50.212 Intermediate French II & Culture

 Winter Intersession & Spring 2007

CLASS Connections TITLE
   HOME | SYLLABUS | STUDENTS | SCHEDULE | MATERIALS | FORUM | LINKS
Instructor:  Joseph  GARREAU, Ph.D., Professor of French Studies
HomePage: http://faculty.uml.edu/jgarreau
Email: joseph_garreau@uml.edu

A. COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES
Intermediate French II & Culture is a continuation of 50. 211, which is the normal prerequisite. The medium chosen for this course is that of carefully selected French films, all with English subtitles, which we'll view and discuss in class, and to which I will add relevant cultural comments. Each film will be preceded by a short introduction to place the film into its historical context. Although loosely based on French Cinema for Conversation, there will be no textbook to purchase.  What will you do?

• Writing: (70%)
For each film you will be given specific written questions in French that will be distributed in class. In addition, there will be several short translations and one short French composition.  This will constitute your major written assignment.
• Speaking: (15%)
I will also make every effort to seek your active participation and to have you communicate in French. I will endeavor to elicit your responses from my own simple questions.
Participation, meaning your unfailing attendance to class, is absolutely essential.
Non, pas d'examen final!  -- mais une présentation orale sur un film choisi (15%).
On the day of the final exam, in lieu of a formal written examination, I will ask you to make a 10-minute oral presentation, en français, bien sûr! on a French film (list and comments provided) not viewed in class (See model prepared for Ponette). I will help you, depending on your own interests, to select the proper film and to edit/correct your presentation.  I will mak  every effort to assist you in order to make this final French assignment both challenging and memorable.

B. GENERAL INFORMATION
Be aware that moral and artistic critiria differ profoundly between France and the U.S. This means that some films have explicit sexual and violent content.  They are shown with this warning and, cela va de soi = it goes without saying, for educational purposes only.

C. ATTENDANCE
Sometimes things come up and you may need to miss a class. However, be advised that missing more than one class will mean that your final grade will be lowered a letter grade for each subsequent class missed.   A bon entendeur, salut!

D.  EVALUATION
See above:  Writing: 70% ; Attendance & Participation: 15% ; Final oral presentation: 15%

New Grading sytem:
A : 95-100; A- : 90-94; B+ : 87-89; B : 83-86; B- : 80-82; C+ : 77-79; C : 73-76; C- : 70-72; D+ : 67-69; D: 63-66; D- : 60-62; F : < -59

E. REQUIRED TEXT
None. Handout and  course Website

F. OFFICE HOURS
Office Location: COBURN 113 D - Voice Mail: 978-934-4297
Email: joseph_garreau@uml.edu
Regular Office hours: Monday 1:00 to 3:30 - Tuesday  2:00 - 6:00 PM - Thursday 2:00 to 3:30
Advising Period: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (Hours to be posted)
Please communicate by electronic mail as well as by phone and office visits.

Liste des films que nous visionnerons:
             1. Ponette -  VHS 4505
             0. Joyeux Noël (Novembre 2005)  - DVD 116 min
             2. Les choristes  97 min DVD 0401 + 30 minutes Le dîner de cons
             3. Le dîner de cons (The dinner game) 80 min  0333 + 4. Le Placard (The Closet)
             5. Au revoir les enfants - 103 min VHS 2073
             6. Romuald et Juliette (Mama, there is a Man in your Bed) -  107 min VHS 3392
             7. Sur mes lèvres  (Read My Lips) 115 min
             8. Une affaire de goût (A Matter of Taste)
             9. La vie rêvée des anges (The Dreamlife of Angels) 113 min DVD 0177
            10. Cyrano de Bergerac
            11. Ridicule - VHS 3646
            12. Le destin fabuleux d'Amélie Poulain - 122 min DVD 125
            13. L'auberge espagnole -  122 min DVD 0411
            14. Présentations orales