Trinity College Dublin
Business studies and French
Bess (French option)
Soc.Soc.Pol. (French option)
Senior Freshmen
FR2040
BESS, Soc.Soc.Pol and BSF French Language and Civilisation 2
FR2041
BSF only French Writing Skills 2
French Department
School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
2013/14
Senior Freshmen FR2040 Dates for your diary 10ECTS Module= MT + HTMT MCQ vocabulary and grammar – Monday 9th December 2013 @ 12pm room 4050B
HT MCQ vocabulary and grammar – Monday 24th March 2014 @ 12pm room 4050A
MT essay due by 12pm in 4089 on Monday of teaching week 11 – Monday 2nd December 2013
HT essay due by 12pm in 4089 on Monday of teaching week 11 – Monday 24th March 2014
Aural (video) – Thursday 27th March 2014 @ 11am room 4050A
Oral exams: Trinity Week
End of year written exam during exam period.
Students who have to take French again (supplemental) or students taking special examinations will do so in the supplemental examinations period. The timetable for written examinations is prepared in July or August by the examinations office. Aural and oral components for these exams will normally take place on the same day as the written supplemental exam. If the written examination is scheduled for the morning, aural and oral examinations will normally start at 14.00 that day. If the written examination is scheduled in the afternoon, the aural and orals will normally take place in the morning. Please see the noticeboard near 4089 for oral and aural timetable details.
Details are correct at the time of publication. Some changes might be necessary later on.Table of contents
1. A Note on this Handbook
/2. Introduction
/3. Staff Contacts
/4. General Information
/5. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
/6. Description of Module FR2040
/7. Description of Module FR2041
/8. Peer Learning
/9. General Programme Regulations
/10. Useful Guidelines
/11. Student Supports
/1. A Note on this Handbook
This handbook applies to all SF students of Business Studies and French, Bess and Soc.Soc.Pol who chose French as an option. All SF BSF students must take the two French modules FR2040 and FR2041 as part of their course. Bess and Soc.Soc.Pol who chose French as an option and have to take FR2040.
These modules are taught by the French department, School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies (SLLCS). The handbook provides a guide to what is expected of you on this programme, and the academic and personal support available to you. Please retain for future reference.
The information provided in this handbook is accurate at time of preparation. Any necessary revisions will be notified to students via e-mail and notices on the notice board. Please note that, in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the General Regulations published in the University Calendar and information contained in course handbooks, the provisions of the Calendar’s General Regulations will prevail.
2. Introduction
Welcome to the French Department, School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, in Trinity College.
Business Studies and French students will be taking 2 French modules during their second year (Senior Freshmen).
FR2040, BESS French Language and Civilisation 2 is also open to students studying BESS, Sociology and Social Policy or Social Studies. Law and French students will takeFR2040 only during the first semester (Michaelmas Term).
This module is part of what we often describe as the BESS French programme and has been specifically designed for students taking the above courses and those taking BSF.
FR2041, BSF French Writing Skills 2 is specific to Business Studies and French students.
We hope that you will enjoy these modules. They aim to provide you with a better understanding of many aspects of political and business life in France, to help you improve your oral and written French and develop your language learning skills so that you can become independent learners.
As in the JF course (FR1040 & FR1050), the approach used is based on the principle that the best way to learn a language is to use it. This means that we expect you to participate fully in the range of activities on offer. The modules are delivered through French, so as to maximise your contacts with the language.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the module coordinators.
We wish you all the best for your SF year.
3. Staff Contacts
Office hours will be posted on the door of the relevant office
Dr Paule Salerno-O’Shea / Module Coordinator
Lecturer (HT) / 4113 / / 01 896 1472
Dr Claire Laudet / Lecturer / 4108 / / 01 896 2313
Ms Florence Signorini / Lecturer (MT) / 4108 / / 01 896 2313
Mathilde / Language assistant /
Ms Tracy Corbett / Executive Officer
Bess French Office (not BESS Office) / 4089
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. The office is open to students from 9.30 a.m. till 11.30 a.m. and from 2.30 p.m. till 3.30 p.m. / / 01 896 1333
4. General Information
The BESS/BSF French notice board is located next to room 4094 on level 4 of the Arts Building.
