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French 116

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Second Year French Part II
Spring 2020

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​Instructor: Laura Edwards

When and Where: 2-2:50 M-R, STV 228

Office Hours: STV 231B 3-3:30; M/R, and by appt.

Phone: 438-3279  

E-mail:lcedwar@ilstu.edu​


Prerequisites:

French 115, 4 years of strong high school French training, online self-placement test​ or other equivalent.


Why Choose French?


Major or minor in French

In most cases, a student currently in French 116 needs just 3 more French classes to minor in French. A student needs approximately 9 more French classes to major in French. You could take these on-campus, you could take 2 out of the 3 for the minor (2 toward the major) during a summer study abroad in Grenoble, France or Quebec, Canada​ (FRE 213, the only required class for the minor can’t be taken over the summer), or you could complete the minor and finish 5 of your 9 required French major classes during a semester study abroad in Angers, France. (You could actually get both French AND Gen Ed credit for Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Science during a semester study abroad.)  Scholarships are available. In many cases, it is very easy to double major in French and another subject. I can put you in touch with other students who are currently doing this.


General Education credit from French 116 and CAP credit

This course meets General Education Language in the Humanities (LH) credit, and credit towards the French major or French minor, and with a C or better in the class (if it is your first French class at ISU and you do not already have the credit for previous French courses) you can get credit for FRE 115 and FRE 112, for free!  Just fill out a CAP form in STV 114 and the credit will be applied to your transcript a few weeks after your grade in FRE 116 is posted at the end of the semester.
CAP – Students whose first university language class is at the 112 level or higher and earn a C or better will earn credit for free (CAP) for up to 8 hours that they skip to begin at that higher level.  Students must fill out a CAP form in STV 114 to request this credit.


Required Texts:

  • Imaginez, le français sans frontières, 3rd Edition Cherie Mitschke —. 
  • Imaginez 3rd edition, online access (Supersite Plus and WebSAM)

You can buy this book in many places on campus or you can buy it online. One option is to buy the book from VHL online. Here are the three formats that are permissible in the FRE 116:

*same as the completely online access but with a physical book as well.

If you bought the book and online access for FRE 115 last semester, your online access is still valid through FRE 116 in spring 2020.

If you have ordered this book used you must still order the online access. The used version never includes online access.

If you have financial difficulty and are unable to purchase your book please let me know.  Loans and book scholarships are sometimes available through the Dean of Students office and others. 

*Physical textbooks or online versions are required in class. If I notice that a student continually comes to class without their textbook or continually shares a textbook with someone else, they will lose valuable participation points.  


Local civic engagement 

Important Information for French Teacher Education majors (either current or prospective) or if you just want to practice your French in a real-life setting and are not a teacher ed major. There is a civic engagement project at UNITY Community Center, who needs more French speakers to help communicate with monolingual French speakers that are recent immigrants to the U.S. Teacher Education students are encouraged to look into this opportunity in more depth in order to volunteer there. Training is required. For more information go to this link.


French language and writing resources:


Resources for composition and error analyses in this class:


What to expect this semester:

To be successful in this course you must keep up with online and in-class homework and come to class prepared and participate each day. Many students end up with an Intermediate Low to Intermediate Mid oral proficiency by the end of French 116.

  • You will increase your confidence in speaking, as well as your knowledge of customs and cultural attitudes in Francophone countries through various readings and class discussion.
  • You will pay particular attention to your reading and writing skills both through articles on current events as well as traditional papers. 
  • You will write four papers on various themes using various grammatical content learned in class and you will build a portfolio.
  • Most students who choose to learn a language are anxious to learn to express themselves in it. This is why we will spend as much time possible incorporating what we learn in class into our discussions. Class participation during discussion times, French conversation groups outside of class (4X per semester), as well as oral interviews or presentations will reinforce oral proficiency.

NB: While this course is meant to introduce new grammar concepts and help to inforce understanding through speaking, reading, and writing, it is not uncommon for students to require additional review and practice in subsequent French classes.  My expectation is that you gain an intermediate understanding of the concepts this semester that you will build upon in the future.


Work in and out of class

1. Daily preparation and classroom performance:

Check the VHL supersite every day for online homework. Check Announcements and Assignments on Reggienet. Check this syllabus for homework that you will need to prepare for class. Listen to Dr. Edwards for additional assignments or changes in assignments. Prepare what is due for the date that you will attend class. For example, you will prepare by watching Les Ados et les portables (and doing the accompanying exercise) and read over the subjunctive BEFORE coming to class on Tuesday the 21st of January. You should:

  • read over and over assigned grammar explanations, dialogue, or text until you understand them.
  • respond orally or in writing to all questions in the exercises following the grammar explanation and complete assigned exercises to the best of your abilities. 
  • You may also choose to attempt your first try of the corresponding exercises online.
  • verify or correct your answers by referring back to explanations, dialogue, or text.
  • look up, in a French/English dictionary (online or book form), all words whose meaning is necessary to understand a sentence. The dictionary at the end of Imaginez will not suffice. 

2. Grading Participation, Preparation, and Attendance: 

Learning a language requires careful preparation, active participation, self-correction, and constant revision of the rules. The following policies are designed to encourage and reward actions that will increase your learning. Participation will be graded on a percentage scale of 90,80,70,60 and below. The evaluations will take into account:

  • The consistency with which you express yourself, avoid English and speak French, correct your grammar mistakes, express thoughtful ideas, encourage others to do the above, and participate in and complete all in-class tasks.
  • If you are not present you will receive a grade of 0. Students are allowed up to 4 absences per semester but will still earn a 0 for each absence. After 4 absences, your final grade will be penalized relative the number of absences.
  • Students who rarely or never attend class will NOT be permitted to take quizzes or exams and will receive an F for the course. This decision is left up to my discretion.
  • The most active student who consistently comes to class prepared, asks questions, and pursues level-consistent group discussion in French will earn between a 90-99. The active student, who mostly comes to class prepared, and who often asks questions and pursues targeted group discussion but in English will earn between an 80-89. The average student who most-always comes to class, but is frequently not prepared (does homework in class when it should already be done) and often does not actively engage in group and class discussion will earn between a 70-79. The student who often misses class, comes to a few classes per chapter and is consistently not keeping up with activities in class will earn a 69 or lower.

NB: Students who rarely or never attend class will NOT be permitted to take quizzes or exams and will receive an F for the course. This decision is left up to my discretion.

3. Journals: 

I require that each student write a journal (turned in on the Assignment forum on Reggienet) about each chapter that we study. Journals are a place of communication where students can let the instructor know of problems that they are having, in and out of the classroom. You do not have to write in French, (however, I would encourage you to do so) because I want you to feel that this journal is a channel directly between you and me to discuss with ease your progress, your feelings about the way the chapter was taught and the way you studied, plus any suggestions you’d like to make to me to help make things go more smoothly or make things more understandable. You receive credit or no credit for the journal based on if you turn them in or do not turn them in. The grade goes toward your main homework grade. I expect a lengthy paragraph each time. Journals will be due the night before each chapter test/exam. A student who waits until the end of the semester to try to justify the circumstances that affected their low grade will not be given consideration. Stay in contact with the instructor throughout the semester and take control of your grade from the start.

4. Compositions: 

Unless otherwise instructed, compositions must be written on the computer, double-spaced, with word count and typed accents included. You may use the Languages Computer Lab and Language Commons (STV227B) to write and/or print. Computers there are equipped with foreign-language word processing software as well as spell-check and grammar-check capabilities. All papers must be grammar and spell checked in French. If you do not have this program, you must go to the lab to do it there. Printing difficulty will not be accepted as a justification for a late paper. Lab hours TBA. Error Analysis: Students will complete an error analysis of errors made based on feedback from the instructor. I will highlight but not explain the errors made on the compositions. All 4 compositions should be kept together in a folder/portfolio. A repetition of the same errors from one composition to the next will be graded more severely.

5. French Film Series: 

Students in 100-level French courses must attend one of the three films in this semester’s film series. The films will be shown in STV 101 at 7pm. In order to comply with copyright laws which limit admittance to students enrolled in French courses at ISU, attendance will be taken and students should bring their student ID. Students unable to attend the screenings will need to see the films on their own and write a paragraph in response to questions the faculty provides. The films are on reserve at Milner Library. 

February 19: Bande de filles (2014)

March 18: Demain (2015)

April 15: Un sac de billes (2017)

6. French Conversation Groups:

In order to foster a sense of community within our French program, and to encourage you to use French socially outside of the classroom, students enrolled in French 116 this semester will be expected to participate in French Conversation Groups, moderated by Pi Delta Phi and the 115 and 116 French instructors. Each French 116 student is required to attend four 1-hour sessions. Students can stay for 15, 30, or 45 minute increments each time that must add up to a total of 4 hours by the end of the semester and will receive full credit (25% for each hour attended). This semester, Conversation Hours will take place in STV 227B from 11am-12noon on Mondays and from 5-6pm on Tuesdays.


Politeness and class etiquette

  • Use appropriate greetings and salutations when sending emails to professors. “Hey” is not an ok greeting.
  • Please do not make a habit of getting up and leaving the classroom during class.  This is disruptive and rude to both the instructor and students. Students who make a habit of leaving class in the middle for a drink or a bathroom break will be marked down on participation unless they have a medical excuse through the office of disabilities.
  • Students who are continually late to class (more than 1-2 minutes) disrupt class and are missing important information.  I reserve the right to ask a student not to enter the classroom if their late arrivals become a habit.
  • The occasional glance at your phone is permitted and the use of a dictionary app while in class is encouraged. If a student repeatedly abuses this privilege (i.e. checking various social media outlets or sending texts) to the point of being disruptive, I will take note of it and it will significantly affect your class participation. By attending this class after the first day, you agree to this policy.

Support for when you need legal or emotional help:

Life at college can get very complicated. 
Students sometimes feel overwhelmed, lost, experience anxiety or depression, struggle with relationship difficulties or diminished self-esteem. However, many of these issues can be effectively addressed with a little help. Student Counseling Services (SCS) helps students cope with difficult emotions and life stressors. Student Counseling Services is staffed by experienced, professional psychologists and counselors, who are attuned to the needs of college students. The services are FREE and completely confidential. Find out more at Counseling.IllinoisState.edu or by calling (309) 438-3655.

Resources and support for DACA, Dreamers or undocumented students and their family

If you or someone that you love is undocumented, a Dreamer, or has concerns about their DACA status and you need support and community, Illinois State’s group CAUSA (Committee Assisting Undocumented Student Achievement) is a faculty, staff, and student group raising awareness and supporting undocumented students and their families.  You can find helpful contacts and information on either our Illinois State or Facebook page.  You can also email at isucausa@ilstu.edu.​

​​Accommodations:

Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the website at StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu

Grade calculation:

Class Participation: 15%

Online written and oral homework, journal,
French conversation groups, Readings,
pronunciation, Film Series, and
any other graded homework:
20%
5 Chapter Tests: 20%
4 Compositions/error analyses: 15%
Oral Conversation/presentation (1 of each):15%
Final Exam: 15%
————————————————————————————————100%
  • Grades will be updated on Reggienet at the end of each chapter. 
  • The student who waits until the end of the semester to defend their low grade will not be given consideration. Stay in contact with the instructor throughout the semester and take control of your grade from the start. 
  • There is no extra credit in this class.  Please do not request it.
  •  Late homework will be docked 50% of the grade however, late homework will, in most cases, not be accepted.

