SPAN 102 Fall 2025 – Comprehensive Study Notes

SPAN 102 Fall 2025 – Comprehensive Study Notes (course syllabus converted to organized study notes)

Course Overview

  • Department and course: Department of Spanish and Portuguese, University of Arizona; Spanish 102 (MTWR, Fall 2025).
  • Instructor information: Listed in D2L as TA Specific Sections; contact details (Office, Email) available in D2L and UA/UAccess. Students are responsible for keeping contact information up to date.
  • Course purpose: Introduction to Spanish as an additional language and Hispanic culture; development of all four core skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing.
  • Time commitment: Approximately two hours of preparation outside class for every hour of class instruction.
  • Classroom language: In Spanish 90–100% of the time; English allowed only when absolutely necessary and with instructor permission.
  • Core objective: Real-world language use and cultural understanding through interactive activities and content.

Required Texts and Materials

  • Required texts (examples provided in syllabus):
    • Blanco, José A. Portales 2.0: Introductory Spanish 1. Vista Higher Learning, 2023. Book + Portales Online Platform Access (ISBN: 978-1-54337-438-4).
    • Schaum’s Outlines: Spanish Grammar, Conrad J. Schmitt, Seventh Edition, 2019.
    • A good bilingual dictionary (Spanish–English): e.g., Cuyás, Collins, Larousse, Vox; online dictionaries like diccionarios.com, WordReference, Linguee.
  • Suggested additional resources: Other online dictionaries and resources as needed.
  • Technology and devices: A device with internet, webcam, microphone; regular access to VHL central website, D2L, UA email.
  • Optional access: Pay One Price program access via D2L Course Content > Course Help & Resources (D2L + VHL). Verify correct title/edition/ISBN in Required Text section.

Required Technology and Platforms

  • Platforms you must access regularly:
    • D2L (Desire2Learn) for quizzes, assignments, grades, and announcements.
    • VHL Central (Portales) for homework, lessons, and tests.
    • UA email for official communications.
  • Technical requirements and support:
    • D2L & Zoom technical requirements page; VHL general and Chromebook requirements pages.
    • If D2L or VHL issues arise: contact D2L Support immediately; email instructor with the problem details and any correspondence with D2L staff.
    • If VHL issues persist: submit a Submit a Request form via VHL help menu; provide incident number and email correspondence to instructor.
    • Important: One attempt for D2L/VHL assignments; no stopping/pausing/reopening once opened; late submissions result in a zero unless covered by the one-time courtesy.

Grading and Assessment Structure

  • Overall grade categories and weights:
    • Conversaciones: 15 ext{ ext%}
    • Compositions: 15 ext{ ext%}
    • Lesson Tests: 15 ext{ ext%}
    • VHL Homework: 25 ext{ ext%}
    • Exams: 20 ext{ ext%}
    • Participation: 10 ext{ ext%}
  • Percentage grading scale: 90-100 = A,
    ewline 80-89 = B,
    ewline 70-79 = C,
    ewline 60-69 = D,
    ewline < 60 = E
  • Trellis Reports: Used for zero in D2L assignments or excessive absences; more information in Trellis resource.
  • Late work policy (overview): There is no general late-work acceptance, but a one-time courtesy may be used for certain VHL components and PRA D2L Quizzes under specific conditions (see Late Work section).

Attendance and Participation

  • Attendance policy: Regular attendance is essential. Students may miss up to six (6) classes for any reason; religious accommodations are provided; university-sponsored events require an official UA Activity Excused Absence Note.
  • Penalty for excessive absences: The seventh absence and each subsequent absence reduces the Final Overall Course Grade by one percentage point.
  • Absence examples: 7 absences → final grade drops by 1 pp; 8 absences → drop by 2 pp; 9 absences → drop by 3 pp.
  • Two late arrivals or early departures (>5 minutes) count as one absence.
  • If you stop attending class, you must drop the course; Dean of Students resources available for barriers to success.
  • Participation portion: 10% of grade; requires active, on-time attendance with materials, engagement with D2L/VHL, note-taking, asking questions, peer work, and using Spanish whenever possible.
  • Participation policy: No points on days absent; two lowest participation grades are dropped (Week 3 onward).

