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Pittsburg State University
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Modern
Languages and Literatures
WF 2012
Course Number and Title: MLL 254-01 Spanish
Grammar and Composition I
Department: Modern Languages and Literatures
Credit Hours: 3
Pre-requisite: MLL 158
Co-requisite: MLL 252 Spanish Conversation I
Meets: Grubbs Hall 203 9:00-9:50 MWF
Course Delivery Method: In person (not online,
not hybrid)
Faculty Member
Grant D. Moss. PhD.
Assistant Professor of Spanish and Portuguese
Modern Languages and Literatures
Office: 411 Grubbs Hall
Office Hours: 10-12 MWF, 10:30-12:30 TTH or by
appointment
Telephone: 620-235-4713
E-mail: gmoss@pittstate.edu
Textbook: Fuentes: Conversación y gramática, 4th
ed. (2011)
Recommended: Spanish-Spanish Dictionary and/or
Spanish-English Dictionary
Course Description (Content of Course)
The review and expansion of material covered in
first year Spanish in addition to the study of new
grammatical structures and cultural information
with emphasis on developing writing skills. The
purpose of the course is to help students develop
greater written communication skills supported by
grammar review and practice. In class students will
practice grammar exercises and writing activities
through communicative activities.
Anticipated Learning Outcomes and Methods of
Assessment
Students can increase Spanish proficiency in five
areas: speaking, listening, reading, writing, and
culture. However, the overall results in these areas
depend primarily on the efforts of the student to
speak, listen, read, and write in Spanish.
The methods of assessment follow.
Components of the Course Evaluation
Homework 22%
Exams (Exámenes) 30% (10% X 3 exámenes)
In-class Compositions (Composiciones en clase)
18% (6% X 3 composiciones)
Comprehensive Final Exam: 20%
Participation/ Attendance: 10%
Homework (22%)
Students will prepare their tarea before they arrive
to class and turn it in on Canvas before class begins.
Homework is due before class unless otherwise
noted (as is the case for the Premio Moss’). See the
tentative calendar for assignments and their due
dates. Activities include, but are not limited to:
Premio Moss writings (see below), possible in-class
pop quizzes, and assignments from the textbook.
Premio Moss: Students will write (100-120 word)
compositions that use the structures (grammar) and
the vocabulary from the textbook. The
structures/vocabulary required for each different
Premio Moss is found on the tentative calendar.
Students will bring a hard copy of each Premio
Moss to class to compare and share with other
members of the class. You are responsible to make
sure that your document has posted correctly on
Canvas. Double check to make sure that the
technology functions properly. No late or make-up
homework will be accepted without documentation.
I recommend that you do not wait until right before
class to post as sometimes technology is unreliable.
Examinations (30%, 10% X 3)
The exams allow students to demonstrate
knowledge of six different categories: listening
comprehension, reading comprehension, vocabulary,
structures, writing, and culture.
In-Class Compositions (18%, 6% X 3)
The compositions will be written in class on the
tentative dates listed on the calendar. Each
composition will require the use of structures and/or
vocabulary from the chapters studied up to that
point.
Comprehensive Final Exam (20%)
The Final Exam is cumulative in nature.
Approximately 40-45% of the final exam centers on
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chapters 11 and 12. The rest of the exam returns to
principles from chapters 1-10. The format for the
exam is the same as the other exams in that it will
include the six categories (listening comprehension,
reading comprehension, vocabulary, structures,
writing and culture).
Class Participation/Attendance (10%)
Students will earn weekly grades for participating in
class discussions. Participation is not the same as
attendance. If the student attends class but does not
participate in the class discussion or in the assigned
group work en español (see the Spanish-Only
Promise below), he or she will not receive
participation credit for that day. Participation points
cannot be made-up at a later date due to absence.
See Class Attendance and Participation Policy
below for more information.
