FRENCH 201: Spring 2007

MARTINE BELL    

Office:             227 Withers Hall

Phone:             515-9306

Office hours:   MW 2:30-3:30 and F 11:30-12:00

E-mail:             bell@social.chass.ncsu.edu

Webpage:        http://www4.ncsu.edu/~mbell 

For adverse weather information:  Call 513-8888 or consult the NC State webpage.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  Students will be able to…

1.  understand French spoken at normal speed by the teacher, native speakers on the language lab audio tapes and in-class videotapes when based on previously studied material with approximately 80% accuracy as assessed by ability to answer questions in class and in workbook exercises.

2.   speak French at the Intermediate Level using previously studied grammar and vocabulary with appoximately 80% accuracy as assessed by the ability to ask/answer questions, perform skits, discuss readings, participate in oral activities, etc.

3.   read selected French cultural and literary selections at the Intermediate Level with approximately 80% comprehension as assessed by oral/written questions and projects and in-class discussions.

4.   write French at the Intermediate Level using previously learned grammar and vocabulary with approximately 80% accuracy as assessed by written questions, exam questions, etc.

5.   discuss selected aspects of French and Francophone cultures (both "C": high culture and "c": everyday customs) in English and French based on previously learned material obtained from in-class presentations, videotapes, songs, readings, etc. in French  and English.

The emphasis will be on speaking and culture.  To accomplish these goals, it is essential that we use French as the language of the classroom.

 

PLACEMENTS AND PREREQUISITES:  Successful completion of FLF 102 or FLF 110 at NC State, transfer credit of its equivalent at another university, or placement into FLF 201 on the NC State Placement Test.  the Placement Test can be taken in the Foreign Language Technology Center is located in the LANGUAGE AND COMPUTER LABS building at the corner of Current Drive and Stinson Drive.  The test will take 20-25 minutes and you will receive the results immediately.  If you are a student in CHASS and Management, minoring in French or a French major, you must take FLF 201 for a grade rather than Credit Only or Audit.

 

TEXTS AND MATERIALS:

- A votre tour!  Valette, Jean-Paul & Rebecca M. Valette.   Houghton-Mifflin Publishers, 2nd edition, 2007. (This is a new edition)

- Student Activities Manual: A votre tour!  Houghton-Mifflin Publishers, 2nd edition, 2007. (This is a new edition)

- A folder with "pockets" for hand-outs, tests, etc.

- French-English/English-French dictionary (recommended:   Harrap’s Pocket, Oxford-Hachette Pocket or Larousse).

- Online dictionary:  http://www.wordreference.com/enfr/free

- French Online Grammar Quiz:  http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~creitan/grammar.htm

- Français Interactif:  http://www.laits.utexas.edu/fi/ (vocabulary, phonetics, grammar, audio ex., videos)

- Francophone TV Channel :  http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/programmes/accueil_continent.php

 

SYLLABUS:  All page numbers for TEXTE, REVISION and EXERCICES are located in the textbook.  You must study and prepare this material before coming to class on the day indicated in order to be prepared for our communicative activities.  All page numbers for "W" (WRITING) and "L&S" (LISTENING and SPEAKING) are located in the Student Activities Manual. (See "Student Activities Manual" section below for details.)

 

WORKBOOK:   Student Activities Manual:  The workbook/laboratory manual is divided into three parts:  The WRITING exercises (represented by "W" on the syllabus) are printed on pp. 3-106. The LISTENING & SPEAKING exercises (represented by "L&S" on the syllabus) are printed on pp. 109-174.  The video activities are printed on pp. 177-222.  The ANSWER KEY for all of the WRITING, LISTENING & SPEAKKING exercises are not printed in the workbook.  They will be sent to you in an attachment to an e-mail at the beginning of the semester. Attention:  Exams will contain exercises from the WRITING and/or LISTENING & SPEAKING sections. 

 

Listening and Speaking exercises:  These exercises are available online, using WebCT Vista:  http://vista.ncsu.edu and log in with your Unity ID and Password.  If it is your first time, run the “browser check” before you log in to be sure that your computer is configured properly to continue.  If any of the 5 listings have an “X” instead of a check mark, you need to correct the problem before you begin.  Once logged in, you will be brought to your myWebCT page.  Click on your FLF 201 section, then on Audio and on the chapter you want to listen to. 

If this is your first time, I suggest that you click on “Student Orientation to WebCT Vista” for a short tutorial.  If you experience problems at any time, contact Vista Support at 515-HELP or help@ncsu.edu.  If you do not have access to a computer with speakers, you can complete these exercises in the Foreign Language Technology Center (in the Language and Computer Building at the corner of Stinson and Current Drives).  Each time you log in, your session will be reported for my records.

 

FILMs:  Everyone will be required to see two french-language films with subtitles, Cyrano de Bergerac and Au revoir, les Eenfants.  See Syllabus or link Films and Videos for calendar.  They will be shown in the Media Center on the 2nd floor of Erdahl-Cloyd Wing of the NC State Library.   They may also be rented from a video store.  COMPOSITION 3 will be based on Cyrano and you will also turn in a FILM SHEET on Au revoir, les Enfants. 

