FR 202 Section 001: Intermediate French
Fall, 2010
3 Credit Hours
Primary Instructor: Isabelle Drewelow
Core Designation: Humanities
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Bonjour et Bienvenue! Welcome to French 202 at the University of Alabama. French 202 is the fourth semester of the University's four-semester sequence of introductory French language courses. In this intermediate course, you will continue to improve your oral and written communication skills in French as you explore various themes in French and Francophone culture. You will review grammatical concepts that you have seen before, discover new ones and significantly develop your reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency through print and other media dealing with daily life culture as well as history and civilization.
PREREQUISITES
French 201, or departmental placement.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to gain intermediate competency in communication skills to:
· Read French cultural and literary material related to daily activities, personal relationships, social interactions, health, French and Francophone history and civilization
· Talk with speakers of French on a variety of practical topics including aspects of French and Francophone cultures
· Understand French spoken at normal speed by speakers of French on the various topics mentioned above
· Write in French on the various topics mentioned above using appropriate vocabulary and accurate structures
CLASSROOM POLICIES
1) PUNCTUALITY: On-time arrival is expected out of courtesy for your professor and fellow classmates. Late arrivals will count against your participation grade. Consistent late arrivals to class or early departures may be considered as absences.
2) ATTENDANCE: Class attendance is required and reflected in your final grade. You are allowed to miss a total of 3 classes (for the MWF courses) or 2 (for the TTh). A student who misses class too often disrupts the course. As such, those missing a total of 6 classes (for the MWF courses) or 4 (for the TTh) cannot pass the course regardless of the reason for the absence (health, personal, athletic, etc.). The instructor’s records are the sole authority in determining student attendance. You are responsible for obtaining information about work missed during absences. Extended absences of more than two consecutive class meetings should be reported to the instructor by email. Students with an excused absence are allowed to make up the missed work if feasible. Medical or other official documentation is typically required to establish an excused absence, and the instructor determines the validity of excuses.
3) PREPARATION: Before each class session, you are expected to read carefully the lesson (that includes grammar explanations, vocabulary or readings) and learn the material in order to be able to participate in classroom activities and discussions. Minimal class time will be spent on grammar explanations. It is your responsibility to make sure that you understand all grammar and to get help outside of class if you don’t. Your professor is available for additional help during office hours and by appointment.
4) ORGANIZATION: Think of class time as practice time. In this course, you will engage in group and pair work to develop your communication skills. This class will be conducted in French.
The program outlined below may be modified as needed throughout the semester. It is an outline to be generally followed, and not meant as an exhaustive daily description of task or homework.
Fall 2010 Special days and Testing Schedule MWF CLASSES
Introduction August 18
Unité 6 Sept. 3, Contrôle 1
Labor Day Sept. 6, NO CLASS
Unité 7 Sept. 24, Contrôle 2
Unité 8 Oct. 13, Contrôle 3
Mid-Semester Break Oct. 29, NO CLASS
Unité 9 Nov. 1, Contrôle 4
French Convention NO CLASS
Unité 10 Nov. 22, Contrôle 5
Thanksgiving Holiday Nov. 24-26, NO CLASS
Révision Nov. 29, Dec. 1, 3
Final Exam: Monday, Dec. 6th as per the University Final Exam Schedule
ASSESSMENT
Students will be assessed through daily active and productive classroom participation, regular attendance, completion of assigned homework including listening/speaking activities, four written assignments (rédactions), written exams at the end of each unité (contrôles), a presentation and an oral exam (activité orale). See descriptions and weighting system below for each assessment category.
Participation and Attendance – 15%
Daily practice is essential when learning a language. Your presence and active participation in class is REQUIRED. Your participation grade will be based on your attendance, punctuality, adequate preparation for each class session (you are expected to study the assigned material before coming to class), active participation by responding when called upon, volunteering answers, and willingness to speak in French at all times during class.
Homework and Preparation – 10%
Homework assignments will be announced via eLearning and are designed to help you practice the new structures and vocabulary. It is best to break up the work assigned, since cramming too much at one time is not beneficial. Expect to spend up to 2 hours on homework outside of class for every one hour you are in class. Be prepared to orally respond about previous work in class. Please check over your returned homework. Errors may have been marked, but not corrected for you. Homework is due at the beginning of class on the date it is due. It is your responsibility to check due dates. NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Rédactions – 15%
You will write four compositions (rédactions) of two pages in length. The topics will be based on the material covered in class. The grade will be weighted equally based on grammar and content. The rédactions must be word processed in French with accents, and double-spaced.
Contrôles – 30%
Five tests, one for each Unité from 6 to 10 of À votre tour!, will assess your progress in the course and will cover work done in class as well as homework. See your calendar for contrôles dates. NO MAKE-UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.
Présentation – 10%
Each Unité of À votre tour contains a section called Interlude Culturel, which presents cultural background on historical and contemporary issues in France and the French-speaking world as well as on individuals. You will choose an issue or an individual (Unités 6-10) to present to the class in an exposé of about 8 minutes. Students will submit, a week before their presentation, a detailed outline of the presentation (worth 10% of the presentation grade). You can include audio or visual aids but let your instructor know in advance so that s/he will have the necessary equipment (do not plan on filling your exposé with any significant amount of audio or video, otherwise you may be required to add extra time to your presentation). You cannot simply read your presentation but you can use 3”x5” note card. The presentation should end with an interesting question to the class to encourage discussion.
Examen Final – 20%
For the final exam, you will write a composition (3 pages in length) on a topic that will be provided by your instructor. This take-home exam will be due on the date of the final scheduled exam (see calendar for date). The grade will be weighted between grammar (60%) and content (40%). The composition must be word processed in French with accents, and double-spaced.
NO MAKE-UP OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS COMPONENT.
Grading – The final letter grade will be determined according to the following chart.
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100-98% A+ |
89-88% B+ |
79-78% C+ |
69-68% D+ |
Below 50% F |
|
97-94% A |
87-84% B |
77-74% C |
67-64% D |
|
|
93-90% A- |
83-80% B- |
73-70% C- |
63-60% D- |
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The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
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