Spanish & Portuguese Basic Language Program

GRADING SCALE

Grades are assigned based upon the ten-point grading scale:   

LANGUAGE USE

In order to effectively and efficiently learn any language, it is necessary to hear, read, speak and write in that language as often as possible. Students should expect to speak and be spoken to in the target language on a daily basis, from the moment they arrive in the classroom. Students should also attempt to speak in the target language with their instructor and each other as much as possible outside of the classroom.

Mistakes are an expected part of the process; therefore, students are encouraged to use class time to practice what they are studying. Your instructor will assist you in developing alternative techniques for communication, including effective use of circumlocution, pantomime, and visual aids. 

CODE OF ACADEMIC CONDUCT

"The presence of a student's name on any work submitted in completion of an academic assignment is considered to be an assurance that the work and ideas are the result of the student's own intellectual effort, stated in his or her own words, and produced independently, unless clear and explicit acknowledgment of the sources for the work and ideas is included (with the use of quotation marks when quoting someone else’s words). This principle applies to papers, tests, homework assignments, ... and other assignments." (Code of Academic Conduct of Tulane University).

Any violations of this code of academic honesty and integrity will be dealt with strictly. Some examples of violations of the Code of Academic Conduct in language courses include:

• The use of translation software (such as Babelfish.com) (cheating via unauthorized study guide)
• Having another student edit your work without the explicit permission of the instructor (cheating)
• Using the Internet or a book to prepare an assignment without citing the source, both within the written assignment and through an accompanying bibliography (plagiarism)
• Not using quotation marks and parenthetical citation for any direct use of three or more words strung together by another source (plagiarism)
• Translation from one language into another without citing the original source (plagiarism)

See http://college.tulane.edu/code.htm for a complete copy of the Code of Academic Conduct. 

DISABILITY SERVICES

The department is committed to providing equal access and a friendly environment for students with disabilities. However, it is the responsibility of the student to register a disability with the Goldman Office of Disability Services (ODS) and to submit all required documentation to the instructor so that they can be accommodated. A student who has NOT registered with the ODS does not have the right to demand accommodations. The ODS can be contacted by telephoning 504-862-8433 or by stopping by their offices in the Science and Engineering Lab Complex. Educational Resources and Counseling, which offers free tutoring and counseling services, is located in this building as well.

Go to http://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/disability/index.cfm for more information.

CLASS PARTICIPATION

Active and regular participation by all students is essential, and students should take advantage of class time to develop their interpretive and interpersonal skills via active engagement in class. This includes engaging one’s peers in group activities, asking relevant and insightful questions, and taking an active role in practice activities.

PREPARATION

Good preparation will make an enormous difference in how comfortable the student will feel in class, how well he or she will be able to follow the class and how much he or she will take from this course in the long run. Just showing up to class is not enough; students need to review, study and practice before and after class. Students are expected to come prepared to each class having completed any written homework tasks, worked with the on-line materials as relevant, and carefully read the pages in the textbook which are assigned for that day.

ATTENDANCE

As a skills-based course, regular attendance is essential to successful completion of the course because class time is used to practice the skills being learned. Absenteeism will negatively affect a student’s grade, in large part because the perennially absent student will be unable to do the work. 

While the University requests that students with communicable illnesses such as the flu NOT attend class, students who are well are expected to be in class. Due to privacy regulations, students are not expected to provide written documentation of their illnesses; however, they are expected to act in a responsible manner and not invent illnesses in order to skip class.

Exceptions:

• Religious observations: Absences due to the observance of a religious celebration will not be counted against a student. However, days of travel prior to or after the recognized religious holiday will not be considered part of that religious celebration.
• Personal circumstances: For absences due to hospitalization, extreme illness or matters of a familial or personal nature, consult directly and promptly with your professor. In the event that a personal circumstance is affecting a student's ability to perform in his or her classes, it is recommended that the student consult with his or her dean's office on how to proceed.
• University representation: A student who is representing the University in an official capacity must present his or her instructor with relevant documentation from the program he or she is representing in advance of his or her absence.
  

Excessive Absenteeism: At the instructor’s discretion, a student who has missed two weeks total of class time may be administratively withdrawn from the class, possibly with a grade of Withdraw Failing. 

LATE WORK

No late work will be accepted—missed assignments (including quizzes, exams, and essays) will be calculated as zeroes. Students should consult the course calendar for due dates & plan accordingly.

In the event of an excused absence, the affected student is responsible for making arrangements to complete any missed work in a timely manner. It is not the instructor's responsibility to follow up with the student.

TECHNOLOGY

The use of mobile phones and other electronic devices during class time should be limited to only those resources that enhance language study, facilitate note taking or relate directly to classroom activities. Texting, sending e-mails, updating social media websites and engaging in other non-relevant activities will not be tolerated and will negatively impact your grade. Please note that instructors reserve the right to implement their own policies regarding cell phones according to their classroom needs.

LANGUAGE PLACEMENT

ALL students who wish to enroll in a language course must complete and submit the online placement form in order to register for a language course. The online placement form is available for all continuing and incoming students who have a valid Tulane User ID and password.  The log-in page for the form can be accessed at the following secure site: http://languageplacement.tulane.edu