1. 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. FLS 101 or equivalent is required to register for this course. Submission of the placement verification form is required prior to the first day of class.
PROTECT THE PACK:
**Face coverings must be worn indoors in instructional spaces, both classrooms and laboratories, and in designated clinical areas including Student Health Services and the Veterinary Hospital, regardless of vaccination status. Please refer to Protect the Pack for updates.
Health and Participation in Class
We are most concerned about your health and the health of your classmates and instructors/TAs.
If you test positive for COVID-19, or are told by a healthcare provider that you are presumed positive for the virus, you should not attend any hybrid or face-to-face (F2F) classes and work with your instructor on any adjustments necessary; also follow other university guidelines, including self reporting (Coronavirus Self Reporting): Self-reporting is not only to help provide support to you, but also to assist in contact tracing for containing the spread of the virus.
If you feel unwell, even if you have not been knowingly exposed to COVID-19, please do not come to a F2F class or activity.
If you are in quarantine, have been notified that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, or have a personal or family situation related to COVID-19 that prevents you from attending this course in person (or synchronously), please connect with your instructor to make alternative plans, as necessary.
If you need to make a request for an academic consideration related to COVID-19, such as a discussion about possible options for remote learning, please talk with your instructor.
Health and Well-Being Resources
These are difficult times, and academic and personal stress are natural results. Everyone is encouraged to take care of themselves and their peers. If you need additional support, there are many resources on campus to help you:
Counseling Center (NCSU Counseling Center)
Student Health Services (Health Services | Student)
If the personal behavior of a classmate concerns or worries you, either for the classmate’s well-being or yours, we encourage you to report this behavior to the NC State CARES team: (Share a Concern).
If you or someone you know are experiencing food, housing or financial insecurity, please see the Pack Essentials Program (Pack Essentials).
Community Standards related to COVID-19
We are all responsible for protecting ourselves and our community. Please see the community standards (which have been updated for 2021) and Rule 04.21.01 regarding Personal Safety Requirements Related to COVID-19 RUL 04.21.01 – Personal Safety Requirements Related to COVID-19 – Policies, Regulations & Rules
Course Expectations Related to COVID-19:
Face Coverings: All members of the NC State academic community are expected to follow all university policies and guidelines, including the Personal Safety Rule and community standards, for the use of face coverings. Face coverings are required in instructional spaces. Face coverings should be worn to cover the nose and mouth and be close fitting to the face with minimal gaps on the sides.
Course Attendance: NC State attendance policies can be found at: REG 02.20.03 – Attendance Regulations – Policies, Regulations & Rules. Please refer to the course’s attendance, absence, and deadline policies for additional details. If you are quarantined or otherwise need to miss class because you have been advised that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should not be penalized regarding attendance or class participation. However, you will be expected to develop a plan to keep up with your coursework during any such absences. If you become ill with COVID-19, you should follow the steps outlined in the health and participation section above. COVID 19-related absences will be considered excused; documentation need only involve communication with your instructor.
Technology Requirements: This course may require particular technologies to complete coursework. Be sure to review the syllabus for these expectations, and see the syllabus technical requirements for your course. If you need access to additional technological support, please contact the Libraries’ Technology Lending Service: (Technology Lending).
Course Delivery Changes Related to COVID-19
Please be aware that the situation regarding COVID-19 is frequently changing, and the delivery mode of this course could change accordingly, including from in-person to remote. Regardless of the delivery method, we will strive to provide a high-quality learning experience.
NO LONGER AVAILABLE - Grading/Scheduling Changing Options Related to COVID-19
Two policies, enhanced S/U Grading Option and Late Drop, put in place at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic have been discontinued.
In some cases, an option may be to request an “incomplete” in the course. If you are experiencing difficult or extenuating circumstances, you should discuss possible options with your instructor and your academic advisor.
Need Help?
If you find yourself in a place where you need help, academically or otherwise, please review these Step-by-Step Help Topics.
