Syllabus

FALL SEMESTER, 2008
PROFESSOR BETH MAULDIN
FRE 101 ELEMENTARY FRENCH I
MWF 10:00 - 10:50
email: bmauldin AT oglethorpe.edu

OFFICE: Hearst 309
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday and Thursday 12:15 - 1:45



Course Description:

This course is designed for students having no previous knowledge of French. It also accommodates students with some French study but an inadequate preparation for higher courses or those in need of basic review. Speaking, listening, reading and writing skills will be taught with particular emphasis given to the oral language and the acquisition of adequate conversational skills. FRE 102 Elementary French II and FRE 201 Intermediate French, the continuation of the program in beginning French, complete the work begun in this first semester course. The same textbook is used throughout the three semesters, and students are strongly encouraged to take all offerings in sequence. One semester of a beginning language simply does not allow sufficient exposure to provide a base for further study or practical knowledge or use. The goal of the three consecutive courses will be to provide the student with enough basic skills in French to converse in the language with some ease, to read material of average difficulty and to pursue further studies.

It will be our aim to develop an appreciation for the intricacies of language and the richness of another culture. The study of another language and culture adds a new dimension to our thinking processes and person; it also provides a fresh outlook on our own culture and language. For the student making a first attempt at leaming a second language, the course will endeavor to provide skills applicable to the acquisition of other languages. The discipline of careful daily study may also be of use in future course work.

Required Texts:

Capretz, et al.: French In Action (Second Edition)
Capretz, et al.: French In Action (Second Edition) Workbook Part I

A personal dictionary will not be necessary for this course. Vocabulary will be presented in class, and the textbook provides a "lexique." Students wishing to purchase reference books at a later date in the course in preparation for further study are encouraged to consult the instructor.

Class Periods:

We will cover a little more than one chapter of French In Action each week. The first semester course will cover Chapters 1-16; second semester Chapters 17-35; Intermediate French finishes the textbook through Chapter 52. Students should see the video available in the library on laser disc and on line at the following website: http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html#. (Lessons are identified by pedagogical titles. Thus, Leçon 2 is “Planning and Anticipating I,” Leçon 3 is “Planning and Anticipating II,” etc. Click on the icon “VoD” in the shaded box to view the video. Computers must be equipped with software for viewing streaming video.) After viewing, the material in the textbook for each chapter is to be prepared before coming to class. The corresponding exercises in the Workbook should be completed for the following day.

Note: The study of a foreign language requires careful, methodical work each day without fail. The material cannot be "crammed" in hurried make-up efforts. Do not get behind. If you at any time have particular difficulty with an assignment, come in and see the instructor at once. If office hours are not convenient, other arrangements can be made. Delay in seeking guidance will only make the problem worse.


Homework:

Most of the exercises in the workbook are self-correcting. However, written exercises to be completed on a separate sheet of paper are to be handed in. “Préparation à la lecture et à l’écriture,” the last section of each chapter in the workbook, is optional. Additional assignments may be made from time to time, but the workbook alone represents a considerable investment of time and will therefore in large part provide the written exercises required for the course. Occasional assignments will be assigned making use of the Internet and are to be submitted electronically.

Audio:

The audio material is available to Oglethorpe students on line at the following link: http://petrelnet/OU/Library_Reserves/browse.asp?subdir=French%20in%20Action

Students can also simply go to Petrel Net (http://petrelnet/OU/) and click on “Library Reserves,” “Browse the Reserves” and “French in Action.” Computers with individual headsets are available in H-207 to students M-F 8:30AM – 5:00 PM. Obviously, the videos may also be viewed in the Hearst Lab at the website indicated above (http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html#.).


Oral Presentations:

From time to time during the semester students will work together on skits, developing some of the ideas found in each chapter.

Tests:

Tests will be given covering the work of two chapters. They will include an oral component in class and an individual interview with the professor at an appointed time outside of class. Students absent without prior notification and permission will not be allowed to make up tests. There will be no comprehensive mid-term examination.

Final Examination:

A cumulative final examination will be given at the end of the semester. It will include writing, listening comprehension and short individual oral interviews with the instructor.

