As a courtesy to others and as a sign that you have come to class prepared to focus on learning, please leave at home or turn off all electronic devices (tape- or cd-players, phones, pagers, etc.) when entering the classroom. 

Please don't bring food to class:  you can't chew and speak Spanish at the same time.  If necessary, you may bring a drink; however, if you spill it, you are expected to clean it up. 

Course Description

Objectives

• continue to acquire a more sophisticated vocabulary 
• refine your knowledge of Spanish grammar 
• improve your reading level and accuracy of comprehension 
• improve your ability to summarize, paraphrase, analyze and write creatively 
• improve your spoken fluency and ability to understand others 
• acquire a more sophisticated awareness of Hispanic culture(s) 

Texts/Readings

Grading/Evaluation

Make-up exams may be scheduled if you inform the instructor prior to the exam date. After that, your grade is a "zero". 

There are no make-up quizzes. The lowest quiz grade may be dropped when calculating your average. A quiz missing for any reason (absence, tardiness, etc.) becomes a "zero". 

Your attendance forms the base number for your participation grade. I begin with the percentage of classes attended. If you miss 2 of the 45 classes in a semester, for example, your base participation grade (your highest possible grade) would be 96% (43/45). Please be aware that showing up for class five minutes before the end of the period does not constitute attending class. Frequent tardy arrivals eventually add up to a class missed. 

In general, a "good" participation grade comes from volunteering answers and speaking in Spanish as much as possible. "Excellent" participation means reading all the assignments on time, preparing conscientiously for class, and taking responsibility for your own learning. 

I also expect you to contribute to an environment that is conducive to learning for all members of the class. If you are disruptive and inconsiderate of others in the classroom (myself included), I reserve the right to take appropriate official action. 

The UNCG Grading System is explained in the Undergraduate Bulletin.  We can further clarify the expectations for oral and written work in this classroom: 
A = Task was accomplished completely.  Language used had very few/minimal errors, none of which interfered with comprehensibility. 
B = Task was accomplished.  Language had some errors, but only two or three that interfered with comprehensibility. 
C = Task was mostly accomplished.  Several errors interfered with comprehensibility. 
D = Task was not accomplished.  Errors rendered language incomprehensible even to teacher and/or classmates. 
F = Task was not accomplished.  Language was totally incomprehensible.  Little or no attempt was made.  Significant amount of task may even have been in English. 

Alternately, you may see me use a simpler system of checkmarks for some assignments (informal writing activities, initial drafts, etc.): 
A checkmark with a "+" means that the performance exceeded expectations. 
A simple checkmark means that the performance satisfied expectations. 
A checkmark with a "-" means that the performance failed to satisfy expectations.