PORTUGUESE 1A and 1B Course Description This is a beginning course in the Portuguese language with the primary emphasis on the development of audio-lingual skills. Attention will also be given to the interrelatedness of language and civilization and culture. Additional attention will be given to the development of reading and writing. Not recommended to students with any previous study of Portuguese. Objectives (1) To develop the ability to speak, comprehend, read, and write in Portuguese. (2) The acquisition of the most basic fundamental structures, vocabulary,
and (3) To learn the various aspects of the Portuguese and Brazilian Cultures and therefore, place the language learning in a meaningful context. Course Materials Tolman, J. & Paiva, R. (1988) Travessia, vol1 and vol2. Georgetown University Press (textbook, workbook, audiocassettes) Nitti, J. & Ferreira, M.J. (1995) 501 Portuguese Verbs. New York: Barron’s (recommended) Dictionary Portuguese/English Learning Activities and Methods of Instruction The class will be mostly conducted in Portuguese. There will be daily interaction in Portuguese through conversation, questions, games, poetry, music, exercises, dialogues, etc. The basic goal of this course is to develop the ability to communicate in Portuguese. The practice of grammar, while beneficial to increase communication ability, is not an end in itself. The grammar will be placed in context of meaningful communication. The methodology consists of: Attention: This course will be done partly through WebCT,
which is password protected. It is crucial that all the students have
their Saclink account. - Prerequisite: None for Portuguese 1A and Portuguese 1A or instructor’s permission for Portuguese 1B. - Homework: Expect daily homework assignments from the text and/or workbook, online, WebCT, and handouts. - Late homework: No late homework will be accepted. - Language Lab: You are requested to listen to the tapes and do the exercises. There is no need to go to the lab, as long as you fulfill your commitment to the lab work. If you want a duplicate of the tapes, bring a blank cassette tape to the lab and they will copy it for you. Bring the workbook to every exam for grading. - Exams: There will be one exam at the end of every unit and one final exam. No make-ups will be allowed for exams, including the final exam. The exams are comprised of a composition, grammar structures, oral comprehension, reading, and cultural awareness. There will be one oral exam in which the students will demonstrate their ability to speak Portuguese. - Quizzes: These will be given randomly during the semester. No make-ups will be allowed for quizzes. - Preparation: It is of the utmost importance that you study ahead of time and come to class prepared, se we may concentrate in communicating em português! - Cultural Events: You are required to attend at least one Brazilian or Portuguese cultural event during the semester. This maybe a movie, a play, a dinner, a concert or a celebration (Carnaval, Dia da Independência, Festas, etc.) the purpose of this is to give you some exposure to the culture and to give you the opportunity to hear Portuguese in natural contexts. When you attend an event, you will write a one-page report about it. You are also required to participate in the LUBRASA meetings and cultural events. This will be part of your participation grade. Online Exercises: You must complete your exercises on the WebCT for the due date. You need to receive at least 70% to pass each Module. You may repeat your work as much as you want to improve your score as long as the exercises are available online. If you have any questions, contact me through WebCT Private Mail. - Cultural Report: The class will be divided into groups of not more than three (3) students each. You will write a report on some cultural aspect of the Brazilian or Portuguese culture, such as entertainment, soccer, food, leisure, music, films, newspapers, literature, carnaval, etc. and will present to the class. See attached information. Your grade for your cultural report will be averaged into your participation in class. - Evaluations: If you have any complaints or grievances regarding your evaluation, please, speak with me (in my office) so that we may work them out. Do not wait until the end of the semester for you may not have another opportunity to make up for your grades. - Files: Please, make an extra copy of all your work and put them in a file folder. This is your evidence if you are of the opinion that you have not been evaluated properly and in case for which a grade has not been properly assigned. I will keep the exams and quizzes in a file. - Early Exit: Please, plan to stay the entire period, unless you notify me ahead of time of your need to leave the before the class ends. You may be given an absence if you leave the class without notification. - Attendance: Since language acquisition involves communication practice, daily attendance