LAN177 Conversational Bosnian: An Introduction

LAN177 – Conversational Bosnian: An Introduction

I am posting a "draft" version of the syllabus for this course, although, I do not think that I will be making any additions or changes to this.

Our class will start soon. I will announce the date later (as we will not start until the new month).

Please review the syllabus and all of the expectations as indicated. If you have any questions about the syllabus or concerns please e-mail or contact me by telephone, although e-mail is best. I will make sure our class starts at a time convenient to all enrolled as this term, I will have a wide variety of individuals in the course.

Welcome! Dobro dosli u cas!

I am extremely excited to teach this course.

I am also in the process of sending a "better" version of this syllabus to everyone via e-mail. It should be in your inbox.

UPDATE: I have updated the assignments page for this course. A student alerted me earlier that there was a mistake in page numbers on the syllabus and I have changed that.

 

CLASSES BEGIN IN JUNE, BUT A MEETING WHICH IS MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS WILL BE HELD ON THIS SATURDAY THE 26TH OF MAY 2012 AT 12PM NOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU MUST ATTEND!

UPDATE: I have added information regarding the first unit test which will cover units 1, 2, and 3. The information is under the assignments section for this class. Hopefully, it will give you some details in what will be expected of you and the kinds of things you will learn.

Update: Hello all. I just wanted to make you aware that classes will begin this Saturday June 9th, 2012 at 12P/NOON and will last until 14P. We will continue this way (with classes Saturdays 12P to 14P until later this month when the "official schedule" will be followed; M, W, & F 13:10P to 15:00P. See you all on Saturday!

Update: I have added information regarding learning goals for the rest of the units (4 to 20). You do not need to have a copy with you of this for class tomorrow, however, you might want to print it out for reference later. See you tomorrow!

Update: I have added information regarding the field trip assignments under the assignments tab. I have included an overview of what is expected of you for this assessment. We will go over this tomorrow in class. Please print out a copy and bring it. I will also bring extras for those who forget to print their own.

Update: Please note that from now on classes will be held during the regularly-scheduled allocated dates and times: M, W, F from 13:10PM-15:00PM. Tutorials will be held on Fridays, beginning NEXT week from 15:10PM-16:00PM. Thank you.

Update: There will be no class on Monday August 6th, 2012 as this is the Simcoe Day Holiday. Keep practicing your language skills!

 

LAN177 – Conversational Bosnian: An Introduction

ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THIS COURSE MUST READ EVERY WORD OF THIS SYLLABUS!

Course Information

Instructor:

Teaching Assistant: TBA

Yes, there will indeed be a teaching assistant to help me with marking. You are, however, not permitted to contact the teaching assistant for any questions, comments, concerns regarding the course or your grades. All questions must only be designated to the instructor. The teaching assistant will, from time to time, visit the class and offer extra help or tuition after classes have ended free of charge.

Contact: Please use only e-mail. I shall e-mail back a response within a reasonable amount of time. See E-mail Policy.

Hours of Availability: I will make myself available to students as much as possible, by e-mail, in-class and in tutorial. Please use e-mail as the only method of communication if you have questions about tests and assignments. Bring your questions about course material and course contents and address them in class.*

This course employs a website: www.languagesdepartment1.educatorpages.com. Please familiarize yourselves with it as soon as possible. Everything you will need you will be able to access via this website. Please think of it as a class portal. I will use the website to post readings that you will need for tutorials and necessary information about upcoming assignments and tests.

Class Meetings: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays – 13:10HRS to 15:00HRS* (SUMMER SESSION)

Class Meetings before the summer session will be on Saturdays only from 13:10PM to 15:00PM. There will be no tutorials before summer session begins later in June.

Tutorials: Fridays 15:10HRS to 16:00HRS

Course Description: This course will teach students the basics of conversational Bosnian. Students will be taught the basics on how to begin a conversation in the Bosnian language. After this, the units will become more complex as students will be taught how to formulate more complex sentences within the Bosnian language and will become better affiliated with the language both verbally and in print. The course will be more vocabulary-intensive with special emphasis on honing student communication (reading, speaking, and writing) skills. With that being established, students must be prepared to participate both verbally and in written format in an effort to acquire these new skills.

