FRENCH 2001 R
PATTERNS OF FRENCH CULTURE I
Summer 2017, Georgia Tech Lorraine(GTL), Times TBA
Instructor: Dr. Chris Ippolito
Office: GT Atlanta: Swann Bldg., Room 226 – GTL: TBA, Office hours: TBA – GTL Tel. TBA
Email address: , Web:
COURSE MATERIAL
• REQUIRED 1/ TEXTBOOK (online or not) + 2/ QUIA ONLINE WORBOOK (ACCESS CODE):
Williams, Grace and Roche, Bien vu, biendit: Intermediate French. McGraw Hill 1st edition 2008.
1/ BIEN VU, BIEN DIT: INTERMEDIATE FRENCH (studentedition) 1st ed, 2008 -MC GRAW HILL / ISBN9780072897593. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE.
2/ BIEN VU, BIEN DIT QUIA COMBINED ONLINE WORKBOOK/ LAB MANUAL ISBN 9780073259215. ONLINE ONLY.
Again, buy this textbook with the QUIA Access Card for the online workbook.
Available at Barnes and Noble GT Bookstore.QUIA course code TBA
Film: Le chemin du retour ; at Gatech Library / Online Center:
• Course packet: Selected documents, forums and links on each unit studied on T-square
• Instructor’s website at (links to more material)
• Suggested: A good bilingual dictionary (Robert-Collins, Harraps…) and/or a French-French dictionary (Petit Robert); online, use
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course, the third in the language sequence, is designed as an intermediate course for students who have completed French 1001 and 1002 or for freshmen with extensive prior French instruction. It is designed to improve oral and written communication skills and further introduce to French-speaking cultures. Class discussion and questions will take place in French. Credit Hours: 3. Prerequisite: FREN 1002 (2 semesters of French at the college-level or equivalent).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
A. General Objective: The mastery of the target language at the intermediate level through the critical study of culture, cultural practices, and intercultural comparisons.
B. Specific Objectives: 1/ Enrichment of grammatical competency. 2/ Development of communicative strategies through the 5 competencies (cultural understanding, listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Towards the end of this course, a student should be able to do the following: 1. Participate in complex conversations on topics related to daily activities and personal environment. Initiate, sustain and bring to a close a number of challenging communicative exchanges. Satisfy simple personal needs and social demands to survive in the target language. Obtain and give information by asking and answering questions. 2. Create with the language and communicate personal meaning to sympathetic interlocutors by combining language elements in discrete sentences and strings of sentences. [1-2 adapted from ACTFL OPI Interview Tester Training Manual, 1999)]. 3. Develop/practice the use of grammar/syntax in context, with focus on using tenses appropriately (past, future) and expressing one’s subjectivity 4. Identify (and respond to) information in French on various supports, including the Internet. 5. Develop his/her appreciation of French-speaking cultures (incl. through the final project). 6. Last but not least, fulfill his/her own goals in this course or the necessary foundations for the major/minor in French: general interest? potential professional interest? other? Please state your goals as they stand now: a. main goal: b. other goals:
COURSE EVALUATION / ASSIGNMENTS
10%Active Participation and in-class activities (preparation, lateness, unexcused absences…)
10%Quia Online Homework: Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Syntax, Listening, Phonetics (average of 5 best electronic submissions)
20% Essays — Writing assignments (average of 5 best essays)
20%Quizzes (vocabulary and grammatical structures; average of 5 best quizzes; no make-ups)
15% Midterm (ch. 1-3)
15% Final (ch. 4-6)
10%Final Project (in groups)
ML PERFORMANCE GOAL #1: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONML Learning Outcome 1 : Demonstrate oral and aural proficiency in the target language / FREN 2001: Students will demonstrate oral proficiency at the Intermediate level on the ACTFL scale
ML Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate effective presentation skills in the target language / FREN 2001: Students will demonstrate the ability to present in class for 3 minutes or more without notes on an everyday topic
ML Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate writing proficiency in the target language / FREN 2001: Students will produce a variety of short (1- page) essays at the Intermediate High level on the ACTFL scale
ML Learning Outcome 4:
Demonstrate proficiency in comprehension of authentic written texts in the target lang. / FREN 2001: Students will demonstrate comprehension of authentic texts related to familiar topics
ML PERFORMANCE GOAL #2: INTERCULTURAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
ML Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specific target-language country / region / n/a at this level
ML Learning Outcome 6:Demonstrate the ability to analyze an issue from target-culture perspective(s) / n/a at this level
ML Learning Outcome 7:Demonstrate critical reflection on cultural complexity and context / n/a at this level
Calculate your grade:15% Midterm:15% Final:
20% Essays (drop the 2 lowest grades; a: 1st version; b: final version); ch. 12 extra-credit: a/ b/
1a / 1b / 2a / 2b / 3a / 3b / 4a / 4b / 5a / 5b / Average20% Quizzes (drop the lowest grade)
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / Average10% Quia (drop the lowest grade; Quia grade taken at time indicated on syllabus schedule)
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / Average10 % Final Project:10 % Participation:
Participation and in-class activities including exercises assigned for a specific class; participation required (quantity, quality; French only in class); see attendance/lateness policy for further details. Participate in each class: practice of spoken French is essential.