and preparation mandatory and will be averaged into the final grade. Excessive number of absences will not only affect the quality of language acquisition but will also affect your final grade. Absences affect your grades as follows: 0-3: keep your grade; every unexcused absence after that will reduce your grade in 1/3. A student with 12 or more absences will receive an automatic F in the class. Only emergencies will be considered excused absences. Please, inform me ahead of the class of your emergency. If you are unable to prepare for and attend classes regularly, please, consider whether you will be able to take this class at all. - Participation: Your participation will be divided into two parts: exercises and oral participation in answering questions and speaking and your effort and quality of speaking in class as well as your oral presentation. The participation will count as 20% of your grade. - Tardiness: Tardiness disrupts the class; therefore, it will be considered an absence. Please, do not come in if you are late. - Food and Drink: You may bring your water only into class. For obvious reasons, food and gums are not allowed in class. You may be given an absence if you are chewing gum. - Attire: wear appropriate attire for class. No hats in the classroom, please. - Cell Phones/Pagers: Please, turn these items off before entering the classroom unless there is a pending emergency that may need your attention. Notify me about it ahead of time. - Non-completion of the course: If you feel you are not able to fulfill the requirements for Portuguese 1A, you must sign an agreement with your instructor. A “U” grade will be given if you fail to complete course requirements, stop attending classes, or do not qualify to arrange an “I” grade before the end of the 10th week of the semester. Remember that you need to have a passing grade to be eligible for the Incomplete. - Class Conduct: Good manners and respect for your instructor, classmates, and any visitors are expected at all times. No parallel talking or any negative or disruptive behavior will be tolerated in class. You will be asked to leave the class if you cannot behave properly. You may also be given an absence for that. - Grades: - Grade System: Percentage CULTURAL REPORTS
(2) Group assignment: (3) Presentations: (4) Time: (5) Schedule: The dates for the presentations are: (6) Written Report: Here are some points that should be observed while working online. It is crucial that you have a Saclink account, and of course an operable computer (WIN98 or XP). Those with a slow access to the internet should consider using the computers in the labs. There are many labs around campus. Ask for schedule. 1. Always communicate with me through the WebCT. It is safer, for it is password protected. Please, remember to quote your messages, so I know what we are talking about. Do not use the address: zz_moratto, for it is my student mode and I very rarely go there. My name is at the top of the class list. 2. If you have problems opening your attachments, contact me right away. 3. Relate to me immediately any problems you have with online exercises. 4. You may use the Discussion board to communicate with the whole class. I strongly encourage you to do so, for several minds think much better than just one. You may also contact classmates privately in the WebCT’s Private Mail. 5. Remember you online etiquette! Be careful about what you say in writing for it becomes registered forever! ? 6. Make sure to make a printout of all the exercises the answers with which you disagree, and then, discuss them with me. 7. All the Modules will be open to you at the beginning of the course. Every Monday at 7am, the Module corresponding to that week will become unavailable to you. It is crucial that you do each module for that same week by the due date. 8. I would recommend you start all your online homework on the day they are asssigned to you, so you have enough time to make any corrections if you need. 9. Do NOT wait until the due date to do your homework for machines should never be trusted; they may dump you at any time ?. Better to be safe than sorry. 10. It is a good idea to always make a backup of your exercises, especially the ones about which you are not sure. You may also prefer to make a hardcopy of the exercises. To do this, you must check your grades at the end of each Module, or the system will not allow you a printout. 11. You may go back to your exercises as often as you wish while they are available to you. In this way, you can increase your score at will. 12. You need to have 70% in each module to pass this class, in addition to offline work, quizzes, exams, etc. 13. I am always available during my office hours (or by appointment) to discuss any problems you may be having in the class. Please, come speak with me.
For XP - Go to the control panel and open the Regional
and Language icon. For WIN98 – Go to Control Panel and open Keyboard.
updated 9/4/03 mm |