SYLLABUS

Portuguese 213 Sec. 1

Fall 2005

Bemvindos ao curso de Português I!  Portuguese 213 is the first of a two-semester course sequence (213/214) which fulfills the second language requirement.

Required Texts and Materials

ü       Brasil! Língua e Cultura, 3rd edition  Tom Lathrop and Eduardo M. Dias

Textbook and Writing and Language Laboratory Manual

CD ROM available for duplication in Language Laboratory, Rm. 170A BD, or at www.LinguaTextLtd.com

ü       A bilingual dictionary is also required (Portuguese-English or Portuguese-Spanish).

ü       Additional sources of information: short readings, Brazilian films, music tapes and CD’s, computer software, Internet sites, and guest speakers.

Course Objectives

Portuguese I gives students many opportunities to acquire communicative skills in Portuguese.  You will practice understanding, speaking, reading and writing Portuguese during class meetings.  In addition, we will share information on Brazilian cultural topics during the semester.

What you will be able to do in Portuguese by the end of the semester (samples)

• Discuss the courses you are taking.
• Have a brief conversation with fellow airline passenger.
• Invite a friend to a party.
• Order a meal in a Brazilian restaurant.
• Write an email to a Brazilian friend.
• Discuss an aspect of Brazilian culture.
• Argue that you need less homework.
• Decide where to travel in Brazil.
• Talk about your trip to Brazil.
• Describe how you spend your weekends.

Course Components (all activities conducted in the Portuguese language)

•  Midterm and Final Examinations (each 50% oral; 50% written)

•  Written assignments from Writing and Language Laboratory Manual (see attachment

    for descriptions and due dates)

• Oral presentation on cultural topic from Portuguese-speaking world

NOTE:  Grading rubrics for both oral and written work will be distributed.

Attendance and Tardies   Because language learning is a cumulative process, and because student absences and tardies affect the class climate, attendance and promptness will be a component of the final grade.  Excused absences will be accepted for the following circumstances only:  (1) a written doctor’s excuse (2) an authorized NMSU activity (see Make-up Work below).  Unexcused absences will become part of the final course grade as follows:

0-6 absences - No grade penalty.

7-14 absences - One letter grade will be deducted from the final grade.

15 absences - Failing course grade regardless of other grades earned.

Tardies will be recorded for students arriving after role is taken. Absences will be changed to tardies if student informs instructor immediately after class in question.  Two tardies equal one absence.

Make-up work: Exams can only be made up upon presentation of documentation of a medical emergency or an authorized NMSU activity.  For the latter, the sponsor of the activity will give written notification of the absence before the event.   The work must then be submitted prior to the scheduled absence. Arrangements for making up an exam are the student’s responsibility. 

All assignments are due at the beginning of the class meeting on the date specified on the calendar. Late assignments will be accepted only at the beginning of the next class meeting past the due date, and ten points will be deducted from the grade.

Academic Regulations: All work presented in this course must be solely the product of the individual student.  Copying, cheating or handing in identical work on any assignment will be considered academic misconduct and will result in appropriate administrative action.  In addition, the student is expected to be familiar with all NMSU regulations as published in the Undergraduate Catalog as well as in the Student Code of Conduct section of the Student Handbook. Students wishing to drop this course must take individual responsibility for doing so by the date specified in the NMSU calendar.

Students with Disabilities: If you have or believe you have a disability, you may wish to self-identify.  You can do so by providing documentation to the Office of Disabled Student Programs located at Corbett Center (Ph:  646-6840).  Appropriate accommodations may then be provided for you.  Also, if you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with the instructor and/or the director of the Disabled Students Programs.  If you have general questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), call the ADA Coordinator at 646-3635.

Important Dates

CALENDAR