FREN 1201, 003 and 004, Fall 2009                          Katherine Stephenson

TR 2:00-3:15, 3:30-4:45 COED 168                          COED 443, 687-8751

ksstephe@uncc.edu                                                    Office Hours: 4:50-5:20 TR, 4:30-

http://www.languages.uncc.edu/ksstephe/fr1100/Fren1.html                5:00 W & by appt.

                                

Table of Contents

 

ATTENTION: This information and these guidelines are provided to you the first day of class and you are expected to read them immediately and ask the professor should any of the information be unclear.  You are then responsible for knowing this information, and you will be referred to this document should you ask questions that are answered by information in this document.  THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS INDICATED HEREIN, SO DO NOT ASK FOR ANY. 

 

Description: The French program has moved from a three-semester Introductory French sequence with 3-credit-hour courses to a two-semester sequence with 4-credit-hour courses. Therefore, in addition to the 3 hours of class meetings each week, there is a minimum 1-hour-per-week lab component where you will approach some of the material and activities outside of class with the aid of technology.  This course serves as an introduction to French language and culture.  The course will introduce you to everyday French at a basic level and help you develop the necessary skills to express yourself in common situations.  In order to communicate effectively you will need to learn the sound system of the language, acquire a basic vocabulary, master some basic grammar structures, be aware of some cultural differences, and of course practice a lot.  I will conduct class primarily in French and will expect you to grasp main ideas rather than understand every word you hear.  Classroom activities will focus on helping you build vocabulary and develop communication skills, with attention paid to each of the four language skills (listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing). 

In order to maintain accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, all UNC Charlotte departments are now required to assess student competency in computer skills.  FREN 1201 classes have been redesigned to integrate technology into the Languages and Culture Studies curriculum.  We will use e-mail (all students have been assigned an e-mail address by the university; see the campus online directory and the university’s Computing Policies), the Internet, and Blackboard for some communications and activities, as well as the Language Resource Center (COED 434, ext. 78768).  The new GenEd Program at UNC Charlotte requires the following “basic skills of information literacy and technology”:

By the end of their first year at UNC Charlotte, students are expected to have developed the basic skills necessary to access and create computer based information. These skills include the use of word processing, email, file management, Internet searches, and library database searches. These skills are developed in English 1101 and 1103. Tutorial help is available at campus computer labs, and help with bibliographical search skills is available in the information commons of Atkins library. Students are expected to exhibit ethical behavior in the use of computers. More advanced information technology skills are required by individual departments and majors. (http://www.provost.uncc.edu/catalogs/2009-2010/degreereqs&acadregs.htm#GENERAL_EDUCATION_PROGRAM  )

 

Goals and Objectives:  This course fulfills in part the language requirements for the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Architecture, and Health and Human Services (see The Language Proficiency Requirement for details on who must take a foreign language at UNC Charlotte).  The goals of the course are to help students develop conversational skills, awareness of different cultural practices and perspectives, to use the language to explore other disciplines, to compare French and their native language and culture, and to apply French beyond the classroom.  See Goals and Expectations for FREN 1201 for specific vocabulary and grammar covered.  These goals are in keeping with the national Standards for Foreign Language Learning, which propose activities in the areas of Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.  As for objectives, students are expected (1) to be able to greet people and count and tell the date and time in French, to understand and speak about rooms and furnishings, families, the weather, getting around in a town, and to describe people; (2) to demonstrate control of grammar such as pronouns, verbs, negatives, interrogatives and articles; (3) to write short compositions on familiar topics; (4) to read selected authentic texts for main ideas and information; (5) to evaluate language software programs; and (6) to navigate French sites on the Web.  The national Proficiency Guidelines are used to gauge students’ level of performance and progress.

 

Prerequisite:  Beginning students only.  Students who have previously studied French are encouraged to take the language placement test to determine which course level is appropriate.  Information on the General Education foreign language proficiency requirement is available at http://languages.uncc.edu/undergrad-programs/requirements-and-policies.html   For information on foreign language requirements of your major, consult your academic advisor.

 

Texts & Materials:  

In student bookstore (bundled together in a packet):

Text:    Voilà! 6^th edition, Heilenman et al. (with 2 audio CD-ROMs packaged on                                       inside back cover of text)

Quia Passcard:         Voilà! 6^th edition, Quia Online Workbook/Lab Manual

 

Separate items not in packet: Sparkchart French Vocabulary, Sparkchart French Grammar

 

Audio Program: The recordings for Leçons 1-8 that correspond to the oral exercises in the online lab manual can also be accessed from campus only on the LRC website (see left frame, General Information: Online Media®French ®Voilà 5^th edition, or click on http://www.lrc.uncc.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=74&Itemid=64). 

Course Homepage: http://www.languages.uncc.edu/ksstephe/fr1100/Fren1.html

On Blackboard (Course Management System): Some information, study and homework materials, and all exams are on Blackboard.  You access our course from any computer on or off campus (campus computer labs are open 24/7) through a new link in the 49er Express My Courses channel called Access Blackboard Vista.  This link will take you to an institution listing.  Choose UNC Charlotte, then LOGIN using your 49er Express user name and password.  This will then open the My Blackboard Vista homepage where all your Blackboard courses will be listed.  If you’re accessing your campus student account for the first time, see the messages and links on the 49er Express homepage, accessed by clicking on the 49er Express link at the top right of the University homepage, 49er Help at http://www.uncc.edu/49erExpress/Help/, or the Student Computing link at  http://www.labs.uncc.edu.  Also check out the Blackboard Student Support page (http://bbvista.uncc.edu/ ).  From there, you can access important information on browsers (you may have to adjust your browser settings and/or download a plug-in), how to log in, Blackboard tours, general guides, and the “Request Help” link for problems.  If you have any problems with Blackboard not working correctly, you must contact Blackboard Student Support, NOT the professor, by sending in a completed “Request Help” form, found under “Request Forms and Other Help” on the Blackboard Student Support web page at http://bbvista.uncc.edu/ . See “Instructions for Blackboard” for guidelines on accessing Blackboard and taking tests in Blackboard. 