Course Requirements:

• Before each class, you are expected to complete any assigned homework. Homework will not be given out too many times, but either way, you are expected to have it done! Be certain that you understand that “readings” are also your responsibility and count as homework.
• You must attend every class.
• You must participate when required.
• You must have a positive attitude towards learning.
• You must take responsibility for your own learning and your own work that you produce.
• You must not commit plagiarism.

Assessments: A General Overview

 

5 Tests worth 7% of the term; 5 Quests worth 3% of the term = 50%

Worksheets and short writing pieces                                      = 35%

Class Participation                                                                   = 15%

Total                                                                                           = 100%

Themes of Study: Core units will be designated strictly to reflect these themes. All work assigned will also strictly reflect the themes outlined below:

1. Personal Identification – Osobna identifikacija
2. Family – Obitelj/Familija
3. Classroom - Ucionica
4. Time and Weather – Vrijeme i Vrijemenska Prognoza
5. Money – Pare/Novac
6. Home – Dom/Kuca
7. Clothing - Odjeca
8. Body, Health and Emergencies – Tijelo, Zdravlje i Hitna Slucajeva
9. Transportation – Promet/Transport
10. Food – Hrana
11. Employment – Zaposlenje
12. Using the Telephone – Koristiti Telefona
13. Post Office - Pošta
14. Services – Usluge/Servizi

Extra Units:

15. In Town – U gradu
16. At the store – U prodavnici
17. At the park – U parku
18.  At the game – U stadionu
19.  At the restaurant – U restauranu
20. At the amusement park – U zaloskim vrtu

*****Some of the units in the “extra units” list may be combined with respective units above. For example, unit 10 “Food” may be combined with units 16 “At the Store,” and 19 “At the Restaurant.”*****

 

Format: This course uses lectures which will introduce students to new vocabulary which fit into the units above. The lectures will also supply students with ways in which to conjugate terms and write simple and complex sentences in the Bosnian language. Most readings will come from a workbook provided to each student. The workbook was compiled by the instructor. During lectures students will also be divided into groups and will be expected to complete certain speaking, reading, and writing activities. As this is an intensive speaking-reading and writing course, ample time will be given to students to perform these tasks to ensure the best possible student learning environment. The students will also show their learning by completing five tests and five quizzes/tests which will allow the instructor to track student progress. Worksheets from the compiled workbook and the assignments provided by the instructor will also work to enhance student learning. The workbook is a new addition to this revised course and should provide (I hope) all of the necessary information for students who wish to learn the Bosnian language adequately. Students will be required to pay $30.00 for the course pack/workbook.

*****! However, the course itself is offered to students free of charge! *****

Required Readings and Materials:

1 course pack/workbook                       cost: $30/student/course pack/workbook

1 Serbo-Croatian to English Dictionary (you may purchase yourself at local bookstores or borrow from instructor. The yellow dictionaries that I have should suffice for your purposes as they contain the vocabulary words we will be utilizing).

Alternatively, you can use:

An online translator

http://www.eudict.com/

http://www.rjecnik.com/

http://dict.susjed.com/

http://translate.google.com/

*****As per the course, students are advised to familiarize themselves with a good search engine that includes a fairly competent translator. Remember that translators are not perfect. When in doubt, please ask instructor.*****

Course Assessments – Details

5 Tests worth 7%

5 Quests worth 3%

Students will complete 5 Tests and 5 Quests or Quizzes/Tests that reflect the units in this course. All tests will be based on three course themes/units while all quests will be based on one course theme/unit.

Test 1 will be based on units 1, 2, and 3 = 7%

Test 2 will be based on units 4, 5 and 6 = 7%

Test 3 will be based on units 7, 8, and 9 = 7%

Test 4 will be based on units 10, 11, and 12 = 7%

Test 5 will be based on units 13, 14 and 15 = 7%

Quest 1 will be based on unit 16 = 3%

Quest 2 will be based on unit 17 = 3%

Quest 3 will be based on unit 18 = 3%

Quest 4 will be based on unit 19 = 3 %

Quest 5 will be based on unit 20 = 3%

Worksheets and short writing pieces = 35%

Class Participation = 15%

Extra Credit Opportunities/Penalty Deduction Procedures

It is my belief that all students deserve to have chances when they are learning especially in a challenging setting such as a language course. Therefore, the following extra credit opportunities and penalty deduction procedures will be granted to all students as necessary. Please do not ABUSE these terms to your liking.