Below the notice board, you will find pigeon holes where spare copies of handouts may be found.
The staff pigeon holes are located under the main French Department notice board, near room 4111.
Course materials
Michaelmas Term: Ms Florence Signorini will send you course materials every week by e-mail sent to your TCD e-mail address only.
Hilary Term: Dr Salerno-O’Shea will send you course materials every week by e-mail sent to your TCD e-mail address only.
Computers, language laboratories and satellite TV/video workstations: you are entitled to use the facilities of the Centre for Language and Communication Studies (CLCS) located on level 4 of the Arts Building. To use the facilities, you must have a CLCS ID card valid for the current year (available on registration in the CLCS office, Room 4091).
· Audio Language laboratory
For self-access use: Room 4074.
· Video/satellite TV
Self-access use only: Room 4074.
· Computers/DVD playback
Self-access use: Room 4074.
Self-access and occasional class use: Room 4073.
For more information, check http://www.tcd.ie/slscs/clcs/llc/
You may also use the computers in the Public Access Computer rooms but note that you need to have your own headphones if you wish to do listening comprehension work.
Teaching term dates and timetable
Please check your timetable after the Christmas holidays as there might be time and/or room changes.
FR2040
Please check your individual timetable for lectures and tutorials.
Lectures and tutorials start during the first teaching week.
FR2041
Please check your individual timetable for lectures and tutorials.
Lectures and tutorials start during the first teaching week.
Check your individual time-table on my.tcd.ie and keep an eye on the BESS/BSF French notice board near room 4094 on level 4 of the Arts Building.
Tutorial attendance is compulsory and will represent 5% of the end-of-year mark for FR2040.
Socrates – Erasmus
All BSF students spend their 3rd year abroad, on successful completion of their second year (Senior Freshmen). The year abroad is a compulsory component of the Business Studies and a Language programme.
You are advised that having to sit supplemental examinations will delay your arrival in France, which will make it more difficult for you to adjust and integrate in your French institution.
Information on the specific exchanges is available at https://www.tcd.ie/bess/current/languages/studyabroad.php and https://www.tcd.ie/bess/current/languages/destinations.php
5. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is an academic credit system based on the estimated student workload required to achieve the objectives of a module or programme of study. It is designed to enable academic recognition for periods of study, to facilitate student mobility and credit accumulation and transfer. The ECTS is the recommended credit system for higher education in Ireland and across the European Higher Education Area.
The ECTS weighting for a module is a measure of the student input or workload required for that module, based on factors such as the number of contact hours, the number and length of written or verbally presented assessment exercises, class preparation and private study time, laboratory classes, examinations, clinical attendance, professional training placements, and so on as appropriate. There is no intrinsic relationship between the credit volume of a module and its level of difficulty.
The European norm for full-time study over one academic year is 60 credits. 1 ECTS credit represents 20-25 hours estimated student input, so a 10-credit module will be designed to require 200-250 hours of student input, including class contact time and assessments.
ECTS credits are awarded to a student only upon successful completion of the course year. Progression from one year to the next is determined by the course regulations. Students who fail a year of their course will not obtain credit for that year even if they have passed certain component courses. Exceptions to this rule are one-year and part-year visiting students, who are awarded credit for individual modules successfully completed.
6. Description of Module FR2040
BESS FRENCH LANGUAGE & CIVILISATION 2 (POLITICS AND BUSINESS AND ECONOMY)
10 ECTS credits (250 student input hours)
This is a year-long module, delivered during both Michaelmas and Hilary terms.
FR2040 is compulsory for BSF students.
Course overview
The course will introduce students to the French political institutions and political life (Michaelmas Term) and to the world of business in France so that they are aware of the specificity of France in these areas. The program has also been designed to help students identify and develop the language learning skills they will need to study in France and then be able to use on their own.
