I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Intermediate Spanish I

2. Course Prefix & Number:
SPAN 2401

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 4

Lecture Hours: 4

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course is a review of the fundamentals in grammar and vocabulary covered in the first year (or years) of Spanish language study, with amplification to more advanced structures and complex language usage. The remaining verb tenses (future, conditional, subjunctives) will be introduced through reading, writing and speaking. Graded level readers are used for pronunciation, comprehension and cultural information, providing topics in art, music, politics and current events. Short essays and conversations complete the language skill practices. SPAN 1402 or equivalent (2-3 years of high school Spanish) recommended.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading

Score:

56

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Bemidji State University, SPAN 2211, 3 credits
St. Cloud State University, Spanish 301, 3 credits
Metro State University, SPAN 301, 4 credits
Normandale Community College, SPAN 2100, 5 credits

3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:
CLEP

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Latin American Studies Certificate

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:

• Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts
• Goal 8 – Global Perspective

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Ask and answer basic conversation questions presented in the various verb tenses with the appropriate vocabulary, presented in a full sentence response. Will have familiarity with basic common expressions and idioms that connect sentences and demonstrate cultural usage.
Demonstrate written communication skills	Write complete sentences, matching verb/person/tense as required, demonstrating ability to match nouns and adjectives; utilize proper word order. Students will be able to write a comprehensive essay on an assigned topic, giving an introduction, connecting thoughts and conclusion.
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Read at the intermediate-graded level with accurate pronunciation, intonation and moderate fluidity. Students will be able to repeat sentences and/or take accurate dictation, as well as answer basic comprehension questions about the reading.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Identify specific cultural vocabulary, mannerisms, and historical events relating to the Spanish-speaking countries they have studied particular to their course reading and study.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Communicate basic concepts about their family, daily life, jobs, surroundings in the present, past (imperfect), future, conditional and perfect tenses.  
• Construct written work, in above tenses, accurately matching person/verb/tense; word order; and concordance.  
• Read at a graded-level, demonstrating accurate pronunciation and comprehension.  
• Identify characteristics of studied Spanish-speaking countries in terms of cuisine, family relationships, gender and generational intercommunications.  MnTC Goal 8
• Identify cultural behaviors, mannerisms, idioms as per the Spanish-speaking countries studied.  MnTC Goal 8
• Research and identify current and historical events surrounding said countries.  MnTC Goal 8
• Respond critically to works related to the Latino culture in the arts and humanities.   MnTC Goal 6
• Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.   MnTC Goal 6
• Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.   MnTC Goal 6

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

Note:  As a language, cultural materials often taught contextually, with special reading units that highlight history, holidays, peoples and topics as per the text and current events.  The latter are included at the end of the outline.

1. Verb Review: (present, present progressive, stem-changers, preterit, imperfect (comparative use with preterit), formal and informal commands, present tense subjunctive and uses.
2. New tenses include:  Perfect (haber+ participle), future and conditional. Imperfect subjunctive.
3. Grammar:
• Adverb clauses with the subjunctive
• Nosotros commands
• Reciprocal verbs
• "If..." clauses
4. Vocabulary:
• Environment
• Technology in the workplace and home
• Current events and politics
• Personal activities (sports, hobbies, pastimes).
5. History:
• Indigenous:  Pre-Columbian to present day (Maya, Guarani, Inca, Aztec)
• Issues of the past century:  “Los Desaparecidos en Argentina”; Central American conflicts of the 1980-90’s;
• Current Events:  Politics, media, art, music (The Web, Radio, La Prensa, MN Spanish Newspapers)
6. Culture:  From the books, WEB searches for places, maps, history, tourist sites, restaurants and topics were gathered
7. Writing: Exercises from the reader; Grammar worksheets; short essay on topics researched; Tu y yo conversation sheets developed after an oral exchange. 
8. Listening:  Instructor gives topical lecture and students answer question in English or write a paragraph on what they understood (in English to get a comprehension grade, or in Spanish to get a communication grade).
9. Graded level reader: Choose book with culture, conversation, and comprehension/vocabulary exercises at an intermediate or high – beginner level.  (I have used and AMSCO: Susana y Javier en Sudamerica, books of Legends, and/or graded reader articles.