After the first class meeting, immediately send the professor an e-mail message with the information indicated below. Use your own email account (see my email address at the top of this document), the 49er Express “E-mail” function, or on 49er Express select “Click here to: View your course schedule, access your course home pages, email your professors, communicate with classmates, etc.,” click on our course link, then on the 49er Express Course Homepage, select “E-mail” from the left frame, then select my name on the “Email Members” list, then click on “Send email” at the bottom right.  Type “[Your Name]’s 1201 contact info” in the “Subject” box and type the information below, in exactly the format below, in the “Message” box, then hit the “Send” button.  You may also simply click on the professor’s name under “Course Info” on the right of the 49er Express Course Homepage to send me the email:

Name (for first name, indicate name you wish to be called by in class)

telephone number

e-mail address (that you check every day)*

classification, major, advisor

if you have a job, number of hours you work per week

other languages, trips to France (where, when)

All students who have never used Blackboard before are required to view the demos and guides accessed through the “Online Student Orientation” link on the Blackboard Student Support page before Sept. 1, when the first quiz in Blackboard is due (you may also consult General Interface  and Using Assessments in Blackboard ). 

On Friday, Sept. 4, send a list with the first 3 items above to everyone in the class, using the 49er Express “E-mail” link on the 49er Express Course Homepage described above or Blackboard “Mail.”  Within Blackboard, select “Mail” from the left frame on the Blackboard Course Homepage [not your 49er Express homepage], select “Create message” under “Inbox” on the right, then click on “Browse for recipients,” select “To” next to “All Students” and to “All Section Instructors” and then “Save” on the bottom left and the message will go to the entire class.  If you prefer to individually select student names, make sure to open the box next to “Page” on the bottom right and select “All (1-30)” so that all student names are displayed on a single page. Type “[Your Name]’s contact info” in the “Subject” box and type your 3 contact info items in the “Message” box, then select “Send” on the bottom left.  See Blackboard “Help” (upper right of main page) for instructions on downloading messages so you may create a class info list to print out.  Keep this list with your class materials so you can easily contact classmates for help and to get updates if you’re absent.

Attention: You may not be able to access your Blackboard account until 24 hours after you are officially enrolled in the class. 

*The university administration encourages students to use the official university-provided e-mail address when corresponding with professors and students, to be aware of the university’s Computing Policies, and to check their 49er Express e-mail account regularly. 

 

Grade breakdown:   

Class grade (attendance, preparation, participation, pop quizzes, HW, compositions) 20%

Tests 1-8                                                                                                                            45%

Speaking Test                                                                                                                   10%

Final Exam                                                                                                                        25%     

All grades are based on a 10‑point scale (90 ® 100 = A, 80 ® 89 = B, 70 ® 79 = C, 65 ® 69 = D).  Regular class attendance, participation, and homework completion can impact your grade substantially.  I suggest that you pay particular attention to these areas so that they work for you rather than against you. 

 

Classroom Activities:  The classroom is where you have the opportunity to hear and speak French.  I will review vocabulary, grammar structures, exercises, and readings that you study before class, will conduct drills, present other exercises and ask questions to check pronunciation and understanding.  On occasion, you will work in pairs or small groups and give brief reports.  Do not worry about making mistakes in class because making mistakes is part of the process of developing language fluency.  Also, take advantage of class time to ask about any material or concepts you do not understand.

Respectful classroom behavior is expected.  This includes arriving on time for class and turning off your cell phone before entering class.  Breaches of proper classroom etiquette have the following consequences: each time you disrupt class by coming in late or having an electronic device go off in class, you will be charged with a “late”; 3 lates/disruptions = 1 unexcused absence.

 

Homework:  Most of the learning takes place outside of the classroom.  You will have to devote a minimum of two hours of preparation for each class hour (see UNC Charlotte Catalog).  The homework consists of reading about the language in the text, writing exercises from both text and Quia Online Workbook of written exercises, and completing the oral exercises on the Quia Online Lab Manual  (Quia Online Workbook/Lab Manual, Quia Registration Instructions ).  In addition, some homework activities will include using e-mail, the Internet, and software programs in the LRC.  A class session will be devoted to introducing students to the necessary skills for using such technologies.  See Study Guidelines for details on homework (e.g. detailed instructions on moving around in Quia are in #4), preparing for class, and free tutoring.  All of these activities help you "pin down" and remember vocabulary and grammar and help develop communication skills. 

Homework is assigned on a regular basis and is due on the assigned date at the beginning of class.  Please staple homework with multiple sheets before class.  If you hand in homework or class exercises on notebook paper, please do not use paper from a spiral-bound notebook, or be sure to remove any tabs from the left margin. I will only accept late homework for excused absences, and only on the day you return to class.  However, electronic submission of homework (see the university’s Computing Policies) should prevent you from having to turn in work late unless you are too sick to prepare homework, so please submit your homework electronically, by email attachment to my regular email address (provided at the top of this document) if you will not be in class on the day it is due. If you find you need additional help, the University Center for Academic Excellence (330 Fretwell http://www.ucae.uncc.edu/) provides free tutorials on French grammar (call Tutorial Services in 318K Fretwell at 704.687.2163 or contact them online through their website at http://www.ucae.uncc.edu/ts/ts_home.html).