Other Important Resources
Keep Learning: Keep Learning
Protect the Pack FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions | Protect the Pack
NC State Protect the Pack Resources for Students: Resources for Students | Protect the Pack
Academic Success Center (tutoring, drop in advising, career and wellness advising): Academic Success Center.
NC State Keep Learning, tips for students opting to take courses remotely:
Keep Learning Tips for Remote Learning
Introduction to Zoom for students:
https://youtu.be/5LbPzzPbYEw
Learning with Moodle, a student’s guide to using Moodle:
https://moodle-projects.wolfware.ncsu.edu/course/view.php?id=226
NC State Libraries Technology Lending Program
2. TEXT: Each student is required to purchase and have access to the required text on the first day of class. Required: Plazas: Lugar de encuentros, Cengage Learning, 5th Edition, 2017. The materials required for this course are included in Cengage Unlimited, a subscription that gives you access to all your Cengage access codes and online textbooks for ~$119.99 per term, $179.99 per year, or $239.99 for 2 years. No matter how many Cengage products you use, they are included in Cengage Unlimited and the price stays the same. You can purchase access to Cengage Unlimited in the NC State bookstore, or at www.cengage.com. The NCSU bookstore offers a package that includes + a loose leaf textbook for students who desire a hard copy text along with the electronic package. Click here for the Course Link URL. Your Mindtap code for this course is: MTPNSB9QMMSH. View the following videos for help with registration or platform navigation. Getting started materials: www.cengage.com/start-strong, Training site for Cengage platforms: www.cengage.com/training, FAQs: https://www.cengage.com/faq, Cengage Customer Support: cengage.com/support or 1-800-354-9706. (Note: Cengage offers a free 7 day trial if you are waiting on your book key to arrive.)
3. MINDTAP EXERCISES: The exercises can be completed on any Internet-enabled computer with speakers/headphones, including in the HSS Language Labs. Your grade for the activities will be based on their being completed according to the course schedule. Completing and learning from the exercises is as important as the scores you receive. Once you have submitted your answers and received the correct answers, take time to compare and make notes for more in-depth learning. If you encounter programming errors in the exercises feel free to submit a support ticket: In MindTap, click on your name in the top right-hand corner, click Customer Support, and fill in the necessary information. In the description start with, “Report error to development team” and then add any additional relevant information. Alexis Cortez, the NCSU Cengage Rep is offering 2021 Help Support Office Hours: Please join her: Zoom Link: https://cengage.zoom.us/j/99488846193
Mon, Aug 16 – Thurs, Aug 19 – 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm
Mon, Aug 23 – Thurs, Aug 26 – 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm
Mon, Aug 30 – Thurs, Sep 2 – 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm
See Technology Issues for concerns after the 2nd week of class.
4. DAILY ASSIGNMENTS/PARTICIPATION/QUIZZES : 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 submit via Mindtap each activity indicated on the schedule prior to attending class. The assigned ¡A Conversar! section of the textbook should be written out by hand in complete Spanish questions, answers and phrases (including both sides of the conversation). Send a picture of your answers via email to the instructor prior to the due date/time. Bring these activities to class to facilitate communication and to earn points towards your preparation and participation. Class attendance is necessary to earn preparation and participation points. (If we transition to an online delivery of the course, attendance is required, with video engaged at all times.) Each class session will include opportunities for individual, pair, small and large group work. Daily participation is expected, evaluated and recorded. Refrain from translating Spanish into English when interacting with classmates. Use gestures and/or simple Spanish phrases. Please refer to the department's participation rubric. The first unexcused absence after 2 will result in a 1 percentage point deduction from your final grade with an additional 1 percentage point deduction for each subsequent absence, regardless of when you register for the course. Topics and tasks for quizzes will come from material assigned for that particular day and out of necessity may include aspects from previous chapters. Any use of an electronic device is solely for access of the e-textbook, any other use, including having a translation window engaged during class will result in 0 participation points for the day. Please put away materials from other classes, remove earbuds and turn off music and phones before class begins. Consumption of food and drink is prohibited in our classroom unless an official accommodation is on file. This is a "G" rated class. Language, attitude, manners, dress and backgrounds (in virtual settings) should show respect for everyone. Please refer to the department's course objectives regarding FLS 102. Please feel free to join Sra. Despain at the Despain Café - a periodic review session, culture discussion, make-up Zoom gathering.