Essays/ Writing Assignments : You will write 5 papers this semester (1 page each).The quia essay for ch. 6 is replaced by the text [slides, notes] of your final project (graded with the project). However quiach. 6 essay may be submitted as a an extra-credit essay. The essays will be typed, double-spaced, with a margin of 1.25 inches on all sides. The papers must be your own work. Plagiarism (as defined in the Student Handbook) is banned. Part of the assignment is to learn how to proof-read your own work. A correction key will be handed out to you. You will submit a first draft. A week later, you will submit a final version of the composition, according to the correction/comments provided. The grade for each composition averages the grades for the 2 drafts. Accents must be typed in, not written in pen or pencil. These papers cannot be made up; your 2 lowest grades including papers not completed if any will be dropped. Papers turned in late will receive a penalty of one letter grade per 24 hour period (all due dates on this syllabus).All essays have to be posted on T-square, printed AND given to instructor IN CLASS.
Homework / Quia and Textbook: For each unit, you will have to read the corresponding pages in Bien vu Bien dit.Pages to read for each day are indicated in the schedule below. Exercises on these pages have to be prepared and may lead to short quizzes in class. For chapters 1-6, complete the online exercises for chapters 1-6 on the required online Quia Workbook/Lab Manual at: (key required) by the day indicated in the schedule below.
Tests / Quizzes, Midterm, Final, Optional Spoken French Evaluations. The average of your 5 best grades (out of 6 quizzes) will determine your quiz grade. These exams will test grammar and vocabulary. The more comprehensive Midterm and Final will also test your comprehension of the film and knowledge of culture as presented in the textbook. Tests cannot be made up.
No make-ups allowed. Mark your calendar.
Spoken French Evaluations (optional, not for grade, towards end of semester, 12 minutes, appointment to take with instructor)
Final Project(in groups). To be prepared in groups of 3 or 4, the project will address a particular aspect of French and/or Francophone culture to be determined by the students in each group. Each student will present a section of the group project (5 minutes max.). Delivery, originality of the material presented, and sources will be subject to peers and instructor’s evaluation. Particular attention will be paid to the coherence of the group project as a whole, and to visuals used. Practice and time yourself to 5 minutes. Use any props which will make you talk more interesting and easy to follow for the audience: pictures, maps, charts, realia, etc. Be attentive when taking notes; it is best to put the information into your own words as you are taking notes from your sources. Prepare documentation of your sources to turn it, including Internet sites. Do not read the report. Reading a report will result in a reduction of one letter grade on the project. You may have brief notes, but they must be on index cards. The text of your group’s PowerPoint slides will be your last (collective) essay, graded with the project.
Intercultural Sessions with SUPELEC-Metz students
(strongly suggested; attendance to at least one session is mandatory and may replace attendance to a class session)
COURSE POLICIES:
Welcome to my office!
Do not hesitate to come and see me as often as you want! You can also take an appointment if office hours are not convenient to you, or just drop by. Especially, come as soon as you feel you have any problem and/or need help with anything. Take at least two appointments with me to discuss honestly your progress and difficulties. I will make sure your questions, concerns or suggestions get the attention they deserve. I will be happy to inform you on your grades. I will also be happy to help you as much as I can with your homework assignments, your latest essay/project, any issue pertaining to the course, the French program at Georgia Tech, or queries on France and Francophone cultures.When I am not in my office, the best way to reach me is to email me, rather than leave a message on my office voice mail.
Attendance, Academic Honesty
Your presence and active participation in class are essential. Daily class attendance is required. Please be on time too.Being late once or twice is understandable, but half a point off will be deducted from your final grade for each additional occurrence of lateness. Three unexcused absences allowed (an excused absence has to be documented by a letter from a doctor/GT administrator); one point off your final grade for each additional unexcused absence. Cell phones off in class. Georgia Tech offers accommodation to students with disabilities: please see This course complies with GT Academic Honor Code: please see I am interested in your work, and not in that of a friend or material copied form the internet or any other source. Avoid plagiarism at all costs, and always quote all your sources. Any form of cheating (be it on an essay or a test or any other assignment) is discouraged and will affect your grade. Internet-based tools make it extremely easy today to find out whether somebody pasted material from the internet or other sources.
