation grade will be lowered 1% for every hour of
unexcused absence after the first one or for each time he/she arrives late.
Three days or more of unexcused absences will result in a no credit grade.
Late arrival will count as 1 hour absence.
Note: An absence may be excused in accordance with the following guidelines:

Illness. The student needs to provide written documentation indicating the date/s
when he/she was seen at the doctors office.
Religious holidays. Only religious holidays approved by Colorado College can be
excused.
Athletic events. Students who are involved in Colorado College athletic teams
must provide written documentation.

Calendario
Bloque 3
Semana
10/19

10/20

Introduccin y
presentaciones

Relaciones personales
Estados emocionales
Parejas sin fronteras
Presente de indicativo

6
10/21

Acciones cotidianas
Ser/Estar
Formas progresivas
Los novios (Cortometraje
mudo)
Poema 20 (Pablo Neruda)

10/22

Sonia Sotomayor. La nia

que
Soaba (Lectura)
Expresiones de opinin
Piropos
El rock mexicano (Man)

Presentacin Canvas
10/23

Semana 2
10/26

El nuevo cine mexicano

El callejn de los milagros
(1995; Pelcula). Dir. Jorge
Fons.

Premios cinematogrficos en
el mundo hispano
Pronombres Objeto Directo
(OD)
Pronombres preposicionales

10/27

Pronombres OD, OI y
preposicionales
Cultura visual e
interpretativa
Rock mexicano II: Molotov

10/28

10/29

Verbos reflexivos
Espritu deportivo (2004).
Cortometraje. Dir. Javier
Bourges.
Mario Beneditti. Idilio
(Poesa)

Presentacin Canvas

La vida diaria
Pretrito perfecto simple
Pretrito imperfecto

10/30

Los toros: cultura o tortura?

(Lectura)

7
Examen 1

Campaa contra las

corridas de toros (Lectura)
Manifiesto antitaurino
(Lectura)
10 preguntas bsicas sobre
la ldia (Lectura)
The Matador.
(Documentary; 2008). Dir.
Stephen Higgins

Semana 3
11/2

11/3

Autorretrato. Rosario
Castellanos
(Lectura)
La salud y el bienestar
El subjuntivo en las clusulas
nominales

11/4

11/5
Presentacin Canvas

Pretrito/ imperfecto
Historias de amor
Pop espaol: Mecano
Adis Mam (1997;
cortometraje). Dir. Ariel Gordon

Indicativo/ Subjuntivo
Ciclovas en Bogot
(Lectura)
Mandatos
Subjuntivo (Repaso)
Mandatos (Repaso)
Msica caribea: Silvio
Rodrguez y Juan Luis Guerra
Por / para
Mujeres de ojos grandes
(Lectura). ngeles Mastretta

11/6
-

La ruta del caf (Lectura)

Comparativos y superlativos
Expresiones negativas,
afirmativas e indefinidas
ramos pocos (2005;
Cortometraje). Dir. Borja
Cobeaga

Semana 4
11/9

Expresiones negativas,
afirmativas e indefinidas
El subjuntivo en clusulas
adjetivas
La luz es como el agua
(Lectura). Gabriel Garca
Mrquez

11/10
-

Presentaciones culturales

11/11
Examen 2

Bloque 4
Semana 1
11/16

11/17

- Bienvenidos al bloque 2!
- La naturaleza
- El Parque Nacional de
Doana
(Huelva; Lectura y video)
- El futuro
-

11/18

El futuro
El subjuntivo en las clusulas
adverbiales
Preposiciones: a, hacia, con
El da menos pensado
(2005; Cortometraje). Dir.
Rodrigo Ordez.
La tecnologa y la ciencia
Argentina: Tierra de
animadores
Las aventuras de Hijitus
(Dibujos animados)

11/19
Presentacin Canvas

Presente perfecto
Pasado perfecto

Presente perfecto
Pasado perfecto
Diminutivos y aumentativos
Happy cool (2004;
Cortometraje). Dir. Gabriel
Dodero.
Ese bobo del mvil
(Lectura). Arturo Prez
Reverte

11/20

Abre los ojos (Pelcula;

1997).
Dir. Alejandro Amenbar

11/21-11/29
Accin de Gracias
Semana 2
11/30

Arte e internet: el arte en la

blogosfera
La economa y el trabajo
Telenovelas
El condicional

12/1

12/2

12/3

Presentacin Canvas

Pasado de subjuntivo
Clusulas si
The Clown (2004;
Cortometraje). Stephen
Lynch.
La abeja haragana
(Lectura). Horacio Quiroga
La fbula como gnero
literario
El mate
Presente perfecto de
subjuntivo
Pronombres relativos
Pronombre neutro Lo
Sueos digitales. Lectura.
Edmundo Paz.
Las casas de Neruda

10

(Lectura)
Sintona (2005;
Cortometraje). Dir. Jose Mari
Goenaga
Futuro perfecto
Pasado perfecto de
subjuntivo

12/4
Examen 1

Da de repaso, reflexin y estudio

Examen 1

Semana 3
12/7

12/8

12/9

12/10
Presentacin Canvas

Futuro perfecto y pasado

perfecto
Condicional perfecto
Las viandas (2005;
cortometraje). Dir. Jos
Antonio Bonet.
Continuidad en los parques.
Lectura. Julio Cortzar.
Identificacin de temas para
ensayos en espaol
El ensayo comparativo
De Macondo a McOndo.
Lectura
El catolicismo en Espaa.
Menos catlicos pero con
ms fervor (Lectura;
Peridico El Pas)
La voz pasiva
La voz pasiva
Usos del Se
Preposiciones: de, desd, en,
entre, hasta, sin
El alba del Viernes Santo
(Lectura). Emilia Pardo
Bazn.

La herencia de los incas

(Lectura)
- Usos del infinitivo
- Usos del indicativo (repaso)

11

12/11

Semana 4
12/14

Usos del subjuntivo

(repaso)
- El milagro secreto.
Lectura. Jorge Luis Borges.
Presentaciones culturales
Repaso gramatical

12/15
Repaso gramatical
12/16

Conclusiones
Examen 2