Santa Monica College

Syllabus: Spanish 4

Prerequisites: Students should have skill levels equivalent to that of students who have
completed Spanish 3.
Please note: This course is college level and the pace is intense. It is a 5-unit course and you
should be able to dedicate 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour in class in order to be
prepared for class each session.

Texts:
Imagina: Espaol sin barreras, (2nd Ed.), Blanco and Tocimaza-Hatch, Vista Higher
Learning, 2011.
Imagina: E-Workbook and Laboratory Manual, (2nd Ed), Blanco and Tocimaza-Hatch,
Vista Higher Learning, 2011. This is online and accessible through the Vistass
Supersite.
Text Supersite: https://www.vhlcentral.com/
Online purchasing page: http://vhldirect.com/store/catalog/smc,42.html

Additional course requirement:

All students must have an email account that can be checked regularly. A good part of the
homework is on line and I will respond to it via email. You must use your email at SMC.

Course description: This course reviews and refines grammatical concepts covered in the
previous levels as well as explores other moods and tenses such as the compound tenses, the
imperative mood and indirect discourse. Vocabulary enhancement, conversation, culture, and
literature are core elements of the curriculum. This course prepares students for literature and
civilization classes.

Course content:
Indicative tenses: present, present progressive, preterit, imperfect, future, conditional,
and perfect tenses
Subjunctive: present and past as well as compound structures
Additional grammatical concepts such as the uses of se, time expressions with hacer,
relative pronouns, passive voice, etc.
Selected readings
Vocabulary and idiomatic expressions

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the Spanish language and the Hispanic
cultural diversity in the global setting by expressing, discussing and defending their
opinions and impressions in both written and oral expression.
Students will communicate formally and informally in both oral and written forms
utilizing a variety of tenses, moods and structures.
Students will read, analyze, discuss, paraphrase and interpret a variety of Hispanic
literary, artistic and creative works.
Students will write effective and coherent essays following the conventions of formal
writing and editing.

Additional Course Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge of the multicultural/multi-racial diversity of the Spanish-
speaking world, the global importance of the Spanish language as well as the historical,
linguistic and literary ties among Spanish speaking peoples.
Demonstrate a clear understanding and use of a variety of verb tenses and moods,
including indicative and subjunctive.
Demonstrate a command of refined grammatical concepts such as the sequence of tenses,
the uses of prepositions, the uses of se, the passive voice, the use of the infinitive vs. the
gerund, the use of relative pronouns, etc.
Exhibit the ability to carry on a conversation about present, past, and/or future actions.
Use the rules of syllabification, written accents, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization
with relative correctness.

Method of Presentation: The course is conducted in Spanish. Students are required to engage
in cooperative learning activities. Class discussions are based on material from the text to
improve oral comprehension and fluency in responses. Vocabulary and idiomatic phrases are
practiced in order to increase and enhance effective communicative skills. Oral exposs and short
written essays are assigned throughout the semester to improve students' knowledge of sentence
structure and self-expression.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The final grade will be based on objective criteria (homework, projects, compositions and exams)
and on the students audio-lingual contribution and improvement in class as monitored by the
instructor throughout the course.

Grading scale: Grading categories:

90-100 A Homework 10%
80-89 B Projects 10%
70-79 C Composition 15%
60-69 D Participation 15%
50-59 F Exams 50% (25% chapter exams; 25% final
exam)

Cheating and plagiarism of any sort are not tolerated. Students who do not follow the SMC Code
of Academic Conduct are subject to disciplinary action.

First week of classes: A student must attend ALL class sessions of the course that meet during
the first week of the course; otherwise he or she may be dropped by the instructor or may receive
an
F (0.0) for nonattendance from the SMC Schedule of Classes under College Policies in the
Attendance
and Withdrawals section.

Dropping the class: Students who decide to drop the class must officially withdraw and let me
know also. Students who do not, may receive an F.

