SYLLABUS
French 1020—Elementary French
Four Semester Hours
Semester I, 2009-2010
Professor: Jan Newbold
(office D303, ext. 4436, jenewbold@anderson.edu)
Office Hours: M 11h00 - 11:50, 15h -16h50 T 15h00 -16h50 W (by appointment) Th 15h00 - 16h50 F 10h00-11h30, (15h00-16h50 by appt.)
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Language study leads to greater understanding between different peoples of the world. By comparing one's own language and life-style with those of another country one realizes that not all people think and act in the same way and that no culture has a “corner on the truth”. The study of language has long been recognized as one which enriches the personal, social, civic, cultural and vocational life. French 1020 continues to give the student a basic knowledge of French grammar and civilization. By using a text with the interactive approach, students desiring to learn will be able to communicate in French on given topics (cultural, daily situations) with each other, the professor and even those French people who are sympathetic listeners !
Foreign language is an important component of the Liberal Arts curriculum of Anderson University; it encourages understanding of God’s diverse creation through the eyes of faith as well as the intellect, fostering discovery, compassion, diversity and a global perspective. As such, all foreign language classes strive to incorporate the following objectives of a liberal arts education into their classes.
Pervasive Strands of the Liberal Arts Curriculum:
Critical Reasoning: Students will learn to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information about the target cultures and language through the use of readings, class discussions, videos, and other multi-media tools, in order to work towards an understanding and acceptance of cultural and linguistic differences.
Communication: Students will be able to communicate information in the target language on familiar topics in both speech and writing.
Cross-Disciplinary View: Students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of various topics pertinent to the target cultures from among the following: sociological, geographical, historical, religious, artistic, philosophical, economic, and/or political areas.
Openness to Truth: Students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the complexities of human nature by examining and comparing the values, beliefs and realities of people from different cultural backgrounds.
Christian Commitments and Practices: Students will learn that loving one’s neighbor includes a desire to understand his/her identity which is closely bound to language and culture. They will become aware of the francophone peoples as part of this global and ethnic diversity of the people of God.
II. OBJECTIVES (*ISFLT # 3, # 4, # 5, # 6, # 7, # 8, # 9a, # 9b)
1. To attain the novice-high proficiency level consistent with the ACTFL (American Council on the
Teaching of Foreign Languages) guidelines by:
a. learning language patterns and vocabulary essential for
"surviving" situations that arise in daily life in a French-speaking country;
b. understanding basic spoken and written French;
c. reading with pronunciation and intonation that can be understood by sympathetic native
speakers.
2. To USE the language learned by speaking (question-answer, dialogues) and writing in and out of
class. (Language is for communication/interaction.)
3. To write short compositions, using correct grammar and spelling of material that we have studied.
4. To gain insight into some of the similarities and differences between American and francophone
cultures and among the various francophone cultures themselves.
5. To learn to read French in context, minimizing the word-for-word translation.
*See the document: “Indiana Standards for Foreign Language Teachers” on file in the Department of Modern Foreign Languages for a description of these content area standards.
III. REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE
1. Attendance
Absences are permitted to allow for circumstances such as illness, academic field trips, varsity athletic trips, family weddings and emergencies, court appearances and acts of mercy. Don’t waste them by oversleeping or leaving early for Fall Break.
Because learning a foreign language is an interactive process, absences on the part of one student may adversely affect the learning environment for an entire class, hindering quality, pace and enjoyment of learning. Practice is crucial to language learning, thus attendance is particularly important since class time is where we use it most! You must be present to participate, and 25% of your final grade is based on this participation. Although quizzes cannot be made up, one such grade will be dropped to allow for an unavoidable absence or a “bad day”.
AU Attendance Policy (from the catalogue) :
“Effective learning in a university requires the active involvement of both students and faculty. Students are expected to attend all classes unless prevented by extenuating circumstances. … Any absence from a class results in a loss of learning for the student. It is the student’s obligation to personally notify the individual course instructor(s) about any absence, in advance if possible. Students may be directly penalized only after the number of absences exceeds the number of class meeting hours per week...”
That penalty in FREN1020 will be zero participation credit for absences 5-8. Further absences will result in the loss of all participation points (25% of total grade).Speak to the professor early in the semester if you feel that you have not been placed in the correct course level, one that requires your attendance to succeed.
Excused absences should be supported with documentation, either from your physician, the campus nurse, a professor leading a field trip or sports event. Excused absences are counted in the allowed absences, but in extreme circumstances, they may suggest a more lenient penalty at the discretion of the instructor.
Class Absence for Influenza [Exception for 2009-2010 school year] - If you are experiencing influenza symptoms please do not come to class and instead call the Health Center as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. The Health Center will be able to facilitate the diagnosis of your illness. You must contact the Health Center at the onset of illness. Health Center documented influenza related absences will be considered "excused" from class until you are symptom free for 24hrs (meaning you no longer need to take medication to control fever for 24hrs). This special leniency is being considered as an exception during the 2009-2010 school year in an effort to prevent spread of the influenza. Note that, in addition to a note from the Health Center confirming your diagnosis, you will still be responsible to maintain electronic or phone communication with the course instructor and you will need to make up any missed work.
This exception is only for influenza related symptoms/illness. All other absences will fall under the stated policy on class absence (see Class Attendance on p. 31 in the Anderson University Undergraduate College Catalog, 2008-2010.