August 25 Introduction

August 27 FiA 2 Devoirs: 2.1 - 2.13

August 29 FiA 2 Devoirs: 2.14 - 2.27

September 1 LABOR DAY

September 3 FiA 3 Devoirs: 3.1 - 3.17

September 5 FiA 3 Devoirs: 3.18 - 3.37

September 8 Test #1

September 10 FiA 4 Devoirs: 4.1 - 4.20

September 12 FiA 4 Devoirs: 4.21 - 4.43

September 15 FiA 5 Devoirs: 5.1 - 5.17

September 17 FiA 5 Devoirs: 5.18 - 5.35


September 19 Test #2

September 22 FIA 6 Devoirs: 6.1 - 6.17

September 24 FiA 6 Devoirs: 6.18 - 6.34


September 26 FiA 7 Devoirs: 7.1 - 7.18

September 29 FiA 7 Devoirs: 7.19 - 7.37

October 1 Test #3


October 3 FiA 8 Devoirs: 8.1 - 8.15

October 6 FiA 8 Devoirs: 8.16 - 8.30

October 8 FiA 9 Devoirs: 9.1 - 9.16

October 10 FiA 9 Devoirs: 9.17 - 9.32

October 13 FALL BREAK

October 15 Test #4

October 17 NO CLASS

October 20 NO CLASS

October 22 FiA 10 Devoirs: 10.1 - 10.20

October 24 FiA 10 Devoirs: 10.21 - 10.40

October 27 FiA 11 Devoirs: 11.1 - 11.22

October 29 FiA 11 Devoirs: 11.23 - 11.44

October 31 Test #5

November 3 FiA 12 Devoirs: 12.1 - 12.20

November 5 FiA 12 Devoirs: 12.21 - 12.40


November 7 FiA 13 Devoirs: 13.1 - 13.18

November 10 FiA 13 Devoirs: 13.19 - 13.34

November 12 Test #6

November 14 FiA 14 Devoirs: 14.1 - 14.21

November 17 FiA 14 Devoirs: 14.22 - 14.42

November 19 FiA 15 Devoirs: 15.1 - 15.18

November 21 FiA 15 Devoirs: 15.19 - 15.36

November 24 Test #7


November 26 THANKSGIVING

November 28 THANKSGIVING

December 1 FiA 16 Devoirs: 16.1 - 16.18

December 3 FiA 16 Devoirs: 16.19 - 16.36

December 5 REVIEW

December 8 REVIEW



Grading:

The final grade will be determined by the following formula:
30/100 class participation (including written homework)
30/100 7 chapter tests (average with lowest score eliminated)
30/100 final examination
10/100 group skits

Class participation includes being prepared for class, volunteering answers, regular attendance and homework completed in the Workbook.

Anyone beginning a language makes mistakes; in fact, those who make the most mistakes in their attempts to speak and answer questions learn the most. It is very important to be alert in class and to participate actively. A certain psychological aspect of language learning can sometimes make it difficult for students to attempt to express themselves in the new language. The instructor will lend encouragement, but the student must make the decision to try.

More than four absences during the semester will affect the grade negatively. Prolonged or frequent absences without consultation with the instructor may result in your being dropped from the class. Much of the leaming in a foreign language course takes place in the classroom and cannot be made up.

The class will be conducted in French as much as possible. This is, of course, very difficult at the outset, and requires the cooperation of everyone. If the instructor addresses the class in French, you are expected to reply in French, making use of the material and vocabulary developed up to that particular time in the course. Do not attempt to express complicated ideas, or to pursue subjects beyond the scope of the material presented in the textbook and in class. By starting with simple constructions and slowly building, you will develop a speaking ability in a relatively short time.

Many of you may be interested in joining the French Club. Activities include films, discussions, attendance at cultural events and social evenings.

Honor Code:

The students and faculty of Oglethorpe University expect each other to be truthful in the academic endeavor they share. Faculty assume students complete work honestly and act toward them in ways consistent with that assumption.

Students will pledge to have completed tests honestly by signing a pledge attached to each unit test and to the final examination. The instructor will be present in the classroom during portions of tests only to serve in clarifying instructions. Homework from the workbook should be chiefly the result of individual work, but students may profitably discuss exercises together and give limited aid to each other.

Incompletes:

An incomplete for unfinished work at the end of the semester will be granted only in the most exceptional cases. This procedure is particularly not recommended for a conversation based language course and may quite simply be impossible. All incompletes must have signed permission from the instructor specifying the work which remains to becompleted. According to university regulations all remaining work for the course must be completed within 30 days following the date of the final examination or the grade of “F” will be assigned permanently.