This course aims to extend the students' ability to communicate clearly and effectively both in spoken and written Spanish. A variety of literary, non-literary texts and audiovisual material will be used to further develop the students' communicative competence and give them an understanding of different cultural issues in Spanish-speaking societies. A wide variety of topics contained in contemporary comics and graphic novels from different Spanish-speaking countries will be explored.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1.  function independently, effectively and creatively in unpredictable situations of a Spanish-speaking environment.
2. communicate successfully at an intermediate level that will enable them to function effectively and confidently in Spanish.
3. respond appropriately in Spanish in unpredictable situations.
4. understand and use most Spanish grammatical structures when expressing themselves in oral and written form, including professional and culturally sensitive settings.
5. demonstrate a great range of language sufficient to describe unpredictable situations, and express thoughts on topics arising in the cultural sources covered in class

Research-Led Teaching

The modules of this course have been created using pedagogical and second language acquisition research, both conducted by the convenor and by other researchers. The approach taken in the gramática module is based on research on how to transition from class-based learning to autonomous learning. The approach taken in the Historieta module is based on second language acquisition research on reading and the integration of cultural topics in the language classroom. The convenor has fist-hand experience in performance-led research in the dramatic arts. He has published two theatre books, and has received an international award for one of his plays. He also was a student of the creator of the Scenarios method of teaching language in the USA, which combines Sociolinguistic research and spontaneous interaction in the classroom (Robert Di Pietro, author of Strategic Interactions).

Required Resources

Actividades Escritas de Gramática (weekly gramar excercises to prepare and selfcorrect before each grammar class).

Lecturas 1. Recursos Teóricos de Gramática (Essential readings before each gramar class).

Lecturas 2. Recursos Teóricos Adicionales de Gramática (Additional readings on the gramar topics, useful to prepare for the Term Test and the Exam).

Historietas – Actividades de clase – Semanas 1 a 6 (Comics to be used in class in weeks 1-6, and to prepare for the Term Test)

Other materials available in the Wattle site, including handouts and minitests

Staff Feedback

It is anticipated marks and feedback on work submitted and tests will be available within two weeks of submission, unless circumstances beyond the lectures’ control prevent this. Marks for oral presentations will normally be given to students individually in class one week after the presentations.

Gramática: Students will be given regular exercises to prepare and self-correct outside of class. These will be placed on the Wattle site, along with the answers for students to correct their work (Answers for the Actividades Escritas de Gramática brick can be found at the end of the resource). Students will also do regular grammar mini-tests; the answers will be provided in class, and this is a key moment to ask for feedback from the instructor. Half an hour per week is allocated in the grammar module for this individualised feedback. Before each test, students will complete a larger mini-test and a class will be devoted to provide feedback on the grammatical topics covered.

Historietas: Detailed feedback on all aspects of this module will be provided throughout the semester. In the first three weeks, the teacher will model the analysis of the comics and students will progressively do the analyses by themselves. Before the collective oral presentation, the 7 groups will be able to consult both language and cultural issues reflected in the graphic novels with the teacher during classtime.

Escenarios: During the debriefing part of the scenarios, students are strongly encouraged to seek feedback on the use of language, appropriate grammar and vocabulary to be used in the social context of the scenario, and anything else related to the cultural context proposed in the interaction.

The last classes of the semester are dedicated to a preparation for the Final Test in the Historietas and Grammar modules.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	A detailed week by week schedule in Spanish will be provided in the first class and will be placed in the Wattle site of the course.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Term Test (Grammar and Historieta)	20 %	03/04/2019	29/04/2019	1, 3, 4
Final Test (Grammar and Historieta)	30 %	06/06/2019	22/06/2019	1, 3, 4
Collective Oral Presentation (Historieta)	15 %	07/05/2019	14/05/2019	1, 2, 3, 4
Collective Oral Presentation (Escenarios)	20 %	10/01/2029	02/02/2029	1, 2, 3, 4
Class Performance and Participation	10 %	01/01/2029	02/02/2029	1, 2, 3, 4
Written analysis of graphic novel	5 %	21/05/2019	28/05/2019	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Class performance and participation is 10% of the total grade. The performance mark will be multiplied by an index constructed from attendance to calculate the final mark for this component of the course.

Assessment Task 1

Term Test (Grammar and Historieta)

Students are required to sit two written tests. The Term Test (one and a half hours) will take place in week 6, and the Final Exam (two and a half hours) during the official exam period. The content of the Term Test will reflect the work done in the Gramática and Historieta modules (15% and 7.5%, respectively). Students will be able to inspect the Term Test in class and return the test to the lecturer. The photocopying (or photographing with mobile devices) of the grammar section of the tests is not permitted. Students will be able to photocopy the Historietas sections of the tests if they so wish. The students should request the photocopying of the test to the course convenor. At least two weeks prior the term tests, during class and in Wattle, students will have access to a description of the term test and marking rubrics (when applicable).

Assessment Task 2

Final Test (Grammar and Historieta)

Students are required to sit two written tests. The Term Test (one and a half hours) will take place in week 6, and the Final Exam (two and a half hours) during the official exam period. The content of the Term Test will reflect the work done in the Gramática and Historieta modules (15% and 7.5%, respectively), and the content of the Final Exam the work done in Gramática and Historieta modules (Grammar 22.5%, and Historietas 10%).

All sections in the Final Exam will be anonymously marked. Tests in SPAN6507 are nonreturnable assessment items. Students will be able to inspect Final Exam up to fourth months after the completion of assessment in the course. The photocopying (or photographing with mobile devices) of the grammar section of the tests is not permitted. Students will be able to photocopy the Historietas sections of the tests if they so wish. The students should request the photocopying of the test to the course convenor. 

Assessment Task 3

Collective Oral Presentation (Historieta)

In the second part of the semester, students will make a collective oral presentation about a graphic novel that they will analyse in groups.

Assessment Task 4

Collective Oral Presentation (Escenarios)

Students will rehearse and present to the class in pairs (or groups of three people) a 7-10 minutes scenario based on a spontaneous interaction. They will also have to write a short script of the scenario based on their unscripted spontaneous interaction. As these are collective oral presentations, students will be able to evaluate their contribution and their peers’ contribution to the presentations.

Assessment Task 5

Class Performance and Participation

The descriptors for class performance are as follows:

• 9-10 Thorough preparation of weekly written exercises, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa/Calendario; excellent participation in the interactive and group exercises; excellent contribution to and participation in class discussion; full involvement in structured tutorial activities; shows sensitivity to classroom dynamics.
• 6-8 Good preparation of weekly written exercises, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa/Calendario; alert and interested in the interactive and group exercises; good contribution to and participation in class discussion, regular involvement in structured tutorial activities.
• 3-5 Some preparation of weekly written exercises, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa/Calendario; shows some interest in the interactive and group exercises; little contribution to and participation in class discussion; performance and participation are limited.
• 0-2 Rare or very little preparation of weekly written exercises, oral activities and readings specified in the Programa/Calendario for every class; shows no interest in the interactive and group exercises; no contribution to or participation in class discussion.

The performance mark will be multiplied by an index constructed from attendance to calculate the final mark for this component of the course

Assessment Task 6

Written analysis of graphic novel

Graduate students will write a written analysis of the graphic novel they presented orally in assesment task 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Tests in SPAN6507 are nonreturnable assessment items. Students will be able to inspect the Term Test in class and return the test to the lecturer. Students will be able to inspect Final Exam up to fourth months after the completion of assessment in the course. 

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students