Homework:
Homework includes the daily assignments given in class and the exercises assigned in the
online workbook and laboratory manual.
Students are held accountable for all announcements, assignments, handouts, vocabulary,
and material covered in class whether they are present or not.
Late homework is NOT accepted. Students arriving late to class will NOT receive credit
for homework.
 When students are absent, they are responsible for getting the assignment from a
classmate and preparing it for the next class meeting. If not, they will not receive credit
for the work.
It is recommended that all get the telephone number of two other students in the class for
assignments in order to come to class prepared. Absence or misinformation from
unreliable classmates will not be acceptable excuses for lack of preparation or missed
assignments.
Compositions: There are two types:
Informal compositions are usually short writing assignments that are graded and assigned
points. They do not require a rough draft and a final copy.
Formal compositions are assigned in advance and require a first draft and a final copy.
They follow a theme connected to the chapter of the book. These compositions are longer
in length and must address the main topic presented by the instructor. In general, the
composition must follow the conventions of college writing: have an introduction, body,
and conclusion and be typed and double-spaced. Compositions are due in class at on the
day specified and may NOT be made up. It must be turned in on time; any late
composition will receive a lower grade: 10% drop for each day it is late. The instructor
will give you more information about completing the composition when the first
composition is assigned. Please note that the composition will receive a grade out of
100%.

Exams:
There will be 4 chapter exams and one final exam during the course. Dates will be
announced in class. At the end of the semester the chapter exam with the lowest percent
will be dropped. Students must take the final exam to pass the course.
There will be NO MAKE-UP exams. No one will be given extra time for exams due to
tardiness. Anyone missing an exam will receive a score of zero.

Tutoring is available in the Learning Resource Center in D219. Students having difficulties with
the material should seek help as quickly as possible. Students may also come to my office hours
for help.

Cultural Presentation: The student will prepare two cultural presentations: one prior to the
midterm, one prior to the final. These presentations have both a written and oral component. The
student will investigate the topic, write a 2-3 page composition summarizing the key points of
his/her investigation, and then prepare an oral presentation. The topic will deal with a theme in
Hispanic Culture. The student must receive the instructors approval before preparing the topic
for his/her presentation.

Participation and attendance:

Active participation in the target language is of great importance in a language class and
is preferred over the use of English.
Being in class and participation in group-type activities will only earn a grade of C in
participation. Students desiring a higher grade must volunteer answers in class.

Attendance:
Be punctual! Students are expected to come to every class for the entire class session.
For classes meeting 3 days per week, students are allowed 4 absences. For classes
meeting 2 days per week, 3 absences are allowed. Three tardies are equal to one absence.
If absences and/or tardies are excessive, a student may be dropped from the class at the
professor's discretion. (An absence = Not being in class no matter the reason)
Roll is taken at the beginning of each session. Students arriving after roll has been taken
are marked tardy. Students are marked absent if they arrive after the first fifteen minutes
or if they leave class early.
 Absences and tardies will affect the participation grade: 2% will be taken off the total
percent of the participation grade for each absence beyond the absences allowed for the
class.
Student behavior:
Students are expected to behave appropriately in class.
No food or beverages (except water) are allowed in class.
The use of any electronic device in the classroom is prohibited (i.e. cell phones, laptops,
Ipods, etc). Viewing and/or responding to text messages is not permitted.
If a student leaves class to answer a call or a page, the student should not return to class.
This is an education setting, not one of business.
Respect and consideration for classmates and their learning environment is of the utmost
importance.
Disruptive behavior will incur disciplinary action.

Medical problems: If you have a medical problem that may occur during class, please notify
your professor and the campus Health Services at 434-4262 and provide the following
information:
Name, address, phone number
Nature of problem
Action you want taken if needed
Name and phone number of at least three people who can be called to take you to a place
you designate for care

Emergency procedures: If, at any time during class, it becomes necessary to evacuate the
building, the procedure is:
Exit the building in an orderly fashion.
Help any classmates who may be in need of assistance.
Re-group outside, in front of the building to check in with the professor. It is imperative
that all students check in with the professor in order to be certain that everyone is
accounted for.
For additional emergency procedures please visit:
http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/EmergencyPreparedness/Pages/Emergency-
Preparedness.aspx.
Course Outline
This is tentative. All assignments will be given during class.
In addition to the grammatical concepts listed below, students will also be
exposed to vocabulary, culture, and literature.
Some assignments may be assigned to be completed in the language lab in D219.

