Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Spanish Phonetics and Pronunciation

SPAN 3612-01

Course: SPAN 3612-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLPH
CRN: 30727

Course Description

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles of phonetic analysis, that is, to the systematic study and classification of the speech sounds that occur in human language. The course will focus on how Spanish sounds are produced, the patterns into which they fall, and the changes they undergo in different environments. Throughout the course, contrasts between the Spanish and English (or other languages) sound systems will be pointed out in order to make students aware of differences and help them improve their own pronunciation. The course will also include a brief overview of contrasting sounds in various Spanish varieties.(As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): SPAN 2020 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- or Spanish Language Placement Test score over 500.

Required Texts

Required Textbook:
Morgan, Terrell (2010) Sonidos en contexto: una introducción a la fonética del español con especial referencia a la vida real. Yale University, ISBN: 978-0-300-14959-3

Students will also need an electronic device (phone, computer, tablet, etc.) that includes a microphone to complete their digital recordings.

Learning Outcomes

In this course students will:
  • Improve their Spanish pronunciation by being aware of the differences and similarities between Spanish and other language’s phonetic sounds. 
  • Accurately produce and distinguish the whole inventory of Spanish sounds. 
  • Create and deliver an organized oral presentation on the phonetic aspects of a variety of Spanish utilizing verbal and nonverbal techniques that make the presentation compelling and fully engage listeners.

The course will focus on the following Essential Learning Outcomes designed by SUU:
  • Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World 
  • Intellectual and Practical Skills:
    • Communication
    • Critical and Creative thinking

Course Requirements

Course components:
Attendance and participation                     10%
Homework and Recordings                        20%
Presentations (2)                                         20%
Quizzes                                                        10%
Midterm                                                        15%
Oral exam                                                     10%
Final exam                                                   15%
Total                                                            100%

Course Outline

Tentative Calendar Span 3612 (Subject to changes)
Week 1 | 
Introduction
Chapter 2: Orthography  

Week 2 | 
Chapter 2: Orthography
Chapter 3: Syllable 
Personal Recording 1

Week 3 | 
Chapter 3: Syllable  

Week 4 | 
Chapter 4: Accentuation 
Homework 1: Syllabification

Week 5 | 
Chapter 5: Phoneme 
Intro Presentation 1 
Homework 2: Accentuation

Week 6 | 
Chapter 6: Vowels 
Homework 3: Accentuation

Week 7 | 
Chapter 7-10: a, e, o, i 
Homework 4: Transcriptions

Week 8 | 
Chapter 11: u
Chapter 12: Review
Review and Presentation 1 
Recording: “U” (p. 132)

Week 9 | 
Midterm 
Presentation 1
Chapter 13: Consonants 
Homework 5: (Self)Analysis 1: Vowels of “U” (p. 132)

Week 10 | 
Chapters 14-15: /b/, /d/, /g/ 
Homework 6: Recording: Tongue twister

Week 11 | 
Chapter 15: /b/, /d/, /g/
Chapter 16: /ʝ/ 
Homework 7: Recording and (Self)Analysis 2: /p/, /t/, /k/ (p. 165)

Week 12 | 
Chapter 16, Chapter 17: /χ/
Chapter 18-21: /s/, /θ/, /f/, /ʧ/ 
Homework 8: Recording and (Self)Analysis 3: /b/, /d/, /g/ (p. 193)

Week 13 | 
Chapter 18-21: /s/, /θ/, /f/, /ʧ/ | 
Chapter 22: Nasals and Chapter 23: /l/
Chapter 23-24: /l/, /r/, /ɾ/

Week 14 | 
No class - Thanksgiving Break

Week 15 | 
Presentation 2 and Review 
Homework 9: Recording and (Self)Analysis 4: /l/, /r/, /ɾ/ p. 361
Oral Exam
Presentation 2 and Review 
Personal Recording 2
Submit Presentation 2

Finals Week | 
FINAL EXAM 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Homework will be assigned often to help students comprehend the class material. All homework will have to be submitted through Canvas by the date established in the calendar. Students will have the opportunity to submit only ONE late homework assignment. After that, late homework assignments will NOT be accepted. 

Attendance Policy

It is expected that students attend class every day. Sometimes extenuating circumstances arise that can make this difficult, for that reason students will be allowed to miss three classes without it affecting their grade. After the fourth absence a 5% will be deducted from their attendance grade every day they miss a class. Students with more than six absences will have a zero for their final attendance grade. If the student misses a class due to sickness, they must bring evidence like a note from the doctor or other proof to be excused. If they do not attend class, then they cannot participate; thus, the student’s overall participation grade will also be lowered by failure to attend class.

Participation is graded regularly and consists on the following expectations from students: 
  • Arrive on time to class, and not to leave the room frequently during class periods. 
  • Come prepared to class and participate voluntarily and frequently.
  • Show that they carefully read the textbook and other assigned materials as evidenced by their comments based on these materials.
  • Complete homework before class and ask questions when needed. 
  • Work well with a partner and/or in groups, making sure the group is on task during the activities, and that they do not dominate the conversation excluding others.
  • Show respect to others in the classroom and listen attentively when other people speak.
  • Actively participate in class activities and only speak Spanish in class
  • Do not use electronic devices unless required by the professor. 

Students do not earn participation points on days they are absent from class.

Course Fees

N/A

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.