FREN 3304: GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION FALL 2019 UT-Arlington Instructor Information Instructor(s): Dr. Cynthia Laborde Office Number: Hammond Hall 315 Office Telephone Number: 817-272-3161 (main office) Email Address:
[email protected] Faculty Profile: https://mentis.uta.edu/explore/profile/cynthia-laborde Office Hours: Thursday, 1pm to 3pm
Course Information Section Information: 2198-FREN-3304-001 Time and Place of Class Meetings: Tuesday - Thursday
11am to 12:20pm
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Description of Course Content: This course is a grammar review course based on the study of French films and the reading of one complete literary work. In this course, you will work on your listening and reading skills, and you will increase your ability to express your thoughts in a nuanced, precise and elaborate way. You will review and learn complex grammar structures and expand your vocabulary to talk about your tastes and opinions with precision and conviction. You will also be introduced to techniques of critical thinking and textual/audiovisual analysis through discussions, and essays. The class is entirely conducted in French. Student Learning Outcomes: Students who come prepared to class every day and who actively participate can expect to: - Acquire proficiency in the four main skills : listening, reading, speaking and writing, with an emphasis on writing.
- Improve their grammatical knowledge and proper usage.
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- Improve their writing skills, be able to write longer compositions and will demonstrate the ability to think
and write thematically.
- Inhance fluency in the French language.
Required Textbooks and Other Course Materials: Vendredi ou la vie sauvage, Michel Tournier - online pdf Schaum's Outline of French Grammar, Seventh Edition (ISBN-13: 978-1260120950 ISBN-10: 1260120953) Dictionary: A substantial bilingual and/or monolingual French dictionary-such as Oxford/Hachette French Dictionary, Harper Collins Robert French Unabridged Dictionary, or Le Petit Robert- is strongly recommended. There are also many online dictionaries such as www.wordreference.com, but be careful - many do not give thorough explanations for the definition/translation provided. !! About online resources !! Online dictionaries, such as www.wordreference.com, are wonderful tools. However, online translators, such as google translate, are strictly prohibited. Looking up an entire sentence, part of a sentence or a phrase are considered an act of plagiarism. Here is a humoristic video that shows how inaccurate these translators are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bVAoVlFYf0 . Also, collaborating or receiving help to complete any assignment for the course is considered cheating. If you use outside sources in your compositions or oral presentation, you will need to cite them otherwise it is considered plagiarism and a violation of the university rules on scholastic dishonesty. Please consult this website: http://www.plagiarism.org . As stated on the UTA website: Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the University. Since dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. (https://www.uta.edu/conduct/faculty/suspected-dishonesty.php)
You are also required to watch 4 movies that will be available on Canvas Amélie, Kirikou et la sorcière, Les Choristes (The Chorus), Ma vie de courgetti (My life as Zucchini) Descriptions of major assignments and examinations: Students will have regular quizzes, three exams, one final exam, and three compositions (essay). Students will write 3 compositions in French. The compositions must be presented in l2-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced (no increased spacing between paragraphs), with oneinch margins on all sides. I will assess the quality of your paper in light of 4 criteria: Does it reflect a sound reading of the text? Is it well argued? Are the examples pertinent? Is it written in a clear fashion? The compositions will be graded on grammatical accuracy, organization, quality and complexity of content, and length.
