HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM - CENTRAL COLLEGE FRENCH 1300 - BEGINNING FRENCH CONVERSATIONAL I SJAC 148 / W 5:30 8:30 CRN 51039 Spring 2015 3 credits (3 lecture)/ 48 hours per semester/ 16 weeks INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Malone Email: andrea.malone@hccs.edu PHONE: 713-718-6678 COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introductory French course which emphasizes listening comprehension and speaking skills. Reading and writing may be done as reinforcement to oral communication skills. The course is slower-paced and less comprehensive than French 1411. It is highly recommended for students without previous experience in the French language. This course is not open to students whose first language is French. Generally, does not transfer as foreign language credit, but may transfer as elective credit. Prerequisites: none Course Goal In French 1300 you will listen to, speak, read and write French, especially within the context of fashion. Vocabulary, language patterns and grammar are introduced and applied in the context of practical communication. The class includes dialogues, oral and written exercises, role-playing, partner or group work, and computer exercises. Core Curriculum French 1300 fulfills the communication requirement of the Core Curriculum. French 1300 fulfills the cross cultural requirement of the Core Curriculum. Core Curriculum Competencies: Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, Critical Thinking, Computer/Information Literacy Program Learning Outcomes The student will: 1. Speak clearly and fluently enough for a target-language speaker to understand and interpret intent without difficulty. 2. Comprehend the main points of standard discourse and authentic material in target language spoken at near-native speed. 3. Write simple descriptions and narrations of paragraph length on everyday events and situations in different time frames. 4. Read with understanding authentic written material in the target language on a variety of topics related to daily life in the target-language world. 5. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to characteristic perspectives, practices and products that reflect the culture of the target language. 1
Course Student Learning Outcomes The student will: 1. Participate meaningfully in a simple conversation in the target language, using learned words, phrases and short sentences in a limited number of familiar contexts and comprehensible to those accustomed to interacting with non-native speakers of the language. 2. Demonstrate basic understanding of the target-language sound system. 3. Comprehend simple spoken words, such as cognates, borrowed words, and high-frequency social conventions used in familiar contexts; 4. Write short sentences, questions and answers, using basic words and phrases to meet social and practical needs. 5. Comprehend short texts, schedules, signs, and forms using the vocabulary learned in class. 6. Demonstrate familiarity with some of the characteristic perspectives, practices and products that reflect the culture of the target language. Learning Objectives 1.1 Students will comprehend words, phrases and sentences in standard spoken language where the context is familiar, mainly simple sentences using high frequency vocabulary. 2.1 Students will speak using words, phrases and short sentences in a number of familiar contexts. 3.1 The student will write short simple sentences using learned vocabulary and grammatical structures within familiar contexts. 4.1 The student will comprehend a passage in the target language on a topic related to daily life. 5.1 The student will a) identify regions of the world and name some countries where French is spoken. b) demonstrate knowledge of a few basic facts about several French-speaking countries or regions. c) show understanding of French customs relating to introductions and initial social contacts, interaction in public places, dining, interaction between family and friends. d) show some understanding of issues in intercultural communication and cultural misunderstanding. e) acquire and demonstrate cultural awareness and understanding of French countries and peoples. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS Tests & Quizzes: There will be a quiz every other class meeting. The final exam will be cumulative in nature and contain every topic covered during the course of the semester. In summary, there are six written quizzes throughout the semester, plus a cumulative written final. Tests sometimes have a listening portion, along with reading and writing segments. Oral Examination: At the end of the semester, you will take an oral exam on communicative topics covered during the course. This exam will count for 15 percent of your final grade. Compositions (Rédactions): You will be assigned two compositions (rédactions) throughout the semester. These will range in length from one paragraph to slightly less than a full page. All compositions must be typed and double-spaced. Accents can be created by (1) changing the general Windows keyboard to International, (2) using the Windows character map, (3) using the control key and numeric codes, (4) or using the control key, apostrophe, comma, etc., plus the letter to be accented once in Word. Refer to your computer owner s manual, online FAQs, or tutorials for further assistance. There is also an area of 2
