Leyendas del mundo hispano
(Otoño 2018)
Core designation
Global Engagment [GLOB]
COURSE DESCRPTION:
It is said that the soul of a civilization is preserved by telling a myth or a legend. Both form a body of popular literature that provides moral, spiritual or ethical lessons. Others are to entertain and in some cases to explain something unexplainable. Due to the nature of the course it is important to know the geographic-cultural context of the legends or myths studied (Spain and Latin America). It is also necessary to study the poetic language that oral tradition has preserved over time. Because many myths and legends were originally transmitted orally, in this course oral expression is important.
The format of the course will alternate between lectures given by the professor and seminar-style discussions of the required readings. The amount of reading, writing and critical thinking required for this course will be considerable, as we will discuss major cultural works, periods, styles and critical approaches. Be prepared to spend a good amount of time reading, writing and thinking.
TEXTS:
- Serrano, Marcela. La llorona (2008)
-Quick Quide to Spanish Grammar
-A Good Spanish Dictionary
CRITERIA:
- In-Class Participation 10%
- Homework 10%
- Quizzes 10%
- Research Papers 10%
- Discussions 10%
- Final Project 5%
- Native Speaker sessions 10%
- Midterm Exam 15%
- Final Exam 20%
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
-PREPARATION, REGULAR ASSISTANCE TO CLASS AND ACTIVE ORAL PARTICIPATION (10%)
The class is seminar style. Before coming to class, students should carefully read the assigned readings, take notes or sketch the readings and answer the assigned exercises. Students must be prepared to actively participate, talk and discuss in each class. Regular attendance to class is very important. Students will be penalized after the first absence; losing one point of the final grade for each extra absence.
Frequent use of Internet is mandatory. Students are responsible for preparing before coming to class. No excuses will be accepted.
Active class participation is a very important component in this class; the following criteria will be used to evaluate class participation:
-A range: very dynamic engagement in all class activities, student is consistently prepared for class sessions, very often begins interaction, participates actively and promotes participation in partnered and group activities, collaborates keenly in the creation of the learning environment. The student speaks with great fluidity and fluency, has excellent range of vocabulary and excellent grammatical structures.
-B range: active engagement in all class activities, student is generally prepared for class sessions, often begins interaction, participates actively in partnered and group activities, collaborates in the creation of the learning environment. In general the student speaks with fluidity and fluency, notice mistakes and correct them, good range of vocabulary and good use of grammatical structures.
-C range: moderate engagement in class activities, student is irregularly prepared for class sessions, seldom begins interaction, participates moderately in partnered and group activities, limited fluidity and fluency. Responds usually limited to homework and drill exercises. The student seldom expresses opinion due to limited grammatical control or limited vocabulary.
-D range: little engagement in class activities, student is seldom prepared for class sessions, never begins interaction, participates little; very limited fluidity and fluency. The student has very limited range of vocabulary and only answer if is asked. The student cannot express opinion and offer advice.
-F range: no visible engagement in class activities, student is usually unprepared for class sessions, doesn’t participate in partnered and group activities; interferes with the creation of the learning environment.
ORAL DISCUSSIONS AND PRESENTATION (10%)
You will have oral discussions, which will need to have in consideration: the appropriate grammatical skills, vocabulary, culture and literature learned in class. Each activity should keep in mind the 5C’s and must include the subject and material studied in class. All of those activities will be related to the readings from the class
RESEARCH PAPERS (10%)
Each student will write three (2) research papers (5 - 6 pages). The topics will be discussed in class. It should be well informed and effectively argued. Students are expected to incorporate the critical method outlined in class into the analysis of a short story, or a collection of short stories. Further, these papers must: 1) formulate a clear position and argument; 2) provide supporting evidence with citations from the text(s); 3) present ideas in a well-organized format; and 4) pay close attention to grammatical accuracy, spelling, format, critical thinking, etc.; 5) be turned in on time.
-QUIZZES (10%)
There will be 5 quizzes: Each quiz is cumulative, will include multiple choice exercises, true or false, vocabulary, interpretation questions and / or short essays.Frequent reviewing of material is vital to language acquisition and retention so studying daily will not only improve your grade, it will increase proficiency. No make-ups!
-FINAL PROJECT (5%)
The final project will be your interpretation of one or more of our short stories in a different style of art (painting, photography, etc.) You will receive more details later in the semester.
-MIDTERM EXAM (15%)
The exam is cumulative of the topics covered during the first half of the semester, and includes an oral comprehension section, grammar as well as culture
- NATIVE SPEAKER (10%)
Regular attendance and active oral participation is mandatory. Native speaker’s sessions meet once a week. You are allowed one absence without penalty. Each absence following will lower your grade; Five absences will earn you a grade of F in Native Speaker (10% of your grade).
- FINAL EXAM (20%)
The final exam is comprehensive and cumulative of all the topics covered in class, and includes an oral and a reading comprehension sections, grammar, culture and/or literature. The final exam is during final exam week; don’t make travel arrangements before you know the final exams schedule.
-COURTESY
Respect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the class and always show respect toward your classmates, your professor and the learning experience. Please, recognize that improper attire, food, and gum in the classroom interfere with course goals and are not allowed.
Policy on the use of electronic devices: "As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the Office of the Dean prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes. Text messaging or accessing information on these devises is likewise forbidden. All such devices must be put in a silent (vibrates) mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices are an integral part of the College's emergency notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously. When this occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a college emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately put away. Other exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor."
Grades will be based on the following scale:
Excellent work A 100-94 A- 93-90
Above average work B+ 89-87 B 86-84 B- 83-80
Average work C+ 79-77 C 76-74 C- 73-70
Below average work D+ 69-67 D 66-64 D- 63-60
Failure F 59-
Saint Anselm Academic and Computing Links
Course and College Policies
Disclaimer
All topics, quizzes, exams and their dates are subject to change. Advance notification will be given in case of any changes.