Course Syllabus

Course Information
HUMA 6321 - SECTION 501
Spanish Review
2006 Summer Term (8 weeks) - Mon & Wed 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. - J0 4.312

Professor Contact Information

Instructor: Esteban Egea
Contact Number: 972 883-2769
E-mail address: egea@utdallas.edu
Office location: JO 5.516
Office hours: Mon & Wed 4:30 – 5:45 p.m., or by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

Intermediate proficiency (usually equivalent to four semesters of undergraduate courses).

Course Description

This course is designed to be an intensive grammar review to assist students in moving from
intermediate to advanced translation work with Spanish language texts, and consequently, it will
help students prepare for advanced reading comprehension and translation undertaken in the
Spanish Workshop (HUMA 7321). Course work will include, besides the intensive grammar
review, the learning of comprehensive vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, and short selected
readings taken from Spanish and Latin American literature anthologies, and essays on literature,
art, and history of ideas that will be distributed to the students to be translated into clear
comprehensible English prose in addition to the reading material contained in the textbook.
The course does not meet the language requirement, or counts in degree plans.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Students will:
1) intensively review the main grammar structures of written Spanish by proceeding from the
simpler elements to the more complex structural explanations and rules in order to undertake
more advanced translation work in the language.
2) understand the importance of expanding both their basic, thematic and learned vocabulary
including the most important idiomatic expression necessary to increase reading
comprehension of all types of Spanish texts in order to undertake more advanced translation work
in the language.
3) learn how to use a variety of reading strategies (scanning, guessing, predicting, identifying
cognates and collocations, making inferences, identifying verb forms/tenses, etc.) in order to increase
understanding of written narratives taken from Spanish or Latin American authors, and essays on
literature, art, and history of ideas so as to be able to undertake more advanced translation work in
the language.
4) come to appreciate, as a concomitant outcome, the Hispanic culture by understanding the
main idea and most of the supporting details of the written texts presented in class.

Course Syllabus Page 1

Required Textbooks and Materials

Required textbook:
Sara L. De la Vega and Carmen Salazar, Avanzando: Gramática española y lectura, New York:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 5th ed. 2003 (ISBN: 0-471-20286-X)

Suggested Course Materials

Kendris, Christopher. 501 Spanish Verbs, Hauppauge, New York: Barron's Educational Series,
1996.
DICTIONARIES (Choose one and purchase for your use):
The Oxford Spanish Dictionary (Spanish/English -English/Spanish),
Random House Spanish/English - English/Spanish Dictionary
Appleton's New Cuyás English-Spanish and Spanish-English Dictionary.
Cassell's Spanish-English, English-Spanish Dictionary.
Collins Spanish-English English-Spanish Dictionary.
Diccionario Moderno Español-Inglés English-Spanish Larousse.
Simon and Schuster's International Dictionary, English-Spanish Spanish-English.

Assignments & Academic Calendar

Please, turn off cell phones and / or beepers while in class.

1. Each student is responsible for signing the Attendance sheet every class.

2. If a student is late fifteen minutes or more, half of an absence will be counted against him/her

3. If a student leaves the classroom at any point during the class and does not return, and does not
advice the instructor in advance as to the reason in writing, an absence will be counted against
him/her.

NOTES: Ø When appropriate make use of the “Vocabulario”, pp. 361-82; of the “Apéndice” (Formas/tiempos
verbales y cognados falsos, etc.), pp. 383-401 and of the “Indice,” pp. 402-405.

Ø Since this is a translation oriented course, it is not necessary for you to do all the
exercises in the grammar section unless you want to. However, you should review the grammar
and ask questions if you have any. At the beginning of each section, the instructor will
emphasize certain important points of grammar helpful in the translation of written texts.
Ø Classes begin on Tues., May 30 and end on Wed. July 19, 2006.