Course Policies and Conduct

  • Language practice: Spanish-only in class; English allowed only when necessary and with permission.
  • Netiquette (online conduct): Respectful, concise, non-confrontational online communication; no ALL CAPS; thoughtful posting; private handling of issues when necessary; guidelines follow Netiquette by Virginia Shea.
  • Communication expectations: Instructors respond to student emails within 48 hours (Mon–Fri, 8:00am–5:00pm, excluding holidays/reading days).
  • Academic integrity: 100% original work; no unauthorized translators/AI tools; use of textbook acceptable for homework/in-class assignments; violations result in a zero and reporting to the UA Dean’s Office.
  • Recording policy: Recording of class activities requires notice if you do not have a Disability Resource Center (DRC) accommodation; recordings are for personal educational use only.
  • Policy on changes: Syllabus and policies are subject to change with prior notice; grading and attendance policies are exempt from this change clause.

Coursework Details

  • Conversaciones (Oral Assessments):
    • Two in-class oral assessments; one-on-one with instructor.
    • Sign-up required on dates listed in the weekly syllabus calendar.
    • Based on course content, grammar, and vocabulary covered so far.
    • Failure to attend on scheduled dates results in zero; no late conversations accepted.
    • Rubrics and topics available in D2L Content from day one.
  • Compositions (Writing):
    • Two in-class writing tasks with in-class drafts and revised final drafts.
    • Drafts and revisions dates listed on weekly calendar.
    • Scoring: First draft = 4% of total composition grade; each revised final draft = 3.5% of total composition grade.
    • By course end, two well-developed, connected paragraphs in Spanish are expected.
    • Drafts must be handwritten in class; no electronic devices for first drafts unless accommodation is approved.
    • Revised final drafts may be handwritten or typed and submitted via D2L.
    • All composition instructions and rubrics are open in D2L Content from day one.
  • Lesson Tests: (15%)
    • Designed with Universal Design principles; delivered via VHLCentral/Portales.
    • Tests may assess listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary, and/or culture.
    • Check VHL calendar regularly; late submissions not accepted.
  • VHL Homework: (25%)
    • Online exercises after completing related in-class material; include writing, reading, speaking, listening activities.
    • Complete each assigned activity by its due date; no late homework accepted.
    • Register in the correct course level and section in VHL (e.g., Spanish 101, 201, 251, etc.); wrong course/section → zero for missed work; no make-ups or extensions.
  • Exams: (20%)
    • Two exams covering material from chapters 6–10 (via VHL on-line platform) and class materials.
    • Exams include listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and culture; no outside help allowed.
    • All exams designed with Universal Design principles; completed via D2L Quizzes; must be submitted within time limits.
    • Midterm Exam: In-person during regular class time; access to D2L Quizzes with a code provided in class; missing in-class → zero unless pre-approved accommodation.
    • Final Exam: Common Final, covers chapters 9 and 10; scheduled 6:00pm–8:00pm on Monday, December 15th, 2025; in-person and via D2L Quizzes; must be attended at assigned exam location with device; code provided in person; no shows → zero; no outside help.
    • No makeups unless Dean’s Excuse (documented) or pre-approved accommodation; late exams not accepted.
  • Final Exam Information:
    • Time: Monday, December 15th, 6:00–8:00pm (Arizona time).
    • Location: In-person; location to be confirmed by instructor.
    • Access: D2L Quizzes; you must bring a device to access the exam.
    • Access limitations: Final exams completed outside the exam location require a valid accommodation; otherwise disallowed.
  • Extra Credit: Information available on D2L Course site in Content.