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POLICY CONCERNING E-MAIL In many ways, writing to a professor is no different from writing a business letter. Keep in mind that you are not texting with a friend or writing a casual message to an acquaintance -- this is a professional interaction with someone who is an expert in their field and in an official position to evaluate you and grade your work. Your emails should contain the proper parts of letter, convey respect and courtesy, and reflect the fact you are a serious student. Begin your email by addressing your professor by title and name, and end your email with a closing and your signature. If your professor has a Ph.D, you should address them as "Professor LastName" or "Dr. LastName". Begin your email with a greeting addressing the professor politely, such as "Dear Professor Smith" or "Hi Dr. Jones". After your message, end with a closing and signature, such as "Best, YourName" or "Thanks, YourName". Instructor will not reply to e-mails concerning information already available in course syllabus, other handouts, or course website (Canvas). Instructor is not obliged to respond to email which they deem unprofessional, disrespectful, or inappropriate Grading Information Grading: Évaluations 3 contrôles Compositions Examen final Devoirs Weekly Online Quizz Participation
20% 20% 15% 15% 15% 15%
Course Schedule (TENTATIVE) SCHEDULE “This syllabus is intended to give the student guidance in what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the professor reserves the right to modify, supplement and make changes as course needs arise” - Dr. Laborde ** Grammar homework will be assigned separately over the course of the semester. Date
En classe
Th Aug 22:
- Présentation du syllabus et des étudiants - Révisions des verbes au présent réguliers et pronominaux - Les verbes au présent (irréguliers) C’est VS il est L’impératif - Discussion sur Amélie - L’imparfait - Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage - Le passé composé avec avoir - Discussion sur Amélie - Le passé composé avec être - Discussion sur Amélie - Le plus-que-parfait, et les temps du passé ensemble - Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage EXAM 1 / essay 1
Devoirs pour la prochaine fois
WEEK 1 : Wednesday Aug 21 - first day of classes
WEEK 2 T Aug 27 : Th Aug 29 : WEEK 3 T Sept 3: Th Sept 5: WEEK 4 T Sept 10: Th Sept 12 : WEEK 5 T Sept 17: Th Sept 19: WEEK 6 T Sept 24:
- Le futur simple et le futur antérieur - Discussion sur Kirikou - Le conditionnel présent et le conditionnel passé - Discussion sur Kirikou - Les phrases avec si - Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage
Regarder : Amélie Poulain Lire : pages 98 - 139 Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 1-4 et faire le quiz sur Canvas
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 5-8 et faire le quiz sur Canvas Regarder : Kirikou
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 9-12 et faire le quiz sur Canvas
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Th Sept 26: WEEK 7 T Oct 1: Th Oct 3: WEEK 8 T Oct 8: Th Oct 10: WEEK 9 T Oct 15: Th Oct 17 : WEEK 10 T Oct 22: Th Oct 24:
WEEK 11 T Oct 29: Th Oct 31 (HALLOWEEN) WEEK 12 T Nov 5: Th Nov 7: WEEK 13 T Nov 12: Th Nov 14: WEEK 14 T Nov 19: Th Nov 21: WEEK 15 T Nov 26: WEEK 16 T 3 Dec: FINAL REVIEW
- Les prépositions (géographiques) - Discussion sur Kirikou - Les prépositions (temps) - Discussion sur Kirikou - La négation - Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage EXAM 2 / essay 2 - Le subjonctif présent - Discussion sur ma vie de Courgette - Le subjonctif passé - Discussion sur ma vie de Courgette - Les pronoms d’objet direct - Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage - Les pronoms d’objet indirect - Discussion sur ma vie de Courgette - Les pronoms y et en - Discussion sur ma vie de Courgette
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 13-16 et faire le quiz sur Canvas Regarder : Ma vie de Courgette
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 17-20 et faire le quiz sur Canvas
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 21-24 et faire le quiz sur Canvas
- TOUS les pronoms Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage EXAM 3 / essay 3
- Les pronoms relatifs (qui, que, dont, où) - Discussion sur Les Choristes - Les pronoms relatifs (ce qui, ce que, ce dont) - Discussion sur Les Choristes - La voix passive - Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage - Les articles - Discussion sur Les Choristes - Les articles possessifs et les adjectifs indéfinis - Discussion sur Les Choristes - Les questions - Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage - Le discours indirect au présent et au passé
Regarder : Les Choristes
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 25-28 et faire le quiz sur Canvas
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 29-32 et faire le quiz sur Canvas
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage : lire chapitres 33-35 et faire le quiz sur Canvas Nov 27-29: Thanksgiving
- Review Final Exam - Discussion sur Vendredi ou la vie sauvage Last day of classes : Wed Dec 4.
Institution Information UTA students are encouraged to review the below institutional policies and informational sections and reach out to the specific office with any questions. To view this institutional information, please visit the Institutional Information page (http://www.uta.edu/provost/administrative-forms/course-syllabus/index.php) which includes the following policies among others: • Drop Policy • Disability Accommodations • Title IX Policy • Academic Integrity • Student Feedback Survey • Final Exam Schedule
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Additional Information Attendance: At The University of Texas at Arlington, taking attendance is not required but attendance is a critical indicator of student success. Each faculty member is free to develop his or her own methods of evaluating students’ academic performance, which includes establishing course-specific policies on attendance. As the instructor of this section, I have established the following policy:
I allow 4 absences (note that I DO NOT distinguish between excused and unexcused absences) before taking 1% off your final grade for each additional absence. You are also responsible for turning in your homework in advance if you know that you are going to miss a class. Same goes for a test. If you miss class more than 12 times, you will be assigned an automatic F as a final grade. As you should already know from taking other language courses, participating in class is essential. Being present is not enough, you have to be prepared (do the homework) and be active. Each class, I make sure every student participates at least once. I will call on you if I see that you are being too silent (unless I can clearly tell you are having a bad day). I understand that some students are more shy than others and I respect that. You can watch someone run marathons over and over, you’ll never run one yourself if you don’t start running for 2 minutes, then 5, then 10. You can watch someone play the piano all day long, but you’ll never play the piano if you don’t start pushing the keys yourself. Language learning is the same. Effective language learning requires consistent daily work, both in practicing and memorizing. Class preparation is essential. You need to learn the assigned vocabulary and grammar structures before each class. I don’t expect your grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation to be perfect. But I do expect you to try and do your best, and I can guarantee you that you will improve. Please take advantage of my office hours and of the free tutoring offered by the Department of Modern Languages (MODL). - My office hours are on Thursday from 1pm until 3pm, and by appointment, in my office (HH 315) - TUTORING HOURS: Monday 12-1:30, Tuesday 2-3:30, Wednesday 11-12:30, and Thursday 2-3:30, in the new 203 Trimble Hall collaborative space. Try to immerse yourself as much as possible in the French language: - listen to a weekly radio show in French - watch French and Francophone movies online (Netflix has many!) - watch YouTube videos / follow some channels from French speakers - follow bilingual Instagram pages, => make it a part of your everyday life. Additionally, I highly recommend that you participate in as many French related events as you can on campus. It will allow you to practice your French and meet other students who are also studying French. La société Francophone offers monthly activities such as conversation dinners at La Madeleine and regular movie projections (a separate sheet will be provided by your instructor with LSF events for the semester). Four events are organized by the French section this semester. Two “get to know your instructors” conversation hours where students are all levels are welcome (you can come and go as you wish) - On September 5th from 3:30pm to 4:30pm (location TBA), come talk with Alicia Soueid about Harry Potter in French (all topics of discussions will be welcome though!). 5
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On October 3rd from 5 until 6pm (location TBA) come discover Lebanon, a country where French is the second language, with Najia Alameddin. The first week of November (4th to 10th) is national French week! Events will be organized all over the DFW area, including one on campus (more details TBA). Finally, on December 3rd, Cynthia Laborde will welcome any students who needs a little help reviewing for their French finals in her office (Hammond Hall 315) from 1 until 5pm (cookies and hot chocolate will be provided!).
