SPA 101 – Elementary Spanish I

Humanities Department

Catalog Course Description: This course consists of a study of the four basic language skills: listening, speaking,
reading and writing, including an introduction to Spanish culture. (Admission to 101 is restricted to students
who have never studied Spanish previously or who have been placed by examination into 101.)

Prerequisite(s): RDG 100 or ESL 100 and ENG 100 or ESL 110
Credit Hours: 4

Departmental Website: http://www.midlandstech.edu/learn/academics/academic-

departments/humanities-department
D2L Brightspace Login Page: https://elearn.midlandstech.edu/d2l/login

Departmental Assistant: Ms. Lisa Cheeks (cheeksl@midlandstech.edu)

Department Chair: Ms. Elena Martínez-Vidal (vidale@midlandstech.edu)

Textbook(s): ANDA CURSO ELEMENTAL ALC&MSL/ET&S/ACTV/MNL, HEINING-BOYNTON &

COWELL, 2, 2013, PEARSON EDUCATION, 9780205963836

Core Competency Statement: SPA 101 addresses the humanities department goal of enhancing the personal
growth and interests of the students.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Speak and pronounce the language well enough to initiate and sustain a simple conversation with a native
speaker used to dealing with foreigners on familiar topics of a personal or survival nature
well enough to grasp the essential points. Topics include exchanging greetings, directions, likes and dislikes,
identifying people and things, expressing time and dates, and talking about present or planned activities in the
present tense and in complete sentences.
2. Comprehend the spoken language of a native speaker used to dealing with foreigners in authentic
situations such as telephone calls, receiving instructions through taped material, conducting interviews well
enough to grasp the main points and some details.
3. Read and comprehend simple authentic material such as forms, ads, and memos, and simple texts dealing
with situations from the real world, like advertisements, timetables, weather forecasts, or any brief
informative passage.
4. Write information of a practical nature, such as completing forms, giving directions and instructions on
familiar topics and practical needs, taking notes, or composing a short paragraph in the present tense
comprehensible to a native speaker on topics such as a classroom situation, shopping, and day-to-day family
activities (to include descriptions of family members).
5. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural similarities and differences, citing examples like festivities, foods,
art, music, or sports, and interacting with natives in specific or survival situations.
Course Outcomes and Competencies:

Intended Course Outcome #1: Students will understand the diversity of our cultural heritage and the
effects of artistic or philosophical influences as demonstrated through learning how to listen, read,
speak and write elementary Spanish including an introduction to Spanish culture.

Course Competency (Performance Measure): Students will demonstrate their understanding of

diversity of our cultural heritage and the effects of artistic or philosophical influences by using the
cultural and grammatical knowledge they gained in this course to write a composition, to complete an
oral exam, and to complete a multiple-choice final exam that targets the vocabulary and grammar
covered in the course. Additionally, the exam has two reading sections and two listening sections.

Measurement Instrument: Students will complete a composition which will be evaluated using a
standardized assessment rubric developed by faculty. Additionally, students will complete an oral
exam which will be evaluated using a standardized assessment rubric developed by faculty. Also, the
students will complete a multiple-choice final exam that targets the vocabulary and grammar covered
in the course. Additionally, the exam has two reading sections and two listening sections.

About Foreign Language Study at Midlands Technical College: To build on the knowledge students already
have of a foreign language, we use placement testing to determine at what level the student begins studying
the language in college. Students who have never previously studied the language, or not within the last five
years, are not required to take the placement test. They enroll directly into the 101-level course. All students
who know the language through personal exposure or who have studied it within the past five years must take
the placement test. The level for enrollment indicated by the test result is mandatory. The placement test
may not be retaken within three years. The placement test is given by the Student Assessment Center on each
campus on a regular schedule during advisement periods and at the first meeting of each 101 course.

Students who place into a course higher than 101 may be given credit for the course or courses exempted if
they complete with a grade of “C” or higher the course into which they placed, and if they apply to the
Humanities Department Chair for the exemption credit and complete the necessary paperwork. Students who
pass but do not earn a “C” or higher in their validation course will not earn any advanced standing credit for
courses from which they were exempted. This is the only form of “exemption” credit we offer. Challenge
examinations are no longer given in foreign languages.

Although foreign language requirements at four-year institutions are very different, depending on the college
and the major, in general a student is advised to complete the equivalent of three semesters of study in the
same language, if possible. Students who plan to transfer to the University of South Carolina will find that
many majors require the study of a foreign language through the 122 level, which requires an exit examination
that must be passed to establish what is called “basic proficiency” in the language. A student who completes
SPA 122 and passes its exit exam at Midlands Technical College satisfies the foreign language requirement at
USC, with which we will share the exam score so that the student need not be retested.

Because a student usually cannot complete the normal foreign language requirement in French or German at
Midlands Tech, students are advised to begin studying French or German here two semesters before they plan
to transfer.

Since Midlands Technical College currently offers French and German only through the 102 level and Spanish
only through the 122 level, a student who places above FRE 102 (a test score of 30 or higher), GER 102 (a test
score of 33 or higher) or SPA 122 (a test score of 53 or higher) cannot take that language for credit at Midlands
Technical College. A student who exempts all courses cannot receive any credit, since we have no way of
validating the student's knowledge. That student may take the CLEP for credit if desired. If a student who
exempts all the courses offered at MTC for the particular foreign language elects not to take the CLEP exam,
then the student should contact the college to which he or she plans to transfer to determine which course to
enroll in at that college.