Grade Scale (standard rounding practices followed):97-100 = A+ 87-89 = B+ 77-79 = C+ 67-69 = D+ below 60 = F93-96 = A 83-86 = B 73-76 = C 63-66 = D90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 70-72 = C- 60-62 = D-5. TESTING: Chapter exams will concentrate on the current chapter but of necessity include material from all previous chapters. An expectation sheet will be provided for each chapter exam and the final exam. If an emergency arises and you must miss an exam, contact the instructor prior to the exam or as soon as possible after the exam. If excusable, arrangements will be made for you to make up the exam. If we transition to online, students will access exams through Moodle with either Respondus or Examity ($) proctoring enabled at the designated day for the exam. The Final Exam will be a comprehensive FLS102 final exam. The written and listening portion of the exam will be given as indicated on the course schedule.
6. PROJECTS/ORAL ASSESSMENT: Prior to or as a part of each chapter exam, each student will have a one-on-one Spanish conversation with the instructor to assess progress in proficiency using the ¡A Comunicarnos! section in the e-text as a guide. Near the end of the semester each student will complete one in-class presentation of approximately 10 sentences on a topic treated in one of the chapters covered in the course and which includes recently studied vocabulary, structures and experiences with the Spanish speaking culture/population. It is not necessary that students memorize the complete presentation but presentations must be well prepared and practiced and they must be presented with minimal use of notes. A brief Q/A segment will follow each presentation. As part of the final, each student will also complete one culminating oral interview/conversation with the instructor, addressing one or more topics covered in the course and including appropriate vocabulary and structures. Students are advised to prepare for the interviews using recommended activities from the text and supplementary materials but they are not to prepare a script. Click here to see grading rubrics and additional recommendations for preparation.
7. MAKE-UP WORK/LATE ASSIGNMENTS/SELLOS DE PASAPORTE: The daily participation grade reflects both your preparation for class, as well as your active participation in the many opportunities for individual, pair, small and large group language work during class. Therefore, the active FL classroom experience, represented by your daily participation grade, is problematic to make up. Review the NCSU Attendance Policy regarding absences. Contact the instructor prior to any absence, if possible, or as soon after the absence as possible. Excusable absences must be documented and may be made up by viewing the class recording associated with the day missed. Prepare a Google Doc with all responses, conversations, quizzes, etc. written out as if you were in the F2F class. Share this document within an agreed upon time frame with Sra. Despain, in order to qualify for possible credit.
Excusable absences that are not made up will be treated as absences. Students may be asked to submit documentation to the NCSU Absence Verification Office. Several low grades are dropped at the end of the course (see daily assignments). Therefore, complete each assignment on the course schedule as indicated, as late work is generally not accepted. Plan ahead for problems, assume that everything may not always go as planned (particularly with technology), and complete assignments and homework ahead of time. Pay particular attention to planned outages and plan ahead by identifying alternative locations such as the university, public libraries, or local establishments that provide free internet.