Class Attendance and Participation Policy
This class includes numerous activities that require
you to engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and
evaluate. You are expected to be involved and stay
involved. Each meeting will add some new
dimension to your knowledge of the language and
its related cultures. Regular attendance and
participation in class activities are essential to be a
successful language learner. You must prepare
carefully for class, complete all assignments in
advance and participate in class. Every day you will
receive a grade for individual, pair, and/or group
activities. In-class participation en español (see the
Spanish-Only Promise) is essential for your success
in this class. Come ready to talk about the text for
that day! Every day that you do not attend will
affect your participation grade because you are not
in class to participate! If you do miss a class,
makeup work will be permitted only when the
instructor is presented with acceptable
documentation. Legitimate excused absences
include the following: participation in a scheduled
activity of an official University organization,
verifiable confining illness, serious verifiable family
emergencies, subpoenas, jury duty, and military
service. It is your responsibility to notify your
instructor of any excused absence as far in advance
as possible. Makeup work must be made up in a
timely manner (e.g. before the next scheduled
evaluation). Documentation for excused absences
must be presented as soon as possible. No
documentation (and by extension no make-up work)
will be accepted after the last day of regularly
scheduled classes. After three absences, each
additional undocumented absence will result in a
two (2) point reduction of your final grade per
absence, i.e., two (2) unexcused absences (beyond
the two “grace” days) will reduce your final grade
by 4 points. For example if your overall average is
93% and you have five unexcused absences your
final grade will be 89%. Absences are counted from
the first day of the quarter. Chronic lateness to class
will also reduce your grade. Three tardies equal one
absence. The instructor will not drop students from
this course for nonattendance or excessive absences.
If you do not attend class or have excessive
absences you should consider withdrawal from the
course or should consult with the various offices on
campus.
Grading Scale
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
Spanish-Only Promise
“I _______________ (insert your name here)
solemnly promise to speak Spanish and only
Spanish during class. For I know that proficiency
depends on me; I must take responsibility for my
own learning and I must speak, listen, read, and
write in Spanish in order to improve my skills.”
Signed ___________________ Date_________
Your signature (electronic)
Sign the promise electronically on Canvas before
the second day of class.
E-mail policy
The instructor may communicate with you through
Pittsburg State e-mail and/or Canvas. You should
check your Pitt State e-mail/Canvas frequently for
updates from the instructor. The instructor will
check his e-mail at least once daily during regular
business hours (from Monday to Friday) and he will
usually respond to any e-mail inquiries within 24
hours. If you have questions about what the
homework is, you should ask a classmate or check
the calendar just in case our e-mail checks do not
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coincide! No assignment will be accepted through
e-mail unless otherwise indicated.
Study Abroad!
The department strongly recommends that all
Modern Languages and Literatures majors and
minors participate in accredited study abroad
programs. PSU offers study abroad scholarships as
well as assistance with other financial aid. To learn
about accredited programs, contact Megan Corrigan,
Study Abroad Coordinator, at 235-4221 or visit
118C Whitesitt Hall. For information on transfer
credits, consult with Judy Berry-Bravo, Chair of
Modern Languages and Literatures, at 235-4708 or
visit 429 Grubbs Hall.
Student Conduct Code
According to the Student Conduct Code,
“Disruption of classes, seminars, research projects,
activities or operations of the University”
(http://www.pittstate.edu/audiences/currentstudents/policies/rights-and-responsibilities/studentconduct-code.dot) will not be tolerated. This
instructor does not permit the use of cell phones or
other electronic devices in class unless otherwise
indicated. Exceptions will be made for assistive
technologies for the vision-or hearing-impaired in
consultation with the Center for Student
Accommodations.
Center for Student Accommodations
If you feel that you may need an accommodation
based on the impact of a disability, you should
contact your instructor privately to discuss your
specific needs. Students with disabilities that have
been certified by the Center for Student
Accommodations will be appropriately
accommodated, and should inform the instructor as
soon as possible of their needs. The Center for
Student Accommodations is located in the Bryant
Student Health Center, telephone 620-235-4309.
Retro-credits
The Department of Modern Languages and
Literatures has a retro-credits program designed to
reward students who have already spent years
learning languages in high school. Students must
sign up for the program in 428 Grubbs Hall with
Kathy Dyer, Departmental Secretary, during the
first three weeks of the semester in which they take
their first language course at PSU. That course
determines their entry level and the maximum
credits they can earn through retro-credits. For more
information on retro-credits visit our webpage at
www.pittstate.edu/flang. Transfer students who
took language courses at another university or
college are not eligible. The Department encourages
students to seek faculty advice to determine their
best entry level.
Ike Certificate
This course may count towards the academic
component of the IKE Certificate of International
Knowledge and Experience. The IKE Certificate
may be earned by students in any major. The
academic component consists of five courses - two
semesters of a foreign language, and three courses
with international content in three different
disciplines. To receive the certificate, students must
also complete a second component, either by
studying abroad, or by participating in co-curricular
activities on campus. Completion of the IKE
certificate as an undergraduate is noted on a
student’s PSU undergraduate transcript, although
graduate students may also earn the certificate. To
be added to the IKE Canvas group and start tracking
your progress towards the certificate, please e-mail
your GUS number in a request to ike@pittstate.edu.
