Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies
University of Florida
POR 3010: Introduction to Portuguese and Brazil
Spring 2015
Spanish & Portuguese Studies Department: http://www.spanishandportuguese.ufl.edu/Instructor: Patricia Infantino / Section: / 2735 / 0668
Office: Yon 431 / Location: / TUR 1105 / TUR 1105
Office hours: MWF: 2PM-3PM / Time: / MWF: 10:40-11:30 / MWF: 11:45-12:35
Email: / MPL course code: / CRSKLZG-6043367
Many classes in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies are taught in hybrid format. Hybrid courses are defined as classes in which instruction takes place in a traditional classroom setting augmented by computer-based or online activities that can replace classroom seat time. These types of courses are common in higher education in the United States, and even in language classes. While we maintain that human interaction is absolutely essential in learning and using a language, we also believe that advances in technologies have enabled us to reach a point where students can accomplish a great deal working on their own, reserving class time for true communication and interactive learning. These classes are 5 credit courses but meet only three days a week, with supplemental instructional activities to be done at home to constitute the other two credits. Although the course requires reduced face-to-face class time, your success and learning require substantial commitment and study both in and out of class. The level of proficiency you attain will depend largely on what you put in to your learning. This course requires self-discipline and time. Please be sure to read the “Methodology and Activities” section of this document for tips on succeeding in a hybrid learning format.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
· Ponto de Encontro: 2 nd edition (light blue cover) package. This package is unique and includes everything you need for the course. It is available ONLY at select local bookstores: UF Bookstore (Reitz), Florida Bookstore, and Gator Textbooks. No used copies are available, and a 1st edition copy will NOT be acceptable. If you attempt to purchase a physical book or e-book from an online vendor, you will NOT have the correct package or code with access to MPL.
o Ponto de Encontro: Myportugueselab (MPL), online student activity manual (SAM) (part of package offered at select local bookstores, as mentioned above)
· A printed copy of this syllabus, available on Sakai.
· A reliable computer, either a PCrunningWindows 2000 or later, or a MacrunningOS X or later. Check MyPortugueseLab tune-up for browser specifications.
· A sound card and speakers or headphones.
· A hi-speed modem (Cable or DSL strongly recommended to download audio and video without delays).
· A dependable Internet Service Provider (ISP).
· A working e-mail address that you check regularly and keep under quota.
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
· A good quality Portuguese-English Dictionary, such as The Oxford Portuguese Dictionary or Harper Collins Concise Portuguese Dictionary
· A good quality computer microphone (external is preferable to built-in to avoid the background noise).
PREREQUISITES
· Native speaker, with schooling in Spanish: experience and/or formal training at the intermediate-high (3000) level in Spanish, French or Italian and no previous knowledge of Portuguese.
· POR 1130 passed with an A or A-.
· If you have had previous training or are a native speaker of Portuguese you must be evaluated by Dr. Antonio Gil.
GOALS
The primary goal of the Beginning Portuguese courses is to offer students an introduction to basic communicative skills in Portuguese while developing an awareness and appreciation of Brazilian cultures. The courses take their goals from the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century, also known as the 5 Cs, which focus on five general areas:
· Communicating in Portuguese
• Gaining knowledge and understanding of cultures of the Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) world, with an emphasis on Brazil
· Connecting with other disciplines and acquiring new information
· Developing awareness of similarities and differences (comparisons) among language and culture systems around the world
· Using Portuguese to participate in communities at home and around the world
METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES
This course stresses communication skills in Portuguese. Every effort will be made to make this class student-centered. To help students succeed in this course, the class will engage in a variety of activities and assignments, including but not limited to activities such as the following:
· Practice and communication using vocabulary and grammar learned in oral and written modes
· Sociolinguistic practice and functions through communicative activities (pair and group work)
· Reading activities and exercises, such as pre- and post-reading, intensive and extensive reading
· Writing activities ranging from short paragraphs to developed compositions
· Integration of skills in projects and tasks, in small groups or as a class
· Video/audio/computer exercises, presentations, and discussions
A note about “hybrid” classes
The keys to success in this class are generally the same as those in any other class. However, given the nature of hybrid classes, in which you will meet less frequently (MWF only) and will be responsible for covering a good deal of material on your own, there are some things that you should keep in mind this semester.
· Perform the MyPortugueseLab browser tune-up immediately, and any time you start to experience problems. Any other technological problems with MyPortugueseLab should be handled by contacting their tech support at the first sign of trouble. The ‘chat’ feature is the fastest way to get help. (http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com).
· Be very careful in managing your time. Set aside specific times each week to complete class activities. It is your responsibility to cover all the required material before class, and if you do not it is likely that you will not get as much out of the class meeting as you should.
· Expect electronic glitches, power outages, or the like, and plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your work. The deadline for all work to be submitted in MPL is noted in the MPL calendar and there are no exceptions. Any technological problems that cause you to miss a deadline must be documented through tech support with an official case number before your instructor can consider accepting your work late.
· Some of the MyPortugueseLab activities you will be assigned will not have any task to complete, but simply require you to go through a tutorial or practice on your own. While it may be impossible for your instructor to grade you on completing these tasks, it is in your best interest to complete them just as thoroughly and carefully as you would complete any other graded activity. These types of practice are just as important as any other activity.
· It is especially important to be consistently prepared for and actively involved in all class meetings, since there are fewer of these than in traditional classes.
