RL 009                                         Elementary French I                                 Automne 2009
 
 
INSTRUCTOR: ________________________________
Office:  ________________________________
E-mail:  ________________________________
Office hours: ________________________________

 
COORDINATOR: ANDRÉA JAVEL
Office: Lyons 307E
E-mail:  javel@bc.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Mon, Wed & Fri 10:00 - 11:00 & 3:00 - 4:00
(and by appointment) 
WEB SITE: www2.bc.edu/~javel (Links to on-line  syllabi, worksheets and study guides for tests).

Texts: 1) Débuts: an Introduction to French.  (3rd edition) Siskin, Williams and Field, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009.
2) Quia Online Workbook / Laboratory Manual Part 1 to accompany Débuts.  Siskin, Williams, Virtue and Leahy, New York: McGraw-Hill 2009.  (Included with the textbook is each student's individual access code to the online workbook.  There is no paper workbook.)

Questionnaire: Access a questionnaire on your background in French. Please take a moment to fill it in and then turn it in to your instructor .

For information on the Practicum, if you have never taken French before.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: You may have chosen French because your grandparents speak it, or because of an interest in Impressionist art, European history, French literature, fashion, avant-garde cinema, travel, French cuisine or because you watched the Tour de France or the French Open this summer. Whatever the reason (perhaps just to fulfill the requirement), it may seem like an exciting, yet daunting task. The objective of this course is to lay the foundation for acquiring proficiency in French and to prepare you to succeed in Intermediate French next year or in study abroad next summer.  To this end, Elementary French is film-based and conducted primarily in French, with extensive visuals to reinforce comprehension. The film, called Le Chemin du retour or The Road Home, is the story of a young French woman, Camille, in search of her roots.  There is a family secret to be uncovered with possibly disastrous consequences.  Camille's investigation will take her from modern day France back to World War II.  In between,  you will have the opportunity to learn about her everyday life, her family and to visit some of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Paris.  The textbook and workbook are carefully coordinated to present, reinforce and explore the vocabulary grammar and structures used by the film's characters.  In class activities, as well as those in the workbook, will allow you to personalize this vocabulary and grammar and allow you will emerge with the confidence you need to interact in French in the classroom and beyond. What lies beyond the classroom is the French speaking world (le monde francophone). It is also our goal to introduce you to this world, be it through the many resources available on campus, or in the greater Boston area and on the Internet. This contact with Francophone culture will reinforce your cultural competence and deepen your understanding of other disciplines studied at Boston College. 

PREREQUISITES AND PLACEMENT: This is a beginning course for those who have not studied French previously, or who have a very minimal background and have been placed at this level by the Department of Romance Languages' computer placement exam. Students who have had French before and have not taken the Placement Test must take it during the drop/add period ending September 16, 2009. Access the Department's website for the link to the Placement Exam.  A student having placed into Elementary French through the placement exam must show proof of such to his/her instructor.  Upon completion of the test, students receive an e-mail copy of their score.  This score can be printed and presented to the instructor or forwarded through e-mail. 

Need more exposure to the French language and culture?
 Attend one of the many activities sponsored by La Maison Française in Voute Hall at 110 Commonwealth Avenue.  The activities at the Maison Française are perfect for your Culture Club assignments. 

Want to spend next summer in Paris? Click here!

GRADING:                                         (percent of final grade)
 
Class participation and homework : 15%
Cahier (workbook): Chapitre préliminaire - Chapitre 11
 22%
Cinémathèque and Culture Club 12%
Mid-term online oral test
 6%
3 tests* (listening comprehension + writing) 20%
film critique  5%
final exam (written) 20%

CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ABSENCE POLICY: Since learning to communicate in French requires regular oral practice, the Department allows only three (3) unexcused absences per term. Subsequent missed classes, unless officially excused by the Dean's Office, will result in point loss from the Class Participation grade. Students are wholly responsible for making up any missed work promptly following an absence. Late work will NOT be accepted. In order to excel in class participation and to make the most of this course, students must be present and must have prepared the items indicated on the syllabus for a given day.  The use of cell phones for texting in class is detrimental to effective class participation and will result in a lower class participation grade. 

The H1N1 Virus: Given the possibility that students may be affected by the H1N1 virus this semester, accommodations will be made for those students when it comes to attendance and assignments.  It is university policy that students experiencing flu symptoms isolate themselves until 24 hours after their symptoms have subsided. 

