This is an introductory course in Spanish applied linguistics, with a special emphasis on the theoretical and practical aspects of learning Spanish as a foreign language. Students will acquire fundamental concepts in Spanish linguistics and grammar to be able to understand them within the context of second language acquisition, learning and teaching.
The specific goals are to help the student recognize, analyze, and use aspects of the following:
- Spanish phonological, morphological, semantic and discourse systems,
- contrasts between Spanish and English and how they impact English speakers’ language acquisition,
- influence of pragmatic considerations in authentic discourse.
Students are expected to develop critical abilities, read scientific articles, and resolve original applied linguistic problems in a final research project showing methodical reflection and careful application of the theoretical concepts learned in the course.
Koike, Dale, & Carol Klee, 2012. Lingüística aplicada, (2nd edition). John Wiley.
Assignments:
Research project 30%
Written assignments (5) 25%
Exams (3) 30%
Participation 15%
Grading Scale:
A: 90+ B: 80-89.9 C: 70-79.9 D: 60-69.9 F: 0-59.9
Note: if you are taking this class Pass/ Fail, you must earn a grade of 60 or above (D) to get a Pass grade.
Course content, assignments, and discussions will be delivered and/or submitted via Canvas in an asynchronous mode. Therefore, there is no in-person attendance policy for this course. However, your participation and active engagement in class discussions will be crucial parts of the learning process. Students will be expected to check Canvas on a daily basis, prepare the assigned readings and actively participate in discussion boards. Participation grades will be based both on the quantity of engagement (measured by Canvas timestamps) and the quality of contributions and insights (measured by the following criteria: offering a different and unique, but relevant, perspective; contributing to moving the discussions forward; and building on other students’ comments.)
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
For class discussions and research projects you will be asked to collaborate with other classmates. You are also encouraged to form online study groups in order to help yourself and others understand the course materials. However, any other assignment that forms the basis of your final grade must be your own original work. This includes all exams and homework.
GT aims to cultivate a community based on trust, academic integrity, and honor. Students are expected to act according to the highest ethical standards and follow Georgia Tech's Honor Code.
Any student suspected of cheating or plagiarizing will be reported to the Office of Student Integrity, who will investigate the incident and identify the appropriate penalty for violations.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools
You may use generative AI programs (e.g. ChatGPT) to help generate ideas and brainstorm. You should be aware that the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, incomplete, biased or otherwise problematic. Additionally, use of these tools may stifle your own independent thinking and creativity in Spanish.
Generative AI derives its output from previously created texts from other sources that the models were trained on yet doesn't cite sources. Per Georgia Tech's Honor Code, you may not submit any work generated by an AI program as your own. If you include material generated by an AI program, it should be cited like any other reference material (with due consideration for the quality of the reference, which may be poor). When/if you use AI platforms in your assignments, please write a note to clarify where in your process you used AI, include the prompt used to generate the material, and which platform(s) you used. AI tools during an exam are never permitted.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area. Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence