The Equator runs through this monument located just outside Quito, Ecuador.
All work presented must be your own, both in terms of content and language use in alignment with the Code of Academic Conduct.
Insofar as research essays are concerned, students are encouraged to refer to others’ work in the development of their ideas, but this work must be cited (following MLA, APA, or other citation norms of your choosing). Failure to cite sources or passing off others’ work as your own is plagiarism and is a serious offense.
If you're concerned about what to cite and how, Purdue University's OWL is a great resource that will help you understand what you need to cite and how to do it.
AI tools like ChatGPT and MyAI on Snapchat speak Spanish. They occasionally make mistakes, but in general they're great tools to increase your fluency about topics that you care about. While you must not turn in work produced by these tools, chatting with them outside of class is far more rewarding than tools like Duolingo at the intermediate and advanced levels. Take advantage of them to learn how to discuss your hobbies, converse about news stories that you're interested in, or otherwise build your vocabulary about topics not covered in class.
You're spending a lot of time and money to pursue Spanish to a high level. To truly learn the language, you need to actively produce it yourself. Submitting work produced by automatic translation tools like Google Translate or AI tools will undermine your efforts to build confidence and fluency in the language. If you’re struggling, please reach out to me. I’m here to help.
Furthermore, your professor researches translation and regularly compares texts in different languages as a part of his scholarly work. Since the submission of work generated by any AI tool is a violation of the Academic Code of Conduct, and since I will know and will report any violation to the Academic Honesty Committee, please resist the temptation. Using automatic translation tools to look up the occasional word is fine (though it’s a rotten dictionary); submitting sentences or paragraphs generated by such tools is not.
Bilingual dictionaries of any sort (including online) are not permitted during classroom discussion time. In my experience students develop more confidence in their speaking ability and grow their vocabulary much more quickly when they don't look up words during conversation. If you need a word, ask your peers or your prof. Chances are that others need the word too.
All students and faculty have a right to learn in a healthy respectful environment. Part of learning includes making mistakes and grappling with new and sometimes difficult ideas. Let’s all take care to be kind and respectful to those with whom we share this learning experience, as we are all in different stages of our path.
Sharing of lived experiences that relate to the course subject matter is a valid form of auto-ethnographic and phenomenological scholarship. It is particularly useful in discussing topics related to identity. Students are encouraged to share their own experiences to the degree they are comfortable and to reflect on the experiences of others, which may enlighten us to realities quite removed from our own.
A note on Gender Diversity: Mutual respect for gender identity is of utmost importance and students are encouraged to articulate the pronouns that they use to the degree that they feel comfortable. Students who identify outside the gender binary are encouraged to explore how non-binary pronouns are used by some in the Spanish-speaking world (I’m happy to be a resource) and to bring that insight to class in a way that feels authentic and reflects their own identity.
Accessibility and inclusion are core values that guide my teaching. If you feel that any element of this course will be a barrier to your learning, please discuss with me and/or Accessibility Services as soon as possible so that we can find an approach that will facilitate your success at meeting the course objectives. Sometimes success can take various forms. Let’s talk about it.
I am aware that personal challenges to learning take many shapes and may change during the course of the semester. Let’s talk about them early and often. I am available to discuss accommodations at any point in the semester be it via email, during my office hours, or by appointment, but for academic integrity reasons accommodations are rarely made retroactively.
Accessibility needs which involve recurring absences (more than 2 per semester for the same cause) must be documented through Accessibility Services.
A key element of a pass/fail assignment structure is that work must be submitted on time in order to receive a passing grade. This also makes sure that the feedback you receive is timely and can help you improve on future assignments. This means you should do all homework before class.
Some work is peer reviewed in class as a core aspect of the course structure. Work not submitted by the deadline means it cannot be peer reviewed, and thus the structure of that assignment is undermined. I do not accept late work in these situations. For other assignments, I am a bit more accommodating, but let's keep the lines of communication open.
If you foresee a problem turning in a major assignment, come talk to me before the deadline.
Students are expected to attend all class meetings and be prepared to participate actively in class discussions. Two absences per semester are excused.
Your participation score reflects your active participation in class. Your participation also makes the content interesting and the discussions more engaging. I look forward to working with you to co-create a course that remains relevant to you and your classmates’ needs. See the section on “Participation” on the grading page for more specifics.
If you anticipate being absent due to religious holidays or military obligations, please let me know in advance so that we can plan.
A community exists on the basis of shared values and principles. At BGSU, students, recognized student organizations, and student groups are expected to uphold and abide by certain standards of conduct. You should familiarize yourself with the Codes, which create a set of expectations for student conduct, ensure a fair process for determining responsibility when student behavior may have deviated from those expectations, and provide appropriate sanctions when a student and/or student organization has violated the Code(s).
· Students who violate faculty expectations as outlined in the syllabus may be subject to conduct action.
· If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 419-372-2843 or odos@bgsu.edu.
· View the Student Handbook.
· Learn more about and view the Code of Academic Conduct.
· Learn more about and view the Code of Student Conduct.
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students that is free of all forms of discrimination and harassment. Sexual misconduct and relationship violence in any form are antithetical to the university’s mission and core values, violate university policies, and may also violate federal and state law. Faculty members are considered “Mandatory Reporters” and are required to report incidents of sexual misconduct and relationship violence to the Title IX Coordinator. If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking, please visit the Title IX webpage to access information about university support and resources.
In addition to participation/attendance/absence policies already listed, you may have up to three (3) excused absences each academic semester, without penalty, to take time off for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system or to participate in organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization. You are required to notify me in writing of specific dates requested for excused absences and/or alternative accommodation no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the first day of instruction for this course. After necessary notification, you should consult with me to determine an appropriate alternative opportunity that will be provided to help you complete your academic responsibilities for the course. These requests will remain confidential. The Office of Registration & Records maintains a list of accommodated religious holidays. Please note that this list is not exhaustive of all holidays. For more information about the Student Religious Accommodations policy, you may contact the Dean of Students at odos@bgsu.edu or 419-372-2843.
Bowling Green State University, as a public institution, is committed to freedom of expression and the rights protected by the First Amendment. First Amendment rights have implications inside the classroom as well. Review the Office of the Dean of Students page regarding Freedom of Expression at Bowling Green State University for more information including the policy. To report concerns please visit the See It. Hear It. Report It. page.
BGSU educators recognize student veterans’ rights when entering and exiting the university system. If you are a student veteran, please communicate with your instructor so reasonable accommodations can be made for absence when drilling or being called to active duty. Refer to the Veterans page.
In most cases, the University will not close for winter conditions unless the Wood County Sheriff’s Department declares a Level 3 emergency. Once the decision is made to delay, cancel or close, individuals will be notified through AlertBG, email, the BGSU homepage, BGSU social media channels and the news media (see the Emergency Cancellation Delay and Closing Policy and Procedures document for a list of radio and television stations).