SP 383.

002 Linguistic fundamentals of Spanish Spring 2021

Profesora: Dra. Alicia Cipria Enlace a la clase: https://uasystem.zoom.us/j/92925446784

Email: [email protected]

Office hours: T and R 3:30-4:30 (just open the Zoom link for class; I’ll be connected at those times), and by
special appointment.

Prerequisites: SP 353 and SP 356 or permission of the instructor

Course description
Zoom will be used to deliver material online synchronously with live lectures and discussions. Students will
have the opportunity to interact with the instructor and other students in real-time, all online. Pre-recorded
lectures and other material will be available in Blackboard Learn to better utilize live class time, discussions,
and assessments.

Zoom resources: https://cit.ua.edu/technologies/zoom/zoom-students/

This may be your only class in linguistics. Modern linguistics does not rely on prescribing what the “best”
speech style is. Rather, it describes the many variations within native speaker patterns of producing language.
It will take you some time to get used to the analysis of concrete linguistic phenomena and to a linguistic
approach in general. This class relies on discussion, exercises and problem-solving, rather than the usual
lecture + note taking + repeating back information in tests. The course has been designed so that every student
has the chance to try their hand at different kinds of activities; that is, there is a balance in how the grading
components add up for your final grade: written homework, short presentations, short quizzes, and final
project.

Course materials
Required Text from UA Supply Store description

•MORENO, NINA (RENTAL) / INTRODUCCIÓN A LA LINGÜÍSTICA HISPÁNICA ACTUAL: TEORÍA Y

PRÁCTICA (RENTAL)

•MORENO, NINA / INTRODUCCIÓN A LA LINGÜÍSTICA HISPÁNICA ACTUAL: TEORÍA Y PRÁCTICA

Camera and microphone included in typical computers/tablets

-Monolingual dictionary: https://dle.rae.es

Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the semester, students should be able to:

 Apply concepts and linguistic tools to analyze data related to regional variation and contexts of use of
Spanish, phonetics/phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics of Spanish.
 Explain how humans acquire language
 Explain and illustrate linguistic phenomena in everyday life.
 Identify key issues in the sociocultural and sociolinguistic experience of Spanish-speakers worldwide.
Overall, students should be able to think critically, raise pertinent questions and seek answers to them, to analyze,
discriminate, and draw conclusions based on concrete evidence.

Use of Spanish: Class will be conducted in Spanish. You should expect to speak Spanish with both your instructor and
your classmates.

Other course materials

-Material in Blackboard
- https://www.linguisticsociety.org

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snKsiKqQ4ic&t=64s Iowa-sonidos del español-pronunciación

- https://dialectos.osu.edu

De consulta
Fromkin, Victoria & Robert Rodman. Any edition. An Introduction to Language. New York: Holt, Rinehart
and Winston.

Hualde, José Ignacio et. al. 2020. Introducción a la lingüística hispánica. 3r ed. Cambridge UP.

Montrul, Silvina. 2013. El bilingüismo en el mundo hispanohablante. Wiley.

Morgan, Terrell. 2010. Sonidos en contexto. Yale UP

Spanish in Texas project-UT Austin https://spanishintexas.org

The Language & Life Project-NCSTU https://languageandlife.org

Do you speak American? – PBS https:/www.pbs.org/speak

Bilingual Language Profile-UT Austin https://sites.la.utexas.edu/bilingual/

Outline of Topics
Conceptos fundamentales Fonética y fonología Historia de la lengua y variaciones regionales

Morfología, sintaxis y semántica/pragmática Adquisición

Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the semester, students should be able to:

 Apply basic concepts in the analysis of linguistic data related to variation in the phonetics,
phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and use of Spanish.
 Explain language acquisition processes.
 Explain and illustrate linguistic phenomena in contact situations between languages.
 Identify key issues in the sociocultural and sociolinguistic experience of Spanish and bilingual
speakers
 Overall, students should be able to think critically, raise pertinent questions and seek answers to them, to
analyze, discriminate, and draw conclusions based on concrete evidence.

GRADE COMPONENTS
Tarea (7) 15%
Ejercicios del libro, mirar videos, proyectos especiales,
foros de discusión.
(entregada en Bb)

Preparación/participación 35%
Resúmenes de capítulos (5) (entregado en Bb) como
preparación para mini-pruebas
y discusión en clase 10%
Mini-pruebas en clase (3) 15%
Noticias de interés lingüístico/informes 10%
Auto-evaluación semanal y asistencia a clase 10%
(2 lowest grades dropped)

Proyectos (3) (2-3 páginas) 30%

Proyecto final (8-12 páginas) 20%

________________
Total: 100%

Grading Policy

Course policies
Policy on Missed Exams and Coursework

Exams and coursework may be made up provided that proper documentation for the absence or other related
conflict is submitted. This provision includes students who are unable to complete the course components due
to extenuating circumstances beyond their control. If the reason is acceptable, then either a makeup will be
scheduled, or another major assignment already submitted will count proportionately more in order to fulfill
the missing course component. Which method is used will depend on the situation and will be decided upon
by the professor in conjunction with the student.

