Course Syllabus

Course: FREN 2010

Division: Humanities
Department: Languages & Linguistics
Title: Intermediate French I

Semester Approved: Fall 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2029
End Semester: Summer 2029

Catalog Description: This course reviews and expands upon communicative aspects of the French language acquired by students in FREN 1010 and FREN 1020, by focusing on three main areas: linguistics, literature and film, and culture. The linguistic focus of the course is on vocabulary development, accuracy of expression, and improved communication. Students review structures and vocabulary learned in elementary courses and use them in longer, more detailed speech and compositions. The literary focus of the course is on the development of reading skills for authentic texts, from print and other media. The cultural focus of the course is on increasing the knowledge and understanding of the geography, history, and traditions of the francophone world. This course is interactive with an emphasis on learner participation in reading, speaking, listening, and writing in French.

General Education Requirements: Foreign Language (FL)
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 4; Lecture: 5; Lab: 0

Prerequisites: Completion of FREN 1020 with a grade of C- or better or equivalent experience.

Justification: This course satisfies the language requirement for the A.A. degree. It is a prerequisite for advanced study of the language, including major coursework. Students prepare for advanced French language, literature and civilization courses through increased emphasis on accuracy of linguistic expression as they explore various themes in French-speaking cultures via reading and writing activities and oral presentations. Students also continue their in-depth study of the language, cultures, and values of French-speaking peoples, one of the largest linguistic groups in the world and a major contributor to Western thought and culture. Learning French, particularly in combination with studies in other fields, such as art, music, philosophy, history, business, medicine, political science, social science, and technology, can provide a valuable and employable life resource. This course is most similar to FREN 2010 at Salt Lake Community College, FREN 2010 at Utah State University, and FREN 2010 at Utah Valley University.

General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students complete readings, discussions, and other assignments that require them to reflect on multiple cultures and analyze underlying similarities between them. They are required to explore the basis for cultural traditions, customs, music, and art, and describe similarities and differences across cultures. Students demonstrate fundamental knowledge of French and francophone cultures through in-class presentations involving cultural practices, which they must describe to others.

2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students are exposed to French language and culture through video, text, and audio sources on the Internet and through music. They demonstrate their ability to read and interpret French text through structured online tasks, as well as written media, and subsequently evaluate its meaning and cultural significance.

3: A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students are assigned readings, discussion topics, audio, video, and other assignments that require reflection on multiple cultures and analysis of underlying similarities between cultures. They are required to explore and expound on cultural traditions, customs, music, and art. They are able to appreciate and discuss similarities and differences across cultures. Students will be assessed through in-class activities and formal presentations with feedback from the instructor and peers.

4: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students develop critical thinking skills as they learn French, drawing conclusions based on the aural and visual input they receive. Students complete verbal and written assignments that demonstrate their ability to reason analytically and evaluate critically the culture, facts, and values of French-speaking people.

5: A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Students produce and interpret oral and written language in various formats (e.g., informal conversation, announcements, descriptions, songs). The instructor evaluates their performance in class and during oral assessments, and provides feedback on accuracy of expression and appropriate use of language and gestures.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: Students produce and interpret oral and written language in various formats (e.g., informal conversation, announcements, descriptions, songs). The instructor evaluates their performance in class and during oral assessments, and provides feedback on accuracy of expression and appropriate use of language and gestures. Students produce and interpret oral and written language in various formats (e.g., informal conversation, announcements, descriptions, songs). The instructor evaluates their performance in class and during oral assessments, and provides feedback on accuracy of expression and appropriate use of language and gestures.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Interpretive Listening: Students will understand everyday words, phrases, and questions about themselves, their personal experiences, and their surroundings. They will demonstrate this through responding to in-class practice exercises and interactions, as well as online workbook and homework assignments. Students will acquire the listening skills to comprehend spoken language at the intermediate-low level of the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Interpretive Reading: Students will understand and perform a basic analysis of authentic French texts written in French. Their analyses will include identification of main ideas, characters, themes, symbolism, and literary tools.  They will demonstrate this through responding to online workbook and homework exercises, as well as in-class practice exercises that allow them to interact with the instructor and each other. Their reading skills will approximate the intermediate-low level of the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Interpersonal Spoken: Students will begin to speak in multi-sentence-length discourse.  They will demonstrate this through conversing in different time frames (past, present, and future) and registers (formal, informal, and colloquial) on a variety of themes including personal opinions and social issues, through in-class activities and oral exams. Their speaking skills will approximate the intermediate-low level of the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Presentational Spoken: Students will provide information on a wide variety of familiar topics such as their personal and social experiences, current events, and common interests. They will be able to state their viewpoints.  They will demonstrate this through in-class presentations. Their performance will approximate the intermediate-low level of the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Presentational Writing: Students will begin to write in paragraphs to create essay-length discourse. They will analyze the behavior of francophone groups based on their study and understanding of history, economic conditions, values, geography, and artistic expression.  They will demonstrate this through essay writing on a variety of topics. Their writing skills will approximate the intermediate-low level of the proficiency guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

Cultural Understanding: Students will demonstrate knowledge of cultural traditions, customs, and values in francophone countries. They will increase their appreciation and understanding of their own culture and language, as well as those of the francophone world.  They will demonstrate this through in-class presentations, homework, and exams.


Content:
The material covered in French 2010 includes, but is not limited to: A review of linguistic material presented in FREN 1010 and FREN 1020; Historical, geographic, cultural, and social themes in the francophone world; Introduction to advanced grammar principles including narrating with the passé composé and the imperfect tenses; Description of people and objects; Offering, accepting, and refusing help; Choosing the correct article; Position and meaning of adjectives; Inviting, accepting or refusing in culturally acceptable ways; Asking information questions; Using pronouns effectively (subject, object, possessive, indefinite; Organizing an essay; Literary texts and excerpts by various francophone authors; Current events and people important to francophone cultures; Exposure to authentic French-language music; Oral presentations.

Key Performance Indicators:
The following assessments will be used.

Workbook & homework assignments 10 to 20%

Essays 15 to 25%

Quizzes and exams (oral and written) 30 to 50%

Oral presentations 15 to 25%

Participation and in-class activities 10 to 20%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
"Bravo!" (8th edition) by Judith A. Muyskens, Linda L. Harlow, Michèle Vialet, Jean-François Brière. Published by Cengage Learning.

"Le petit prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"Une partie de campagne" by Guy de Maupassant


Pedagogy Statement:
This course integrates a variety of learning activities that are based in second-language (L2) acquisition research and communicative language pedagogy so that students receive multiple opportunities to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the L2 every day. Instructors encourage all students to participate in a variety of ways and to discuss teaching practices and share study strategies that are more/less helpful for their learning. Instructors use teaching materials that show people from a variety of backgrounds (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, ability, class, etc.) who use the L2 for interpersonal communication and artistic expression.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture

Maximum Class Size: 25
Optimum Class Size: 15