Michaelmas Term (first semester)
French political institutions and political life
Week 5: Principles and values of the French Republic
Week 6: Origins of the Fifth Republic
Week 7: The President, the Prime minister and the Government
Week 8: The Parliament
Week 9: The Electoral System
Week 10: Political parties 1
Week 11: Study Week (no lectures, no tutorials)
Week 12: Political parties 2
Week 13: Trade Unions
Week 14: Current Issues and Debates 1
Week 15: Current Issues and Debates 2
Week 16: Revisions and MCQ test
Hilary Term (second semester)
Business In France
The following themes will be studied:
Theme 1: Consumer: definition and protection
Theme 2: Product: Patents and Brands
Theme 3: Competition: Legal framework
Theme 4: Marketing
Theme 5: Employees and employer: contracts and power
Theme 6: Employees: individual protection
Theme 7: Companies: legal status and consequences
Theme 8: Employees: collective protection (Guided self-study during week 27 {Study week})
Theme 9: Conflicts in the workplace
In addition, there will be 3 sessions in the Computer lab (teaching weeks 8, 10 and 11) on the theme ‘looking for a summer job/work placement’. Some letter-writing will also be included during these sessions.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
· relate events and facts from French current affairs to the wider French political and business framework;
· understand lectures on these topics in French and take notes using an outline of the lecture;
· read, identify and understand the structure and main points of French textbooks and articles from specialized periodicals and newspapers on the above topics;
· read the same materials to locate and retrieve specific information;
· understand a French native speaker presenting and discussing information on these topics;
· discuss these topics with a French native speaker.
· make short and structured oral presentations on aspects of French political life and institutions and business life in France;
· use authentic sources and course materials to develop their vocabulary and other language competencies;
· describe, compare and contrast the situation in France and Ireland in the context of a discussion with French native speakers;
· Write texts in French such as business letters and short essays, in the appropriate register, in grammatically correct French.
Teaching Information:
The module is delivered through a number of structured components. We advise you to follow the study plan outlined below, as each component builds on the skills, knowledge and vocabulary learnt in the previous component.
Every week you are expected to do the following:
1. Attend the weekly lecture. Handouts will be made available for downloading and printing .Please print (for example select option handout, 6 slides per page) and bring them to the lecture. Alternatively, you can bring your laptop to the lecture. The lectures are delivered in French and will include grammar and vocabulary components as well as presentations on essay writing skills in the French style.
(Lecture: 1 hour/week; reviewing and updating notes: 1 hour/week)
2. A listening comprehension activity, usually web-based. Worksheets will be sent to you by e-mail. You can use the CLCS computer facilities, any public access computer room) if you have your own headphones and/or you can do this at home (but you may need to download additional software or up-dates to be able to view some documents). Please ensure you bring your worksheet to your tutorial every week.
(1 hour/week)
3. Attend second lecture/session
MT teaching weeks 1 to 5: A second weekly lecture
MT teaching weeks 8 to 12: a Computer-lab based session
HT in teaching weeks 8, 10 and 11 only: a Computer-lab based session
Handouts will be available electronically for downloading and printing. (Attendance: 1 hour/week; reviewing and updating notes: 1 hour/week)
4. A reading comprehension or writing task ‘Travail personnel’ to be completed before your tutorial. Print the document, do the various tasks and bring it to your tutorial class every week.
(1 hour/week)
5. Attend your weekly tutorial, starting in week 1 of Michaelmas term and Hilary term. The relevant handouts will be distributed during the tutorials. The tutorials aim to give you the opportunity to apply and practice with your fellow students what you have learnt during the week, under the guidance of a French native speaker.
(1 hour/week)
6. Personal work: review your notes, organise and learn new vocabulary, learn the grammar/language points, check the answers for the listening, reading and writing activities, do some additional reading, listening and writing, practice French conversation with a friend. Additional resources may be made available.