General Syllabus for Critical Language Classes

NOTE

After reading the syllabus, please proceed to the contract form to fill out, and bring it to the first class.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of studying language in The CRITICAL LANGUAGES CENTER (CLC) is to obtain practical communicative ability. The main focus of CLC classes is developing spoken language and listening comprehension. Languages involving learning a different script from English (such as Farsi, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, and others) will involve reading and writing, and some languages will have both an ORAL and WRITTEN FINAL EXAMINATION. Final oral examination will be recorded for checking the accuracy and university research purpose.

Native speakers or near-native speakers of the language are NOT allowed to enroll in courses of critical languages. Any students with background knowledge of this language must see the CLC director BEFORE registering and shall be assigned an appropriate class level by CLC staff.

FORMAT

This is a supervised-self-study class. Students must study by themselves using a textbook and assigned AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS (CDs, DVDs, or online files) outside the class. The in-class language “trainer” who is a native/near native/ (or equivalent level) speaker of the target language will help students to develop their communicative ability in each class meeting. During the sessions, students must actively participate using spoken language to practice better pronunciation and conversation skills. English use will be kept to a minimum in class. Language trainers will provide some measure of assessment throughout the semester by the use of the weekly STUDENT PERFORMANCE SHEET report sent to the director of the CLC.

ATTENDANCE

Students must meet with the language trainer three (3) hours per week. Students are required to attend all the sessions. Your grade will be affected by the number of absences, as indicated in the Grading Policy. No cellphone/iPhone, smart watch or similar electronic devices are allowed to use during the class.

GRADE

The final course grade for most languages will be determined through a threshold-concept, according to the performance of those skills, as measured by a qualified EXAMINER in the language as indicated in the NASILP guidelines AND class performance including homework, quizzes, video projects etc.

Grade A

  1. Attendance: Up to 2 absences during the semester are allowed (due to sickness, and a doctor’s note from a US doctor must be provided within a week from the day of your absence). No tardiness.
  2. Active performance: The average of Daily Active Class Performance determined by your LT must be 5 (out of 8.0) or higher (absent days count as 0).
  3. Homework: The average of homework points is 85 out of 100 or
  4. Small quiz: The average of all the quiz points is 85 out of 100 or
  5. Video performance: objective self-evaluation using your video performance is to be submitted, and the results discussed with your LT for improvements.
  6. The final examiner’s evaluation must be A or

Note: If only one of #2-5 is slightly lower, OR the final examiner gives an A- (even though other criteria are met), your grade will be A-. If all the criteria are met, AND the final examiner’s evaluation is A+, then the final grade will be A+.

Grade B

  1. Attendance: Only 3 absences or fewer during the semester allowed (due to sickness, and a doctor’s note from a US doctor must be provided within a week from the day of your absence). Only a few times being late to
  2. Active performance: The average of Daily Active Class Performance determined by your LT must be 5 (out of 8.0) or higher (absent days count as 0).
  3. Homework: The average of homework points is 75 out of 100 or
  4. Small quiz: The average of small quiz points is 75 out of 100 or
  5. Video performance: objective self-evaluation using your video performance is to be submitted, and the results discussed with your LT for improvements.
  6. The final examiner’s evaluation must be B or

Note: If only one of #2-5 is slightly lower, OR the final examiner gives a B- (even though other criteria are met), your grade will be B-. If all the criteria are met, AND the final examiner’s evaluation is B+, then the final grade will be B+.

Grade C

  1. Attendance: Only 3 absences or fewer during the semester allowed (due to sickness, and a doctor’s note from a US doctor must be provided within a week from the day of your absence). Several times late to class.
  2. Active performance: The average of Daily Active Class Performance determined by your LT must be 0 (out of 8.0) or higher (absent days count as 0).
  3. Homework: The average of homework points is 70 out of 100 or
  4. Small quiz: The average of small quiz points is 70 out of 100 or
  5. Video performance: objective self-evaluation using your video performance is to be submitted, and the results discussed with your LT for improvements.
  6. The final examiner’s evaluation must be C or

Note: If only one of #2-5 is slightly lower, OR the final examiner gives a C- (even though other criteria are met), your grade will be C-. If all the criteria are met, AND the final examiner’s evaluation is C+, then the final grade will be C+.