1. You may resubmit assignments late without any penalties, but you must tell me at least a work week ahead of time. If you are found abusing this policy, you will receive an automatic 0.

2. Running of tutorials – for extra credit students may offer to run tutorials guiding and or teaching the students about the core concepts taught in the course and their understanding of such concepts.

3. Alternate assessment(s) – if applicable, students may ask to complete an alternative assignment or assignments as necessary, but they will/may be worth double the assignment they have missed. You must be in desperate need for this option to be given to you.

4. An extra essay or worksheet – students may complete an extra essay or worksheet, but not both in order to fulfill an extra credit requirement if necessary.

Grading of work

Whenever I grade your work, I use the following method to calculate your grades which fit into the following numbers/letters/categories:

A- to A+ 80% to 100% 4 Exceptional/Excellent

B- to B+ 70% to 79% 3 Super/ Very Good

C- to C+ 60% to 69% 2 Good/Fair

D- to D+ 50% to 59% 1 Satisfactory/Poor

F less than 50% R Very Poor/Negligible

Report Cards will be given to students thrice throughout the course of the term so that they can fully understand and observe their performance to that point.

The first report card will be given after the first test.

The second one will be given mid-way through the term and final reportage will be given to all at the end of the term with their final grades.

All official grades will be made explicit to students on paper; no marks will be distributed online in e-mail documentation format.

 

ROUGH DRAFTS, IDEAS, ETC.

Due to the nature and time of this class, you are encouraged by all means to talk to either the instructor or your tutorial leaders about your ideas for your papers. I highly recommend it and there will be some time in the tutorials given specifically to discussing and brainstorming of ideas. Be sure to use this time effectively and come prepared with questions. Alternately you may discuss how you are progressing with your assignments with me at all times, please e-mail.

 

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENTS

I expect that you will submit your assignments on time in appropriate Word Document format. Please follow the procedure when submitting your assignments

Give your file a title which appropriately reflects the assignment.

All work should be typed, double spaced in Times New Roman Font; learn how to create page numbers and headings as appropriate. Your first page must adhere to the following rules:

Your name

Your instructor’s name

The course name

The date of submission (or due date)

Title of Your Work Centred Appropriately

Late Assignments

Please make every effort to submit assignments in and on time. Late penalty of – 20% per day, including weekends will be enforced strictly for workbooks exercises. However, a late penalty of – 1% per day will be enforced for the field trip assignments. I will not accept any late assignments after 3 days have passed. If you require an extension you must speak to me to make arrangements well in advance of the due date.

Required Readings

All required readings will come from the course pack/workbook and some may be given to you in class.

Format for the Assignments

There are no particular “rules” for assignments in this course, but keep the following 4 items in mind throughout:

1. Proofread your work at least thrice before you decide to submit it.
2. Your work must adhere to the following style: -it must be written in a size 12 point Times New Roman font (I will not accept work written in any other font, but Times New Roman). All pages must be numbered, work should be double spaced, and your identification information in addition to the identification information for this course must be visible on the first page (the title page).
3. Needless to say, your papers should not contain any slang or clichés within their contexts.
4. Make certain that your essays are written for the purpose of informing an audience (your reader). Assume that your reader is an informed individual, but is not an expert on the topic you discuss.

 

Note that in class, I will provide you with further and more detailed instructions in regards to each essay for this course including the actual instructions.

Academic Honesty:

A word to the student – You are responsible for submitting your own work with your own original ideas. There is to be no borrowing or copying of other people’s work. In this class, this should not be a problem, however, when in doubt, please cite the places where in which you have found your information that may pertain to your answering of a question on an assignment. I expect all work in this class to be your own as the assignments will ask you of your progress in this class.