Week One: Uses of present indicative and present subjunctive.

Week Two: Imperfect. Preterit. Transitional expressions p. 408.

Monday, February 18-Presidents DayCampus closed
Sun., Feb. 24 Deadline to drop & be eligible for a REFUND of enrollment fees and
to avoid a W on the transcript.

Week Three: Imperfect and preterit. Relative pronouns. Forms of the imperfect subjunctive.
Friday, March 1, Departmental Staff Development DayCampus open, no
classes.

Week Four: Uses of the imperfect subjunctive. The subjunctive in adverbial clauses.

Week Five: Comparatives and superlatives. Adverbs.

Tuesday, March 12-Institutional Flex Day-Campus open, no classes.
Friday, March 15. Deadline to apply for Pass/No Pass grading option.

Week Six: Uses of the past participle. Present perfect: Indicative vs. subjunctive

Week Seven: Uses of se. Time expressions with hacer.

Week Eight: Sequence of tenses: Present subjunctive / indicative vs. Past subjunctive / indicative.

SPRING BREAK April 8-14

Week Nine: Pluperfect: Indicative vs. subjunctive.

Week Ten: Uses of the infinitive vs. gerund. Prepositions. Sequence of the perfect tenses.

Week Eleven: Sequence of the perfect tenses. Future perfect.

Sunday, May 5. Deadline to withdraw for a guaranteed W grade on
transcript.

Week Twelve: Conditional perfect. If clauses.

Week Thirteen: Passive voice. Negative and affirmative expressions.

Week Fourteen: Sequence of all tenses. Pero vs. sino.

Week Fifteen: Review.

Monday, May 27-Memorial Day-Campus closed

Week Sixteen: Review

Monday, June 3, Last day of classes
Tuesday, June 4, Final exams begin
ACADCON.DIS/04.22.99
Santa Monica College, as a community-oriented, open-door, educational institution whose purpose is
to educate and enlighten members of the community who seek knowledge, cannot and will not
tolerate academic dishonesty. In order to uphold the academic integrity of the institution, all members
of the academic community, faculty and students alike, must assume responsibility for providing an
educational environment of the highest standards, characterized by a spirit of academic honesty. Given
this premise, under no circumstances will academic dishonesty be tolerated at this institution.

Definition and Examples of Academic Dishonesty

Santa Monica College defines academic dishonesty as the act of or assistance in deceiving, including
fraud or deception, in any academic exercise. This includes, but is not limited to, the following actions
not authorized by the instructor or testing officer:
Using testing aids such as calculators, tape recorders, or notes.
Allowing another individual to assume ones identity for the purpose of enhancing ones grade in any
of the following: testing, field trips, or attendance.
Falsifying or attempting to falsify attendance records and/or grade rosters.
Representing the words, ideas or work of another as ones own in any academic exercise (plagiarism),
including the use of commercial term paper companies.
Changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment, or experiment with the intent to defraud.
Copying or allowing another student to copy from ones paper or answer sheet during an examination.
Inventing information for the purpose of completing a laboratory experiment or case study analysis
with the
intent to defraud.
Talking, giving and/or taking information during an examination by any means including sign
language, hand signals, or secret codes.
Responsibilities of Santa Monica College Students
The ultimate success of this code of academic conduct will depend in large part to the degree to which
it is willingly endorsed and supported by students. In order to achieve this support, the following
recommendations are made to the students of Santa Monica College:
1. It is the responsibility of each student to conduct him/herself in a manner that encourages learning
and prohibits dishonesty; and
2. To act with fairness towards other students in the classroom. This incorporates the notion that
students should not seek an unfair advantage over other SMC students when completing an
assignment, taking an examination, or engaging in any other kind of academic activity.
Consequences for Infractions of Academic Dishonesty
Given an alleged violation of academic dishonesty, any or all of the following actions may be imposed:

1. The instructor may assign a failing grade to the examination or assignment in which the alleged
cheating or plagiarism occurred.
2. In more serious instances, the instructor may assign a failing grade for the course, upon consultation
with the Department Chair.
3. The instructor may dismiss the student from the class or activity for the present and/or following
class session.
4. In more severe incidents of academic dishonesty, the Campus Disciplinarian may suspend or
recommend expulsion of a student from the college.
CONDCODE/6.02
The following are rules for minimum student conduct. Students enrolling in the college assume an obligation to conduct
themselves in a manner compatible with the colleges function as an educational institution. Misconduct or
good cause for which students are subject to discipline falls into the following categories:

A. Continued disruptive behavior, continued willful disobedience, habitual profanity or vulgarity, or the open
and persistent defiance of the authority of, or persistent abuse of, college personnel. [E.C. 76033(a)]
B. Assault, battery or any threat of force or violence upon a student, college personnel. [E.C. 76033 (b)]
C. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, including, but not limited to, rape, forced sodomy, forced oral
copulation, rape by a foreign object, sexual battery, or threat of sexual assault.
D. Willful misconduct which results in injury or death to a student, college personnel or college visitor or
which results in cutting, defacing, or other injury to any real or personal property owned by District. [E.C. 76033 ]
E. The use, sale, or possession on campus of, or presence on campus or at any college sponsored event, under
the influence of, any controlled substances without prescribed direction of a licensed medical authority or any
poison classified as such by Schedule D in Section 4160 of the State of California Business and Professions Code.
[E.C. 76033 (d)]
F. Willful or persistent smoking in any area where smoking has been prohibited by law or by regulation of the
Board of Trustees. [E.C. 76033 (e)]
G. Persistent, serious misconduct where other means of correction have failed to bring about proper conduct.
[E.C. 76033 (f)]
H. Dishonesty, including, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to
the college.
I. Forgery, alteration, or misuses of college documents, records, or identification.
J. Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other college activities,
including, but not limited to, community service functions, or other authorized activities.
K. Theft of or damage to property of the college or of a member of the college community or campus visitor.
L. Willful or blatant misuse of email or other inappropriate forms of communication towards faculty, staff or
students including but not limited to phone, voicemail, written notes and any form of electronic communication.
M. Unauthorized entry to or use of college supplies, equipment including computer hardware, and licensed
software, and/or facilities.
N. Violation of college policies or of campus regulations, including, but not limited to, campus regulations
concerning student organizations, the use of college facilities, responsible computer use policy, or the time,
place, and manner of public expression, library procedures, college bills and debts, or residence.
O. Disorderly conduct or lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression on college-owned or controlled
property or at college sponsored or supervised functions.
P. Failure to comply with directions of college officials acting in the performance of their duties.
Q. Possession or use of alcoholic beverages on the campus property, at any college-sponsored event, or
presence on campus or at any college-sponsored event while under the influence of alcohol.
R. Illegal possession or use of firearms, explosives, dangerous chemicals or other weapons on college
property or at college-sponsored activities.
S. Stalking: The act or crime of willfully and repeatedly following or harassing another person in
circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to fear injury or death especially because of expressed or
implied threats.
T. Hate crimes or hate incidents: A hate crime or hate incident is any act or attempted act directed against a
person(s) based on the victims actual or perceived race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability or
gender. The difference between a hate incident and a hate crime is that a hate incident is a non-criminal act.
U. Any other offense set forth in the State of California Education Code which constitutes good cause.

No student shall be removed, suspended, or expelled unless the conduct for which the student is Disciplined is related
to college activity or attendance. [E.C. 76034]