 

VIDEOS:  You will be required to choose TWO cultural videos to view during the semester and write a cultural commentary (in English) for each of your two choices.   Each week, one video (or set of two videos) will be shown at at the Media Center of the D.H.Hill Library.  See syllabus or link Films and Videos for calendar and video information.  You will submit a one-page, typed commentary in English.  (1/2 page for each video for a set of two videos). DO NOT SUMMARIZE THE VIDEO.  You may discuss what intrigued or surprised you about the cultural content, what you thought about the content from an American perspective, how the video content fits with your conception of the French culture, etc.

PLEASE NOTE:  You must choose ONE video about an artist from among videos A, B or C AND you must choose ONE video about history or a famous person among videos D, E, F or G.  You may hand in your typed commentaries any time following the showing of the video.  However, you must hand in the first commentary (A, B or C) by F February 9 and the second video commentary (D, E, F or G) by M April 9.

 

EXAMS:  There will be two exams in addition to the final exam.  Please note that the Oral Part of the final exam will be given on M April 16 and W April 18.  There will be no make-up exams unless the absence is due to a reason listed in the NC State Attendance policy. (see attendance policy).

 

COMPOSITIONS:  You will write three compositions in French.  Compositions will be typed, double-spaced, using accent marks on your computor.  NOTE FOR ALL WRITTEN WORK:  No online translators, help from friends, native speakers, tutors, etc. is permitted for this course.  Use a regular or online dictionary.   No late work will be accepted for credit.

 

ORAL PRESENTATION:   You will give one oral  presentations to the class with a partner on a French singer or musician. 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  All work will be subject to NC State standards of Academic integrity.  You will be asked to sign the Honor Pledge on every test and/or assignment.  "I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment/test." 

 

ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is required and will be taken daily.  You are allowed three absences before your grade suffers for each additional absence.  Each absence above three will reduce your class participation grade by one grade.  (For example, with 3 excessive absences, B+ becomes C+).  Save your absences for emergencies.  Beyond three absences, you will need a written excuse to be accepted at my discretion (in case of illness, injury, death or illness in the family, university duties, court attendance, or religious observance.)  This policy is based upon the University Attendance Policy. 

If you need to miss a class for one of the above-mentioned reasons, let me know before the class meeting.  Upon return to class after an absence, you are responsible for any homework and any assignment announced on the day you were absent.  Please get the e-mail address or phone number of a classmate so that you can contact him/her in the event that you are unsure of an assignment.

 

GRADES:  Your grade will include + / - and will be computed as follows:

       20%   2 exams

       25%   Final Exam

       30%   3 compositions in French, two video commentaries in English, and one film sheet

       25%   Class Participation  20% + Oral Presentation 5%

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS:  I will do my best to keep the class atmosphere creative, lively, and accepting of your best efforts.  In turn, you, too, have some responsibilities.  Here are some suggestions:

1.   Prepare your assignments well BEFORE coming to class so that we can devote our in-class sessions to communicative activities. 

2.   Bring your textbook to class everyday.

3.   Actively participate in each lesson.  Mentally answer every question when a classmate is responding. 

4.   Take risks!  Speak out.  Don't be afraid to make mistakes.  The more you speak, the better you will get.

5.   Take notes.  Write down everything from the board or screen.

6.    Use French outside of class.  See French movies in theaters or on video, visit French websites, join the French Club, etc.

7.    Don’t hesitate to ask me for help or assistance.  You can e-mail me or come and see me during my office hours.

 

TUTORING:  The Undergraduate Tutorial Center offers free tutoring (1005K Ricks Hall Annex, 515-3163) http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/  Please come and see me if you are experiencing problems.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Students for whom a letter has been sent from the Disabilities Services Office (DSO) to the instructor should schedule an appointment with the instructor.  Any student requesting accommodations must see a DSO provider.   Information can be found at their website at http://www.ncsu.edu/dso or call the office at 515-7653.

FRENCH CLUB:  Consider joining the french Club to get extra exposure to the language and culture.  You are welcome at any of the meetings which take place every other week.  I will let you know when the first meeting will take place this semester.

SUMMER PROGRAM IN LILLE, FRANCE:  The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures sponsors a summer study abroad program in Lille, France where you can earn a total of six credits for five weeks of study.  For information about this program, inquire at the Office of Study Abroad  http://www.ncsu.edu/studyabroad/places/europe/lillesummer.html or contact the Director, Dr. Diane Beckman dsbeckma@social.chass.ncsu.edu . 

DEPARTMENTAL HOMEPAGE:  Visit the Foreign Language Department homepage http://sasw.chass.ncsu.edu/fl/fl.htm for more information about:  the professional advantages of studying foreign languages--and French, in particular, the French Major and Minor at NC State, teacher licensure in French, the Master’s Program.  You will find useful links in the French Section homepage http://sasw.chass.ncsu.edu/fl/french/ to learn more about French through the Internet.