More information on the IKE program is available
online at
http://www.pittstate.edu/department/ike/internationa
l-knowledge-and-experience/index.dot.
Linguafolio
Linguafolio is an assessment tool that encourages
students to recognize and record their proficiency
level at various times during their study of a foreign
language. The program encourages each student to
create a personal checklist; this list helps the student
to focus on the skills that he/she must develop in
order to achieve a higher level of proficiency. If
used appropriately, this tool can increase a student’s
ability to identify his/her strengths and weaknesses
in the language in order to improve. For more
information see your instructor or the Canvas page
for our course.
ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of
Foreign Languages) 2012 Proficiency Guidelines
Speaking Writing, Listening and Reading
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http://www.actfl.org/files/public/ACTFLProficiency
Guidelines2012_FINAL.pdf
Spanish Table
Mondays 12:00-1:00 at Gorilla Crossing
Other important Pittsburg State information
See the end of this syllabus (after the tentative
calendar) for other pertinent information or visit
http://www.pittstate.edu/dotAsset/eef4b5e9-426143dc-913b-2be85609cbeb.pdf
Tentative Course Calendar
(Subject to change)
Semana 1
20 de agosto
En clase: Introducción al curso; Capítulo preliminar:
La vida universitaria
Tarea: Study the syllabus and complete the
syllabus quiz on Canvas; use your syllabus to do
it! Finish the syllabus quiz before the beginning
of our next class. Read and sign the Spanish-Only
Promise on Canvas before next class. Estudiar
capítulo 1
22 de agosto
En clase: Capítulo 1: Nuestras costumbres
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 4 (pp. 46-47), Actividad
15 (p. 55), Actividad 24 (p. 62) en Canvas, estudiar
capítulo 2
24 de agosto
En clase: Capítulo 2: España pasado y presente
(pluperfect)
Tarea: Premio Moss I (include vocabulary and
principles from pp. 45-55, 61, 71, 90-91); estudiar
capítulos 3-4
Semana 2
26 de agosto
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss I; Capítulo 3: La
América precolombina y Capítulo 4 Llegan los
inmigrantes
Tarea: Estudiar capítulos 1-4 para la composición I
28 de agosto
En clase: COMPOSICIÓN 1
Tarea: Estudiar Capítulo 5; Entregar Actividad 5 (p.
136) en Canvas
30 de agosto
En clase: Capítulo 5
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 18 (p. 146) en Canvas
Semana 3
3 de septiembre: Labor Day, no hay clase
5 de septiembre
En clase: Capítulo 5: Los Estados Unidos: sabrosa
fusión de culturas (Commands, p. 141-146)
Tarea: Premio Moss II (include vocabulary and
principles from pp. 134-135, 139, 141-144, 153)
7 de septiembre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss II; Repasar para el
examen I
Tarea: Estudiar para el examen I
Semana 4
10 de septiembre
En clase: EXAMEN I (Capítulo PreliminarCapítulo 5)
Tarea: Estudiar Capítulo 6; Entregar Actividad 4 (p.
166), Actividad 10 (p. 171), Actividad 17A (177178) en Canvas
12 de septiembre
En clase: Capítulo 6: Nuevas democracias (Present
Perfect Subjunctive 169; por vs. para 183-184)
Tarea: Premio Moss III (Include vocabulary and
principles from pp. 164-165, 169, 176-177, 183184)
14 de septiembre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss III; Capítulo 6:
Nuevas democracias, Present Subjunctive (pp. 176177), por vs. para (pp. 183-184)
Tarea: Estudiar capítulo 7; Entregar Actividad 16A
(p. 207) en Canvas
Semana 5
17 de septiembre
En clase: Capítulo 7: Nuestro medio ambiente; Sub.
y Adj Clauses (pp. 204-205)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 20A (p. 211) en Canvas
19 de septiembre
En clase: Capítulo 7: Nuestro medio ambiente; Sub
y Adv Clauses (pp. 210-211)
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Tarea: Premio Moss IV (Include vocabulary and
principles from pp. 195-196, 200-201, 204-205,
210-211)
En clase: EXAMEN II
Tarea: Estudiar capítulo 9; Entregar Actividad 11A
(p. 262) y Actividad 13 (p. 263)
21 de septiembre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss IV; Capítulo 7:
Nuestro medio ambiente; Sub y Adv Clauses (pp.