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

May 31 Wed: Information Sheets, Introduction to the Course, Course Objectives and Policies.
Diagnostic mini-evaluation. ---- Avanzando, Capítulo Preliminar, pp. 3-18 & Cap. 1:
Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp.20-25.- Práctica: Traducción oral de la primera Lectura. --

Course Syllabus Page 2

June 5 Mon: Avanzando, Cap. 1: Gramática, pp. 27-34, 38, 39-41, 42-43, 45-47.-- Prepare los
textos para traducir en clase. --- Additional texts from the arts & humanities.

June 7 Wed: Avanzando, Cap. 2: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp. 48-52. Prepare los textos para
traducir en clase. - Lectura 2, pp. 53 –54 --- Gramática, pp. 55-58, 61-64, 68-69, 71-72 ---
Additional texts from the arts & humanities.

June 12 Mon: Avanzando, Cap. 3: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp. 74-77. Prepare los textos para
traducir en clase. - Gramática, pp. 80-82, 85-86, 87-88, 91-93, 96-99, 100-101. --- Additional
texts from the arts & humanities.

June 14 Wed: Avanzando, Cap. 4: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp. 103-107. Prepare los textos para
traducir en clase. - Gramática, pp. 110-111, 114-117, 119-122, 124-125, 128-129, 132-133 ---
Additional texts from the arts & humanities.

June 19 Mon: Avanzando, Cap. 5: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp. 134-138. - Prepare los textos
para traducir en clase. -- Lectura 2, pp.140, Lectura 3, pp.141-142 -- Gramática, pp. 144-145, 147-
148, 149, 150-151, 153-155, 158, 160, 162-163. --- Additional texts from the arts & humanities.
GENERAL REVIEW -- PREPARATION FOR TEST #1: Read and translate into clear
comprehensible English prose Lectura 1: Octavio Paz, “El ramo azul”, pp. 313-320 (including
the vocabulary) & Lectura 2: Jorge Luis Borges, “Pedro Salvadores”, pp. 323-328 (including
the vocabulary) .

June 21 Wed: TEST # 1 (You will provided with a “study sheet”).

June 26 Mon: REVIEW of Test #1 --- Adverbial Phrases, Adverbs not Ending in –mente,
Prepositional Phrases. --- Additional texts from the arts & humanities.

June 28 Wed: Avanzando, Cap. 6: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp. 164- 169. Prepare los textos para
traducir en clase. -- Additional text from the arts & humanities.

July 3 Mon: Avanzando, Cap. 6: Gramática, pp.170-172, 174-175, 176-178, 180-181, 182, 184,
185, 187-188. Prepare los textos para traducir en clase. --- Additional texts from the arts &
humanities.

Course Syllabus Page 3

July 5 Wed: Avanzando, Cap. 7: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp. 189-193. Prepare los textos para
traducir en clase. -- Gramática, pp. 196-198, 198-200, 203, 206-208, 210-211, 212, 215 ---
Additional texts from the arts & humanities.

July 10 Mon: Avanzando, Cap. 8: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp. 217-221. Prepare los textos para
traducir en clase.- Lectura 2, pp.223 --- Gramática, pp. 224-230, 233-234, 236-238, 240-243,
244-245, 246-248. --- Additional texts from the arts & humanities.

July 12 Wed: Avanzando, Cap. 9: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp. 249-54. Prepare los textos para
traducir en clase. - Gramática, pp. 260-263, 265-268, 271-273, 274-275, 277-279. --- Additional
texts from the arts & humanities.

July 17 Mon: Avanzando, Cap. 10: Vocabulario & Lectura 1, pp.280-85 .- Prepare los textos para
traducir en clase.- Lectura 2, pp. 287-288 .-- Gramática, pp. 289-292, 296-298, 300-301, 302-305,
307-308, 309-310. --- Additional texts from the arts & humanities.
GENERAL REVIEW -- PREPARATION FOR TEST #2: Read and translate into clear
comprehensible English prose Lectura 3: Guillermo Cabrera Infante, “Abril es el mes más
cruel”, pp. 331-338 (including the vocabulary); Lectura 4: Ana Maria Matute, “El árbol de
oro, pp. 341-348 (including the vocabulary) & Lectura 5: María Manuela Dolón, “Noche de
fuga”, pp. 352-359 (including the vocabulary).

