Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Introduction to Spanish Translation (Face-to-Face)

SPAN 4510-01

Course: SPAN 4510-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: FLPH
CRN: 30729

Course Description

The primary objective of this course is to improve students’ knowledge of and facility with the structural elements (i.e. the grammar) of the Spanish language. The primary tool we will use toward this end is translation—principally from Spanish to English, but also from English to Spanish. This course is a student-centered workshop and instructor lectures will be kept to a minimum. Issues and questions will generally be addressed as they arise organically through the process of translation. 

Naturally, through the process of translation, students will develop a familiarity with the theory, methods, and issues surrounding translation. However, students should be aware that this is a secondary objective of the course and in no way is this course designed to prepare them fully for a career as a professional translator. 

Spanish will be the language of the classroom. Obviously, the task of translation will necessitate from time to time the use of English. Students should wait for cues from the instructor as to when use of English is appropriate. 

Required Texts

  1. En otras palabras (third edition). Patricia J. Lunn and Ernest J. Lunsford. 2021. 

  2. Un buen diccionario español/inglés (Merriam-Webster, Collins, University of Chicago, etc.) 


Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will 

  1. have strengthened their knowledge of Spanish grammar and vocabulary. 

  2. have strengthened their knowledge of English grammar, particularly with respect to how it contrasts with Spanish grammar. 

  3. be able to identify and explain the principal issues that professional translators face when they translate. 

  4. be able to identify and explain common pitfalls for students of Spanish as well as problematic contrasts between English and Spanish. 

Course Requirements

Evaluación:
Tareas/Traducciones 60%
Participación/Asistencia obligatoria 40%

A (93-100)    A- (90-92)
B+ (87-89)    B (83-86)      B- (80-82)
C+ (77-79)    C (73-76)      C- (70-72)
D+ (67-69)    D (63-66)      D- (60-62)     F (59 or less)

More detailed information concerning the above assignments will be provided to students at appropriate times throughout the semester. 

Participación: First and foremost, participation includes daily, on-time class attendance. However, merely showing up for class is not sufficient to receive an exceptional participation grade. Full engagement with in-class activities and lessons is required. Students will receive three participation grades at intervals throughout the semester (at the conclusion of the fifth week, at the conclusion of the ninth week, and at the end of the semester). Students will have an opportunity to self-evaluate their participation at these intervals and to submit them to the instructor. While this self-evaluation will be taken into consideration, the instructor will have the final decision on a student’s participation grade. 

La política sobre el uso de dispositivos electrónicos: The use of phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices is strictly prohibited during class lectures and discussions, except at the instructor’s discretion. You are welcome to bring a laptop to class to work on in-class assignments and translations. You will be permitted to use any electronic devices the last 15 minutes of class to avail yourselves of online dictionaries and resources. Everyone is asked to bring a physical dictionary to class every class day. Use of electronic devices for non-course related purposes is not permitted and will negatively impact a student’s participation grade. 

El plagio en una clase de traducción: Plagiarism in this course is defined as the presentation of a student’s work as their own when in fact they have generated part or all of their translation through the use of online translation tools (such as Google translate) and/or by referring to existing translations of the exercises from the textbook or the other texts translated in the course. 

Course Outline

Calendarios semanales: On the last day of class each week (or Friday morning at the latest), I will post on Canvas the homework assignments for the following week. 

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

Daily homework is usually due that same day prior to our class. Students may turn in a maximum of three late assignments without penalty. Students must submit the late homework within one week of the original due date. Subsequent late assignments will not be accepted. For late assignments that are turned in in-class (as opposed to through Canvas), it must be clearly marked as late at the top of the page and must be turned in by the following class day. Missing class is not an excuse for late homework. 

Attendance Policy

La política de asistencia: Students may miss a maximum of 3 classes without a negative impact on the final participation grade. For every additional unexcused absence, the student’s final participation grade will drop by 5%. For example, a student with 6 unexcused absences can receive no higher than an 80% participation score for the semester

Artificial Intelligence Policy

Within this course, all submitted assignments should be written, developed, created, or inspired by you. If any work is created by artificial intelligence (AI) it will be considered plagiarized work and a violation of SUU Policy 6.33: Academic Integrity. This could result in a failing grade to disciplinary action through the Dean of Students’ Office. AI is an evolving technology and will impact our academic, professional, and personal lives. It is important that as part of your education, you learn to critically think, create, and evaluate products/assignments. 

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and BingAI, are not allowed to be used in this class. Although the use of these types of tools may be allowed in other classes or are used professionally, this class will focus on learning foundations without the aid of generative AI. Any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as cheating. 

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.