210-211), double object pronouns (p. 214)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 28B (pp. 217-219) en
Canvas
10 de octubre
En clase: Entregar Actividad 11A (p. 262),
Actividad 13 (p. 263); Capítulo 9: Es una obra de
arte (the Imperfect Subjunctive, p. 259)
Tarea: Premio Moss VI (Include vocabulary and
principles from pp. 254-255, 259-260
Semana 6
24 de septiembre
En clase: Capítulo 7: Nuestro medio ambiente; Sub
y Adv Clauses (pp. 210-211), double object
pronouns (p. 214)
Tarea: Estudiar para la composición 2 (Capítulos 6
y 7).
12 de octubre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss VI; Capítulo 9: Es
una obra de arte; Imperfect Subjunctive (p. 259)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 16 (p. 264) en Canvas
26 de septiembre
En clase: COMPOSICIÓN 2
Tarea: Estudiar capítulo 8; Entregar Actividad 11A
(p. 232) en Canvas
28 de septiembre
En clase: Capítulo 8: Hablemos de trabajo; Sub in
Adv Clauses (p. 231)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 14 (p. 234) en Canvas
Semana 7
1 de octubre
En clase: Capítulo 8: Hablemos de trabajo; o o, ni,
ni ni siquiera (p. 239), reported speech (p. 235)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 16 (p. 236) en Canvas
3 de octubre
En clase: Capítulo 8: Hablemos de trabajo; o o, ni,
ni ni siquiera (p. 239), reported speech (p. 235),
Describing Reciprocal actions (pp. 242-243)
Tarea: Premio Moss V (Include vocabulary and
principles from pp. 227-228, 231-232, 239, 242243)
5 de octubre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss V; Repaso para
examen II
Tarea: Estudiar Para el examen II
Semana 8
8 de octubre
Semana 9
15 de octubre
En clase: Capítulo 9: Es una obra de arte
Tarea: Entregar Actividades 19 y 20 (p. 268) en
Canvas
17 de octubre
En clase: Capítulo 9: Es una obra de arte
Tarea: Premio Moss VII (Include vocabulary
and principles from pp. 267-268)
19 de octubre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss VII; Capítulo 9: Es
una obra de arte
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 23A (p. 271) en Canvas
Semana 10
22 de octubre
En clase: Capítulo 9: Es una obra de arte; Using the
Infinitive (p. 269), expressions with por (p. 271)
Tarea: Premio Moss VIII (Include vocabulary
and principles from pp. 269-270)
24 de octubre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss VIII; Capítulo 9:
Es una obra de arte; Using the Infinitive (p. 269),
expressions with por (p. 271)
Tarea: Estudiar para la composición 3
26 de octubre: Vacaciones de otoño; no hay clase
Semana 11
29 de octubre
En clase: COMPOSICIÓN 3
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Tarea: Estudiar capítulo 10, Entregar Actividad 6
(p. 282) en Canvas
31 de octubre
En clase: Capítulo 10: Las relaciones humanas;
future (p. 281), conditional (p. 284)
Tarea: Premio Moss IX (Include vocabulary and
principles from pp. 281, 284)
2 de noviembre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss IX; Capítulo 10:
Las relaciones humanas; future (p. 281), conditional
(p. 284)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 22 (p. 295) en Canvas
Semana 12
5 de noviembre
En clase: Capítulo 10: Las relaciones humanas; si
clauses (p. 294)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 27A (p. 297) en Canvas
7 de noviembre
En clase: Capítulo 10: Las relaciones humanas; si
clauses (p. 294)
Tarea: Premio Moss X (Include vocabulary and
principles from pp. 289-290, 294)
9 de noviembre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss X; Capítulo 10:
Las relaciones humanas; si clauses (p. 294)
Tarea: Estudiar para el examen III
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss XI; Capítulo 11:
Sociedad y justicia (Conditional Perfect)
Tarea: Estudiar Capítulo 11
21 de noviembre: Vacaciones del día de acción de
gracias, no hay clase
23 de noviembre: Vacaciones del día de acción de
gracias, no hay clase
Semana 15
26 de noviembre
En clase: Capítulo 11: Sociedad y justicia (Future
Perfect and Conditional Perfect: Si clauses, p. 317)
Tarea: Premio Moss XII (Include vocabulary
and principles from pp. 308-309, 314)
28 de noviembre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss XII; Capítulo 11:
Sociedad y justicia; Future Perfect and Conditional
Perfect: Si clauses (p. 317)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 16 (p. 318) en Canvas
30 de noviembre
En clase: Capítulo 11: Sociedad y justicia; Future
Perfect and Conditional Perfect, Si clauses (p. 317),
como si (p. 318)
Tarea: Entregar Actividad 20 (p. 320) en Canvas
Semana 13
12 de noviembre
En clase: Repaso para el examen III
Tarea: Estudiar para el examen III
Semana 16
3 de diciembre
En clase: Capítulo 11: Sociedad y justicia (Future
Perfect and Conditional Perfect: Si clauses 317,
como si 318)
Tarea: Premio Moss XIII (Include vocabulary
and principles from pp. 317-318)
14 de noviembre
En clase: EXAMEN III
Tarea: Estudiar capítulo 11
5 de diciembre
En clase: Entregar Premio Moss XIII; Capítulo 12