· Class time will be spent primarily on communicative activities, pair work, etc. However, your instructor will always make sure there are no vocabulary or grammar questions from the homework before moving on, so as you do your exercises be sure to take note of any confusion or questions you have so you can bring them to class.
· Don’t be shy! The more willing to share, talk and interact with your instructor and your classmates you are, the more you will get out of your class time. And don’t worry, everyone feels the same way, even if they don’t show it!
ASSESSMENT
The assessment categories below will be measured according to three major criteria of language performance: accuracy, fluency, and complexity. Testing procedures will be representative of the type of language instruction offered through classroom and web-based practice. You will be evaluated based on your achievement of the course goals (above) and the following criteria:
· Student Preparation and Participation 10%
· Online quizzes (10) 25%
· MyPortugueseLab SAM Homework 15%
· Compositions (2) 10%
· Oral exams (2) 10%
· Class presentation 5%
· Short readings (5) 5%
· Final exam 20%
100%
COMPONENTS
Attendance policy
You must be exposed to Portuguese and use Portuguese in order to learn Portuguese, i.e., you must be in class. For that reason, attendance is required and will be taken on a daily basis. THREE (3) ABSENCES will be allowed for any reason. Do not bring written excuses to your instructor. After the THIRD absence, one point will be deducted from the final grade for each additional absence. If you are absent the day of a test, quiz, oral exam or composition, you will receive a 0 on that assignment. There are no make-ups and no exceptions. Three late arrivals and/or early departures will count as one absence. Assignments are due on the day indicated, regardless of whether or not you are in class that day. If you miss class, arrange for your assignment to get to your instructor’s box before your scheduled class time. There are no make-ups and no late work will be accepted. Make sure to get the name and phone number of a classmate, as you are responsible for finding out about any changes in the syllabus or any additional assignments announced in your absence.
Student Preparation and Participation
Maximizing your language learning involves a lot of preparation outside of class as well as active participation in class. Your grade in this category involves a number of variables, including but not limited to:
· Evidence of your daily preparation for each class.
· Your use of Portuguese in the classroom
· Your willingness to participate actively in all class activities
· Your cooperation during group and pair work
· Your respect and attitude toward the class and your support for the learning process of your peers
· Your instructor may assign written homework that will be collected and graded; these assignments form part of your participation grade.
· Your instructor reserves the right to administer pop quizzes on grammar, vocabulary etc. in order to assess students’ preparation. These grades also form part of your participation grade.
· The use of cell phones, pagers, iPods or mp3 players and all other electronic equipment during class is prohibited unless otherwise indicated by your instructor. All equipment must be turned off in the classroom.Any evidence of cell phones (use, ringing, buzzing, etc.) and similar equipment use will result in an automatic zero in participation for that day. Using a cell phone during a composition or test will result in a zero on that assignment.
Student preparation and participation grades will be posted and updated on MPL approximately every two weeks, for a total of 6-8 grades throughout the semester, depending on holidays and breaks.
Online quizzes
In order to periodically assess your learning of the material, there will be an online quiz at the end of 11 of the 14 chapters, administered through MyPortugueseLab. You will take a total of 11 quizzes and the lowest grade will be automatically dropped. These quizzes will be scheduled to be completed within a certain time period following the completion of each chapter’s material in class (see Calendar below for details). While you will be allowed to use your class notes to help you complete the quizzes, you will not be able to access and online materials or your e-book. The quizzes are timed (50 minutes) so that it is in your best interest to work on your own. The quizzes are designed to be able to be completed successfully if you have been diligent about doing your MyPortugueseLab activities and attending and participating in class, and well-prepared students will not need to use valuable time consulting additional resources. The quizzes will appear on the calendar when they are available and you will receive notification. If there are instructor-graded activities on the quiz, your instructor will be notified and when s/he has graded that section your grade on the quiz will appear in the Gradebook. Practice tests are available in each chapter: Course MaterialsàChapteràAdditional PracticeàPractice test with study plan.
MyPortugueseLab Activities and Homework
You will be assigned a variety of homework assignments from the MyPortugueseLab site, consisting of tutorials, grammar exercises, listening and writing practice, etc. You are responsible for completing all the assigned activities. The online exercises that are assigned will appear in the MyPortugueseLab calendar on the dates assigned. Most of these exercises are computer-graded and you will receive immediate feedback regarding your answers. Note that it is in your best interest to study the material in the book and view the assigned tutorials before you do the assigned exercises. You have a maximum of three attempts on the activities, and the highest grade of the three will be your final grade for each activity. If there are incorrect answers on your first submission a small blue bubble will appear beside the answer. Click on it for a hint, review the material again, and then click on “try again” to make the correction. If your second attempt is also incorrect a “need help?” button will appear in the upper right-hand corner of that window. Click on it to review the material you got wrong, and then click on the “try again” button to make the correction. If your answer is still incorrect after three tries, the correct answer will appear when you click on the small blue bubble next to the incorrect answer, but you will no longer be able to submit an additional attempt at that point. The resulting grades of all activities assigned for each chapter will be averaged, and that score is what will be calculated as your MSL homework grade.
· The program is set to allow you three attempts to answer the questions correctly. Remember: opening and closing an activity without submitting is considered an attempt.
· The program allows you to “save for later.” Remember: saving for later counts as an attempt.
· The highest grade of all three attempts will be your grade for each activity, so only a correct answer on the first try will receive full credit. Make that one count!
· The “need help?” button will be displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the screen after the first attempt if you submitted incorrect answers. Click on it to review the material before submitting your second try.