French 107

 University of Delaware

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

French 107 – Student Syllabus

Fall 2008

Goals | Policies | Course Grades | Writing Assignments |

Oral Exam | Schedule of Classes

MWF                                                                           TR

Instructor…………………………                              Instructor…………………..               

Office…………………………….                              Office………………………

Office hours………………………                              Office hours………………..

Telephone………………………..                              Telephone………………….

E-mail……………………………                              E-mail………………………

Required Materials:

Tufts, C. & Jarausch, H. (2006).  Sur le vif (4th edition), Boston:  Heinle & Heinle.

Tufts, C. & Jarausch, H. (2006).  Cahier d’exercices écrits et de laboratoire to accompany Sur le vif (4th edition), Boston :  Heinle & Heinle.

Optional Materials :

French/English dictionary :  Bantam by Roger Steiner is recommended.

Student audio CDs.

World Wide Web activities :  http://slv.heinle.com

                                                http://www.fllt.udel.edu/lang/french/french 107.html

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

FRENCH 107 – Fall 2008

abbreviations:  TX = textbook   WB = workbook (cahier d’exercices)

-prélude TX–questions 1-10 (p. 3) 

-TX p. 4 « Pour mieux s’exprimer »

For Wednesday:  WB p. 2 E.  

            -general observations about the Francophone world

            -explanation of syllabus

For Thursday:  WB pp. 1-2 A,B,C,D.

study vocab. pp. 8-9 TX

-discussing university life

For Friday:  Two to three paragraphs about self based on WB p. 2 f on separate sheet of paper  .  (counts as a homework assignment.  Add a description of yourself using vocab. from chapter one (what kind of student areyou? for ex.).

WB pp. 5-7 A,B,C,D,E,F. 

present tense –er verbs and stem-change –er verbs TX b. pp. 142-144; Appendix C  suivre, obtenir (venir), s’inscrire (écrire) and present tense –ir verbs like réussir, dormir  pp. 144-145 and –rir verbs.           

            -discussing your present lifestyle at the university

(Monday, 9/5 is a holiday.)

For Tuesday:  TX saviez-vous pp. 10 and 16;  WB pp. 7-9 A,B,C,D,E,F,G (check your answers in the answer key)

            -discussing the French school system    

For Wednesday:  WB p. 10 H.  Study present tense verb forms.

            -discussing university life

            -discussing the French school system. 

For Friday:  Study vocabulary and present tense forms.

            -discussing current university life

            - discussing current university life

For Tuesday:  Study for quiz.

            -review and quiz

For Wednesday :  WB p. 11 K.

            -expressing opinions, desires, emotions about university life 

For Thursday:  Write three statements about yourself, one of which is false.  Bring to class.

            -expressing doubt and giving advice

 For Friday:   Freshman and transfer students prepare questions for upper classmen and upper classmen prepare advice for freshman.

            -asking for and giving advice about the university life.

For Monday:  Review vocabulary and structures.

            -scenario or role-play based on university theme

            -Writing Assignment I to be completed in class.

For Wednesday:  study vocabulary TX pp. 34-35, saviez-vous pp. 36, 37, 41.

            -discussing  immigration and work

For Thursday:  WB pp.31-32 A,B,C,D,E; TX p. 164 imparfait   

-discussing past working conditions

For Friday:  TX pp. 162-164 le passé compose

            -discussion of immigration and work

            -describing past actions            

For Monday:  TX pp. 165-167  passé composé vs imparfait and review forms of both past tenses, chapter 3 vocabulary

            -narrating past working experiences

For Tuesday :  WB pp. 34-37 A,B,C,D,E,H

            -une lettre de candidature et un entretien 

             -reading about one immigrant’s experiences (Azouz a honte)

            -une lettre de candidature et un entretien 

            -narrating past events/work experiences

For Friday:  WB pp. 38-39 I,J,K.  TX p. 168 le plus-que parfait

            -Azouz a honte

            -plus-que parfait

For Monday:  WB pp. 39-40 M,N.       

-Azouz a honte

            -past tenses

For Tuesday:  Quiz      

            -review of past tenses

-« job fair » interviewing for a job

For Friday:  TX pp. 172-174 III A only.

-Azouz a honte

-speaking concisely – direct vs indirect object pronouns  (le, la, les, lui, leur)

            -quiz

            -understanding a song

            -object pronouns (me, te, nous, vous)

            -Azouz a honte

-speaking concisely – direct vs indirect object pronouns  (le, la, les, lui, leur)

For Monday:  Writing Assignment II due.

