French 1441: French, Level I

Summer I 2008

The Department of Modern Languages (817.272.3161)
The University of Texas at Arlington

Texts

• Required
  • Valdman, Scullen, Pons, & Jourdain. Chez Nous (3rd Edition) Prentice Hall
  • Scullen & Cassidy. Workbook/Lab Manual for Chez Nous (3rd Edition) Prentice Hall
  • Chez Nous Web site:  http://www.prenhall.com/cheznous
• Optional
  • Dictionary of 501 French Verbs—Barron's Educational Series
  • Morton, Jacqueline English Grammar for Students of French (3rd Edition) Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Olivia and Hill Press, 1989.

French 1441 is the first course in the series for first-year French. During this semester, we will cover Chapters Préliminaire–5 of Chez Nous.

 

Grading

• 50% Chapter Exams (5)
• 10% Final Exam
• 15% Quizzes
• 15% Homework and Lab assignments
• 10% Participation

Quizzes

Quizzes may take the following forms:

1. Short quiz over selected grammar points presented in each leçon.
2. Dictée quiz based on materials presented in the text or in the lab section of the workbook.
3. Pop quiz.
4. Oral assessment in the form of student presentations, dialogs, or skits.

Quizzes are not subject to make-up.

 

Exams

5 chapter exams will be given. The final exam will focus on the last chapter of study but will also include all material covered during the semester. Exams may not be made up unless the student contacts the instructor prior to the exam with sufficient excuse.

 

Homework/Lab Work

Assignments outside of class will be given daily. This work must be turned in on time.

 

Participation

Participation grades are based on attendance and participation in classroom activities.

 

Tardiness

Students who are habitually late for class are disruptive to their class. Please try to arrive on time. Points may be deducted from the student's grade for habitual tardiness.

 

Attendance

Regular attendance is expected. Excessive absences may cause the student to receive an F for the course. If you stop attending class, YOU must initiate the drop procedure. If you do not drop the class a performance grade will be assigned, most likely and F. A student may be excused for illness, a death in the family or for a university-sponsored activity.

 

Tentative Schedule for French 1441 (Subject to Change)

 

Semaine I

• lundi:
  • Memorial Day—No class
• mardi:
  • Présentation du cours et du texte
  • Chapitre Préliminaire
• mercredi:
  • Chapitre Préliminaire
• jeudi:
  • Chapitre Préliminaire—“Venez Chez Nous” / Révision

 

Semaine II

• lundi:
  • Examen—Chapitre Préliminaire
  • Chapitre 1—leçon1
• mardi:
  • Chapitre 1—leçons 2 et 3
• mercredi:
  • Chapitre 1—“Venez Chez Nous” / Révision
• jeudi:
  • Examen—Chapitre 1

 

Semaine III

• lundi:
  • Chapitre 2—leçon 1
• mardi:
  • Chapitre 2—leçon 2
• mercredi:
  • Chapitre 2—leçon 3
  • Chapitre 2—“Venez chez nous” / Révision
• jeudi:
  • Examen—Chapitre 2
  • Chapitre 3—leçon 1

 

Semaine IV

• lundi:
  • Chapitre 3—leçon 2
• mardi:
  • Chapitre 3—leçon 3
  • Chapitre 3—“Venez chez nous” / Révision
• mercredi:
  • Examen—Chapitre 3
  • Chapitre 4—leçons 1 et 2
• jeudi:
  • Chapitre 4—leçon 3 / Activité

 

Semaine V

• lundi:
  • Chapitre 4—“Venez chez nous” / Révision
• mardi:
  • Examen—Chapitre 4
  • Chapitre 5—leçon 1
• mercredi:
  • Chapitre 5—leçon 2
• jeudi:
  • Chapitre 5—leçon 3 / “Venez chez nous” / Révision

 

June 30

• Final Exam
  (Check the University schedule for the time.)

 

Important Dates

May 26: Memorial Day Holiday
May 27: Classes begin
May 27-28: Late registration
June 2: Census Date
June 11: Midsemester
June 17: Last day to drop or withdraw (undergrads only)
June 26: Last day of classes
June 30: Final Exam—Check the University schedule for times.

 

Official UTA e-mail Address

Please be sure to use your UTA e-mail address when communicating with the instructor or the Modern Language Department. All UTA students are assigned an e-mail account. Important University and class information is sent to that address only. So check it regularly.

 

Language Lab

The Language Acquisition Center (LAC), located on the third floor of Trimble Hall, offers audio, video and computer services for learners of French at UTA. Information about current hours and recognized holidays is posted at the entrance to the Trimble Hall facility. All check-outs at the LAC front desk require a valid student ID.

 

Audio

When you purchase your text packet, you will receive a code to access the online workbook to accompany Chez Nous. The LAC has also streamed the audio component for the text as an alternate way to access the audio online. You must go to the MODL homepage (http://langlab.uta.edu/) and select MODL Moodle from the upper right-hand menu. Go to the MODL Moodle login page and log in with your NetID to access the French 1441 media.

 

Student Outcomes—French 1441: French, Level I

Reading:

The student will demonstrate the ability to read a short text of simple sentences containing familiar vocabulary and summarize it in English.

Writing:

The student will write a very short descriptive personal letter. The student will be able to incorporate adjectives expressing opinion or analysis.

Listening:

The student will identify short, simple sentences directed at him or her about familiar topics.

Speaking:

The student will use a small active vocabulary of basic terms with correct pronunciation.

Vocabulary:

The student will recognize terms relating to describing people, asking for information and clarification, expressing ownership, possibilities, likes and preferences, time (calendar and clock), common daily and leisure activities, and food. Some of this vocabulary is active.

Grammar:

The student will apply characteristic features of standard written French such as noun gender, adjective placement and agreement, verb endings for present and past tense. Although he or she will not always be able to produce them correctly, the student will be able to describe these features accurately and give some correct examples.

Culture:

The student will recall rudimentary knowledge of the Francophone world. The student will compare several cultural differences between the United States and France.

 

Disability Accommodation

The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing the faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.

At UTA we are dedicated to assisting all students with disabilities. If you have a disability which requires specific accommodation, you must inform your instructor in writing at the beginning of the semester and register at the office of disability accommodation on the lower level of the University Center. Please let me know as soon as possible if there is anything I can do to assist you.

 

Academic Standards

It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.

Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking and examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. (Regents' Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3.2, Subdivision 3.22)

 

NOTA BENE

In a course in a foreign language, the temptation to use on-line translation services is great. Be advised, that such services are rarely correct in their morphological and semantic translation and that their use is easily detected by the instructor. Any such suspected use will result in an initial warning and then grade reduction on further abuses. Use of translated material not of your own creation is considered plagiarism and will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs.