Welcome to Spanish I (201) Live Online

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Spanish 201 (Introduction to Spanish) CRN 5002 – June 15-July 23, 2020 – 8:00-11:20

Instructor: Professor Tony Rector-Cavagnaro

Email: trector@cuesta.edu (Monday through Thursday)

Note: I host no office hours during summer session. Since this is a live (real time) class, you will be able to ask questions directly during and after each class session.

Important Information & Requirements

¡Bienvenidos a Español Uno! / I welcome you all to Spanish One!

This intensive introductory Spanish course will be live online (“synchronous cyber-instruction”) Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 11:20, beginning on Monday, June 15th and ending on July 23rd (final exam day).

Attendance is necessary to receive participation points. Please read the syllabus.

For success in this course, you must have access to a computer with an incorporated camera (or an external HD computer camera) and a reliable high-speed internet connection. Headphones or earbuds are optional, though they make listening less distracting. A tablet device, such as an iPad should work well, too, but do not “attend” class on your smartphone.

Canvas is our learning management system (LMS). To access Canvas, please go to www.Cuesta.eduLinks to an external site. and click on the Canvas tab, usually at the top of the page. Our meetings will be in www.ConferZoom.orgLinks to an external site. and I will include the Meeting ID in Canvas Announcements. All of the important classroom documents will be found under Canvas Files.

Your first assignment is to read the syllabus and all other course-related information (files A-E) in the Información General folder (in Canvas).

Nos vemos en clase… / I will see you on Zoom on Monday, June 15th at 8:00 sharp!

Please “arrive” a few minutes early, so our online class does not get interrupted with late entrants.

Professor Rector

Course Environment:

You must attend the virtual class sessions since this online course will be taught live online (synchronous instruction) using (1) a videoconferencing platform Zoom and (2) a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including content files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. 

Class opens / Accessing Canvas:

Prior to the Monday classes start [June 15] you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures used to deliver course content. You can access Canvas by logging into www.MyCuestaLinks to an external site.. To attend class, Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 to 11:20, look in Canvas Announcements for the Meeting ID you will need in www.ConferZoom.orgLinks to an external site. .

If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.  If you have difficulty logging into Canvas and need assistance please email technical support at this email address: support@instructure.com  

Live Online Learning (Synchronous Instruction): 

Unlike a standard distance education course, this course will be taught live, temporarily replacing face-to-face (in-person) instruction during the COVID-19 Pandemic crisis.

Online Textbook: DO NOT BUY THE BOOK!

The digital textbook, Tu mundo, español sin fronteras, 2nd edition, will be made available here, in Canvas.

The online platform for our book is called McGraw-Hill Connect.

You may not share the book (it is issued per student) and a used book will not work for this course.

Your Cuesta College student account will be billed $58.61 (not $200) for access to the complete language program that includes the textbook.

Important Note:

(1) You must have a computer with audio and video (a camera) with a high-speed internet connection to participate and succeed in this course.

(2)  Daily attendance (Monday through Thursday in the summer) is a class participation requirement (10% of your final grade).

 

Course Description

My teaching strategies involve Communication Based Instruction. This is an interactive course with a primary emphasis on listening-comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, communicative concepts, and oral interaction.  Other aspects covered include cultural information, fundamentals of formal grammar, limited reading, and brief paragraph writing.

You are responsible for the information contained in chapters (capítulos) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the textbook, as well as any information supplemented by your instructor, such as additional vocabulary and communicative concepts. Each chapter is topic-based.  Before using the textbook and the lab/workbook, carefully read their introductions/ instructions; this will immensely facilitate their use, and you will save time and avoid problems.  I will post relevant class documents online, in Canvas (you must log in to www.Cuesta.edu first). Look under Files; if you see a triangle click on it to find the files.

[For the official course description and course outline of record please go to CurricUNETLinks to an external site.:]

Technical Support

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to  support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.

 

Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome.  

 

Accommodations:

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services)Links to an external site. at 805-546-3148.

College & Course Policies:

Academic Honesty Policy: [Identify your course specific academic honesty policy]. In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conductLinks to an external site..

 

Brief Instructor Educational Background

  • Native speaker of Spanish originally from South America.
  • Full Language Fluency: Latin American Spanish, North American English, Eastern Catalan.
  • Partial Language Fluency: Carioca Portuguese, Continental French, Basic Italian
  • Other Language Interests: Russian, Japanese
  • Lived in: Cali, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Manhattan, New York City; Anaheim, California ; Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain); Irvine, California; Atascadero, San Luis Obispo County, California (my adopted Hometown and Nation-State)
  • Tertiary Education: University of California, Irvine (undergraduate and postgraduate degrees / Zot! Go Anteaters!); Universitat de Barcelona (Central Campus, senior year)
  • Academic Interests: Second Language Acquisition and Instruction, Deconstruction Critical Theory, Spanish and Latin American Literature
  • Personal Interests: Nature and The Environment, Cultural Travel, International Cuisine, Catalan Language and Culture, Brazilian Portuguese, French Culture and France, World Politics, Atheist Philosophy
  • Taught at: New Lingua Language Academy, Barcelona; UC Irvine (8 years); Orange County Dept. of Education; Orange Coast College; Mount San Antonio College; California State University, Long Beach (2.5 years); California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (since 1998, on and off); Cuesta College (1989-present; tenured since 1991)

New to Online Instruction (Spring 2020 Emergency Teaching)

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