            -object pronouns

For Tuesday:  review vocabulary from story and chapter 3

            -role-plays based on reading and chapter 3 themes

            -scenarios based on reading and chapter 3 themes

For Thursday:  Study vocabulary for mid-term.

            -review vocabulary for mid-term

For Friday:  Study structures for mid-term.

            -review structures for mid-term

For Monday:  Study for mid-term.

-talking about travel TX pp. 66-70

For Wednesday :  TX pp. 181-185 future and conditional tenses.  WB pp. 59-60 A,B,C,E.

-talking about where you will go

For Thursday:  WB p. 63 D,E.

            -discussing what you will do if…

For Friday:  review future forms and chapter 5 vocab.

            -discussing where you will go and what you will do

For Monday:  Review formation of conditional tense.

            -discussing hypothetical travels

For Tuesday:  WB p. 62 C, pp. 64-65 H,I

            -creating your own Francophone country

For Wednesday:  WB p. 65 J

            -speaking hypothetically about travel

            -presenting your “pays francophones”

For Monday:  Study for quiz.

            -quiz

            -speaking succinctly; the pronouns y and en

For Tuesday:  TX pp. 174-176 y and en

            - speaking succinctly; the pronouns y and en

            -discussing French cinema

For Thursday:  WB pp. 73-74 A,B,C,D

            -discussing a particular film

For Friday:  TX pp. 194-195 relative pronouns and “le mot juste”. 

(Add to the list of verbs followed by de on page 195 the following expressions:  être + an adjective de, avoir honte de, profiter de)

            -linking ideas;  relative pronouns (qui/que/dont/où)

For Monday:  WB pp. 78-80 G #s 2,3,5,,8 and H #s 1,2,3,5,6 and J.

            -linking ideas; relative pronouns

            -discussing the film

 For Tuesday:  TX  pp. 191-194 negation.

            -expressing negative ideas

For Wednesday:  Prepare questions/comments for talk-show activity. 

            -talk-show activity

For Thursday:  WB pp.76-77 B,C,D

            -expressing negative ideas

            -linking ideas, expressing negative ideas

For Monday:  Choose 5 words from page 101 and describe or explain them as outlined in exercise A p. 102 TX.  Bring your definitions to class.  TX pp. 198-205 present subjunctive.

-discussing the fairytale tradition in France

-review  of present subjunctive

            -Writing Assignment III to be done in class.

For Wednesday:  WB pp. 87-88 B,C,D,E

            -les contes de fées

            -review  of present subjunctive

For Thursday: 

-understanding a Corsican fairytale

            -La fleur, le miroir, et le cheval TX pp. 107-110

For Friday:  Re-read story TX pp. 107-110 and write out answers to questions.

            -understanding a Corsican fairytale

            -understanding a Corsican fairytale

            -understanding the European Union

(Note to students:  From now until the end of the semester, grammatical structures will be reviewed.)

            -understanding a political discours « Les Etats-Unis d’Europe »  TX pp. 128-129

For Tuesday:  Study for quiz on subjunctive.

            -quiz

            -understanding a literary reading

For Thursday:  Re-read La Confession and answer questions.

            -understanding a literary reading

            -understanding a literary reading

For Monday:  review story and vocabulary.

-role-plays or scenarios based on story

For Tuesday:  WB p. 61 “A la mer”;  Review vocabulary from chapters 1,3,5,6,7,9 and readings.

For Wednesday:  review structures as instructed by your professor.  Writing Assignment IV due.

IMPORTANT DATES

FRENCH 107 – FALL 2008

September

Tuesday 9/13                                       Quiz

Tuesday 9/20                                       Writing Assignment I

October

Tuesday 10/6                                       Quiz

Monday 10/10                                     Writing Assignment II

Monday 10/17                                     Mid-term Exam

Friday 10/28                                        Fall Break

Monday 10/31                                     Quiz

November

Wednesday 11/2                                  Film 6:00-7:30 140 Smith Hall

Tuesday 11/15                                     Writing Assignment III

Wednesday 11/23                                Oral Exams                             

Thursday 11/24

Friday 11/25                                        Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday 11/29                                     Quiz

