ADVANCED FRENCH CONVERSATION AND CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
Reid
Spring 2011
Classroom: STV 216
Office:  STV 204
Office Hours: T/R 11-1, by apt., or just knock
Phone: 438-7894
e-mail: jhreid@ilstu.edu
homepage: http://lilt.ilstu.edu/jhreid/conversation/
userid:  jhreid
password:  reid
 

COURSE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

I.  The goal of French 214 is to improve your ability to speak knowledgeably and intelligently about contemporary French culture, so that you are better able to engage in successful conversations with members of French and Francophone cultures. 

By working to improve your ability to speak intelligently about French culture, you will gain a greater understanding of cultural practices, values, and identities.  You will learn to identify and question cultural identities and values by evaluating and comparing the strengths and weaknesses of American, as well as French, cultural practices. 

II. The class encourages you to improve your ability to engage in intelligent dialogue about French and American culture by helping you to: 

• develop an increased awareness of the different aspects of a "culture"; 
• acquire and learn to interpret basic accepted "facts" of contemporary French culture; 
• learn methods of analyzing cultural texts; 
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of possible conclusions about American and French cultures and reevaluate your opinions.
• participate actively and thoughtfully in class and group discussions; 
• prepare, for your peers, critical questions on one aspect of French culture, as it is presented in
  reading assignments, and present an intelligent summary and interpretation of this cultural aspect;
• build your French vocabulary; 
• improve your pronunciation and intonation so that the French will understand you;
• understand spoken French by working on oral comprehension exercises in the laboratory;
• prepare and present clear and logical oral presentations.

III. French 214 helps prepare future French teachers for the contemporary culture section of the Illinois teacher certification exam.

IV. You will also develop your pronunciation, oral presentation, reading and writing skills.

Daily homework: 

• Read assigned passages from Les Français, articles on the web, and The French Way before
  coming to class. 
• Interpret these passages critically by responding in writing to questions on homework sheets
  and by bringing completed sheets to the class for which they are assigned.

Periodic homework: 

• Write answers to questions on French videos in computer laboratory and turn in sheet at beginning of class for which assigned; 
• Prepare questions, vocabulary, and oral presentation for 3 individually assigned classes; 
• Prepare for written and oral quizzes.
• Cercle Français 6 times during the semester

In class: 

• Participate intelligently in group and class discussions; 
• Make corrections of and additions to your written question sheet in another color ink, but only if it does not distract from your participation in the conversation. 
• Take notes on culture presentations by students and professor; 
• Learn to recognize and correct your mistakes in grammar and vocabulary;
• Bring a dictionary to class.

Important Links

• Grammatical Correction Abbreviations 

• Common French Grammatical Errors

• French Media on-line (TV,Newspapers,Magazines,Radio)

• Le passé composé vs.l'imparfait

• Les articles:  du, de la, des vs. le, la, les

• Comment taper les accents dans Microsoft Word

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS

I may adjust this schedule according to the needs of a specific class.  You are responsible for all changes in the syllabus, whether or not you are in class.  I will add all changes to the on-line syllabus.

GLC=Guide de lecture critique

May 2, Monday, 3:10-5:10 p.m., Exam Final

Required Texts:

Wylie, Laurence and Jean-François Brière.  Les Français.  3rd ed.  Upper Saddle River:  Prentice Hall, 2001.
Steele, Ross. The French Way: Aspects of Behavior, Attitudes, and Customs of the French. Lincolnwood, IL: Passport Books, 1996.
A full size French/English Dictionary (about $30).

Recommended Texts (especially for future teachers of French who plan to take the certification exam) to be put on reserve:

Carroll, Raymonde.  Evidences invisible:  Américains et Français au quotidien.  Paris:  Seuil, 1987.

Robert, Paul. Le Petit Robert II: Dictionnaire universel des noms propres. Paris: Dictionnaires le Robert, 1994. [Xerox the sections on francophone countries]

Written homework is to be prepared before class. All "guides de lecture critique" must be copied off of the on-line syllabus. 