2. Texts and supplies:
Sisken, H.J., Ann Williams, and Thomas T. Field. Débuts: an introduction to French 3rd ed. (with in-text CDs and Student Activity Manuals I & 2), New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. Recommended: a CD that can be burned at CET with the Lord’s prayer
.
3. French 1020 meets in the regular class setting (D-360) three times per week (MTF). There is also a class session in the language lab (D 314) once a week on Thursday. We will speak French as much as possible. Your courageous participation and risk-taking attitude toward the active use of French as your way of communicating with your classmates and with your professor will be your greatest contribution to your own success. Our November 24 class meeting will be replaced by two Portfolio conferences with your professor. See #10 for conference components.
4. Support Technology: These technological supports allow you to practice listening, writing and speaking without "pressure".
The Débuts 3rd edition is accompanied by an on-line student learning center ( www.mhhe.com/debuts3 ). Use it frequently to practice pronunciation and learn vocabulary, take practice quizzes and complete cultural assignments. It also has the audio component needed to do your audio assignments in SAM (Student Activity Manual).
Système-d software consisting of French word-processing, bi-lingual dictionary and grammar reference has been installed in the Language Learning Center (D 314) for your use in writing assignments.
TV5, a French satellite television channel, is available on channel 5 on the television sets in the CET(3rd floor Decker) and the Modern Foreign Language office (see www.tv5.org/usa/en.index.html for programming). You will be assigned to watch and report (in English) on two half-hour French news programs with subtitlesJ on TV5 during the semester (dates will be announced). Write a summary of each program that you watch. Include title, time, & date of program; discuss 3- 4 topics that were covered. Make cultural observations including similarities and differences with equivalent American TV programming, and 5-10 vocabulary words you were pleased to understand while watching.
5. All class assignments, be it reading, studying a grammar point, preparing an oral exercise or writing out exercises, are to be completed ON TIME. For many students, an average of 6-8 hours of preparation will be necessary weekly. If your absence is unavoidable, contact the professor ASAP and ask a reliable class-mate for notes and assignments prior to the next class period. In these circumstances you will be permitted to hand in a late assignment. Supply documentation for medical appointments, participation in AU class trips, AU away sports, etc.
6. Each 1020 student is expected to participate in four 30-minute conversation groups (table française) led by French French majors and minors or professors in the 3rd floor Decker lounge. These sessions count as homework assignments. Days and times will be announced and posted on MFL department window.
7. Culture is intricately entwined within language patterns and thought, thus you will be responsible for cultural information that will be presented throughout the semester (in-class commentary, videos, satellite TV, Le chemin du retour, your text and on-line learning center activities, etc.) Each student will have a short cultural presentation to make during the semester and cultural knowledge will be evaluated on quizzes and on the final exam. Even if you forget some of the French grammar you learn, the rich portrait of francophone speakers and their culture will most likely stick and enhance your understanding of the human family.
8. Quizzes and chapter tests will be given regularly. There will also be an oral final interview / conversation, as well as a final exam or “project”. NO make-up or early tests/exams will be administered except in cases of highly unusual circumstances (and when the professor has been personally notified prior to the test). Please check the exam schedule prior to making travel arrangements!
9. Anderson University and your professor are committed to a high standard of personal and academic integrity. Although I expect the best of each student, I have and will hold each student accountable for doing his/her own work on assignments, quizzes and tests. If a student does not do his/her own work, s/he will not receive any credit, and your professor is obligated to report academic dishonesty to the Academic Dean. Students who allow others to copy their work are equally at fault and will receive no credit.
When you draw on material from another source (books, internet, video, DVD, etc.), give credit to the author(s) for their intellectual property. When using internet material, please check for site validity. Is it the official site of a university, association or government? Is it endorsed by a reputable digital library or data base? AU reference librarians can help you determine whether your source is valid. Anyone can submit material to Wickopedia, so be sure that you confirm that the person or organization posting the material is reliable by comparing with other valid sources. For instance, you may find an on-line encyclopedia on the Library website.
10. The final grade will be averaged in the following manner:
25% Preparedness & participation includes attendance (if you are awake:), homework completed prior to class, class discussions, interactive exercises with partner or group, pop quizzes, in-class reading, skits, role-plays,& table française participation 25% Performance portfolio conference results (compositions, oral interviews, oral final & reading for pronunciation, recitation of Notre père) & collected written homework
50% Testing announced quizzes, tests, and final exam
Please note: Students having special circumstances that might affect their performance in class should notify the instructor during the first week of school. Possible arrangements can be made to work closely with the Kissinger Learning Center, a tutor, or special time provided by the instructor.
Language Opportunities: You are invited to a soirée française on Sunday, November 1, beginning in the late afternoon. This is a time we spend with students from other French classes as well as with French-speaking alumni and guests from French-speaking countries, sharing a delicious French meal together, playing games, speaking French, singing and even worshipping in French ….but défense de parler anglais! Can you spend several hours without speaking English? There is a small charge for the wonderful meal. This event may be counted as one conversation group attendance.
HINTS: Foreign language study is challenging for many and requires CONSISTENT effort, similar to the daily effort needed to excel in playing a sport or a musical instrument. For most people cramming is not effective in LEARNING a foreign language. Elementary language courses can require as much time as a course you are taking for your major because of your age (You may be youthful, but for most it is easier to pick up a foreign language in elementary school). I encourageyou to accept the challenge; I believe the benefits are great. Take advantage of your instructor's office hours and of the
tutoring and study groups offered at the Kissinger Learning Center in the library.