Attendance Policy
You are expected to be present live, online, with your camera on, the whole class period, as indicated in
the official published schedule. Your attendance must be free of distractions, for example: talking to
your roommates while in class, looking at you cell phone, driving, and so on. This will also count against
participation. Your absence from class affects class dynamics negatively, as pair and group discussions are an
important part of the course.

Drop 1 step in the +/- letter system (out of total grade) for each absence beyond 4. Arriving late and leaving
early: 3 of either/both of these equal one (1) full absence. Note that these are not “free” absences; you may use
these allowed absences for when you are sick. So, for example, if you are absent 4 times because you didn’t
feel like being in class and then become sick (needing to be absent a fifth time) that fifth absence will start the
deduction process as described above, regardless of the reason. It is advisable, then, to administer these
generous allowances wisely.

Notification of changes

The instructor will make every effort to follow the guidelines of this syllabus as listed; however, the instructor
reserves the right to amend this document as the need arises. In such instances, the instructor will notify
students in class and/or via email and will endeavor to provide reasonable time for students to adjust to any
changes.

Please note that this will be a unique semester. Tools and other digital materials may need to be discontinued
or added according to course needs at any time.

No electronic devices unless they’re needed for a class component.

The expectation is that the usual practices of decorum in a classroom will also be followed during remote
classes.

Statement on Academic Misconduct

Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the official Academic Misconduct Policy provided in
the Online Catalog. https://catalog.ua.edu/undergraduate/about/academic-regulations/student-
expectations/academic-misconduct-policy/

Plagiarism (using the intellectual work of another creator – be it a friend, classmate or published author-
without proper quotation, citation, and acknowledgment) and cheating are serious offenses and maybe
punished by failure on the exam, paper, presentation or project; failure of the course; and/or expulsion from
the University. For language classes, the use of Google Translator for whole phrases, paragraphs or
documents is considered an instance of cheating. Please consult the list of dictionaries on Bb.

Statement on Disability Accommodations

Contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) (https://catalog.ua.edu/undergraduate/about/support-

programs/disability-services/) as detailed in the Online Catalog. After initial arrangements are made with that
office, contact me immediately (first two weeks of class) for specific instructions, guidelines, etc.

Severe Weather Protocol

Please see the latest Severe Weather Guidelines in the Online Catalog.

Pregnant Student Accommodations

Title IX protects against discrimination related to pregnancy or parental status. If you are pregnant and will
need accommodations for this class, please review the University’s FAQs on the UAct website:

https://www.ua.edu/campus1ife/uact/information/pregnancy
Religious Observances

Under the Guidelines for Religious Holiday Observances, students should notify the instructor in writing or
via email during the first two weeks of the semester of their intention to be absent from class for religious
observance. The instructor will work to provide reasonable opportunity to complete academic responsibilities
as long as that does not interfere with the academic integrity of the course. See full guidelines at Religious
Holiday Observances Guidelines (https://provost.ua.edu/oaa-guidelines-for-religious-holidays-observance)

UAct Statement

The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community defined by respect and civility.
The UAct website (www.ua.edu/uact (https://www.ua.edu/uact) ) provides extensive information on how to
report or obtain assistance with a variety of issues, including issues related to dating violence, domestic
violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual violence or other Title IX violations, illegal discrimination,
harassment, hate or bias incidents, child abuse or neglect, hazing, threat assessment, retaliation, and ethical
violations or fraud.

This class is committed to the inclusion of students of different origins and identities. Please contact me if
there has been problems with something that was said as part of the course.

The UA Academic Resource Hub website is designed to help UA students quickly locate and connect to
available academic support resources, programs, and services. https://academichub.ua.edu 

Severe Weather Protocol

Please see the latest Severe Weather Guidelines https://ready.ua.edu/severe-weather-guidelines/ in the Online
Catalog.
Statement on COVID-19

All University faculty, staff, and students are expected to maintain a commitment to the health and safety of
our campus community. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, specific health and safety standards are in
place to minimize exposure and community spread on campus. In the interest of your health and safety and
that of all UA students, faculty and staff, the University reserves the right to change the mode of instruction or
schedule of instruction at any time, based upon prevailing public health and other guidance. While the method
of delivery may change, educational instruction and opportunities will continue. As such, the University will
not provide a refund of tuition, in whole or in- part, based on any such changes. Detailed information on
changes in format or schedule can be found at https://studentaccounts.ua.edu and https://financialaid.ua.edu

All students must be familiar with and abide by the requirements outlined in the UA Return Plan I UA System
Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan. Students must (i) wear a mask or face covering at all times while
participating in face-to-face class; (2) adhere to social distancing standards; and (3) comply with all other
health and safety restrictions. If a student refuses to comply with the requirements, the student will be asked to
leave the class and reported for a conduct violation. Unless a student has an exemption from the requirement
to wear a face covering, (more information can be found at ods.ua.edu/covid-it -disability/
(http://ods.ua.edu/covid-i9-disability) ), the student will be reported to Student Life for further disciplinary
action. More information on these requirements and UA Healthcheck system and screening can be found at
healthinfo.ua.edu/returnplan (https://healthinfo.ua.edu/returnplan) . You are expected to visit the site and
comply with all noted requirements related to in-person class attendance.