Course Schedule:​

It is likely that adjustments to this schedule will be necessary. The online version of this syllabus will always be the most up to date. Do not refer to the paper version after the first day of classes. You are responsible for all changes in the syllabus, whether or not you are in class. You should get contact information of your classmates for this purpose.

Although I tend to announce it in class, please note that you must check the Supersite daily for online homework assigned.

Première Semaine  – Révision

lundi 13 janvier: Introduction au cours; On se présente; Prononciation-l’alphabet; passé composé vs. l’imparfait pp. 104-105

mardi 14 janvier: passé composé/plus-que-parfait/imparfait pp. 96-97, pp. 100-101, pp. 134-135; La maison d’être​

mercredi 15 janvier: IOP/DOP/Y/EN pp. 176-177, pp. 180-181, pp. 406-407.

Pour vous aider avec le passé composé et l’imparfait dans la 1ère composition, lisez ceci​

jeudi 16 janvier:  IOP/DOP/Y/EN (cont.)  wksht #1  wksht #2

Deuxième SemaineComposition 1 à rendre cette semaine. 

lundi 20 janvier:  jour férié

mardi 21 janvier: Dictée; Le Ptit Libé: Le chocolat, pp. 7-8; CH 6: En famille p. 198, Mise en Pratique p. 199; p. 199 #1-2 avant de venir en classe; Intro: le subjonctif exercices (feuilles et sur le Supersite) pp. 212-214

WEIRDOS – to remember for subjunctive – Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Relative Clauses, Doubts, Orders, Superlative​;

mercredi 22 janvier:  Disjunctive pronouns
Dictée; Le Ptit Libé: le chocolat 9-10; Disjunctive pronouns pp. 410-411, #1-2p. 411 avant de venir en classe;  On va passer les 20 dernières minutes à écrire Composition 1

jeudi 23 janvier:  Composition 1 à rendre
Dictée, Le Ptit Libé: le chocolat pp. 11-12; Subjonctif cont. (en ce moment vous pouvez posez des questions sur les exercices en lignes qui étaient difficiles); Introduction aux pronoms relatifs pp. 216-217, faites exercices 1, 2, et 3 p. 218 autant que vous pouvez avant de venir en classe.

Troisième Semaine – Analyse des erreurs à rendre cette semaine (anytime by Thursday)

lundi 27 janvier:  Prononciation – Silent Letters; Continuation of relative pronouns and subjunctive

mardi 28 janvier: Se réunir dans la salle STV 231A pour commencer l’analyse des erreurs pour composition #1

mercredi 29 janvier: Lecture: Jour de Mariage pp. 225-228, #1 p. 225 & #1 p. 228 avant de venir en classe; les verbes -re pp. 220-221, p. 222 #1-2

jeudi 30 janvier: Analyse des erreurs à rendre; Exam 6. (Tous les devoirs en ligne doivent être faits avant de passer l’examen.) Révision pour l’examen; Journal intime à rendre sur Reggienet.

Quatrième Semaine

lundi 3 février: Examen 6; CH 7 vocabulaire pp. 236-237

mardi 4 février: Conversation; Le progrès et la recherche pp. 236-237; faites 1-3, 237 avant de venir en classe; préparation pp. 238-239 (faites 1-2 avant de venir en classe)

mercredi 5 février: Regardez Stricteternum et faites 1 & 3 p. 242-243 avant de venir en classe; Comparatif/superlatif pp. 250-251, #1 p. 252 avant de venir en classe. 

jeudi 6 février: Comp/superlatif continued… traduction comparatifPrononciation – Liaisons; le futur simple pp. 254-256, faites #1 & 3 p. 256 avant de venir en classefutur simple

Cinquième Semaine— Composition 2 à rendre cette semaine.

