201 FYI

Introduction
Learning a modern foreign language should be an exciting and interesting pursuit. It is obviously much more than memorizing words and learning grammar rules. Modern foreign languages are dynamic and a language and the culture of which it is a part are ever-changing, ever-evolving entities. Textbooks and the ancillaries that support them provide an excellent basis for foreign language study, but the most successful students of foreign language are those who seek out and find ways to make the new language interesting and meaningful to them. In this class you will be encouraged and expected to play a very active role in the language learning process. In order to enhance the classroom experience and to maximize your progress toward proficiency in the language, you will be asked to pay attention to and respond to the subject matter in a personal way. Toward that end, you will keep a personal notebook which is described below.

Critical Thinking Objectives:

-- Students will learn to move from learning facts to making critically reasoned judgments grounded in the academic content of the course.
-- Students will demonstrate awareness of Spanish language and Hispanic culture in the Hispanic world and beyond, including noting its presence in their lives
-- Students will demonstrate ability to identify topics that are of interest to them, investigate these topics and evaluate the sources they use for investigation.
-- Students will reflect upon their own language learning, on encounters with Spanish language and Hispanic culture, and on topics they choose to research, using critical thinking skills such as comparison/contrast, analysis, inference, verification and evaluation.

Option #1
Inquiry Notebook Description
You will need a four-section notebook. A small to medium (1") ring binder with tab dividers is suggested, but other notebooks may be used. The notebook will contain four sections:
Mi diccionario
Encuentros
Investigaciones
Reflexiones

You will prepare entries for each of the four sections throughout the semester. Below is a description of each section.

1. Mi diccionario
In this section, you will record words and phrases that are of interest and importance to you. You may include words that are in the text that are of special interest to you, but you should go beyond the text and include items that you find that you need in and out of class to express yourself in Spanish. You may include items that give you difficulty, items that you find yourself using (or misusing) often, items that you hear or read and do not easily understand, and any other items that interest you and/or challenge you. Entries should be made often and at least on a weekly basis. No particular number of items is required for this section but 10 items per entry is an average amount. You may simply record words and phrases that you just want to remember, but you may wish to write notes about items that you find especially challenging or interesting. Please do keep the content appropriate for a university class! You may include slang items, but only those that you would use in the presence of an adult whom you respect.

2. Encuentros
In this section you will record "encounters" that you have with the Spanish language and Hispanic culture outside of class. These may be chance encounters or planned ones and may include such things as hearing an individual speak Spanish and making an effort to communicate with him or her; visiting a place that reflects the Hispanic culture; hearing the language via the radio or other audio medium; hearing the language or seeing the culture represented on television, in a movie, etc.; finding a website that relates to the language or culture; etc. At least one (1) "encuentro" must be the viewing of a movie orginally produced in Spanish but you are encouraged to seek out a variety of different activities for additional encounters. Record the encounters in a factual manner, as a reporter might do. You may also add personal comments, if you wish, but only after you report the encounter. Entries may vary in length from a few sentences to about 1 typed page (double-spaced, 12 pt.), and you should include an absolute minimum of four (4) entries. If all entries are fewer than five sentences, more than four entries will be required.

3. Investigaciones
In this section you will prepare short reports/papers that contain information that you have learned from investigating topics that are of special interest to you and have a connection to the Spanish-speaking world. You may choose topics that are presented in the text and look for information that goes beyond what you find in the text, you may investigate topics that pertain to other classes you are taking or other activities in which you participate, or you may investigate topics that are new to you but which you would like to learn more about. You must consult a minimum of two (2) different sources for each topic and you must include those sources in your report. NOTE: At least one (1) must be a non-internet source. (If the topic is breaking news and only internet sources are available, consult the professor. With permssion, you may use three internet sources and explain the reason for the lack of non-internet sources.) You are encouraged to consult more than two sources for each entry. Also note: After you present the factual information that you have gathered, you must comment on the sources you chose for your report (credibility, validity, intended audience, date of publication and its relavance, etc.). This is very important! Your report should include factual information that you gather and, in additiona, evaluation of that information. Entries should be about 2 typed pages (double-spaced, 12 pt.), and you must prepare at least four (4) entries. If you wish, one entry may be a mini-research project that you design or, with the instructor's permission, a product that you produce. You may create a research question or a hypothesis, then devise a way to answer the question or test the hypotheis (for example, real world interaction in Spanish, interviews, data collection) and report your results. For the original product, you may, for example, producte a work of art or music, or choose another appropriate form of expression. Consult with the professor for approval to be certain that you meet the requirements and get full credit for the work. A brief written introduction to the piece which explains its relevance to the course must be included.