Organization
The work on each of the 6 chapters is task-oriented (see schedule below). Prepare these tasks well in advance, especially when you have to present in groups.You need up to an hour a day to prepare for each class session, and three more for completing the assignments. Read the pages assigned for each day thoroughly. You will have not only to know the material but also to apply it. Use your dictionary (-ies) especially at the end of each chapter to look up for words and their constructions with prepositions used and/or irregular stems (a good dictionary will give you constructions, stems and examples of sentences). Take a study partner and work with her/him, especially on activities and presentations. However, the written work given to me should be your own (see above). Reading French regularly is essential at your level: consult with instructor on optional additional readings, and check the links on media and culture on his website. Also, take advantage of the opportunities to speak French on campus with the French club or tutors, or any Francophone student; you may also apply to go to France (Paris LBAT, GTL Metz) or Senegal (ask your instructor).
STUDY TIPS
1. Never miss class. Use every opportunity to speak, hear and read French. Keep on trying to keep a conversation going. This course will use the latest ACTFL-designed techniques in order to enhance your oral proficiency. Be willing to take risks, trying out the new structures and vocabulary you are learning. Students who play it safe (stick to the simple, reliable forms instead of trying new ones) will only hold themselves back. There is no disgrace goofing with something you didn’t know; but progress comes from learning from it and doing better next time.
2. Make a constant effort to participate in each class. The classroom is the primary focus for all second-year work. As you are intermediate speakers, you should not be afraid to make mistakes. They are a necessary part of the learning process. Never fear to ask for help: often the same thing puzzling you is confusing others too. Get help fast when you need it; do not let problems develop. Take at least two appointments with the instructor to discuss honestly your progress and difficulties.
3. Do not fall behind in your work. Be organized: do your homework in time. ‘Catching up’ is extremely difficult in an intermediate language course. Success depends largely on regular contact with the material (In practicing a skill, four 15 minute-study periods with full concentration may work better for you than one-hour sessions). Don’t be satisfied with knowing the material. Be sure to practice enough times to be able to perform it with relative ease and fluency. Tests examine not only what you know, but how well you know it and how quickly you can put it into use.
4. Watch yourself as a learner: try to determine what type of material helps you learn best and what doesn’t. Ask for help from your instructor. Avoid translation at all costs: you want to develop skills in French, and it doubles your processing time. It is more useful to develop the ability to paraphrase (‘circumlocute’).
5. Design your own learning aids: flashcards, charts, lists, repertories, website, etc. This will help you memorize and recycle the material. Take advantage of cognates while building your vocabulary. Put tricky points on cards to carry with you and take advantage of those mentally idle moments in your day (walking, standing in line, eating breakfast, etc.) to practice the language. Memorize not only vocabulary, but useful formulas you can rely on to get things done.
6. Assume that grammar and syntax do mean something. In Romance languages, among others, place, form and endings of words can make a huge difference in meaning, and have for hundreds of years. Use the hand-outs and the course Internet site on the Blackboard.
7. Practice out loud. Read the material and learn the spelling of the words. Use the website’s suggestions to improve on your speaking and listening abilities.
Some of these suggestions come from the Middlebury College Summer Language School Handbook, 1997, the Wake Forest University Romance Languages Home Page and the following individuals: Kara Rabitt, Joan McRae, Lucile Duperron. Also see Joan Rubin & Irene Thompson, How to be a More Successful Language Learner, HeinleHeinle, 1982, or H. Douglas Brown, A Practical Guide to Language Learning, McGraw Hill, 1989). I am indebted to Dr. Blackbourn-Jansma, Dr. Boulard and Dr. Gall for their invaluable advice on this course.
FRENCH 2001/ PATTERNS OF FRENCH CULTURE I: SCHEDULE
The following schedule is subject to changes. Any changes will be announced in class, ahead of time. Should you be absent on a day a change is announced, it is your responsibility to remain apprized of all changes.
T-square :Forums:All postings
In-Class Activities, Readings (to prepare at home) / Homework/Devoirs / Additional Activities: culture and readingsLearning Tips / Always prepare the activities for the day before class, and read the textbook carefully, using the suggested dictionary as needed: this will make your learning much more effective / Submit your QUIA online homework by the date due
Do the QUIA exercises for the day the corresponding activities in the textbook are planned: this will make your learning much more effective / The activities in this column are from various sources. Time-permitting, they may be added to the regular activities.
Reading French regularly is essential at your level: consult with instructor on optional additional readings, and check the links on media and culture on his website
Day 1 / Introduction
Présentations Questionnaire / Presentation of useful web sites + T-square site
List emails collected / *Review Promenades as needed during the first 3 weeks of class
French newspapers, radio, TV channels online: list on mn web site.
Groups: evaluation (time-permitting)
QUIA registration for this clas
Day 2 / Chapitre 1, Les gens de Canal 7
- Vocabulaire : Les études, p. 2-7
Memorize the vocabulary p. 2-3
Exs A & B p. 4
VIDEO ch. 1 / Set up your QUIA account for the semester
Prepare questions on any point of grammar/vocabulary you are not comfortable with and post them on the T-square forum ‘essays’ @
/ Last Day to Register/Change Schedule
Studies and Students in France and the USA: PowerPoint presentations and websites, additional vocabulary, articles