lundi 10 février: Conversation; Subjunctive: doubt & past subjunctive pp. 258-260, faites 1-3 p. 256 avant de venir en classe; et passé du subjonctif,​

mardi 11 février: suite du futur simple, si nécessaire; suite du subjonctif avec expressions de doute; Le Ptit Libé: Ces murs qui séparent les humains (found on Reggienet under resources) pp. 3-6 and page 1 of packet.

mercredi 12 février: Past participles as adjectives pp. 414-415, faites 1-2 p. 415 avant de venir en classe, Expressions of time pp. 416-417, faites #1 p. 417 avant de venir en classe. (participes passés comme adjectifs et les expressions de temps)

jeudi 13 février: Composition 2​ à rendre; Prononciation – the letter r; cont. participes passés comme adjectifs et expressions de temps; Le Ptit Libé: Ces murs qui séparent les humains (found on Reggienet under resources) pp. 7-8 and page 2 of packet.

Sixième Semaine – Error Analysis due this week

lundi 17 février: Conversation; Révision et préparation pour l’examen, Journal intime à rendre sur Reggienet; Prononciation – Liaisons

mardi 18 février: Exam 7 – (Tous les devoirs en ligne doivent être faits avant de passer l’examen.)

mercredi 19 février: CH 8 – Les passe-temps pp. 274-275, faites #1-2 p. 275 avant de venir en classe; Préparation exercices #1-2 p. 276 et #3-4 p. 277

le 19 fév: French Film Series premier film:
Bande de filles (2014)

jeudi 20 février: Regardez Le ballon prisonnier et faites exercice #1 p. 280; Le Ptit Libé: Les murs pp. 9-10 et page 3 des devoirs.

Error Analysis due by today

Septième Semaine  – chapitre 8

lundi 24 février: Conversation; prononciation – accent aigu et grave; Intro to infinitives pp. 288-289; Infinitives, do 1-2 p. 290 avant de venir en classe; preps w/infinitives pp. 418-419, do #1 p. 419 avant de venir en classe

Start Geog. preps pp. 292-294; Handout for Geog. preps​

mardi 25 février:  Prononciation – l’accent circonflexe, la cédille, and le tréma; les prépositions avec les noms géographiques – lisez pp. 292-293 et faites 1, 2 p. 294 avant de venir en classe;   and Geog. preps

mercredi 26 févrierQuiz on geog. preps; Le Ptit Libé: Les murs pp. 11-12 et page 4 des devoirs; Begin subj. after indef. antecedents & superlatives pp. 420-421, do #1-2 p. 421.

jeudi 27 février: Continue subj. after indef. antecedents, if needed; Le conditionnel pp. 296-298 faites 1,2 p. 298 avant de venir en classeCond. handout; Feuille de la traduction du conditionnel.

Huitième Semaine—      Composition 3 à rendre cette semaine

lundi 2 mars le conditionnel cont. Préparation pour le débat

mardi 3 mars: LAB DAY STV 231A​; conditionnel suite, si on a besoin.

mercredi 4 mars: Débat en classe (examen oral du mi-semestre)

 jeudi 5 mars:  (Composition 3 à rendreExamen 8 en ligne

Les vacances de printemps 7-15 mars, 2020

Neuvième Semaine – Error Analysis due this week .

lundi 16 mars: CH 9 vocab; pp. 314-315 – faites 1, 2 p. 315 avant de venir en classe; préparation Un Bonbon au poivre, pp. 316 et faites 1, 3 p. 316 avant de venir en classe.

mardi 17 mars: Regardez Un Bonbon au poivre et faites #1 & 3 p. 320-321 avant de venir en classe; Introduction au Ptit Libé: L’homophobie

mercredi 18 mars: Demonstrative pronouns pp. 328-330, faites #1 p. 330 avant de venir en classe;

le 18 mars: French Film Series deuxième film: Demain (2015)

jeudi 19 mars: Error Analysis due by today; Le Ptit Libé: L’homophobie; Suite pronoms démonstratifs Demonstrative Pronouns;

