SPAN 1411-71
Instructor Information
Instructor: Jennifer A. Colón, Ph.D.
Email: jcolon@lamarpa.edu
Phone:
Office Hours: By appointment
Additional Contact Information: I respond to emails in 1-2 business days.
Course Description
Basic Spanish language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing within a cultural framework. Students will acquire the vocabulary and grammatical structures necessary to communicate and comprehend at the beginner level.
https://lamarpa.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/academic-catalog/course-descriptions/academic-courses/span-spanish/1000/span-1411
Required Textbook & Materials
- Puntos de partida by Thalia Dorwick and Ana María Pérez-Gironés (electronic or hard copy)
- access to the companion website: McGraw Hill Connect
Textbook Purchasing Statement
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Additional Materials/Resources
This fully online course requires:
- a quiet place to work online - particularly during proctored quizzes and exams
- reliable internet
- fully functioning computer. Mobile devices such as cellular telephones, tablets, and chromebooks are not receommended because of their limited functionality. Students must have access to a windows-based or Mac-based computer with:
- camera
- microphone
- speakers
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites
N/A
Learning Outcomes
- Engage in conversations using level-appropriate grammatical structures including narrating events that take place in the present and producing questions and responses on a variety of topics dealing with everyday life.
- Demonstrate understanding of level-appropriate spoken Spanish.
- Write simple sentences and organize them into short paragraphs.
- Read and comprehend level-appropriate texts.
- Identify and discuss traditions, customs and values of the Hispanic world.
- Compare and contrast the traditions, customs and values of the Hispanic world with characteristics of their own culture.
https://lamarpa.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2026-2027/academic-catalog/course-descriptions/academic-courses/span-spanish/1000/span-1411
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
Lecture Topics Outline
Students read the following chapters (capítulos) in the McGraw Hill textbook Puntos de partida:
preliminar
1 Ante todo
2 En la universidad
3 La familia
4 De compras
5 En casa
6 Las estaciones y el tiempo
Major Assignments Schedule
Please follow the tentative course schedule below. Deadlines are also listed in Blackboard and in McGraw-Hill Connect, but this schedule is the most complete list in one location for all assignments.
Final Exam Date
Exam is available for 1 attempt between: Monday, December 7 from 12:00am-Tuesday, December 8 by 11:59pm CT.
Grading Scale
| Letter Grade | Percentage Scale |
|---|---|
| A | 90- 100 |
| B | 80- 89 |
| C | 70-79 |
| D | 60-69 |
| F | 0-59 |
Determination of Final Grade
Grading:
Instructor Policies
Proctorio:
- This proctoring software is available on the McGraw-Hill Connect website and is used for quizzes and exams to ensure academic integrity.
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance and consistent class participation are significant factors that promote student success. Regular and punctual attendance in class is required. What constitutes attendance?
- Log in to Blackboard and Connect at least THREE times (three days) per week
- Logging in less that three times (three days) per week is an absence.
- Two absences are allowed before the final grade is penalized by 1% per absence.
- Complete and submit all weekly assignments.
- SOME late work is accepted with a penalty of 10% per day until no points remain, and the grade is a 0%.
- Language Lab / Vocabulary exercises on Connect cannot be submitted late.
Additional Information
Due Dates & Late Assignments:
In the Tentative Course Schedule, there are "suggested" due dates spaced throughout the week; Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun with reading/studying days Tues, Thurs.
Assignments are "suggested" throughout the week for the purposes of attendance and overall student success. However, all assignments, EXCEPT the initial discussion post each week due Wednesday, are due by Sunday night before 11:59pm; Most assignments are accepted late with a 10% deduction per day until no points remain.
Assignments that are NOT accepted late:
- Language Laboratory or Vocabulary (on McGraw Hill Connect)
MyLSCPA
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
Facility Policies
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.