CLASSROOM POLICIES

You are expected to be punctual and to come to class prepared. Your active and voluntary participation is required--no credit for simply showing up and warming a seat!

Therefore, this is what I expect of you:

In order to accomplish this task, students should plan to spend at least one hour a day working on assignments ( of two being recommended as the optimum). This should include reviewing material covered in class, completing homework assignments, and studying for the next day's class. Plan your schedule accordingly!

This class will be conducted entirely in Spanish. If you have any questions which you would like to ask in English, ask them after class or during my office hours (feel free to make an appointment if necessary). You are invited to discuss your questions and concerns with me in my office. Please, do not hesitate to come by. You and I are both active partners in learning and teaching Spanish, and we must work together as a team!

This is a participation class! If you are absent and you are to be evaluated that day (pop quiz, announced quiz, written test, etc.), you will receive a 0 for that day's activities. Although, an occasional absence will not affect your grade, but habitual or prolonged absence will devastate your progress as well as your grade.

NO MAKE UP TESTS/QUIZZES, PRESENTATIONS, or HOMEWORK WILL BE GIVEN.

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What is disruptive behavior?

• The Georgia Southern University Student Conduct Code defines classroom disruptions as any conduct that seriously interferes with the ability of the professor to teach or the student's ability to learn.  The lawful and civil expression of a disagreement with the professor or other students is not in itself disruptive.  The free exchange of ideas is encouraged in the academic setting.  Students who display disruptive classroom behavior may be subject to disciplinary action by the Office of Judicial Affairs.

Examples of Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom:

• Sleeping in class.

• Routinely entering class late or departing early.

• Repeated talking without being recognized or talking while other are talking.

• Dominating class discussion.

• Arguing that is perceived as "crossing the civility line."

• Threatening faculty members.

• Physical display of anger (throwing books, notes, chairs, etc.).

• Physical violence directed at a student or faculty member.

For more information, please see the Georgia Southern University Student Conduct Code or feel free to contact

Mr. Georj Lewis, Dean of Students,

Russell Union Bldg., Room 2016,

912-486-7731

or

Dr. Edward Bayens, Director,

Judicial Affairs,

Russell Union Bldg., Room 2023,

912-681-0059.

Source: Classroom Disruption, Office of Judicial Affairs, Georgia Southern University.

CLASS ATTENDANCE ( = PARTICIPATION)

Class work is essential when learning a foreign language; therefore, participation and perfect attendance is expected in this class!. Students must be aware that attendance may adversely affect a student's participation in the typical activities that take place in a foreign language class, that is:

• listening and understanding,

• speaking,

• reading, and

• writing.

Also, the research in the field of language education suggests that foreign language learning is most effective when done in small doses of daily study. Consequently, our class is an important part of this daily study, and it works best when we form an active community of learning; however, this community is disrupted when one or more members of the class are absent (and this includes entering class late, leaving class early, or entering and leaving class repeatedly).  See here for specifics about CLASS ATTENDANCE...

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If a student arrives to class after roll has been checked or leaves early before class has been dismissed, the student’s grade will be affected adversely.  It is disrespectful and disrupting not only to the professor, but also to classmates. 

More than 2 of these occurrences will be considered an absence (2 = 1 absence), and if it becomes habitual, the student’s participation grade will also be adversely affected (for details, see participation rubric).

If you have a special situation that requires that you leave class early, please, submit a written explanation to the instructor in advance.  In addition to explaining the situation/ problem, your written explanation must include a phone number, name of person in charge of meeting, etc.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

All electronic devices including cell phones, Blackberries, I-Phones, Droids, MP3 players, and Laptops should be turned off when class begins. In the case of cell phones, turned off means turned off and not switched to vibrate. All electronic devices should be securely put away in a book bag or purse and not removed until you leave the classroom.

If a student needs to go URGENTLY (for medical reasons /sickness only) to the bathroom, he/she must leave his/her cell phone on the instructor's desk.

If you have a special situation that requires that you be accessible through cell phone contact during class, please, submit a written explanation to the instructor in advance.

Violations of this policy will result in the lowering of your participation/civility grade.

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ASSESSMENT

CHAPTER EXAMS (45%)

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CLASS ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY! 

How can a student be granted an excuse?

Thus, there are no automatically excused absences or "free" absences in this class. Letting me know in advance that you are going to be absent does not constitute an excuse (for example, that you are leaving town early for the week-end, neither attending your cousin's wedding).

However, you are invited to:

• submit a letter of explanation immediately after your return to class with appropriate documentation (=a valid excuse) for any absences that you believe merits special consideration. 

  • For ex. a valid excuse is a written doctor's emergency treatment or prescribed recovery period, death of immediate family, etc.

  • Your excuse must include: the name of the person that signs your excuse, a valid phone number, or e-mail address.  All these items must be legible and clearly displayed.

• An excuse of absence will be granted at the instructor’s discretion.

• If a student missed a TEST, HOMEWORK/WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT, and if he/she presented a legitimate, valid excuse to the instructor, and the instructor deemed it to be acceptable, the student will be allowed to take a make-up test or assignments.  The make-up work must be completed not later than the next class after the student returns to class.  However, the date and time for the make-up is up to the instructor's earliest convenience. Failure to comply with any part of this regulation or no show will result in a grade of 0 for the missed work.

**Tardy = if a student arrives 5 minutes after class has started, the instructor will consider it to be a TARDY.!

NOTE: The last day of classes is mandatory for ALL students.

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Students are expected to communicate in a civil manner in their professional interaction at all times, both in and out of the classroom.  This means that student interaction, including discussion and argumentation, is to be carried out in a polite, courteous, and dignified manner that is respectful and understanding toward both peers and professors.  Failure to behave in a civil manner may result in disciplinary actions as described by the Georgia Southern University Student Conduct Code

Cheating, in any of its forms, is a serious offense to the university that compromises the learning process of the violators as well as their classmates.  Ultimately, the reputation of the institution is at risk. For these reasons, the university expects students to UPHOLD the ACADEMIC HONESTY HONOR CODE as published in Section III of the Georgia Southern University Student Conduct Code  that address academic dishonesty and the penalties for it, and to conduct themselves with integrity in their academic efforts.  To that end, students are expected to follow both the letter and the spirit of academic honesty and to consult with their instructors in advance whenever they feel that those ethical standards may be at risk.  All provisions of the student code apply to this class. Any incidents will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office.

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FALL SEMESTER 2011