December

Wednesday 12/7                                  Writing Assignment IV

Friday 12/9-Friday, 12/16                    Final Exam

***Quizzes may be added to the schedule

French 107 – Goals, Policies, Oral Exam, Writing Assignments

 Goals:  Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

-comprehend basic and main ideas spoken in discourse, comprehend specific ideas communicated by a speaker on everyday concrete topics and some common abstract topics at a normal rate of speech;

-narrate and describe with paragraph-length connected discourse referring to past, present, and future times;

-communicate effectively in survival situations by negotiating for meaning with other speakers of French, create with language, initiate interactions;

-create in class (without a dictionary) and outside of class short texts of sufficient clarity to be understood by a sympathetic native speaker;

-comprehend authentic texts in French by making hypotheses about the content, using different strategies to understand texts, identifying functions of texts, making inferences;

-demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for literary selections;

-demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for everyday French and Francophone culture and culturally and historically conditioned behavioral patterns;

Course Policies:

1.      French 107 is an approximately 70-hour course in intermediate French.  Successful completion of the course presupposes 70 class hours of direct contact with the French language, in much the same way that a laboratory course or any skill-licensing course presupposes a predetermined number of contact or practical hours.

Nevertheless, students are allowed five absences for which it is not necessary to present a written excuse.  If any of these five absences occurs on a day when oral and written exams, quizzes or any other graded activities take place, students must bring a letter from a physician or the Academic Dean of the appropriate college to document the reason for the absence.

The five absences are not five free absences;  they are five unexcused absences that will not result in a lowering of a student’s grade.  Students are responsible for any and all information presented in class.

After five absences for any reason, a student’s final course grade will be lowered by 1% for each additional absence.  This excludes absences after the fifth which are due to religious holidays, illness, accidents or other exceptional circumstances.  Such absences should be reported promptly and will require written documentation as explained above.  No such excuses will be accepted one calendar week (7 days) beyond the day on which the absence occurred.

2.      100-level language courses cannot be taken on a pass/fail basis if the courses are

being used to satisfy a requirement or as prerequisites of a course used to satisfy a requirement.

3.   No make-up work is accepted for any kind of unexcused absence or late arrival to    

class.  In addition, expect to be present and available to take your Final Exam until the last day of Finals Week.  

4.   Any late assignments (i.e. homework) will receive a lowered grade (10% for each day

      your paper is late).

5.   In order to successfully complete this course, it is highly recommended that you                         

      spend at least one hour studying for every 50-minute class period.  Studying includes         

      reviewing pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar and culture.

      The Internet Language Center for Sur le Vif (4th edition) at http://slv.heinle.com   

      offers vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation practice for each chapter.  In addition,

      the French Verbs Program is HIGHLY recommended and is available in the Media

      Center in 211 Smith Hall.  Bring a blank 3 ½ inch floppy disk and you will receive a

      copy of  this program.

6.   Please read the University’s Academic Honesty Policy in the Student Guide to University Policies.  Also, note that use of on-line translators is strictly prohibited and is considered academic dishonesty.  If you need help with assignments, please see ONLY your professor(s) unless you have a University approved tutor.  Asking native speakers or other students to “look over” and correct your work is considered academic dishonesty.  If you have any questions about what constitutes dishonesty, please ask your professor(s).

7.   Graded written and oral activities may be unannounced.

8.   The syllabus schedule is to be used as a guide.  Readings, activities,  and quiz dates

       may vary slightly according to the needs of the class.  You will be given sufficient

       notice regarding any changes.

Please Note:

1.   Do not make travel plans during scheduled classes.  This is not an excused absence

      and any work missed, including exams, will not be rescheduled.

2.    If you have a problem or a question about the course, please see your instructors as

       soon as possible.

French 107 Oral Exam

One of the goals of French 107 is to develop and improve your oral proficiency.  In order to evaluate how successfully you have achieved this objective, we will test your ability to communicate using the interview procedure outlined below.  Information for scheduling your exam will be distributed in class.

A:  Procedure for oral exam:

You will interact with a student whom you have previously chosen as your partner.  Your instructors will listen, may ask some questions and will take notes.  You will receive an individual grade which will be determined by consultation between the two instructors.

B:  Sign-up:

Oral exams will take place either in a classroom or in the instructor’s office as indicated on the sign-up sheet.  You and your partner will sign-up for a time slot.  Write in your full names.  Be sure to note the exam date, time and location on your calendar since it is imperative that you arrive on time.  A missed exam will be rescheduled only in case of emergency.  (See the attendance policy on the syllabus.)

