UC Center Program
Spring 2005
PCC013. French Grammar & Composition
Mon, Tue, Thu 9-10:30 am Laura Robinson

The course normally meets from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 , Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. As announced by the UC Center Director, certain weeks the course will meet from 10:30-12:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This schedule will be announced in advance and posted to the course website.

COURSE MATERIALS

  • Invitation au monde francophone . Gilbert A. Jarvis, Thérèse M. Bonin, Diane W. Birckbichler. Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
  • Selections from : Sacrés Français! Un Américain nous regarde. Ted Stranger. Editions Michalon, Folio documents. 17.
  • A good French-English dictionary of your choice; you must bring your dictionary, textbook, and readings to class with you every day as we will use them for class activities.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The course combines intensive French texts, translation, grammar, and conversation to immerse students in all aspects of the French language. It will introduce students to critical elements of French grammar and vocabulary that are essential to achieving written fluency through the textbooks, required readings, and multi-media.

Students are expected to be proactive in their learning experience. The text book should be seen as a jumping off point that will be part of a multi-faceted learning experience. Students’ study of the French language should take place well beyond the classroom; they should take advantage of television shows, magazine advertisements, metro publicity, etc. as valuable tools to learn French.

Course Assignments and Grading

Attendance and Participation and Homework 25%

  • Oral Presentation (Sign up 3/3; Presentations: 4/4-5/12) 25%
  • Midterm Exam (3/31) 15%
  • Final Exam (5/17) 25%
  • Final Oral Exam (5/19) 10%

Attendance and Participation and Homework

After the second absence, students’ final grades will be penalized according to the UC Paris Center’s regulations unless the absence is excused with physician’s note or other documented special circumstances. Participation includes formal conversation and debates, interaction with colleagues; students must prepare adequately to take part in class in a meaningful way. Homework is assigned daily to prepare students to participate successfully in class. Homework includes readings, preparation for debates and conversation, etc. Students are welcome to come to me for additional help and are encouraged to do so beginning the first week of class.

Oral Presentations of Famous French or Francophone People

Students should begin thinking about their presentations immediately as they are required to sign up for them by March 3 rd. Presentations should be approximately 20 minutes long; they must be centered around either a famous French or Francophone person or someone who has lived in France and made a significant contribution to French or Francophone. They must include the following: a biography of a famous French person, introduction a place associated with this person, and a text associated with this person that the student has translated into English. Students may use any multi-media that they choose. Students must meet with me two weeks before their presentation to give me an outline of their presentation and have their selected text approved. They must meet with me one week before their presentations to go over their presentations and completed translations with me. Translations must be completed the week prior to presentations so that I may approve them. Students must provide 15 copies of the English and French versions of the text for the class. I will be happy to meet with students to help them prepare for their presentations.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Week 1. Feb 21-26

Monday
  • Introduction to Course
  • Tentative Sign Up for Oral Presentations; students have until 3/3 to make final selection
  • Revision: passé compose and imparfait
  • Conversation: What did you do this weekend?
  • Review of Chapters 0-1
  • Homework : Prepare to describe in detail your housing in France ; have questions ready for your colleagues about chez eux. Refer to vocabulary in Chapter 3 of your textbook and your dictionary.
Tuesday
  • Self Quiz Chapters 0-1
  • Begin Review of Chapters 2-3
  • Conversation: Tell us about chez vous and ask your colleagues about chez eux
Thursday
  • Class Translation and Reading : BRING YOUR DICTIONARY TO CLASS to work on translation and begin the reading from Sacrés Français together. You may wish to begin the reading before class and bring your questions with you to class.
  • Homework : Complete reading pages 135-138 “Sa Majesté la caissière” from Sacrés Français. Do your best; be aware that the reading should be challenging for you. Be prepared to give your opinion in class on Monday on at least two ideas or opinions from the reading.

Week 2. Feb 28 - Mar 4

Monday
  • Review and Sign Up: Presentations
  • Overview of Verb Tenses
  • Homework: Study verb tenses learned in class. Write each ending ten times; write irregular verbs
  • Homework: Describe the last vacation or trip that you took. Be prepared to ask your colleagues about theirs. Refer to the vocabulary in Chapter 4 of your textbook.
Tuesday
  • Conversation: Discuss your last vacation or trip; ask your colleagues about theirs.
  • Overview of Verb Tenses Continued
  • Overview of Pronouns
  • Review of Chapters 4-6
  • Homework: Self Quiz Chapters 2-6
Thursday
  • Conversation: Pages 135-138 read for Homework last Thursday: Customer Service à la française
  • Correct Self Quiz Chapters 4-6
  • Class Translation and Reading Pages 139-143 “C’est pas ma faute” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Read pages 139-143 “C’est pas ma faute” from Sacrés Français and prepare your questions on the translation .

Week 3. Mar 7-11

Monday
  • Correct Self Quiz Chapters 4-6
  • Chapter 7: Grammar and Vocabulary
  • Conversation: Sa Majesté la Caissière
  • Translation: 139-143 “C’est pas ma faute” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss TV, what you have seen in France , your favorite shows, what is different, what is the same, etc. If you do not have access to a TV, prepare these topics based on American shows. Refer to Chapter 7.
Tuesday
  • Conversation: Watching TV
  • Pronouns revisited
  • Chapter 8: Grammar and Vocabulary
  • Translation: 139-143 “C’est pas ma faute” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss the weather in Paris and at home. Refer to Chapter 8.
Thursday
  • Conversation: The Weather
  • Self Quiz Chapters 7-8
  • Homework: Finish Translation of pages 139-143 “C’est pas ma faute” from Sacrés Français and prepare to discuss the reading on Monday.