the beginner s French web pages of about.com with detailed instructions on how to create accented letters on your computer. STUDENT EVALUATION You are expected to do all assignments and tests. Students who fail to turn in an assignment will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment or test. You will be evaluated as follows: 1. Class participation and attendance: 15% 2. Compositions and homework: 20% 3. Quizzes: 25% 4. Oral exam 15% 4. Final Exam oral and written portions: 25% GRADE DISTRIBUTION 100-90: A 89-80: B 79-70: C 69-60: D 59-0: F SUGGESTED BOOKS AND MATERIALS 1. Français Interactif (http://www.laits.utexas.edu/fi/) 2. Practice Makes Perfect French Conversation by Elaine Kurbegov (ISBN: 9780071770873) 3. Any good French/English English/French dictionary STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office-Room 102 SJAC, or call (713) 718-6164 at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office." SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY Students engaged in any scholastic dishonesty: cheating, plagiarism or collusion, as described by the Student Handbook may be penalized as specified in the Student Handbook (pp. 28-29). Please, familiarize yourself with the student handbook. ATTENDANCE POLICY As these make up 15 percent of your grade, you are expected to come to every class prepared and ready take on the day s lessons. More than two absences before the final withdrawal date (March 24 th ) will result in you being dropped from the class, in accordance with HCCS official attendance policy. Exchanging phone numbers with one or two other students for times when you miss a single class is a very good idea. It is not your instructor s responsibility to bring you up to date on what you missed during your absence, nor is it his job to tell you if you ll be doing anything important tomorrow. Class will begin at the scheduled time. Please be on time, as coming and going disrupt the class. Attendance is essential and daily records will be kept. Students will lose points on the participation grade for every class missed. The student who earns an A in attendance & participation has come to every class on time, always done his/her assigned work, participates actively, and interacts with other students in a positive, encouraging manner. Absences will be counted from the first class day of the semester, no matter when the student registers or first attends. Finally, THERE ARE NO EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. AN ABSENCE IS AN ABSENCE. 3
MAKE-UPs You will be allowed to make up only ONE missed homework assignment. If you know you will be absent on a date that a homework assignment is due, do your best to get it to me on or before the due date. The easiest way to do this is via email. If you cannot get it to me by the due date, it must be turned in by the next class meeting or it will not be accepted. There will be NO make-ups for any missed quiz. At the end of the semester, I will drop your lowest quiz grade. If you happen to miss a quiz, it will be the one dropped. REPEATED COURSE FEE Students who repeat a course for a third or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your professor / counselor about opportunities for tutoring / other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR The guidelines for student conducts and consequences for their violation are specifically defined in The Student Handbook " [As] mature, responsible adults., they will voluntarily observe these rules as a matter of training and habit. Students [will] not interfere with or disrupt the orderly educational process of the College System." It is expected that the students will demonstrate both courtesy and cooperation in the classroom. A student who either cannot or will not extend both courtesy and cooperation may not continue the course. USE OF RECORDING DEVICES IN HCC FACILITIES Per HCCS Policy, Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations. EGLS3 -- EVALUATION for GREATER LEARNING STUDENT SURVEY SYSTEM At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term. IMPORTANT DATES THIS SEMESTER AND WITHDRAWAL INFORMATION. MLK Day January 19 First day of classes January 20 President s Day February 16 Spring Break March 16-22 Last day to withdraw March 24* Spring Holiday April 3-5 Instruction ends May 10 Final Exam May 13 *NOTE: Faculty members will not be able to give a W after March 24. The student will receive the grade that he/she is making. If a student does not take the final exam and/or misses other exams, a grade of 0 will be assigned for those exams. If you will drop the class, you MUST drop it before March 24. If you just disappear from class after the drop date, you will get an F as your final grade. 4
PHONES AND FOOD Ringing cellular phones constitute an interruption of instruction. Students must remember to turn off phones in class. Eating is not allowed in the classroom. SUPPORT SERVICES Tutoring: There is free Foreign Language tutoring available on a walk in basis. Many students of all skill levels take advantage of this service. Go early and often to get help in generating ideas, developing organization, and practicing grammar. Check the schedule on the door for the times for World Language tutors. SCHOOL CLOSING Please check the local radio and TV stations for information regarding school closing due to inclement weather. You can also check the following web site: http://www.school-closing.net HCC is committed to providing a learning and working environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of sex which includes all forms of sexual misconduct. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that when a complaint is filed, a prompt and thorough investigation is initiated. Complaints may be filed with the HCC Title IX Coordinator available at 713 718-8271 or email at oie@hccs.edu. 5
FRENCH 1300 TENTATIVE LESSON PLAN The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus Week 1 Introduction au cours; syllabus; 21 janvier Les salutations; l alphabet Week 2: 28 janvier Cognates; les accents; pronunciation tips; masculine v. feminine Week 3: QUIZ 1 4 février Vocabulaire: les cours et dans la classe; il y a and il n y a pas; les articles indéfinis Week 4: 11 février Les nombres: 0-59; les jours Week 5: QUIZ 2 18 février Les nombres 60+; vocabulaire: la famille; dans la maison; les adjectifs possessifs Week 6: 25 février Les pronoms sujets; être; les adjectifs Week 7: QUIZ 3 4 mars Aimer et les autres verbes en er; les activités; négations Week 8: 11 mars Week 9: 18 mars Les voyages Pas de classe Spring Break Week 10: QUIZ 4 25 mars Les verbes avoir, faire, et aller; expressions avec avoir et faire Week 11: 1 avril Les dates et l heure; les saisons; le temps Week 12: QUIZ 5 8 avril Vocabulaire: les vêtements, les couleurs Week 13: 15 avril La nourriture; au marché et au restaurant Week 14: QUIZ 6 22 avril Jour de culture et un film français Week 15: 29 avril Week 16: 6 mai Examen oral Révision générale Week 17: L Examen Final 13 mai NOTE: THE FINAL EXAM CANNOT BE GIVEN BEFORE THE OFFICIAL EXAM DATE. 6