Tarea: Estudiar para el examen final
16 de noviembre
En clase: Capítulo 11: Sociedad y justicia (Future
Perfect)
Tarea: Estudiar Capítulo 11, Premio Moss XI
(Include vocabulary and principles from pp. 308309, 314)
7 de diciembre
En clase: Repaso para el examen final
Tarea: Estudiar para el examen final
Semana 14
19 de noviembre
Semana de exámenes finales
Examen Final: Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
9:00-10:50
State Standards:
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This course addresses the following teaching
standards as mandated by the Kansas State Board of
Education. When students take this course, they
progress towards meeting state standards required
for the K – 12 teaching license in Spanish.
Teaching Standard # 2
The teacher of a foreign language is proficient in
the foreign language
Knowledge # 1
The teacher is aware of the levels of proficiency in
the basic skills in foreign language and his or her
own level
Knowledge # 2
The teacher understands the importance of
maintaining and advancing his or her own skills.
Performance # 5
The teacher can express his or her own ideas on
practical, social and professional topics in most
formal and informal writing styles in the target
language.
Performance # 6
The teacher can write most kinds of correspondence,
such as memos, social and business letters, short
research papers and statements of position in areas
of special interest in the target language.
Performance # 7
The teacher demonstrates control of a full range of
structures, spelling and non-alphabetical symbol
production in the target language.
Other important Pittsburg State information
IMPORTANT DATES
8/20 ...........................................................................................Classes begin
8/27 ...............................................................................................Tuition due
8/27…………………………Last day for full tuition refund if withdrawing
8/27 …………………… Last day to add classes w/o permission of instructor
8/31………………………………....Final day to drop w/o transcript notation
9/3 ......................................................................................Labor Day Holiday
9/17 ......................................................Last day for half refund if withdrawing
10/15 ..................................Mid-term D and F grades available after 5:00 pm
10/25-10/26 .....................................................................................Fall Break
11/5 .............Final day to drop a course unless withdrawing from all classes
11/21 .................................................................Thanksgiving Holiday begins
11/29 .....................................................Last day to withdraw from all classes
12/10 .....................................................................Finals week through 12/14
12/14 ...Deadline to remove/extend IN grades for 2012 SP and SU semester
12/17 ........................................................................Grades due from faculty
DROPPING A COURSE OR WITHDRAWING FOR
THE SEMESTER
Beginning the 12th week through the 16th week of full-term courses, individual
courses cannot be dropped. A student who does not officially withdraw from a
course or from the university will be assigned an “F” grade in the course or
courses concerned. These “F” grades will be included in the computation of
the grade point average. The dates for dropping courses that run fewer than
sixteen weeks are proportionate to the length of the course (e.g. the last day to
drop an eight week course would be the end of the sixth week). Consult your
instructor or the Registrar’s Office for questions about a specific course. For
students who wish to withdraw from all classes after the 12th week of the term,
the instructor must assign a grade of W or F. To drop a course after the 5th day
of class or for clarification on drop/add policies, contact the Registrar’s
Office, 103 Russ Hall, 620-235-4200 or registrar@pittstate.edu
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Office of Student Financial Assistance is required to recalculate financial
aid eligibility for students who withdraw, stop attending or are dismissed prior
to completing 60 percent of a semester. This calculation applies to students
receiving Title IV funds including:
Federal Pell Grant
Stafford Loan
ACG – Academic Competitiveness Grant
SMART Grant for math and science
TEACH Grant for education majors
Parent PLUS Loan
Federal financial aid is returned to the federal government based on the
percent of unearned aid disbursed toward institutional charges for tuition, fees,
and on-campus room and board. Students may be required to repay a portion
of the aid funds received. When aid is returned, the student may owe a debit
balance to the University and/or Department of Education Title IV Programs.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS
International students studying on F or J visas must be in proper immigration
status and are required to always be in full time enrollment (minimum 12
hours undergraduate. or 9 hours graduate). For additional information
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/international/internationalstudents/
immigration.dot
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students at Pittsburg State University are expected to attend class regularly
and participate fully in class activities. It is the responsibility of the course
instructor to set the attendance policy for his or her courses and communicate
that policy to students in the course syllabus. The syllabus should address
whether and how attendance affects the course grade, the issue of excused
absences, and whether students will be dropped for nonattendance or
excessive absence. Students who have not attended or who have been
excessively absent from a class may be dropped from the course by the
instructor. In such instances, this policy must be clearly stated in the syllabus
and uniformly enforced. Students may be dropped at anytime in the semester
based on course policy. Instructor drops after the beginning of the 12th week of
a full semester class will result in a grade of “F” for the course. Regardless of
the faculty prerogative to drop a student for nonattendance or excessive
absence, the ultimate responsibility for monitoring and maintaining up-to-date
course enrollment rests with the student.
SEVERE WEATHER INFORMATION
If forecasts or weather conditions suggest that travel in the area could become
hazardous a policy is in place to determine if classes or other University
activities will be cancelled. This policy and notification process can be found
at http://www.pittstate.edu/office/president/policies/severeweatheremergency-plan.dot Notification methods typically include the PSU website,
local news media, and text messaging for those who subscribe to this service.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Academic dishonesty by a student is defined as unethical activity associated
with course work or grades. It includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations.
(b) Giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the preparation of notebooks,
themes, reports, papers or any other assignments.
(c) Submitting the same work for more than one course without the
instructor’s permission, and, (d) Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as using
ideas or writings of another and claiming them as one’s own. Copying any
material directly (be it the work of other students, professors, or colleagues) or
copying information from print or electronic sources (including the internet)
without explicitly acknowledging the true source of the material is plagiarism.
Plagiarism also includes paraphrasing other individuals’ ideas or concepts
without acknowledging their work, or contribution. To avoid charges of
plagiarism, students should follow the citation directions provided by the
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instructor and/or department in which the class is offered. The above
guidelines do not preclude group study for exams, sharing of sources for
research projects, or students discussing their ideas with other members of the
class unless explicitly prohibited by the instructor.
Since the violation of academic honesty strikes at the heart of the education
process, it is subject to the severest sanctions, up to and including receiving an
“F” or “XF” (an “XF” indicates that “F” was the result of academic dishonest)
for the entire class and dismissal from the university.
For a full copy of this policy see:
http://catalog.pittstate.edu/contentm/blueprints/blueprint_display.php?bp_list
ing_id=162&blueprint_id=124&sid=1&menu_id=7980
MID-TERM GRADES
After the eighth week of the fall and spring semester, mid-semester “D” and
“F” grades submitted by faculty are reported by the Office of the Registrar to
the dean of the college in which you are majoring. All “D” and “F” grades
submitted by faculty will be reported by the Registrar to you and your
academic advisor through the on-line student information system (GUS). No
mid-semester report of “D” and “F” grades are distributed for the summer
session.
INCOMPLETE GRADES
Incomplete grade may be assigned in rare instances when a student is unable
to complete a course due to circumstances beyond his/her control. You must
have completed a majority of the coursework to be eligible for this
consideration. Unless granted an extension by the instructor, students have
only one semester to complete the work. If you feel like you qualify for an
Incomplete grade, you should visit with your instructor and not assume an IN
grade will be assigned automatically.
FINAL GRADE REPORTS
Final grades are reported to the Registrar’s Office at the conclusion of the
course. You may access your grades in GUS immediately upon grade posting.