Support Resources and Services

  • Advising: Advising Resource Center available to guide academic progress and degree planning.
  • Think Tank Spanish Tutoring: Free tutoring services offered; tutors do not correct final-grade writing assignments prior to grading.
  • Campus health services: Medical and mental health care via virtual/in-person options; contact numbers provided.
  • Campus Pantry: Groceries and food support; contact the Dean of Students for help; campus pantry hours listed on site.
  • CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services): Mental health care, including short-term counseling.
  • Dean of Students Office: Student assistance program for crises and barriers; contact DOS via email or phone for support.
  • Survivor Advocacy Program: Confidential support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence; contact details provided.
  • Recording policy reminder: Only record if you have a DRC accommodation or with instructor approval; recordings for personal use only.
  • D2L course site Content: Additional course help, including rubrics and policies.
  • College/University resources: Links to College of Humanities updates and alumni information.

Schedule and Calendar (Overview)

  • Course timeline is outlined in the SPAN 102 Calendario (Fall 2025):
    • Week-by-week topics include Lección 6–7–8–9–10, with fotonovela, pronunciation, culture, and structure subtopics.
    • Assessments and assignments include: lessons, conversations, compositions, quizzes, tests, and exams scheduled across weeks 1–16.
  • Specific key events:
    • Week 3: Conversation practice; Lesson Test 1; Composition 1 in-class first draft.
    • Week 4–5: Continuation of Lección 7; Recap Conversaciones; Lesson Tests; Composition 1 revision window.
    • Week 6–7: Lección 8 content; Composition 1 final draft; Midterm review; Midterm Exam in-class.
    • Week 8–9: Lección 9 content; In-class conversations; Composition 2 in-class first draft; Midterm completed.
    • Week 10–11: Lección 10 content; Recap Conversaciones; Lesson Tests; Composition 2 final draft.
    • Week 12–16: Final review sessions; Final Exam preparation; Final Exam on Dec 15, 2025; Reading Day; Winter/Spring offerings noted for planning.
  • Final exam specifics:
    • Time: Monday, December 15th, 6:00–8:00pm; location to be confirmed; in-person and D2L Quizzes.
    • Final covers Lecciones 9–10; the exam is a common final; must attend at assigned time/location.

Class Recordings and Privacy

  • Recording policy: If you have a DRC accommodation, instructor notified automatically; otherwise, you must notify the instructor if you wish to record audio/video of class activities. Recordings are for personal educational use only.

Important Administrative Details

  • Attendance and class participation policy is binding; charges for absences apply even with religious or medical reasons unless accommodations are arranged.
  • Grades are posted in D2L; students should monitor their grades and report issues promptly.
  • Incomplete (I) or Withdrawal (W) requests must follow University policy; check the UA policy for official procedures.
  • The syllabus is subject to change; instructors will provide prior notice for any changes to policies or scheduling.
  • Contact methods: Use D2L classlist for instructor contact information; you may also use UA email for official communication.

Quick Reference: Key Numbers and Dates

  • Absences allowed before grade penalties start: 6
  • Penalty after the 7th absence: -1 percentage point per additional absence
  • Two late arrivals ≈ one absence
  • Course weights: ext{Conversaciones} = 15 ext{ ext%}, ext{ Compositions} = 15 ext{ ext%}, ext{ Lesson Tests} = 15 ext{ ext%}, ext{ VHL Homework} = 25 ext{ ext%}, ext{ Exams} = 20 ext{ ext%}, ext{ Participation} = 10 ext{ ext%}
  • Final Exam date/time: Monday,
    ext{ December } 15^{th}, 6:00 ext{–}8:00pm
  • Midterm: In-class; covers Chapters 6–8; in-person during regular class time; code provided in class for D2L Quizzes.
  • Final Exam coverage: Chapters 9–10; common final; scheduled window; open 6:00–8:00pm; location TBD.

If you’d like, I can tailor these notes to a specific format or shorten/expand any section to target particular exam topics (e.g., focus on grammar points, culture notes, or assessment strategies).