    1.  Focus on answering the question posed.  Add cultural details in order to support your answer.

    2. I will take as much as 20% off just for excessive grammar problems or for simply copying words from the text without
     reworking them to answer the question.

    3. Homework  filled out during class or handed in late will receive a maximum grade of 75%.

10 = Speak in French only. Come prepared for class and show substantial evidence of progress in speaking and comprehending spoken French. Actively participate in class discussions. Correct own mistakes. Listen to others and learn from them. Rarely repeat the same mistakes.

9 = Speak mostly in French. Usually prepared for class and show above average progress in speaking and comprehending spoken French. Actively participate in class discussion. Often correct own mistakes, listen to others, and learn from them. Sometimes repeat the same mistakes.

8 = Often lapse into English. Prepared for class about a half of the time and show below average progress in speaking and comprehending spoken French. Often participate only passively in class discussions. Rarely correct own mistakes, listen to others, or learn from them. Often repeat the same mistakes.

7 = Speak little and participate only passively in class discussions. Partially or incompletely unprepared for class. Make little progress in speaking and comprehending spoken French. Do not correct own mistakes, listen to others, or learn from them.

4-6 = Present in class only physically and unprepared for class.

0 = Absent

II.  PERIODIC WORK

A. Oral Presentations and Preparation of "Guides de Lecture Critique" :

   Students will each do three oral presentations, in groups of two, based on an assigned passage from the textbook or a hyperlink on the online syllabus.  They will also serve as a resource for discussion on this reading.  Students will also prepare the critical reading guide for the day with my help. 

   1. Two Oral Presentation of Reading from Les Français. 

          a.  Preparation of a "guide de lecture critique": 

            1)The two presenters will divide the text in approximate halves. Two classes before the presentation, you will present to me before orat the end of class:

• a list of at least 8 questions on assigned readings from the textbook, half prepared by each student
•  (at least) 20 vocabulary words taken from the readings for which you will provide English definitions, half prepared by each student

            2) I will immediately correct them and give them back to you.

  3)  You will type and proof read them carefully, including accents, and send them to me bg the class before the one in which you will give your presentation. I will send them to everyone by e-mail.

  4) Students who do not meet these deadlines or who do not give me a plausible reason, at least three classes ahead, why they cannot do the work on time, will receive a 0 for the assignment. 

                1. Questions should focus on one of the author's main points.

• The questions should be general enough to cover a section of your passage or one of the author's main points.  No yes/no questions are allowed.
  • Begin most questions by asking students to find an answer in the text.
  • Then, in the same question, ask for an explanation from the text (Pourquoi?  Expliquez?)?
  • Then ask for a comparison to American culture or an opinion.
• Example:

  1.  a. What do the French think about immigration? 
       b. Why, according to the text, do the French have this opinion? or Explain their opinion according to the text?
       c. Do Americans have a similar attitude? or What do you think about the French attitude?

          b.  Preparation schedule for guide de lecture critique:

            1)  Two class days before the presentation, the group will present their questions and vocabulary to me before or after class. I will correct them immediately and choose those vocabulary items to be starred (about 15 items to be on the quiz and final exam). (If you cannot see me after class, you should make an appointment. No vocabulary and questions sheets that have not been corrected by me will be acceptable).

            2) The presenters will then prepare corrected copies of questions and vocabulary for myself and all class members.  They should send me a final copy by e-mail for my final corrections.  I will send them to the class by e-mail.

        c. Oral Presentation: 

        Each student will prepare in writing a five-minute oral presentation on the assigned reading.

            1) Each student should present the half of the article for which he or she made questions and chose vocabulary.

            2) Each student should make an appointment with me at least one day before the presentation.  I will correct the French, make suggestions, we will work on the pronunciation, and I will give you a partial grade.