TESTS AND MAKE-UP POLICY: There will be three unit tests during the semester; each covering material studied over the course of 3 chapters.  The first test will cover the Chapitre préliminaire and Chapters 1 and 2.  The second, on Chapters 3 - 5 and the third on Chapters 6 - 8.  Chapters 9 - 11 will be covered this semester, but students will be tested on this information on the Final Exam.  Tests will include listening and written components.  The lowest test grade will be dropped.  No makeup tests will be given, except for medical reasons. A written excuse from a physician or the Dean's office must be provided.

WORKBOOK AND LAB MANUAL: The Quia online workbook and lab manual provides oral and written exercises that correspond to work covered in each lesson in the text. Completed workbook assignments are to be submitted online on dates indicated in the syllabus below.  On the first day of class, your instructor will provide an instruction sheet and the course code associated with your class, so that you can set up your workbook account online. If you miss the first day of class, please contact your instructor by e-mail.

WE CARE ABOUT ACADEMIC INTEGRITY; YOU SHOULD TOO. Plagiarism is a serious issue and is treated as such.   Any and all work submitted in this course must be each student's own work.  Submitting work done by another student, all or in part and/or work taken verbatim from another source is considered to be plagiarism.  Plagiarism or cheating can lead to disciplinary action involving the student's Dean.  Doing your own work on assignments will ensure that you make the progress required to succeed in Elementary French II and beyond. 

CINÉMATHÈQUE: Cinema provides language immersion, cultural information, historical data and a unique opportunity to develop a feel for the language as it is spoken by natives. Students are required to see 4 French or Francophone films of their own choosing during the fall semester and will fill out and hand in a Fiche technique on three of the films they have seen. (Students will do a film critique on the fourth film. See description below.) Films may be checked out of the O'Neill Media Lab, viewed on campus at the Maison Française, at local cinemas or at home. American movies dubbed in French do not qualify, i.e. the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast.  On the other hand, Jean Cocteau's surrealist version of the same story, La Belle et la Bête is an excellent choice. 

Recommended films: French language films available at the O'Neill Media Center.  Many French films are also available at your local video store and/or public library.  There are usually a number of French films playing at cinemas in the Boston area, as well as at the Museum of Fine Arts.  Consult the local newspaper or boston.com for listings.

CULTURE CLUB: There is a large Francophone community in the Boston area, as well as locally held cultural activities sponsored these communities, the French government and by the Maison française in Boston College's own Voute Hall (110 Commonwealth Avenue). In addition, the Internet provides direct access to the global Francophone community. The photos and headlines of French newspapers such as Le Monde and Libération on line provide new perspectives on current events.  Humanitarian organizations like Médecins sans frontières, provide human rights up-dates from an international perspective.  Events relating to French and francophone art, music, cinema and sports can be found on the Internet and in the Calendar section of the Boston Globe.  Boston's Museum of Fine Arts boasts extensive French and African collections and galleries displaying Haitian art can also be found in the Boston area.  As part of our Culture Club students will tap these resources and get involved. Students will submit short descriptions of the activities they have participated in and comment on their cultural relevance. Culture Club "fiche".  Initial culture club journals will be written in English and will transition to French in November (check syllabus for specific dates). Activities that qualify.

A list of the countries that make up "la Francophonie".
MID-TERM ONLINE ORAL TEST: To quickly assess oral progress and proficiency, students will take an online oral test at the mid-term.  The test will be sent to students' BC e-mail addresses in the form of a voice e-mail.  Students will respond by creating their own online recording.  These recordings can be done on students' personal computers, if they are equipped with microphones.  If not, students may record their responses on any one of the many computers available in the Language Lab in Lyons 313. 

FILM CRITIQUE: Students are required to see at least one French language film at the Maison Française, at the O'Neill Media Lab, at the cinema or at home and to write a short critique of the film IN FRENCH. Film critique guidelines.

FINAL EXAM: A two hour written exam based on Chapters 1-11 and the first 11 episodes of the film, Chemin du retour, will be given on Friday, December 18, 2009 from 4 to 6 p.m. Please note that this date and time is different from that given in the course guide. Students with two or more exams on that date may sign up to take the Makeup (date and time to be announced). Please note that the date of the makeup is always after the scheduled exam time. There will be no exceptions.

Learn how to do accents on your computer...