GRADE APPEALS
Final course grades are to be awarded upon criteria communicated to the
student at the beginning of the semester. Additional work after a final grade
was submitted cannot be used to change the grade. If you believe that an error
has been made in the assignment or recording of a final grade, you should first
confer with the instructor. If such a conference does not resolve the problem, a
grade appeal form must be submitted to the head of the academic department
that offers the course in question. This appeal form must be submitted no later
than six weeks after the beginning of the fall or spring semester immediately
following the semester in which the grade being appealed was received. The
appeal form is available online on the Registrar’s Office and Graduate
School’s webpage under forms.
DEAD WEEK POLICY
No tests or major assignments will be presented during the week prior to final
examination week, unless identified in the course syllabus presented at the
start of the semester.
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
Final examinations will be given according to the schedule of examinations
available at http://www.pittstate.edu/office/registrar/final-exam-schedule.dot
Pittsburg State administration, faculty, and staff are here to assist you in your
academic success. If you have questions or concerns that affect your academic
success, it is important that we hear from you.
Your Instructor
Faculty members usually include their office hours and contact information in
the class syllabus. If not, set a time to meet with your instructor by speaking
with him/her prior to or immediately following your class session or check
with the departmental office for instructor availability.
Writing Assistance
The Writing Center offers free writing consultations for students at any stage
of the writing process for any writing project. Writing Center consultants are
experienced writers who are committed to helping you achieve your writing
goals. Dr. Don Judd and Dr. Janet Zepernick, Directors, Writing Center
Telephone: 620-235-4694
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/writing_center/
Library
The Axe Library provides comprehensive services and materials including
both physical and online books, periodicals, and interlibrary loan. Also
available to students are a computer lab, with color printing, scanning and
faxing capabilities.
Telephone: 620-235-4880
http://axe.pittstate.edu/
Tutoring
Tutoring programs related to general education classes are available. Whether
you are studying for a test, writing a paper or preparing a presentation, tutors
can help you sharpen your skills and increase your knowledge. If you are
struggling with a class, then a tutor can help you get back on track. Use
tutoring to get better grades!
Ashley Conyers, Student Success Counselor, Student Success Center.
Telephone: 620-235-4951
E-mail: aconyers@pittstate.edu
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/exploratory-studies/tutoring.dot.
Computer/Technology Assistance
Gorilla Geeks Help Desk is responsible for assisting students with various
technology needs. Services available include help with GUS and GusPINs,
PSU email, assistance with campus system problems and support of the
campus wireless network. In addition the center will help you with technology
needs that are essential for academic success. Services include assistance with
educational software packages used on campus including Microsoft OS,
Office applications, basic Canvas support and other campus applications; help
with computer hardware or software problems; wireless connectivity; and
configuring new computers.
Gorilla Geeks Help Desk
Telephone: 620-235-4600
E-mail: Geeks@pittstate.edu
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/gorilla-geeks/
Services for Students with Learning Disabilities
Allison Adams, Coordinator, Center for Student Accommodations
Telephone: 620-235-6584
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/counseling/center-for-studentaccommodations.
dot
FINAL EXAM OVERLOAD POLICY
If you have three or more final exams officially scheduled for a single day you
are entitled to arrange with the faculty member instructing the highest
numbered course (the 3 digit number following the department code) a
different day for the exam. If two courses have the same number, the course
with the lower enrollment would be rescheduled. Students requesting
accommodation should submit their request on the form found at
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/registrar/forms.dot along with a copy of their
class schedule, at least two weeks prior to the beginning of final exam week.
The faculty member has until the Monday of pre-finals week to arrange a
mutually convenient time for administration of the final exam. If the matter
cannot be resolved between student and faculty member, you may take the
request to the Office of the Provost, 220 Russ Hall, no later than the
Wednesday of dead week.
WHERE TO GO FOR ASSISTANCE
Services for Students with Physical Disabilities
Cindy Johnson, Director, Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action
Telephone: 620-235-4189
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/eoaa/
Student Health Center
Telephone: 620-235-4452
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/health/
University Counseling Services
Telephone: 620-235-4452
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/counseling/
General Questions
Page 9 of 9
If you have questions about university policies or procedures, need assistance
with academic success skills (such as note taking, effective reading
techniques, and test taking strategies), or have general questions about your
academic progress, Enrollment Management & Student Success can assist or
refer you to the appropriate office.
Enrollment Management & Student Success
Telephone: 620-235-4109
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMATION
Pittsburg State University is committed to a policy of educational equity. Accordingly, the University
admits students, grants financial aid and scholarships, conducts all educational programs, activities, and
employment practices without regard to race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry,
age, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity or gender
expression.