There are also local groups on Facebook or Meetup.com of people who meet on a weekly basis to speak French. The Department of Modern Languages is committed to helping students reach their goals to achieve success in their academic and professional pursuits. We have an active support system with free tutoring in all lower-level language courses (1441, 1442, 2313, 2314), as well as a wide array of support mechanisms in both lower-division (1000, 2000) and upper-division courses (3000, 4000). We encourage students to maintain open communication with their instructors, and to take advantage of their office hours, as they are best equipped to help all Mavericks to achieve their goals. Students should also feel free to contact the Department of Modern Languages via phone or email. Staff will assist students, or will refer them to the best office or contact person for solutions. MODL Main Office Phone: 817.272.3161 Email (24-hour response time between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday):
[email protected] While UT Arlington does not require instructors to take attendance in their courses, the U.S. Department of Education requires that the University have a mechanism in place to mark when Federal Student Aid recipients “begin attendance in a course.” UT Arlington instructors will report when students begin attendance in a course as part of the final grading process. Specifically, when assigning a student a grade of F, faculty report must the last date a student attended their class based on evidence such as a test, participation in a class project or presentation, or an engagement online via Canvas. This date is reported to the Department of Education for federal financial aid recipients. è Cell phones / computers / tablets They will not be necessary and will not be tolerated. Please turn your phone to airplane mode. Class participation is crucial, and electronics are distracting. *If you are expecting a very important phone call during class, please come talk to me. If you are caught using any electronics, you will be counted absent for the day. Emergency Exit Procedures: Should we experience an emergency event that requires evacuation of the building, students should exit the room and move toward the nearest exit (see picture). When exiting the building during an emergency, do not take an elevator but use the stairwells instead. Faculty members and instructional staff will assist students in selecting the safest route for evacuation and will make arrangements to assist individuals with disabilities.
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Students are encouraged to subscribe to the MavAlert system that will send information in case of an emergency to their cell phones or email accounts. Anyone can subscribe at https://www.uta.edu/uta/emergency.php . Student Support Services: UT Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. Resources include tutoring by appointment, drop-in tutoring, mentoring (time management, study skills, etc.), major-based learning centers, counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals, students may call the Maverick Resource Hotline at 817-2726107, send a message to
[email protected], or view the information at Resource Hotline (http://www.uta.edu/studentsuccess/success-programs/programs/resource-hotline.php). IDEAS Center: The IDEAS Center (https://www.uta.edu/ideas/) (2nd Floor of Central Library) offers FREE tutoring and mentoring to all students with a focus on transfer students, sophomores, veterans and others undergoing a transition to UT Arlington. Students can drop in or check the schedule of available peer tutors at www.uta.edu/IDEAS, or call (817) 272-6593. The English Writing Center (411LIBR): The Writing Center offers FREE tutoring in 15-, 30-, 45-, and 60-minute face-to-face and online sessions to all UTA students on any phase of their UTA coursework. Register and make appointments online at the Writing Center (https://uta.mywconline.com). Classroom visits, workshops, and specialized services for graduate students and faculty are also available. Please see Writing Center: OWL for detailed information on all our programs and services. The Library’s 2nd floor Academic Plaza (http://library.uta.edu/academic-plaza) offers students a central hub of support services, including IDEAS Center, University Advising Services, Transfer UTA and various college/school advising hours. Services are available during the library’s hours of operation. Emergency Phone Numbers 7
In case of an on-campus emergency, call the UT Arlington Police Department at 817-272-3003 (noncampus phone), 2-3003 (campus phone). You may also dial 911. Non-emergency number 817-2723381 Library Information Research or General Library Help Ask for Help • Academic Plaza Consultation Services (library.uta.edu/academic-plaza) • Ask Us (ask.uta.edu/) • Research Coaches (http://libguides.uta.edu/researchcoach) Resources • Library Tutorials (library.uta.edu/how-to) • Subject and Course Research Guides (libguides.uta.edu) • Librarians by Subject (library.uta.edu/subject-librarians) • A to Z List of Library Databases (libguides.uta.edu/az.php) • Course Reserves (https://uta.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/course_reserves) • Study Room Reservations (openroom.uta.edu/)
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