4. Reflexiones
In this section you will apply techniques of critical reflection to items that you record in the first three sections. You will examine information that you gather and experiences that you have that involve the Spanish language and Hispanic culture and you will reflect on some of those in a critical manner. You may use techniques such as comparison/contrast, analysis, inference, verification, evaluation, etc. You may reflect on the Spanish language, on the Hispanic culture and/or on your learning of the langauge and your comprehension of the culture. In this section you will go beyond reporting and you will not rely exclusively on your feelings or personal opinions. It is important that you use critical reflection in this part of your notebook. Entries should be 1-2 typed pages (double-spaced, 12 pt.). At least four (4) entries are required.

You may also include in the notebook support materials such as printed matter, photographs, etc. These items are not required, but you are encouraged to include them when you can. If you include such items, be sure to explain them in the notebook.

Words and phrases in the Mi diccionario section will, of course, be in Spanish, but you may wish to write comments in that section in English. In the other sections you may write in Spanish or in English and the choice of language will not affect your grade. You may wish to use Spanish at times for reporting factual infomation, but it is likely that you will need to use English for your reflections and analyses in order to express yourself clearly. Please do not begin a sentence or paragraph in one language and end in another. Make your choice of language a careful and appropriate decision.

Try to personalize the notebook so that it is useful and meaningful to you and so that it supports your study of Spanish this semester.

Option #2
Project Notebook

Description
You may choose to complete a Project Notebook in which you explore a particular theme. It will have the same sections as the Inquiry Notebook described above (Mi diccionario, Encuentros, Investigaciones, Reflexiones) and must meet the same requirements, but there will be some differences in the entries.

You will need to consult with the professor in order to identify a theme and agree upon how the requirements of the notebook will differ from the guidelines described above. Proposals must be submitted by the end of the second week of class.

Below is the Grading Rubric for the notebook assignment. Points are added to or substracted from the final course average.

Grade Points Description

A +2 The notebook meets 100% or nearly 100% of the requirements. There may be more than the required number of entries and/or the entries may include notable detail and/or depth. Originality is demonstrated in the choice and/or the treatment of topics. There is evidence of probing, that is to say searching for information, finding it and using it. The notebook is well organized and entries are easy to read and understand. The notebook is turned in on time and includes the proper number and type of entries each time it is submitted. After the first submission, response to instructor feedback is included.

B +1 The notebook meets approximately 80-90% of the requirements. Some of the entries may lack detail and/or depth. There may be some minor errors or inaccuracies. Some originality may be demonstrated and there may be some evidence of probing, but neither is extensive. The notebook is well organized and easy to read and understand. The notebook is turned in on time and includes at least 80% of the required entries each time it is submitted. After the first submission, some response to instructor feedback is included.

C +0 The notebook meets approximately 70% of the requirements. There may be fewer than the required number of entries, entries may lack detail and/or depth and there may be errors or inaccuracies. Little or no originality is demonstrated and there is little or no probing. The notebook may lack clear organization and/or be difficult to read. It may be turned in late. After the first submission, there may be insufficient response to instructor feedback.

D -1 The notebook meets less than 70% of the requirements. There may be a lack of detail and depth and there may be errors and inaccuracies. There is little or no evidence of originality or of probing. The notebook may lack organization and/or may be difficult to read. It may be turned in late. After the first submission, there may be insufficient response or no response to instructor feedback.

F -2 The notebook assignment is not done.

Grade	Points	Description
A	+2	The notebook meets 100% or nearly 100% of the requirements. There may be more than the required number of entries and/or the entries may include notable detail and/or depth. Originality is demonstrated in the choice and/or the treatment of topics. There is evidence of probing, that is to say searching for information, finding it and using it. The notebook is well organized and entries are easy to read and understand. The notebook is turned in on time and includes the proper number and type of entries each time it is submitted. After the first submission, response to instructor feedback is included.
B	+1	The notebook meets approximately 80-90% of the requirements. Some of the entries may lack detail and/or depth. There may be some minor errors or inaccuracies. Some originality may be demonstrated and there may be some evidence of probing, but neither is extensive. The notebook is well organized and easy to read and understand. The notebook is turned in on time and includes at least 80% of the required entries each time it is submitted. After the first submission, some response to instructor feedback is included.
C	+0	The notebook meets approximately 70% of the requirements. There may be fewer than the required number of entries, entries may lack detail and/or depth and there may be errors or inaccuracies. Little or no originality is demonstrated and there is little or no probing. The notebook may lack clear organization and/or be difficult to read. It may be turned in late. After the first submission, there may be insufficient response to instructor feedback.
D	-1	The notebook meets less than 70% of the requirements. There may be a lack of detail and depth and there may be errors and inaccuracies. There is little or no evidence of originality or of probing. The notebook may lack organization and/or may be difficult to read. It may be turned in late. After the first submission, there may be insufficient response or no response to instructor feedback.
F	-2	The notebook assignment is not done.