First-year Spanish I

Course Number:

SPA 101Z

Transcript Title:

First-year Spanish I

Created:

Aug 16, 2022

Updated:

Apr 30, 2026

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

44

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

0

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

No

Satisfies General Education requirement:

Yes

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major

1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)

Major

2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)

Not Addressed

3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)

Major

4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)

Not Addressed

5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Identify cultural practices and traditions in Spanish-speaking communities. (Intercultural Competence)

• Learn about cultural practices and traditions around:
  • Weddings, funerals, birth and coming of age rituals
  • Holidays
  • Foods and food preparation
  • Music, art and literature
  • Basic cultural and linguistic differences in the Spanish-speaking world.

Outcome #2: Communicate on familiar topics through short, simple spoken and written exchanges. (Interpersonal Communication - Speaking & Writing)

• Cover all or most of the following:
  • Culturally appropriate greetings, introductions and leave takings
  • Age and nationality
  • Time and weather
  • Names of people and objects
• Integrate grammar items, e.g.,
  • Regular and some irregular verbs in present, immediate future and recent progressive
  • Numbers
  • Definite and indefinite articles
  • Descriptive, possessive and demonstrative adjectives
  • Lists and simple sentences
• Reading strategies including:
  • Pronunciation of vowels and consonants
  • Meaning of accent marks and tildes
  • Capitalization
  • Recognizing familiar (Latin) cognates

Outcome #3: Provide basic information about self, family, and friends using simple and formulaic expressions. (Presentational Speaking & Writing)

• Cover all or most of the following:
  • Personal interests and activities
  • Family members: physical, personality, interests
  • Pets and favorite activities
  • Hispanic last names
  • Classes and studies and professions
  • Description of self and others: physical, personality, attributes
  • Daily activities
• Integrate all or most of the following grammar items:
  • Gender and noun/adjective agreement
  • Describing states of being
  • Using cognates to decipher simple texts

Outcome #4: Interpret familiar words and phrases in supported listening and reading contexts. (Interpretive Reading & Listening)

• Short stories, dialogues, and listening materials on the above topics

Suggested Texts and Materials

Strongly recommend OER materials

• Hola a Todos: Elementary Spanish I by Tom Lackoff
• Spanish Wikibooks
• Beginning Spanish ¡Empecemos por aquí! By Jenny Ceciliano