FREN 2204 - French IIB: Culture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

The aim of this course is to develop a deeper understanding and a critical appreciation of France's rich cultural heritage through the study of texts and other cultural artefacts. The course is also designed to develop linguistic skills, taking into account the problems associated with the apprenticeship of reading and analysis in French. Students completing this course will therefore benefit from enhanced reading skills, vocabulary acquisition and writing skills. This year, the topic for study is '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 2204
    Course French IIB: Culture
    Coordinating Unit French Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Prerequisites FREN 1003
    Incompatible FREN 1012
    Course Description The aim of this course is to develop a deeper understanding and a critical appreciation of France's rich cultural heritage through the study of texts and other cultural artefacts. The course is also designed to develop linguistic skills, taking into account the problems associated with the apprenticeship of reading and analysis in French. Students completing this course will therefore benefit from enhanced reading skills, vocabulary acquisition and writing skills. This year, the topic for study is 'Du texte a l'ecran' (the study of stories and their screen adaptations). See French Discipline handbook for more details.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Ben McCann

    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 IIA Culture, students will be able to:

    1. know the countries where French is spoken and understand their cultural productions such as literature and film

    2. locate primary and secondary sources of information pertaining to the study of French culture

    3. analyse cultural productions such as literature and film and be aware of the interpretative methods that can be used to deepen understanding of them

    4. work individually or in groups in collecting and organising information, and communicating arguments and ideas in adequate French, both written and spoken, to an academic audience.
    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
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 3, 4
    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. 2, 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
    The French Research Librarian in the Barr-Smith Library, Jennifer Osborn, maintains a page of useful links for students of French. They can be found at the following url:
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/hum/french/

    This is an excellent resource for all the work you do in French language and culture. You are urged to consult the link “Research Skills: Literature search techniques”, which teaches you how to use the Library’s academic databases for your essays.

    For a French language website in which you will find, as well as a conventional dictionary, a dictionary of slang, synonyms and antonyms, figurative expressions, spelling and conjugations, etymologies, Old and Middle French, and varieties of French throughout the Francophone world, you should look at the url
    http://www.lexilogos.com/francais_langue_dictionnaires.htm
    Online Learning
    The following documents will be available via MyUni:
    - course outline
    - lecture slides
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    There will be three contact hours per week: a lecture in French which provides an analysis of the topic set for study in each particular week; a two-hourseminar in which students will carry out tasks such as reading, textual/film analysis, individual presentations, tests and class discussion. The seminar session will also be used for screening the films.
    Workload

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

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
    3 hours of classes each week 3 hours
    6 hours of preparation/follow-up work, including reading 6 hours
    3 hours preparation for assignments and tests 3 hours
    Average weekly workload 12 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week Commencing  Topic Reading  Assessed Tasks
    Week 1 Introduction: avantages et inconvénients des adaptations cinématographiques de textes littéraires 1. Roché, Jules et Jim (ch 1) MacOrlan, Le Quai des brumes (ch 1)
    Week 2 Maupassant, Une partie de campagne (texte) Maupassant, Une partie de campagne
    Week 3 Renoir, Une partie de campagne (film) Comprehension Test 1
    Week 4 Maupassant, Toine (texte) Maupassant, Toine
    Week 5 Santamaria, Toine (film) Comprehension Test 2
    Week 6 Vercors, Le Silence de la mer (texte) Vercors, Le Silence de la mer
    Week 7 Boutron, Le Silence de la mer (film) Comprehension Test 3
    Week 8   Gaboriau, Le Petit vieux des Batignolles (texte) Gaboriau, Le Petit vieux des Batignolles Analyse de scène (18 September)
    Mid-Semester Break
    Week 9 Chabrol, Le Petit vieux des Batignolles (film) Comprehension Test 4
    Week 10 Simenon, La Nuit du carrefour (texte) Simenon, La Nuit du carrefour
    Week 11 Renoir, La Nuit du carrefour (film) Comprehension Test 5
    Week 12 L'adaptation: état des lieux
    Week 13 Essay (8 November)
    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
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    The preparation of an oral presentation 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
    Assessment Task Task Type  Due Value Learning Outcomes
    Oral Presentation  Formative During the seminar once during the semester 15% 1, 2, 3, 4
    Comprehension Tests  Formative Friday, Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11 25% 1, 3, 4
    Analyse de scène (800 words in French)  Summative Wednesday of Week 8 25% 1, 2, 3, 4
    Essay (1200 words in French)  Summative Friday of Week 13 35% 1, 2, 3, 4
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are expected to read the texts set for the given weeks in advance and prepare their answers to any set questions, as required.

    It is a requirement of the course that students attend all classes. Exemption from attendance may be given by tutors or the course coordinator only for medical reasons or for documented cases of personal hardship. If students miss two classes without providing a satisfactory explanation (on medical or compassionate grounds), the course coordinator will ask them to explain why they should not be excluded from the course. In all cases, the onus is on students to contact their tutor or the course coordinator, preferably in advance, to explain their absence and to make arrangements to catch up on missed work. If this is not done, it will be assumed that the students concerned are no longer in the course.
    Assessment Detail
    NB: Students must complete all assessment tasks in order to pass the course.