C:  Format:

The oral exam will consist of:

1.  Warm-up where you greet your instructors.

2.  Discussion between students:  You will choose a card at random and you and your partner will discuss the topics making sure that you use the appropriate vocabulary and structures.  Depending on time, you may be asked to choose another card at random.  The following topics and structures will be grouped together randomly:

Topics :

les études, l’immigration, le travail, les voyages, Le Dîner de Cons, les lectures

Structures:

le présent, le passé (le passé composé, l’imparfait, le plus-que parfait), les conseils (le conditionnel, le subjonctif), l’hypothétique (le conditionnel), le futur

For example, you and your partner may choose a card which tells you to :

a.  describe your current work and school situation 

b.  tell what happened in the film

c.  give advice to each other about possible trips for vacation

d.  role-play a scene from one of the stories

3.  Instructors’ questions:  Your instructors may ask you and your partner questions about the topics studied.

D:  Scoring:

            In scoring your oral exam, we will consider:

1.  Content and vocabulary  (amount of information conveyed)

                        2.  Structures and accuracy  (manner in which info. is conveyed)

                        3.  Fluency

                        4.  Comprehensibility and pronunciation

E:  Preparation

            Review all topics with your partner.  Consider what you could say about each topic in each time frame.  For example, you could discuss your current job (present), a past job (past tenses) or your dream job (conditional).  Ask your instructors for help.  Practice as often as possible with your partner to gain confidence.  The entire interview will last about fifteen minutes. 

***No notes may be used during the oral exam.***

Course Grade:

Mid-term Exam…………………………………………………………….   20%

Final Exam………………………………………………………………….  30%

Oral Exam…………………………………………………………………..  10%

Writing Assignments……………………………………………………..       15%

Quizzes……………………………………………………………………..  10%

Oral Performance in class………………………………………………….    10%

Homework (web activities, exercises, short writing assignments, etc.)……         05%

A         =          93-100                                     C         =          73-76

A-        =          90-92                                       C-        =          70-72

B+       =          87-89                                       D+       =          67-69

B          =          83-86                                       D         =          63-66

B-        =          80-82                                       D-        =          60-62

C+       =          77-79                                       F          =          59-0

University of Delaware

French 107 Writing Assignments

General Guidelines

            All assignments should fulfill the task required (describing, narrating etc.), be typed and double-spaced with appropriate accent marks. Unless you are told otherwise by your professor, all assignments should be at least two typed pages in length in 12 font with 1-1 ½ inch margins. 

            Please follow the instructions for each assignment.  Before you think about what you want to say, think about what you can say with the vocabulary that you have in the textbook and in your notes.  You may ask only your professor for help unless you have a University approved tutor.  If you need help, please ask your professor specific questions rather than “could you look over my paper?”.  Your professor will be happy to answer your questions.  Be sure to proofread your assignment more than once.

            Please keep your writing assignments in a folder during the semester so that you can trace your progress as well as build upon skills used in earlier assignments. 

Fr107         Writing Assignment  – Mon histoire de réussite

-Because you are a major success in your field of work, you’ve been asked to write an article for a French news magazine describing how you got to be the success that you are today.  (You may imagine yourself as someone real like Donald Trump, for example or you may invent this information about yourself.  You may choose any field of work.) 

-The magazine editors want you to describe:

            -your family upbringing (immigrants?  hardworking?  wealthy?  poor?)

            -your educational background

-your work experience from your very first job

-interesting or important job interviews and/or contacts, how you got your job(s)

            -your personality traits that helped make you a success

            -people who, or circumstances which have motivated you to become a success

            -your current work responsibilities

-ways in which you “give back” to your community (donations to charities, volunteer work etc.)

---Ask your professor for any vocabulary that you need.

---Proofread for correct usage and formation of passé composé, imparfait and plus-que parfait; correct usage of object pronouns and correction formation and usage of present tense (especially for the last part of your paper). 

Fren107      Writing Assignment – Un débat

            -Choose one of the topics debated in class.

            -Explain the problem in general in your introductory paragraph.

            -Present at least three arguments from each side of the problem.

            -State possible solutions.

            -Give your opinion.

            -Proofread for use of subjunctive, negation, si-clauses, conditional of devoir.