Week 4. Mar 14-18

Monday
  • Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary for Chapter 9
  • Conversation: "C'est pas ma faute"
  • Homework: Be prepared to describe the career you wish to pursue after college. Refer to Chapter 9.
Tuesday
  • Conversation: the career you wish to pursue after college
  • The subjunctive, le subjontif
  • Homework: Write ten sentences using the subjunctive Refer to the text and the additional packets. Memorize irregular and regular verbs in this tense. You may also wish to write the endings of the subjunctive ten times each with regular er, ir, re verbs.
Thursday
  • Self Quiz: Chapter 9
  • Translation: Pages 175-178 from “L’heure ce n'est pas l'heure” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Complete Translation of pages 175-178 from “L’heure ce n'est pas l'heure” from Sacrés Français. Bring your questions to class and be ready to discuss concepts.

Week 5. Mar 21-25

Monday
  • Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary for Chapter 10
  • Questions on Homework: Translation: Pages 175-178 from “L’heure ce n'est pas l'heure”
  • Conversation: “L’heure ce n'est pas l'heure” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss shopping of any kind in Paris. Refer to Chapter 10.
Tuesday
  • The imperative voice and pronouns
  • Conversation: Shopping in Paris
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss the differences between shopping in France and in the U.S.
Thursday
  • Self Quiz Chapter 10
  • Conversation: Shopping in France and in the U.S.
  • Homework: Review Chapters 0-10 for the Midterm. Prepare 10 good sample questions AND ANSWERS for the Midterm Exam. Bring 15 copies of both questions and answers for the entire class.

Week 6. Mars 29 - April 1

Monday
  • Review Chapters 1-5
  • Preparation for the Midterm Exam BRING YOUR TEXTBOOK
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss how your perceptions of Paris have changed since you first arrived.
Tuesday
  • Conversation: Life in Paris
  • Review Chapters 6-10
  • Preparation for the Midterm Exam BRING YOUR TEXTBOOK
  • Homework: Study for Midterm Exam
Thursday
  • Midterm Exam
  • Review of Midterm Exam

Week 7. April 4-8

Monday
  • Oral Presentation 1
  • Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary for Chapter 11
  • Homework: Prepare a detailed plan of what you will do for Spring Break for discussion
Tuesday
  • Oral Presentation 2
  • Conversation: Spring Break
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss sports as either a participant or spectator
Thursday
  • Oral Presentation 3
  • Conversation: Sports
  • Self Quiz: Chapter 11
  • Homework: Have a good Spring Break

MIDTERM BREAK

Week 8. April 18-22

Monday
  • Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary for Chapter 12
  • Conversation: Describe Spring Break
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss important events in your life. Refer to Chapter 12.
Tuesday
  • Oral Presentation 4
  • Conversation: Important Events
  • Translation: Pages 199-201 “Au Pays des intellos” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss important relationships in your life. Refer to Chapter 12.
Thursday
  • Oral Presentation 5
  • Self Quiz: Chapter 12
  • Conversation: Relationships
  • Translation: Pages 202-205 “Au Pays des intellos” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Translate pages 199-205 “Au Pays des intellos” from Sacrés Français. Be prepared to give your opinion in class on Monday on at least two ideas or opinions from the reading.

Week 9. April 25-29

Monday
  • Oral Presentation 6
  • Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary for Chapter 13
  • Conversation: “Au Pays des intellos”
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss clothing in France and the U.S. Refer to Chapter 13.
Tuesday
  • Oral Presentation 7
  • Conversation: Clothing
  • Review Verb Tenses
  • Homework: Review Verb Tenses
Thursday
  • Oral Presentation 8
  • Self Quiz: Chapter 13
  • Translation: 207-209 “Scènes de foule ” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Read 207-209 “Scènes de foule ” from Sacrés Français. Be prepared to give your opinion in class on Monday on at least two ideas or opinions from the reading.

Week 10. May 2-6

Monday
  • Oral Presentation 9
  • Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary for Chapter 14
  • Conversation: 207-209 “Scènes de foule ” from Sacrés Français
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss any topic you wish regarding politics. Refer to Chapter 14.
Tuesday
  • Oral Presentation 10
  • Conversation: Politics and Media
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss the media in France . Refer to Chapter 14.
Thursday
  • Oral Presentation 11
  • Self Quiz: Chapter 14
  • Conversation: Media
  • Homework: Read an article from any French media source; prepare to review it for the class.

Week 11. May 9-13

Monday
  • Oral Presentation 12
  • Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary for Chapter 15
  • Conversation: French media
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss the arts or museums or galleries you have visited. Refer to Chapter 15.
Tuesday
  • Oral Presentation 13
  • Conversation: Arts
  • Homework: Prepare to discuss your semester in Paris. What have you learned?
Thursday
  • Oral Presentation 14
  • Self Quiz: Chapter 15
  • Conversation: Life in Paris
  • Begin Preparation for the Final Exam Chapters 0-15
  • Homework: Prepare 10 sample questions AND ANSWERS for the Final Exam. You must bring 15 copies of both the questions and the answers to class with you on Monday.

Week 12. May 16-20

Monday
  • Complete preparation for the Final Exam
  • Homework: Prepare for the Final Exam
Tuesday
  • Final Exam
  • Sign up for slot for the Final Oral Exam
  • Homework: Prepare for the Final Oral Exam
Thursday
  • Final Oral Exams
  • Be on time for your time slot