    1. Exposé : analyse de scène

    Avec un partenaire, vous devrez faire une présentation de 10 minutes (maximum) au cours de laquelle vous analyserez une scène dans un des textes suivants : Une partie de campagne, Toine, Le Silence de la mer, en comparant son traitement par le cinéma. Présentez d’abord la scène que vous allez analyser – mais très brièvement, car tout le monde aura déjà lu le texte et vu le film ! Vous passerez donc ensuite à votre analyse, qui devra porter sur la façon dont le cinéma représente l’action, les décors, le caractère des personnages, et ainsi de suite. Dans votre conclusion, vous expliquerez les similarités et les différences (de fond, de forme, etc) entre la représentation textuelle et la représentation cinématographique de la scène, tout en réfléchissant sur les avantages et les inconvénients des deux versions et sur leur impact.

    2. Analyse de texte
    Comme pour l’exposé oral, vous devrez choisir une scène dans un des textes suivants : Une partie de campagne, Toine, Le Silence de la mer, et faire une analyse de la façon dont cette scène est représentée au cinéma. Adoptez la même structure que pour l’exposé oral :
    1. une brève présentation de la scène, en guise d’introduction
    2. une analyse comparative de tous les aspects les plus importants (description/décor, caractérisation, thèmes, action, etc)
    3. une conclusion dans laquelle vous réfléchissez sur les similarités et les différences, et sur l’impact de ces différences sur notre perception de la scène

    NB Vous ne pouvez pas choisir pour cette analyse le même texte (et le même film) que pour l’exposé oral. Votre analyse de texte doit être écrit en français (800 mots) et doit être rendu le 18 septembre avant 12h00.

    3. Tests de compréhension
    Après avoir étudié le texte en classe (cours + séminaire), nous vous demanderons dans le séminaire suivant, avant de visionner le film, de lire un extrait du texte et de répondre à quelques questions de compréhension. C’est une façon pour nous, et pour vous, de vérifier que vous avez lu et compris le texte. Nous ferons des exercices similaires dans les séminaires afin de vous préparer pour le type de questions auxquelles vous aurez à répondre.

    4. Dissertation
    Vous devrez rédiger une dissertation de 1200 mots, en français, à remettre le 8 novembre (avant 12h00). Choisissez un des sujets suivants :

    1. Examinez la façon dont le mystère et le suspense sont créés et maintenus dans Le Petit vieux des Batignolles ou La Nuit du carrefour, en comparant le texte et le film.

    2. Examinez la représentation et la fonction de l’espace dans les histoires policières, en prenant comme exemple Le Petit vieux des Batignolles ou La Nuit du carrefour et en comparant le texte et le film.

    3. Quelles techniques les cinéastes adoptent-ils pour représenter à l’écran les romans policiers, tout en donnant à leurs films un caractère personnel ?

    Conseils si vous comparez deux choses – ici, un texte et un film – ne les traitez pas séparément (c’est-à-dire, n’organisez pas votre dissertation en deux parties dans lesquelles vous analysez d’une part le texte et d’autre part le film) ; il faut organiser vos paragraphes selon des idées et faire des comparaisons entre le texte et le film dans chaque paragraphe donnez à votre analyse une structure claire, avec une introducion et une conclusion il faut citer correctement les ouvrages que vous avez consultés et inclure une bibliographie (consultez le modèle mis en ligne sur le site de la BSL, que vous trouverez en cliquant sur les liens suivants : Library – Resource Guides – French – Research Skills Literature Search Techniques) révisez votre copie (l’orthographe, les accords et les structures grammaticales de base) avant de la rendre  
    Submission
    Presentation of Work
    All written 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, if typed, and in a font size no less than 12), for greater clarity and to allow ample room for correction. For essay work, attention should be given to the correct setting out of quotations and bibliographical material. All assignments must be submitted with the appropriate cover sheet. This includes a statement on plagiarism policy that must be signed. This is a legal requirement and markers have the right to refuse to accept work which has not acknowledged the University of Adelaide plagiarism policy.

    Deadlines
    For language and culture assignments, including essays, students are formally notified of deadlines well in advance. Assignments handed in after the due date will be penalised at the rate of 5% of the total mark per working day, up to a maximum of 5 working days, after which they will not be accepted at all (days go from mid-day to mid-day). These penalties will not apply, however, if an extension has been granted by the lecturer before the due date. Extensions will only be granted on medical grounds (medical certificate required) or in documented cases of hardship. Please note that under no circumstances will assignments be accepted for marking after the corrected work has been returned to students.

    STUDENTS MUST HAND IN THEIR WORK BY MIDDAY OF THE DAY INDICATED TO THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES OFFICE (LEVEL 7, NAPIER BUILDING), WHERE IT WILL HAVE THE DATE OF SUBMISSION STAMPED ON IT.

    Return of marked work
    Marked work will generally be returned to students one or two weeks following submission. For work that is handed up at the end of semester, students should attach a stamped self-addressed envelope. School policy states that if no envelope accompanies the (end of semester) assignment, it will not be returned and it will be graded only. No comments will be provided.

    Redemption
    The Discipline wishes to give all students the chance to make up for any piece of work which, for whatever reason, is not up to their usual standard. This policy, however, must be adapted, in its detail, to the needs of each class. Given the frequency and the nature of short tasks or assignments such as lab exercises, comprehension tests or language exercises, it is not possible for students to redo and resubmit the piece of work in which their performance was unsatisfactory. This can also cause them to get behind, rather than move on to the next set of exercises and devoting their energies to mastering them.

    Regarding longer assignments such as essays, a student who has failed and wishes to do the assignment again in order to obtain a pass mark of 50% (maximum) may do so. The onus is, however, on the student to make such a request.
    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.