In computing grades, the following numerical equivalents for the 12 letter grades will be used:
 
A 4.00(94-100) B- 2.67(80-83) D+ 1.33 (67-69)
A- 3.67(90-93) C+ 2.33(77-79) D1.00(64-66)
B+ 3.33(87-89) C 2.00(74-76) D-0.67(60-63)
B 3.00(84-86) C- 1.67(70-73) F 0.00 (below 60)

Language Lab Hours:
Sundays 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Mondays - Thursdays 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fridays 8 - 5
CLOSED SATURDAYS

Media Center Hours:
Mondays - Thursdays: 9AM-10PM
Fridays: 9AM-9PM
Saturdays: 9AM-5PM
Sundays: 1PM-9PM

RL 009, Fall 2009
DATE:  MATERIAL TO BE READ and/or COVERED (Tests are in bold.): Pages to be read, structures to be studied and items to be handed in are listed below.
Wed- Sept. 9
 		Introduction au cours, au film & Chapitre préliminaire
Fri-Sept 11
 		Chapitre préliminaire: les salutations, les nombres, qui est-ce? qu'est-ce que c'est? 
Culture: Le français dans le monde
Mon-Sept 14
 		Chapitre 1: l'alphabet, le verbe être
Episode 1: Un grand jour pour Rachid et Yasmine Bouhazid
  • Lisez les pages 18 - 27.
  • Préparez les activités "Avant de visionner", p. 23.
  • Étudiez (study) la Structure 3.
Wed-Sept 16
(End of drop/add online)
 		Chapitre 1: la négation, les questions
Culture: Le système d'éducation en France et dans le monde francophone
Fri- Sept 18 Chapitre 2: Adjectifs, l'accord et le désaccord
Episode 2: Bonjour!  Camille Leclair et Bruno Gall
  • Lisez les pages 35 - 38.
  • Préparez l'activité "Avant de visionner" p. 39
Mon-Sept 21
 Chapitre 2: La description, les verbes en "er" au présent
Culture: Perceptions et réalités
  • Lisez les pages 41 à 48.
  • Étudiez les Structures 6 et 7.
Wed-Sept 23
 Chapitre 2: Adjectifs (B.A.G.S. = Beauty, age, goodness and size)
Lecture (reading): Jolie Louise
Fri-Sept 25
 		Contrôle nº 1 Feuille de révision (review sheet): Contrôle (test) 1

Mon-Sept 28
Chapitre 3: les nationalités, les régions et les langues
Episode 3: Le médaillon (the locket)
Wed-Sept 30
 Chapitre 3: le futur proche (aller + infinitif), n'est-ce pas?
Culture: La communication non-verbale
  • Lisez les pages 63 - 67.
  • Étudiez les Structures 9 et 10.
Thu-Oct 1
(Last day for drop/add in Dean's Office)



Fri-Oct 2
Chapitre 3: le verbe "venir" et "venir de"
Culture: La communication interculturelle
Mon-Oct 5

 		Chapitre 4: la famille de Bruno, le jour, la date
Episode 4: Une nouvelle vie à Paris
  • Lisez les pages 74 - 81.
  • Préparez l'activité "Avant de visionner", p. 81.
Wed-Oct 7
 		Chapitre 4: la possession, le verbe "avoir"
Culture: La diversité de la France
  • Lisez les pages 82 - 88.
  • Etudiez les Structures 12 et 13.

Fri-Oct 9
 		Chapitre 4: questions
Lecture: La famille française du XXIème siècle
Mon-Oct 12
 		Columbus Day!  No class.  Enjoy!

Wed-Oct 14
 Chapitre 5: la maison et l'heure
Episode 5: Secrets (dans la famille Leclair)
  • Lisez les pages 96 - 103.
  • Préparez l'activité "Avant de visionner", p. 103.