Grade D

One of the above criteria #2-5 is not met regardless of the final examiner’s evaluation, or there are too many absences.

For example:

Absent more than 3 times.

OR

Average performance points are lower than 4.0

OR

Average of homework points is lower than 70

OR

Average of small quiz points is lower than 70

OR

Objective self-evaluation video+form is not submitted.

OR

Final examiner gives a D.

Note: If only one of #2-5 is slightly lower, OR the final examiner gives a D- (even though other criteria are met), your grade will be D-. If all the criteria are met, AND the final examiner’s evaluation is D+, then the final grade will be D+.

Grade F

The final examiner gives an F, OR not coming to the final exam, even though other criteria are met.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

There are no extra credit opportunities.

DISABILITY STATEMENT

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

POLICY ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

SEVERE WEATHER PROTOCOL

In the case of a tornado warning (a tornado has been sighted or detected by radar; sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired, provided at least half of the class period remains.

UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather-related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate lifesaving actions.

When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:

  • Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
  • Weather advisory sent out through Connect-ED–faculty, staff and students (sign up at myBama)
  • Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
  • Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
  • Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA 7. WVUA 7 Storm Watch provides a free service you can subscribe to that allows you to receive weather warnings for Tuscaloosa via e-mail, pager or cell phone. Check http://www.wvua7.com/stormwatch.html for details.

THE UAct

The University of Alabama is committed to an ethical, inclusive community defined by respect and civility. The UAct website (www.ua.edu/uact) provides a list of reporting channels that can be used to report incidences of illegal discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, retaliation, threat assessment or fraud.

Pregnant Student Accommodations 

Title IX protects against discrimination related to pregnancy or parental status. If you are pregnant and will need accommodations for this class, please review the University’s FAQs on the UAct website.

Religious Observances 

Under the Guidelines for Religious Holiday Observances, students should notify the instructor in writing or via email during the first two weeks of the semester of their intention to be absent from class for religious observance. The instructor will work to a provide reasonable opportunity to complete academic responsibilities as long as that does not interfere with the academic integrity of the course. See full guidelines at Religious Holiday Observances Guidelines.

COVID-19

All University faculty, staff, and students are expected to maintain a commitment to the health and safety of our campus community.  Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, specific health and safety standards are in place to minimize exposure and community spread on campus. In the interest of your health and safety and that of all UA students, faculty, and staff, the University reserves the right to change the mode of instruction or schedule of instruction at any time, based upon prevailing public health and other guidance.  While the method of delivery may change, educational instruction and opportunities will continue.  As such, the University will not provide a refund of tuition, in whole or in-part, based on any such changes.  Detailed information on changes in format or schedule can be found at https://studentaccounts.ua.edu/ and https://financialaid.ua.edu/.

All students must be familiar with and abide by the requirements outlined in the UA Return Plan | UA System Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan. Before coming the campus, all students must complete the COVID-19 Test, training, and Healthcheck processes. Students must (1) wear a mask or face covering at all times while participating in face-to-face class; (2) adhere to social distancing standards; and (3) comply with all other health and safety restrictions.  If a student refuses to comply with the requirements, the student will be asked to leave the class and reported for a conduct violation. Unless a student has an exemption from the requirement to wear a face covering, (more information can be found at (http://ods.ua.edu/covid-19-disability/), the student will be reported to Student Life for further disciplinary action. More information on these requirements and UA Healthcheck system and screening can be found at healthinfo.ua.edu.  You are expected to visit the site and comply with all noted requirements related to in-person class attendance.