June 19 Wed: TEST # 2 (You will provided with a “study sheet”).

****** FINAL EXAMS: Thurs. July 20 - Tues. July 25, 2006

Grading Policy

1) GRADE DISTRIBUTION:
TEST # 1 will be based on 100 pts.

TEST # 2 “ “ “ “ 100 “

TRANSLATIONS AND EXERCISES “ “ “ “ 100 “

OTHER (class participation, exercises, daily
work, attendance, extra credit, attitude, etc.) “ “ “ “ 100 “

TOTAL: 4 grades at 100% each.

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 2) Equivalences in the instructor’s grading scale and UT-D’s:
HUMA 6321 UT-D
A+ = 100 - 96 (4.00 Excellent)
A = 95 - 93 (4.00 Excellent)
A- = 92 - 90 (4.00 Excellent)
B+ = 89 - 86 (3.00 Acceptable)
B = 85 - 83 (3.00 Acceptable)
B- = 82 - 80 (3.00 Acceptable)
C+ = 79 - 76 (2.00 Poor)
C = 75 - 73 (2.00 Poor)
C- = 72 - 70 (2.00 Poor)
F = 59 - 0 (0.00 Failure)
====================================
P = Pass (P and X do not produce grade points)
X = INCOMPLETE (See below policy regarding “incompletes)
CR = CREDIT
NC = NO CREDIT

Although the course is graded on a pass/no pass basis, the tests and translation of texts will
receive a numerical grade.

Course & Instructor Policies

(make-up exams, extra credit, late work, special assignments, class attendance, classroom citizenship, etc.)

HUMA 6321 is offered to assist students attain advanced language proficiency; while they
receive credit for the course, they may not count it in their regular degree plans and it does not
satisfy the foreign language requirement. For evaluation purposes there will be two major
grammar tests that will include reading comprehension and translation of Spanish texts. Although
the course is graded on a pass/no pass basis, the tests and translation of texts will receive a
numerical grade. Merely auditing the course is inappropriate and is not permitted.

1) I reserve the right to modify the syllabus and these policies if it is deemed
necessary during the semester.

2) NO MAKE-UP TEST WILL BE GIVEN in this course. If a test is missed for

any reason, the student must advice the instructor to determine the course of action. If a
make-up test has to be given, the student will have to take it at a time chosen by the
instructor and ten (10) points will be deducted from the grade obtained. Only in case of
illness this policy will NOT applied provided that a written medical excuse is furnished.

3) NO LATE PAPERS will be accepted unless a valid reason exists. Students must
submit papers (one translation of a text and a second translation of a given poem) one
class before it is due and make copies for his/her classmates.

4) ABSENCES: Regular attendance is expected and strongly advised. If you miss more
than three (3) classes YOU WILL NOT PASS this course. If for illness reasons you miss
more than three (3) classes, you will have to present a written medical excuse to the
instructor. If it becomes inevitable to miss any of the tests the student must (a) advice the
instructor to determine a course of action, and/or (b) in case of illness, provide a medical
excuse.

Course Syllabus Page 5

Field Trip Policies

None required

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations
for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and
each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern
student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained
in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic
year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and
Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and
in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating
Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the
Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.
He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the
standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because
the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the
student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual
honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or
material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other
source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see
general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the
web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Course Syllabus Page 6

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university
encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email
address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD
furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with
university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses.
These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures
must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any
class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork
to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the
class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities,
of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments
of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to
resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the
grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain
primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at
that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the
respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the
respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not
resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of
Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic
Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic
appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at
the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade
must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the
required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the
specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the

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 Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments
necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary
to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for
students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example,
a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes
enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities.
The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or
mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members
to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special
accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for
the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding
the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to
take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period
equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the
instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A
student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a
failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of
observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has
been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the
student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or
his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative
intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and
University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information
regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address given below.
Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
(http://www.utdallas.edu/Business Affairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm)

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

Course Syllabus Page 8