Fri-Oct 16
 		Chapitre 5: le verbe "faire", adjectifs interrogatifs et démonstratifs (quel, ce)
Culture: La famille
Mon-Oct 19 Chapitre 5: masculin, féminin, pluriels irréguliers
Culture: La famille, la communauté et les fêtes
Wed-Oct 21 Contrôle nº 2 Révision, Contrôle (test) nº 2: Chapitres 3, 4 & 5
Fri-Oct 23
 		Chapitre 6: la mode, les vêtements, les couleurs
Episode 6: Bonjour, grand-père!
  • Lisez les pages 116 - 121.
  • Préparez l'activité "Avant de visionner", p. 121.
Mon-Oct 26 Chapitre 6: les verbes "pouvoir" et "vouloir"
Culture: Les habits et la mode
  • Lisez les pages 123 - 129.
  • Étudiez les Structures 18 et 19.
Wed-Oct 28
Chapitre 6: Les pronoms interrogatifs
Lecture: Le langage silencieux des vêtements

Fri-Oct 30
 		Chapitre 7: Vocabulaire pour faire des achats
Episode 7: Préparatifs - Camille au marché de la rue Mouffetard
  • Lisez les pages 136 - 141.
  • Préparez l'activité "Avant de visionner", p. 141.
Mon-Nov 2
 Chapitre 7: l'article partitif, le complément d'objet indirect
Culture: Le marché et la cuisine
  • Lisez les pages 142 - 149.
  • Étudiez les Structures 21 et 22.
Wed-Nov 4
 Chapitre 7: verbes de tous les jours - prendre, mettre, boire
Culture: Cuisines du monde francophone
Fri-Nov 6
 Chapitre 8: les repas en France
Episode 8: C'est loin tout ça.  Louise et son passé.
Mon-Nov 9
 Chapitre 8: verbes irréguliers en "re", l'impératif  (donner des ordres)
Culture: Principes de conversation
  • Lisez les pages 163 -169.
  • Étudiez les Structures 24 et 25.
Wed-Nov 11
 		Chapitre 8: verbes de tous les jours - sortir, dormir, partir, etc.
Lecture: Familiale de Jacques Prévert
Fri-Nov 13
 		Contrôle nº 3 Review Sheet - Test 3
Mon-Nov 16 Chapitre 9: les parties du corps et la santé
Episode 9: Inquiétudes
  • Lisez les pages 175 - 180.
  • Préparez l'activité "Avant de visionner", pp. 179 - 180.
Wed-Nov 18 Chapitre 9: le complément d'objet direct, les verbes pronominaux pour parler de la routine
Culture: La santé en France
  • Lisez les pages 181 - 187.
  • Étudiez les Structures 27 et 28.
  • Préparez l'activité A, p. 187 - 188.
Fri-Nov 20
 		Chapitre 9: le verbe "devoir" pour parler des obligations
Culture: La santé dans le monde

Mon-Nov 23
 		Chapitre 10: les distractions en ville, le temps, les saisons
Episode 10: Rendez-vous au restaurant.  Camille et Bruno sortent. 
  • Lisez les pages 195 - 201.
  • Préparez l'activité "Avant de visionner", pp. 201 - 202.
Wed-Nov 25 to Fri-Nov 27
Thanksgiving Break!  Mangez bien!


Mon-Nov 30 (Last date for official withdrawal from a course)
 Chapitre 10: le passé composé pour parler des événements au passé
Culture: Les cafés et les restaurants
  • Lisez les pages 203 - 208.
  • Étudiez les Structures 30 et 31.
  • Préparez les activités A & B, pp. 204 - 205. 
Wed-Dec 2 Chapitre 10: des verbes de tous les jours - voir, croire et recevoir
Lecture: La Deuxième Guerre mondiale, les Français et l'Occupation.
Fri-Dec 4
 Chapitre 11: les métiers et les professions, les jours fériés, les nombres ordinaux
Episode 11: De quoi as-tu peur? 
  • Lisez les pages 215 - 219.
  • Préparez les activités "Avant de visionner", pp. 220.
Mon-Dec 7
 		Chapitre 11: le passé composé avec être
Culture: Le couple

  • Lisez les pages 221 - 226.
  • Étudiez les Structures 33 et 34.
  • Préparez les activités A & B, p. 222 - 223.
Wed-Dec 9
 		Chapitre 11: des verbes de tous les jours en "ir"
Culture: L'histoire et le mythe
Fri-Dec 11
 		On résume.  Racontons l'histoire de Camille.  Episodes 1 à 11. 
RÉVISION pour l'examen final
Click here for specific guidelines to help you prepare the film critique.
MOCK EXAM FOR FINAL- FRANÇAIS ÉLÉMENTAIRE I

General review, all sections - 12 to 1, date, time and place TBA.
Fri - Dec 18 FINAL EXAM, Friday, 4 - 6
Location available in Agora.

** Last date for official withdrawal from a course or from the University.