Students whose native language is French, German or Spanish and who have learned English as a foreign
language will not be permitted to take courses for credit in their native language.

This college accepts transfer credits in foreign languages, but students who wish to continue studying the
language here must take the placement test and abide by the resulting placement.

Rationale for Foreign Language Study: In order to understand the people and culture of another country, one
must speak their language. Culture defines language and language reflects culture. In today’s world one must
be exposed to a foreign language to gain a perspective on how others live and think. This comprehension aids
global understanding and offers a comparison and appreciation of one’s own culture. Due to the melding of
cultures and languages in today’s global economy, knowledge of a foreign language is necessary for success in
the world marketplace.

Course Attendance: Each student is expected to attend ALL classes and is responsible for classwork,
homework, lecture notes, and reading assignments, whether present or absent. In the event of circumstances
beyond one's control, such as illness, the student is allowed to miss no more than 2 class meetings. Exceeding
the maximum allowed absences in this course means that the student can receive NO CREDIT for the course,
and the instructor will assign the student a grade of W or WF.

ABSENCE - Failure to be present for a scheduled meeting of the class

ABSENCE - Arriving for the class MORE than ten (10) minutes after the scheduled time for the class
to begin
ABSENCE – Leaving class More than ten (10) minutes before the scheduled time for class to end
ABSENCE – Leaving class for More than ten (10) minutes during class time for any reason
ABSENCE – Three Tardies
TARDY – Arriving for the class after the instructor has called the roll and before ten minutes past the
time scheduled for the class to begin.
TARDY – Leaving class within the last ten (10 minutes) of the scheduled time for class to end

Absences are counted from the first day of classes whether you are enrolled in the course or not on
the first day of class.
There are NO "excused" absences; ALL absences are counted, regardless of the reason.
Students are expected to remain in class for the entire period. If you are not in the class for the
entire period, for whatever reason, you will be counted ABSENT.

Withdrawal: Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded prior to midterm, a "W" will be submitted
to the registrar to be recorded on the student's transcript. Should the maximum allowable absences be
exceeded after midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar if the student was passing the course at the
time of withdrawal OR a "WF" will be submitted if the student was failing the course at the time of withdrawal.

No Shows: If you register for a course and decide not to attend for any reason, you must complete a drop form
and process it through the student Records Office. You will not be automatically purged for non-attendance. If
you do not submit a drop form, you will be responsible for course tuition and fees. By not officially dropping
the course, you will incur a bill with the college that can only be addressed through the College’s Finance
Office. The college’s refund policy and dates are posted each semester.

Effective Spring 2015, the Student Ombudsman’s office will no longer be the initial point of contact for
requesting No Shows to be processed. Students who incur a bill must contact the Finance Office.
Administrative Drop Requests: A student requesting an Administrative Drop resulting from medical event,
death of family member, and other extenuating circumstances experienced while enrolled at Midlands
Technical College should be directed to the Student Ombudsman’s office. Our policy dictates a request must
be made no later than 30 days after the affected term. Supporting documentation is required and must be
received before the request can be processed. Once the request form is received along with supporting
documentation, it takes approximately three weeks for processing. As a result of an approved Administrative
Drop Request, the student may be granted a refund of tuition and fees.

Military Withdrawal: According to College Procedure 3.10.1, students having to withdraw from college
because of Military Deployment (active duty personnel) while enrolled must complete a withdrawal form
and submit to the Records Office along with a copy of military orders.

Disabilities Statement: The staff of Counseling and Career Services works to ensure that all educational
programming and services are accessible to otherwise qualified students with disabilities. If you have a
concern regarding the accessibility of websites, instructional materials, online courses and other electronic or
information technology please contact Counseling and Career Services. It is the student's responsibility to self-
disclose as a student with a disability and to request accommodations prior to beginning a program or course.
Please contact the staff of Counseling and Career Services at 803-822-3505 (AC) or 803-738-7636 (BC) or via
email at disability@midlandstech.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

D2L Brightspace Help:

Online Learning Support Help Desk: Technical questions related to the operation and use of D2L
Brightspace can be answered from our Support Help Desk. A response will be provided within one
business day.
To login: use your MTC e-mail account username and password.
(Student Username Example: georgeasmith)
(Faculty Username Example: smithg)

D2L Brightspace Assistance: Technical questions related to the operation and use of D2L Brightspace
can also be answered by leaving a voicemail at (803) 822-3561, or emailing
D2LHelp@midlandstech.edu. A response will be provided within one business day.

MyMTC Help: For MyMTC log-in issues please call 803-738-7888.

Academic Dishonesty: For more information about academic dishonesty, see the Academic Affairs Student
Guidelines and Expectations.

If you are suspected of cheating, the instructor will inform you. You may explain or refute the allegation. If
instructor still thinks the charges are founded, you will be referred to the Office of the Associate Vice President
of Student Development Services. Documentation is submitted to the Office of the AVP, SDS, by the
instructor. You will then meet with either Dr. Holloway or Mr. Hayden. After the meeting, you will receive a
letter with the sanction grade of zero (0) and any other sanctions deemed appropriate. You will have the right
to file an appeal. Once the hearing and the notice of the right to appeal have been completed, instructor will
be notified to apply the sanction grade of zero (0).

Grading Scale: 90-100 A Superior Work

80-89 B Good Work
70-79 C Average Work
60-69 D Below Average Work
0-59 F Unsatisfactory Work
PLEASE NOTE: Should change become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the
requirements, pace, or scheduling of this course. Any change will be announced in class before it becomes
effective.