STAPS Syllabus, Spring 2010

Course Description The course content has been designed in order to teach students essential vocabulary and communication skills necessary for a career in sports. The course aims at developing oral and reading comprehension of sports-related texts, fundamental translation skills and basic oral expression. All lesson units are centered around a particular topic, and introduce and drill vocabulary and expressions characteristic of it.

Course Materials Course Materials will be distributed at the beginning of each class. In the case of an absence, the students will be responsible for making their own copies of the handouts.

Grading The Final Grade in the class will be calculated as follows

Midterm Exam (taken in-class in Week 6): 20%
Oral Presentation (in class, Week 7 or 8): 20%
In-class participation: 20%
2 Quizzes (unannounced): 10%
Final Exam (Week 11): 30%

Attendance and Participation Students are expected to come on time, complete assigned pre-class reading (where appropriate) and participate actively during class-time. Failure to respect the working environment and contribute to the lesson will negatively impact the overall participation grade. Scheduled exams and presentations may not be postponed or re-taken unless the student was prevented from attending by a family emergency or a serious medical problem (both to be justified appropriately).

Below is a tentative Syllabus for the Spring Semester. Each Unit will include a listening comprehension activity, followed by a text + a variety of vocabulary-building and translation exercises, as well as an oral discussion of important information. Please note that this syllabus is subject to change.

Week 1, January 12/13, 2010 General Introduction(s): The students, the teacher, the course; Asking Questions
Week 2, January 19/20, 2010 Unit Topic: South Africa 2010 / Song Analysis
Week 3, January 26-27, 2010 Unit Topic: Water Sports / The Human Body Cont’d
Week 4, February 2/3, 2010 Film: Bend It Like Beckham
Week 5, February 9/10, 2010 Film: Bend It Like Beckham Discussion
Midterm Exam Review
Week 6, February 16/17, 2010 Midterm Exam
Week 7, March 2/3, 2010 Sports Hall of Fame # 1
Week 8, March 9/10, 2010 Sports Hall of Fame # 2
Week 9, March 16/17, 2010 Unit Topic: Eating Right
Week 10, March 23/24, 2010 Unit Topic: Sport and Entertainment: The WWE
Week 11, March 30/31, 2010 FINAL EXAM
Week 12, April 6/7, 2010 Final Exam Correction and Last Day of Classes