E-mail Policy

You may e-mail the instructor only for any of the following reasons provided:

1. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about this course.
2. If you will be absent from the course for a period of time.* (This could be any period of time from 1 day to 1 week or more.)
3. If you missed an assignment.
4. If you did not receive an assignment via e-mail you should check the course website; if the assignment is not posted on the course website then send me an e-mail telling me that you need a copy of the assignment.
5. If you require help on any given assessments.* (This includes, tests, assignments such as worksheets, etc.)
6. All e-mails should begin with the course code LAN177 and a brief subject line that states the purpose of your e-mail. For example: “LAN177: I have a question about the assignment.”
7. Please allow for a maximum of 1 work week or 5 days for your question to be answered. Furthermore, be sure to keep all questions brief and do not send me questions about an assignment the night before it is due as I will not respond.
8. Practice appropriate netiquette: I WILL NOT RESPOND TO E-MAILS THAT ARE UNRELATED TO THE COURSE, THAT CONTAIN SLANG, THAT CONTAIN TOO MANY SPELLING ERRORS, THAT CONTAIN NEGATIVE COMMENTS, THAT CONTAIN PROFANITY, THAT CONTAIN IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS WHICH CAN BE ANSWERED BY LOOKING AT THIS SYLLABUS, THE CLASS WEBSITE AND OTHER MATERIALS GIVEN TO YOU IN LECTURE; do not write e-mails in all caps.
9. Do not ask questions which require a lot of explanation in your e-mails. Save these questions for lectures and tutorials.
10. Do not e-mail the instructor for notes; they will usually be provided. You are also expected to take your own notes within the class.

 

The Instructor E-mailing You:

The instructor will only e-mail students to answer any questions pertaining to the course, the assignments, tests and quizzes given out in this course and other course-related issues. The Instructor will also e-mail the students information about upcoming assignments. The instructor will also e-mail assignments to students where applicable. If applicable assignments will be posted on the class website: www.languagesdepartment.educatorpages.com click on “Assignments” tab. Assignment instructions will also be provided in paper copy to all students in class.

Querying Grades

If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns regarding your performance in this course and how you can improve as well as any other academic matters that you wish to discuss including extra help outside of class, explanation on course assignments, etc. please e-mail me sooner rather than later. In terms of inquiring about your grades, if you have problems with the grades that you received and need further comments, explanations and clarifications as to your performance, e-mail me within two weeks after you have received your assignment back. After the two week period passes, I will consider all inquiries on a case-by-case basis.

Additionally, beginning in the 2012 term, all students MUST meet with me half-way through the duration of the term to discuss their overall performance up to that date. Meetings are mandatory.

Further, beginning in the 2012 term, parents of students who are interested in learning about their child’s progress in this course, or who are interested generally in the core units/subjects taught in this course are more than welcome to visit and talk to the instructor in these regards.

 

Drop Policy

*****You can drop this course and any others offered during the term within a period of 2 weeks of enrolment, after that, you will receive a mark of “0” for every assignment that you do not attend to completing. Consequently, you will also receive a “0” as the final mark in this course.*****

 

 

 

Schedule of Readings

Note: The Schedule below is only an estimate. Consequently, themes/readings and the like are subject to change with the discretion of the instructor. Please note that I have divided your weekly tasks for this class into three parts after the first meeting. These parts are namely titled: read, write, and do. Each week, you will be asked to read a particular section of your course packs/workbooks. Additionally, you will be required to keep note and write down the appropriate vocabulary given to you in lecture and in your workbooks. The workbooks contain activities that you will do. The pages of these activities/exercises are specified under the do sections.

The abbreviation “WK” refers to your Workbooks.

The abbreviation “TBA” means “To Be Announced.”

You must attend to completing all readings and exercises for the week. You will however, have a choice on which exercises the instructor looks at and marks throughout the term. Details on this will be provided in class.

