FLS 202 Summer Session Information and Syllabus

Required Text:  Rumbos, Pelletieri et al (Thomson Heinle, 2006): text with audio CD. Bring text to class each day.

Course objectives: http://sasw.chass.ncsu.edu/fl/spanish/s202/objectives.htm

Grading:
   30% Preparation and Participation
   30% Major Tests
   10% Oral presentations
   30% Final Exam

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory because of the nature of the course.  Your instructor and your classmates depend on you to be present every day to take part in class activities designed for the participation of all students.  You will receive two participation points each day that you attend class and participate; therefore any absence will lower your participation grade by two points.  If you miss more than two classes, your final course grade will be lowered by four points.  For each additional class that you miss, your grade will be lowered by two additional points.

Preparation and Participation: In addition to attending class, you are expected to participate actively.  Homework will be assigned and checked regularly.  Preparation and practice are essential for success in learning a foreign language. Your Preparation and Participation grade (30% of your course grade) will take into account your daily attendance, your contributions to all class activities (individual work, group work, whole class activities), your interaction with your classmates and instructor, and your timely and thorough completion of all assignments.
Explanation of Preparation/Participation Grade:
A Student comes to class fully prepared, bringing proper materials, arriving on time and staying the full length of the class.  Student is attentive and frequently volunteers to participate.  Student is actively involved in all class activities and stays on task in group work.  Any questions or comments are pertinent.
B Student is usually well prepared.  Student is always attentive, participates actively in all activities and volunteers during most class periods.  Student asks only pertinent questions.
C Student shows evidence of being unprepared on occasion.  Student may arrive late or leave early in some instances.  Student volunteers infrequently and may ask questions that would not be necessary with proper preparation for class.
D Student is not fully prepared and/or inattentive.  Student rarely volunteers and demonstrates a lack of involvement in class activities.  Student may not stay on task in group work and may ask unnecessary or inappropriate questions.
F Student exhibits lack of concern for the class.  His or her behavior may have a negative effect on the class.

Make-up Work:  You are expected to complete assignments and take tests on time.  Do not expect to make up missed work or turn assignments in late without a penalty.  In the event of a serious emergency you must contact the professor before the date of a test or assignment.  Send an email or leave a voice message as soon as possible.

Academic Integrity: I take the university policy on academic integrity very seriously and I expect you to do so as well.  You will be expected to sign a pledge on each test and on out-of-class assignments.  Guidelines will be provided for out-of-class assignments.  Please ask if you have any questions about the guidelines or the policy.

Plus/Minus Grading System: I, and all other instructors of Spanish courses, will use the plus/minus grading system this semester.

Tests: There will be three tests in class and 2 compositions (a personal letter and a business letter) that will count as test grades.  Guidelines will be given for the composition and students will receive a grading rubric in advance.

Presentations: Each student will do at least one individual in-class presentation.  Up to 5 students will do individual presentations for each unit.  Presentation slots for each unit will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you wish to do a presentation during a particular unit, notify the professor as soon as possible.
Guidelines for presentations:

• The presentation topic must be related to one of the countries in the current unit.  Possible topics include people, places, events, aspects of the arts or crafts, products, food, etc.  The topic must not duplicate information presented in the text or in class, but it may certainly expand upon or complement something studied in class or presented in the book.
• The presentation must have a visual component, large enough for the class to see or able to be passed around the class.  Audio components may used when appropriate, but a visual component is always required.
• Use of media (music, video, etc.) may be included to enhance the presentation but must be brief. The focus must be the student's use of Spanish and his/her ability to convey information. Media enhancement must be in Spanish.
• The presentation should be approximately 10-20 sentences in length.  Quality is much more important than quantity, but a minimum of 10 sentences is expected.  Compound and complex sentences are encouraged and may count as 2 sentences. Presentations should last approximately 2-4 minutes and should be no longer than 5 minutes.
• The presentation should not be read, but use of notes is acceptable.
• At least two sources of information are required and at least one must be a non-internet source.  Possible sources include the text, other texts, other books, the internet and individuals who have visited or lived in Hispanic countries.  On or before the day of the presentation, a list of sources, including bibliographical information for books other than the text, internet addresses, and names and brief information about individuals who contribute to the presentation must be submitted to the professor . Source information may be emailed to the professor before the presentation or a hard copy may be turned in during class on the day of the presentation.

NOTE: Try to choose topics that interest you and will be of interest to your classmates.  I want you to learn from these presentations, but I also want them to be interesting and even fun for the entire class!

FLS 202 Summer 2009