This FLS 102 course has been gamified in Moodle by offering particular experiences which, when completed according to the instructions, can earn you stamps (sellos) in your virtual passport. These activities are optional, but carry a significant benefit for students who choose to participate. The earned sellos have rewards that are issued in the following order:
Drop one low Participation score
Drop one low Quiz score
Drop one low Mindtap score
Drop another low Participation score
Drop another low Quiz score
Drop another low Mindtap score
Drop one low Project score
Drop the lowest chapter EXAM score
8. HONOR CODE: You and the instructor will follow both the spirit and letter of the NCSU Code of Student Conduct. Students are required to uphold the university pledge of honor and exercise honesty in completing every assignment. You will have the opportunity to attest to this on 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. Submit your work according to what YOU can produce without outside assistance or sources. Do not copy someone else's answers or translations in or out of the classroom. Seek authorized help from department TA's or the instructor. You may look up single words in an approved dictionary (wordreference.com). Using online translators is a violation of the honor code. Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off and put away before each class unless required for a verified accommodation or specific class activity. Quizzes and tests are to be completed without assistance from any outside source. Study, learn and work in an honest and respectable manner. If a violation of the honor code is suspected the student(s) will be contacted, the behavior discussed and necessary paperwork (RAIV) will be submitted according to university regulations. The Office of Student Conduct will review the information and act according to Student Discipline Procedures.
9. ACCOMMODATIONS. Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with the Disability Resource Office at Holmes Hall, Suite 304, 2751 Cates Avenue, Campus Box 7509, 919-515-7653. For more information on NC State’s policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (REG02.20.01). https://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-01.
10. EMAIL ETIQUETTE. Include a meaningful subject in the subject line, and include "FLS 102". Begin your email with "Sra. Despain," etc. Be courteous and professional. Use your first and last name to sign your email. We will use the maxim "Three Before Me". Identify and use 3 resources to answer your questions or concerns. If you still need assistance do not hesitate to contact the instructor, indicating which resources you have already referenced.
11. ADVERSE WEATHER: Listen to the radio, watch TV, 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.
12. TUTORING: The Foreign Language Department offers Free Tutorial services. Please follow the tutor guide provided by the department with whomever you work.
13. 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 successfully complete this course for credit in order to take FLS 201.
14. ELECTRONICALLY-HOSTED COURSE COMPONENTS: Students may be required to disclose personally identifiable information to other students in the course, via electronic tools like email or web postings, where relevant to the course. Examples include online discussions of class topics, and posting of student coursework. All students are expected to respect the privacy of each other by not sharing or using such information outside the course.
15. TECHNOLOGY ISSUES: For students experiencing technical issues with Cengage-provided materials (text or MindTap exercises), please do the following:
1. Take a screen shot of the activity or error message
2. Contact 24/7 tech support and submit a support ticket
3. Talk to a rep in person at 1-800-354-9706, to work to resolve the issue
4. Contact Sra. Despain (jhdespai@ncsu.edu) and forward proof of #1, #2 and #3.
5. If you are STILL having issues contact Cengage Representative, Alexis.Cortez@cengage.com.
6. You can track a Cengage/MindTap outage here: https://techcheck.cengage.com/.
16. FOREIGN CHARACTERS/ACCENTS : The written work you submit, including exams, must include all the appropriate diacritics (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 . If you have issues with creating proper accents while using Respondus please refer to their help page.
17. NC STATE CARES: As members of the NC State Wolfpack community, we each share a personal responsibility to express concern for one another and to ensure that this classroom and the campus as a whole remain a safe environment for learning. Occasionally, you may come across a fellow classmate whose personal behavior concerns or worries you. When this is the case, I would encourage you to report this behavior to the NC STATE CARES website. Although you may report anonymously, it is preferred that you share your contact information so they can follow-up with you personally.
18. UNIVERSITY POLICIES, REGULATIONS, RULES and RESOURCES: Students are responsible for reviewing the PRRs which pertain to their course rights and responsibilities. These include: http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-04-25-05 (Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination Policy Statement), https://oied.ncsu.edu/divweb/policies/ (Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity),http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01 (Code of Student Conduct),http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-50-03 (Grades and Grade Point Average), https://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-04 (Audits), and https://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-50-03 (Incompletes).
19. BIRT: The OIED Bias Impact Response Team offers a system and processes that invites NC State students, faculty and staff to document and proactively address the impacts of bias-related incidents, behaviors, and actions. To learn more or to submit a report, please visit https://diversity.ncsu.edu/bias-impact or email bias_impact@ncsu.edu