*****Throughout the term, it is advised that students compile picture dictionaries in an effort to hone in on vocabulary. In some circumstances, students may substitute the picture dictionaries for the exercises and the picture dictionaries will be marked instead of the assigned workbook pages.*****

Lecture Topic 1: Introduction: Welcome to the course! Syllabus distributed. Themes are discussed. Course policies outlined. Personal Identification unit introduced –  Introdukcija; Osobna identifikacjia

Read: WK 3-26

Lecture Topic 2: Personal Identification and Family – Obitelj/Familija

Read: WK 27-36

Write: Vocabulary notes for Units 1 and 2

Lecture Topic 3: The Classroom – Ucionica

Read: WK 37-44

Write: Vocabulary notes for Units 2 and 3; conjugations for unit 3

Lecture Topic 4: Time and Weather – Vrijeme i Vrijemenska Prognoza

Read: WK 47-68

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 4

Lecture Topic 5: Money – Pare/Novac

Read: WK 71-78

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 5

Lecture Topic 6: Home - Dom/Kuca  

Read: WK 81-102

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 6; conjugations for unit 6

Lecture Topic 7: Clothing - Odjeca                                                    

Read: WK 105-122

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 7; conjugations for unit 7

Lecture Topic 8: Body, Health, and Emergencies – Tijelo, Zadravlje i Hitna Slucajeva

Read: WK 123-154

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 8; conjugations for unit 8

Lecture Topic 9: Transportation – Promet/Transport

Read: 157-175

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 9; conjugations for unit 9

Lecture Topic 10: Food – Hrana                                                                    

 Read: WK 179-199

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 10; conjugations for unit 10

Lecture Topic 11: Employment - Zaposlenje

Read: WK 201-248

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 11; conjugations for unit 11

Lecture Topic 12: Using the Telephone – Koristiti Telefon

Read: WK 251-255

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 12; conjugations for unit 12

Lecture Topic 13: Post Office - Pošta                            

Read: WK 257-263

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 13; conjugations for unit 13

Lecture Topic 14: Services – Usluge/Servizi

Read: WK 267-272

Write: Vocabulary notes for Unit 14; conjugations for unit 14

Lecture Topic 15: In Town – U gradu

Read: TBA

Write: Vocabulary notes for unit 15; conjugations for unit 15

Lecture Topic 16: At the Store – U prodavnici

Read: TBA

Write: Vocabulary notes for unit 16; conjugations for unit 16

Lecture Topic 17: At the Park – U parku

Read: TBA

Write: Vocabulary notes for unit 17; conjugations for unit 17

Lecture Topic 18: At the Game – U stadionu/na igri

Read: TBA

Write: Vocabulary notes for unit 18; conjugations for unit 18

Lecture Topic 19: At the Restaurant – U Restauranu

Read: TBA

Write: Vocabulary notes for unit 19; conjugations for unit 19

Lecture Topic 20:  At the Amusement Park – U zooloskim vrtu

Read: TBA

Write: Vocabulary notes for unit 20; conjugations for unit 20

 

Notes on worksheets and assignments

In this course you will be expected to complete different worksheets and assignments in an effort to hone in on your vocabulary and overall language skills. Most, if not all, of the worksheets are located within your workbooks/ course packs and you will be expected to complete ALL of them, but pick only 2 to 4 pages or so for marking each week. It is your choice as to which ones you would like me to mark, however, for some weeks; I reserve the right to choose the ones that I will mark because there are some worksheets in the workbooks that are more relevant to our studies than others.

Aside from worksheets, students will be expected to complete picture dictionaries in which they will pick a total of 8 new vocabulary words per unit and will:

1. Illustrate the word with a picture
2. Write the word in both Bosnian and English
3. Create one simple sentence using one of the new vocabulary words they have used to create their Pictionary.

The picture dictionary or “Pictionary” will look something like this. Although you will do the illustrations:

My Bosnian Language Pictionary

Instructions: Use the spaces in the squares to fill out the names of certain items in both English and Bosnian. Include a picture to help you learn faster. Cite where you got the picture from.

 

(1)   English: Dog Bosnian: Pas

 

 

Works Cited

1. http://dog-picspot.blogspot.com/2011/05/dog.html

Moreover, we will be taking field trips for units 15 to ? and after each field trip students will be expected to write a reflection of 2 (minimum) to 4 (maximum) pages that demonstrate the full use of appropriate vocabulary learned during the course of the field trip in question.

For example, for unit 15, we will be taking a trip to the City. You will be expected to use the vocabulary learned on that field trip to write the assignment. All assignments must be computer-typed, double spaced using Times New Roman size 12 typeface. Details will be provided later.

