FLS 102 - J.A. DESPAIN / 2012
GENERAL: We will practice and develop all five language skills: speaking, listening, writing, reading and culture. Due to the nature of the course, in addition to regular class sessions, you will be expected to complete a significant amount of work on your own and with other class members outside the classroom.. Expect to spend at least 2 hours outside of class, completing homework, for each hour of in-class instruction in order to be an average student.
DAILY ASSIGNMENTS/PARTICIPATION : To properly participate and earn 100% for each day of class, you are expected to actively study each page of the text as indicated on the course schedule, and prepare each activity in the text prior to attending class. This includes activities which are to be done with a partner. Practice before you come to class so that when you perform the items in class you will be well prepared. Bring your completed written text exercises to class each day to facilitate communication as well as for periodic homework checks. Each class session will include opportunities for individual, pair, small and large group work. Daily participation is expected, evaluated and recorded. Please refer to the department's participation rubric. The two lowest daily participation scores will be dropped. Each unexcused absence after 2 will result in a 1% deduction from your final grade regardless of when you register for the course. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off prior to entering class. Consumption of food and drink, unless associated with class, is prohibited in our classroom. Please refer to the department's course objectives regarding FLS 102.
TESTING: Quizzes (pop or otherwise) will be over material assigned for the day, week, etc. They are timed and simple. Principally they are to encourage you to have everything prepared prior to class. If you miss a daily quiz you earn a "0" for that quiz. The two lowest quiz scores will be dropped. Hourly exams will concentrate on the current chapter but of necessity include material from all previous chapters. The Final Exam will be the comprehensive FLS102 departmental final exam. The written and oral portion of the exam will be given as indicated on the course schedule.
ORAL ASSESSMENT: Each student will complete at least 1 in-class group/paired conversation as well as at least 1 presentation. Students should complete all conversation segments in the homework to prepare for these assignments. Towards the end of the semester each student will also complete one oral interview/conversation with the instructor, addressing one or more topics covered in the course, including appropriate vocabulary and structures. Students are advised to prepare for the interviews using recommended activities from the text and supplementary materials. Click here to see grading rubrics and recommendations for preparation.
MAKE-UP WORK: Typically, there is no make-up work. You must complete each assignment as indicated on the course schedule. Plan ahead for problems and do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments and homework; assume that everything will not go as planned. If you are going to miss an exam, contact the instructor and schedule a make-up day/time well in advance. Make up tests are not given for unplanned absences.
WORKBOOK EXERCISES : Student Activities Manual (SAM) - Workbook and listening comprehension exercises are available through Quia.com. The workbook exercises are to be completed before coming to class on which the exercises are listed - as indicated in the course schedule. Workbook exercises will be graded prior to each chapter exam.
LAB MANUAL / LISTENING COMPREHENSION / ORAL SKILLS: The computerized listening comprehension exercises are available through the Student Activities Manual through Quia.com. Registration for access is required. The registration information is located in the trifold purchased as part of the textbook package or can be access can be purchased online. The course code is JPXBKP883 . The lab exercises can be completed in the CHASS Language Labs or on any Internet-enabled computer. They are to be completed according to the course schedule. Complete the sections after class of the day in which they are listed. These sections are expected to be completed before midnight prior to the next class period. Deadlines are included electronically. Listening comprehension exercises will be graded prior to each chapter exam. Completing and learning from the exercises is as important as the scores you receive. Use the answer key only to check work after all items have been submitted in an activity. Using the answer key to submit answers is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will result in the required meeting with the instructor and resulting paperwork being submitted to the Office of Student Conduct. (Note: Your Quia code gives you online access to both the lab manual [LM] as well as the workbook [WB].)
PROJECTS: There will be a series of projects due during the course of the semester. These assignments may include preparations for conversations, grammar tutorials, interviews, class presentations, etc... The projects are due as indicated on the course schedule.
HONOR CODE: You and the instructor will follow both the spirit and letter of the NCSU Honor Code. You will have the opportunity to attest to this in writing upon several occasions. You must complete and submit your own work. You are encouraged to work with others in practicing the language skills you are developing both outside of class, as well as in completing and reviewing activities during class time. Quizzes and tests are to be completed without assistance from any outside source. The copying or sharing of answers in or out of the classroom, from another student, an answer key, from the internet, online translator, a teacher's edition, etc., is not WORKING together and is in violation of the honor code. Cell phones, computers, other electronic devices are to be turned off and put away before each class. Hats are to be removed or bill turned toward the back before taking exams and quizzes. Keep your eyes on your own paper during quizzes and exams. Protect your answers. Study and work in an honest and respectable manner. If a violation of the honor code is suspected the student(s) will be invited to the instructor's office, the behavior discussed and necessary paper work will be submitted according to regulations. The Office of Student Conduct will review the information and act according to Student Discipline Procedures.
DISABILITIES: For all students currently registered with the Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), an accommodation letter will be sent to the instructor. This letter verifies that appropriate documentation is on file and that the student has a substantiated disability requiring effective reasonable accommodations. Any student requesting accommodations for whom a letter has not been written must see a DSS service provider in Suite 1900, Student Health Center. (See current NC State Policy, DSS site,or call 5-7653, voice; 5-8830, tty.) Students with particular learning styles/needs should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.
ADVERSE WEATHER: Listen to the radio, watch t.v., read your email, or check NC State's home page to find out if classes will be canceled. Employees may call 513-8888. Read the complete adverse weather policy for more information.
TUTORING: The Foreign Language Department is once again offering Free Tutorial services this semester. The Office of International Scholar and Student Services offers opportunities to interact with international students.
CREDIT ONLY/AUDIT/INCOMPLETE: Credit-only students must earn a 70% or higher to pass the course with an "S". Students auditing the course complete everything but the hourly and final exams, and must earn 70% or higher for a grade of "AU". A grade of "Incomplete" is only given per university policy. Note: If you plan to meet graduation requirements using Spanish courses, you must successfuly complete this course for credit in order to take FLS102.
FOREIGN CHARACTERS/ACCENTS : The written work you submit must include all the appropriate diacriticals (tildes and stress marks) and upside down question marks and exclamation marks. There are a number of options available to do this on your computer and they can be found by visiting the Foreign Characters page .
MORE INFORMATION: There is more university-wide course policy information available at the Provost's site.