Dixième Semaine

lundi 23 mars: Conversation;  Prononciation – intonation; Les pronoms démonstratifs suite; Savoir vs. connaître pp. 422-423, faites 1 & 3 p. 423 avant de venir en classe;

mardi 24 mars: Le Zapping p. 325- regardez et faites 1 p. 325 avant de venir en classe;  prononciation – oral vowels; Le Ptit Libé: L’homophobie

mercredi 25 mars:  le participe présent pp. 332-333, faites 1 et 2, p. 334; avant de venir en classe. participe présent en ligne

jeudi 26 mars: Faire causatif pp. 424-425 #1 p. 425 avant de venir en classe; Review grammar questions from this week.

Onzième Semaine

lundi 30 mars: Conversation; Prononciation – Nasal Vowels;   Profession Libérale: pp. 345-348, faites #1 & 2 p. 345 and #1 p. 348 avant de venir en classe.

mardi 31 mars: LAB DAY; verbes -OIR- 336-337 faites 1-2 p. 338 to prepare for online HW.

mercredi 1 avril: Révision. Journal intime à rendre sur Reggienet.

jeudi 2 avril: Exam 9 – (Tous les devoirs en ligne doivent être faits avant de passer l’examen.)

Douzième Semaine

lundi 6 avril: Conversation –CH 10 Notre Monde pp. 352-353, faites 1-2 p. 353 avant de venir en classe; Un héros de la nature gabonaise: Préparation pp. 354-355, faites 1-2 p. 354 avant de venir en classe.

mardi 7 avril: Faites 1 et p. 358 après avoir regardé la vidéo en ligne avant de venir en classe; Begin past conditional pp. 366-368 Feuille sur le cond. passé;

mercredi 8 avril: Le passé du conditionnel pp. 366-367, faites 1, 2 p. 368 avant de venir en classe.  Lisez l’artcle sur l’éco-pâturage (à trouver sur Reggienet) et répondez aux questions avant de venir en classe.

jeudi 9 avril: Le passé du cond. suite (4, 5, 6 p. 369 en classe); le futur antérieur pp. 370-372, faites 1-3 p. 372 avant de venir en classe.

Treizième Semaine – Composition 4 à rendre cette semaine

lundi 13 avril: Conversation, P’tit Libé: Animal/Viande

mardi 14 avril: Les phrases avec si pp. 374-375 faites 1, 2, 3 p. 377, Exercices des phrases avec SI; Regardez la vidéo sur le compostage des bio-déchets (à trouver sur Reggienet) et répondez aux questions avant de venir en classe.

mercredi 15 avril: le futur antérieur pp. 370-372, cont.;  traduction; Les phrases avec si suite, p. 377 #4 et 6, Traduction phrases avec si/futur antérieur

le 15 avril: French Film Series troisième film:
Un sac de billes (2017)

jeudi 16 avril: Composition 4 à rendre​​; Conversation; Le plastique dans les océans (à trouver sur Reggienet mais on va le faire en classe).

Quatorzième Semaine

lundi 20 avril: Conversation; le futur ant. suite p. 373 4 et 5, Baobab: prép. p. 383 Faites 1-3 p. 386;

mardi 21 avril:  LAB DAY – STV 231A

mercredi 22 avril:  Brouillon du poème à rendre. Révision, journal intime à rendre.

jeudi 23 avril: Exam 10 – (Tous les devoirs en ligne doivent être faits avant de passer l’examen.)

Quinzième Semaine – révision pour l’examen final

lundi 27 avril: Students will receive review handout.

mardi 28 avril: Heure de poésie /fête de fin d’année

mercredi 29 avril: Révision en classe pour l’examen final; instructor evaluations

jeudi 30 avril: Examen final à l’écoute/Listening part of final exam.​


Final Exam – date and time:

The final examination date for be announced during the sixth week of classes and will be held in this regular classroom.


French colonization:


Fun or interesting information:

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