Classroom and Assignment Etiquette

The following is a list of behaviours I expect you to exhibit while in class:

1. Please use only pen, pencil and paper for the writing of notes in this course. I do not allow the use of laptops in “live” classes as it is too disruptive to student learning.
2. Be punctual and attend every class on time and ready to learn. Bring with you to each class the following items: writing utensils, loose lined and blank sheets of paper (no notebooks, please), a binder or folder to keep your notes and work in, your workbooks, a dictionary, positive attitude.
3. Be ready to participate in class and share your idea with others individually and in groups. You must give everyone a chance to speak and share their ideas with the class. Inappropriate or hate language is not permitted in this course and will result in an automatic expulsion.
4. No gum chewing in tutorials as you will be expected to speak eloquently. However, you may chew gum in lectures provided that you properly dispose of it in a garbage can and not in and around the area(s) you sit or underneath any chairs, desks, and on walls.
5. Do not leave the class when the instructor is lecturing. Wait for the ten-minute break if you have to leave which occurs after the first hour of classes and in every class. If for some reason you need to leave early you must inform the instructor always and sit close to the door to avoid disturbing everyone else.
6. Do not speak during lectures unless you are asked to do so.
7. You must attend the extra hour of tutorials. You must provide proper notification if for some reason you cannot attend a tutorial. Students may be absent for one whole day of classes, no questions asked, and this does include the day when tutorials are held.
8. Items covered in tutorials will not be distributed to students in the same way that the notes will be given. Thus, it is up to every student to make arrangements with another student in class to supply the missed notes.
9. No food or drinks are allowed in the class except for water during the first few weeks. On days when it gets warm, we will have classes outdoors. This is when all snacks will be permitted.
10.  When permitted, snacks are to be consumed during the breaks only and there is to be no garbage around your desk from any snack items. Please govern yourselves accordingly in this manner.
11. A note on dress code: please dress accordingly for all classes (for example, like a respectable, responsible student). Otherwise you will be expelled from classes for improper attire. This is usually not an issue, but it becomes so especially when it gets warm out. Remember that classes are not nightclubs so, please dress appropriately. In the summer months, you are allowed to dress in shorts and t-shirt (summer clothing for summer weather), but please be weary of how you decide to dress. We do not want to see any belly buttons, backs, fronts, muscles and the like. Again, those who are repeatedly warned about dress code (i.e. more than thrice) will indeed be expelled automatically.
12.  Submit all assignments in on time. Please see “Late Assignments” above for full details.
13.  Do not share your workbooks with anyone else in the class. There are enough workbooks for everyone in the class.
14.  Keep all workbooks neat, complete, and organized. I will be checking regularly the exercises you complete in the workbooks. Thus, you must bring them in to every class.   
15. Try to work in groups to complete the conjugations together. Workbook exercises should be done independently so that you can grasp fully the meanings of the terms and prepare adequately for all tests and quests.
16. At the end of each week, you must be prepared to submit your workbooks for marking of said exercises. Check “late assignments” for policies.
17. All work done in the workbooks should be completed using pencil so that you can easily erase your mistakes and correct your responses for future use. I will not accept workbooks exercises that are done in pen.
18.  Do not bring cell phones, any kinds of music players, or any other electronic devices that may cause a disruption in the class. If you do bring any of these items to the class, I will take them away from you until the said class has ended and then you can come and pick up the item(s). If you keep bringing the item(s) to class, you shall be expelled.
19.  All tests and quizzes must be taken during the date and time allocated for them. If you have concerns in this regard, if you will be or miss the date and time of a particular test and quiz, you must have a legitimate reason for taking it at another time. You must also, in a reasonable timeframe provide the instructor with information regarding your absence ahead of time (if possible) and upon you immediate return (if the first option is not possible). Otherwise, if you do not have a legitimate reason or reasons to complete a test or quiz at a later time, the weight of the test(s) you miss will be added to the next one. For instance, if you miss the first test, the second test will be worth 14% for you and will indeed cover double the number of units. Thus, it is best to avoid such instances where the weight of the test doubles or triples.