FREN 1012 - French ISB: Language and Culture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course continues the intensive language training undertaken in French ISA. Students will also continue to develop critical and analytic skills through the study of French culture. This year, the culture topic for study is entitled 'Du texte a l'ecran' (the study of stories and their screen adaptations). See French Discipline handbook for more details.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code FREN 1012
    Course French ISB: Language and Culture
    Coordinating Unit French Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Prerequisites FREN 1011 or equivalent
    Course Description This course continues the intensive language training undertaken in French ISA. Students will also continue to develop critical and analytic skills through the study of French culture. This year, the culture topic for study is entitled 'Du texte a l'ecran' (the study of stories and their screen adaptations). See French Discipline handbook for more details.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Nathalie Patterson

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On the completion of French ISB, students will be able to:

    1.    understand better the structures of French language and apply them more accurately to their own language use

    2.    understand and use a wider range of French vocabulary and structures, in both spoken and written modes

    3.    understand and analyse various aspects of French and Francophone society and culture

    4.    understand and respect the different world views that are expressed through the language, social practices and cultural productions of French-speaking communities

    5.    locate and evaluate a variety of sources to further their own understanding of the French language and of French and Francophone societies and cultures

    6.    organise and analyse information appropriate to the study of French language and French and Francophone societies and cultures

    7.    communicate information, ideas and arguments more accurately and with more sophistication in French, in both spoken and written modes, using a range of appropriate technologies and resources

    8.    work both independently and in collaboration with others in the exploration, generation and presentation of ideas and information, and contribute productively and in a timely manner to group-based outcomes
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 5, 6, 7
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 5, 8
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 2, 4, 7, 8
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 5, 8
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 4
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 3, 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    A link to the list of textbooks for all French courses can be found on the Discipline of French Studies web site.
    Recommended Resources
    Reference works
    (i)    Dictionaries
    The Barr Smith Library has a number of French-English and French-French dictionaries in its reference section.  When preparing assignments, it is a good habit to work with dictionaries and other reference works around you.  There are also some good dictionary resources available
    through the internet, eg http://www.wordreference.com/fr/ (bilingual) or http://www.lexilogos.com/francais_langue_dictionnaires.htm (French-French – very useful).

    If you are thinking of purchasing a dictionary, there are several possibilities, depending on your budget.  The Collins-Robert French-English English-French Dictionary is an excellent dictionary, and is quite good value, considering today’s prices. Note that recent editions of the Collins-Robertcontain a supplement devoted to specific language functions (eg letter writing, essay work, etc).  This dictionary would be an excellent investment for the future, as well as a valuable tool in yourcurrent programme of study.

    If your budget does not extend that far, other possibilities exist.  There are plenty of middle-of-the-range dictionaries which would be satisfactory for most purposes (although more complex questions are always better solved by the larger dictionaries).  The Collins-Robert dictionary mentioned above has a concise version which is also very good, and more moderately priced, or a paperback version. Langenscheidt also publishes a good French-English dictionary in the mid range.  The best idea is to shop around and see what is readily available to match your budget (Unibooks, Angus & Robertson, etc.).  The important thing is to avoid buying one of those small pocket style dictionaries, which are of very limited use.

    (ii)     Grammar
    Your textbook provides a good account of the various grammar points to be covered, along with many useful exercises for putting this material into practice.  This is sufficient in itself for the course.  If you have the time and inclination to do further practice, there are plenty of grammar books in the library, a number of which contain exercises.  One text which you may find useful is the French Grammar published in the Schaum Outline series. It contains explanations of the various grammar points in English and follows these up with practice exercises (the answers are in the back).  Also of potential use, if you are one of those people who struggle with grammatical terminology, is the book by Jacqueline Morton, English Grammar for Students of French (several copies usually available in the bookshop, also available in the Barr Smith Library). The definitive word on grammar is always to be found in Le Bon usage (by Grevisse), of which the BSL has copies.
    Online Learning
    The following will be posted on MyUni on a regular basis:
    - powerpoints for the grammar class
    - powerpoints for the culture lecture
    - vocabulary lists for the language laboratory tests
    - fair copies of all assignments and tests
    - past exam papers and corrigés (uploaded at the end of the semester)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    There are 5 weekly classes (all 1 hour) in French ISA, as follows:
    - 1 x grammar class
    - 1 x language laboratory
    - 1 x written expression/grammar tutorial
    - 1 x oral expression tutorial
    - 1 x culture lecture
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information provided here is a guide to assist students in engaging with the course requirements.  This as an indication of the average amount of time students should expect to spend on French on a weekly basis throughout the course of the semester.  There will obviously be some weeks where students will devote more than 12 hours to French tasks, and other weeks where less time will be required.

    5 hours of classes each week 5 hours
    4 hours of preparation/follow-up work 4 hours
    3 hours for reading and the preparation of assignments 3 hours
    Average weekly workload 12 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    Weekly class exercises on grammar (1-2 weeks spent on each chapter of the textbook).
    Pronunciation and listening exercises in the laboratory.
    Discussion of set texts and topical issues in the conversation class.
    Lectures on the set texts/topics in the Culture Lecture.
    For the detailed work schedule, see the Course Booklet (available on MyUni to enrolled students).
    Specific Course Requirements
    Hurdle requirements
    Students who do not meet the following requirements will be awarded a grade of Fail for the course:
    - a minimum of 75% attendance in lab and tutorial classes (labs and tutes considered individually);
    - completion of all assessment tasks worth 8% or more.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    The preparation of an oral exposé on an aspect of the Culture topic will require students to conduct research, working in pairs.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Regular tests, language assignments, oral exposés, essays, language exam.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    The guidelines relating to presentation, submission and assessment of work are as follows:
    1.    Presentation of Work
    All work handed in during the year should be clearly labelled with the student’s name and class and also with the name of the staff member for whom it is intended.  It should be written on alternate lines (double spaced and in a font no less than 12 point, if typed), for greater clarity and to allow ample room for correction. For essay work, attention should be given to the correct setting out ofquotations and bibliographical material.

    2.    Deadlines
    In all language courses, assignments are a regular part of the learning process.  For this reason, language assignments must be submitted on a regular basis, by noon on the date indicated in each case (a penalty of 5% per working day late will be applied and no mark can be given once the particular assignment has been returned and discussed in class). However, any student experiencing difficulties (due to documentated cases of health problems or personal hardship) should contact the Course Coordinator.  The onus is on the student, however, to make such an approach—before the due date.The same rules apply to work submitted for cultural studies work.  Essays handed in after the due date will have the same penalties deducted and will not be marked at all if they are over one week late, unless an extension has been granted.Extensions will only be granted on medical grounds (medical certificate required) or in documented cases of hardship.  Extensions must be requested from
    the lecturer in advance of the due date.
    Assessment Detail
    See the Course Booklet for a detailed presentation of the assessment procedures for French ISB.
    Submission
    STUDENTS MUST HAND IN THEIR WORK, IN OFFICE HOURS, TO THE SCHOOLOF HUMANITIES OFFICE ON LEVEL 7 OF THE NAPIER BUILDING (via the Assignment Box), BY MID-DAY ON THE DUE DATE TO ENSURE THAT THE DATE AND TIME OFSUBMISSION ARE STAMPED ON THE ASSIGNMENT
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.