            3) Students who do not see me will receive a zero for the presentation.  

          d. Presentation Notes:

            1) First oral presentation:  you may have the whole text in front of you, but you should read as little as possible, while looking at the students as much as possible.

            2) Second oral presentation:  you may only use note cards, while reading as little as possible and looking at the students as much as possible.

            3) Third oral presentation:  you may use note cards, but these cards may only contain key words or phrases, not whole sentences.  You will look at the students during the entire presentation.

        e. Presentation Format:

            1)  begin with a statement of the general content of the reading;

            2)  summarize and relate the main arguments (all sides) on French culture;

            3) comment on the relation between these arguments and American culture (resemblances and differences). Ideally, these comments should include a discussion of what the reading adds to our understanding of the multicultural nature of the world and of American culture.

            REMEMBER. You are responsible for explaining the assigned texts to the rest of the class. If you do not understand them, come see me. You should be able to explain everything you say in your presentation and every question you pose. You should also know where in the assigned texts the answers to your questions are to be found.

        f. Group discussion responsibility:

        Presenters will serve as a resource for small group discussion based on the questions (which all students will have answered before coming to class).  Their purpose is elicit conversation from the other members of the group, not to lecture to them.  I may distribute supplementary questions on the topic.

    2. One oral presentation of an article: During the last half of the semester, each student will be part of a group of two that will be responsible for selecting and photocopying an article, about two pages in length, from a French magazine or newspaper or a French site on the Internet. The more controversial the topic the better.

        a.  The easiest sources for articles are the online versions of French newspapers and magazines on the web.  From the course homepage, click on "FRENCH MEDIA ON LINE."  Many past students have gotten interesting cultural articles from Le Monde. You may also consult the magazines L'Express or Paris Match on the first floor of Milner or the newspaper Le Monde on the second floor. Or you may wish to buy a French magazine or newspaper at a bookstore in or near Chicago (Europa, Barnes and Noble, Borders). Borders in Champaign has French newspapers.

        b.  The presentation may develop a cultural or societal theme discussed in class or introduce a new aspect of French culture. The student will prepare questions, vocabulary, and a formal presentation. All steps are the same as for the presentation of the reading from the textbook.  This presentation will be given from notes, not read.  Discussion will take place in groups or among the class as a whole.

        c.  Other than picking your article, follow the procedures outlined in 1. above.  

  B.  French film series: Students in 200 to 400-level French courses are required to attend tw of the three French films listed below.  Students unable to attend the screenings will need to see the films on their own (either in the Media Resource Center at Milner Library or at home) and will be required to write a paragraph in response to questions your instructor will provide.   In order to comply with copyright laws, admittance to the films will be limited to students currently enrolled in a French course at Illinois State. Attendance will be taken and students will need to show their ISU identification card as they enter the room.  The films will be shown in Stevenson 101 beginning at 7:00 PM on the following Wednesday evenings:

1. Wednesday, January 26:  Le Retour du Grand Blond [sequel to the comedy shown last semester]
   
2. Wednesday, March 2:  Danton [historical film set during the French Revolution]
   
3. Wednesday, April 6:  Hirondelle a fait le printemps/The Girl from Paris [set in a farming community in the Vaucluse region of the Alps]
   

A. QUIZZES: There will be four written quizzes and three oral quizzes.

    1. Written Quizzes: 

a. The quiz will cover: 

1) all required readings in Les Français, The French Way, and linked to the class homepage
2) lecture and discussion on culture; 
3) assigned vocabulary and questions from question sheets. 

b.  The quiz format will be: 

1) mix and match vocabulary questions; 
2) multiple choice content questions; 
3) short essay questions.

   2. Oral Quizzes:

        a.  Oral quizzes will take place during the written quizzes or in subsequent classes.
        b.  I will announce a theme for the oral quiz, taken from the reading, before the quiz day.
        c.  Based on the reading, each student may prepare a list of facts concerning the theme and notes on his or her
        arguments on the theme (but not complete sentences) to be brought to the exam.  Students will meet with
        me in groups of two and discuss the theme for five minutes.    

    3. Final Exam:

        a. The written part will cover all culture readings, all lectures, and the vocabulary on the quizzes.  It will follow the
        same format as the written quizzes. 

        b.  The oral part will be scheduled during the final week of classes. The final oral exam will be similar to the oral
        parts of the quizzes, but there will be several topics to prepare, you will engage in dialogue with me rather than a
        fellow student, and the exam will last 15 minutes. I will keep notes on the quizzes and expect to see progress in speaking
        and pronunciation.

IV. Absences:

You are responsible for all assignments made on the syllabus or in class, whether or not you are present (changes will be added to the syllabus on the web).  All absences will result in a 0 for class participation on that day, unless I receive a plausible excuse beforehand. Written quizzes may be made up, but only before the next class. It is the student's responsibility to make an appointment to take the written part at a time when I am available. Oral quizzes may not be made up. I will drop the lowest quiz grade.

V.   ATTENDANCE AT CERCLE FRANCAIS: 

You will be required to attend the Cercle Français at least 6 times during the semester for at least 30 minutes each time.  It meets in Stevenson 213 from 3:30 to 5:00 in Stevenson 202 on Wednesdays.   Be sure to sign the attendance list so that I know you have been there.  If you have classes between 3:30 and 5:00 on Wednesdays, you can organize a French discussion section and meet at least 6 times. Some students have met at the downtown Normal Coffee House.  Make sure someone keeps a record of when you have met.  I will take off credit from the final grade if you do not go to one or the other 6 times, but give you extra credit if you do go (and speak French of course).  

VI. Evaluation:

Class participation, pronunciation, and grammar progress 20%
Reading Homework Questions 10%
Quizzes 15%
Presentation and discussion of reading (2) 20%
Presentation and discussion of article (1) 10%
Final Written Exam 10%
Final Oral Exam 15%

Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contract Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5833 (voice) or 438-8620 (TTY).

Notes:

·         Academic Dishonesty:  Cheating and Plagiarism WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  See ISU Student Handbook, page 9.  Graded exercises—including homework and lab—are to be individual work. Students acting in a disruptive or uncivil manner may be dismissed from the class for the remainder of the class period.  If necessary, referrals may also be made to Community Rights & Responsibilities for violations of the Code of Student Conduct

 ·         Students are expected to behave in a manner consistent with being in a professional environment.  Open discussion and disagreement are encouraged in a respectful manner.  Open hostility, rudeness, and incivility are discouraged and will result in appropriate action.  Mechanical disruptions (cell phones, pages, electronic toys, music players, etc.) are also strongly discouraged.  Students acting in a disruptive or uncivil manner may be dismissed from the class for the remainder of the class period.  If necessary, referrals may also be made to Community Rights & Responsibilities for violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

·         Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TDD).

 ·         Pay attention to course/university withdrawal dates.  The last day to withdraw (WX) from this course is Friday, March 5.

 ·         Students are encouraged to seek help outside of class during instructor office hours.  In addition, the department provides free tutoring hours in STV 231A; a schedule will be posted.  You can also ask about a tutor in the Foreign Languages Department Office, STV 114, or in the University Center for Learning Assistance, STV 133.

·         If students have problems/concerns with the instructor’s performance, they are encouraged to talk to their instructor honestly about it.  Students may also contact the Language Coordinator for GAs by filling out a “Concern form” available in the departmental office and leave it in Dr. Mir’s mailbox in STV 114.  Dr. Mir will personally contact the student to discuss the problem.

GLC L'Espace.

GLC Stéréotypes français,

Euthénasie  GLC:  L'euthanasie

Anti-Américanisme I;  GLC Anti-Américanisme

 Les Français 55-61 "Points de vue français sur la nature humaine et valeurs dominantes françaises.": FW:  13 (Calling Cards), 63 (Money), 35 (Gambling), 31 (Flowers and Gardens); GLXW XVIII