F201/202 Intermediate French I and II are a sequence of courses intended for those who have had F121 or the equivalent. F201 and F202 fill the university wide language requirement, and can count as an elective under Categorical Requirement A-IV. Through coursework, experience abroad, and other cultural encounters, the Modern Languages Program cultivates communicative skills and cultural awareness that prepare students at Western Kentucky University to be more knowledgeable and sensitive citizens of the global community. F201/202 also counts toward completion of General Education Category A II, as stated below:

Category A II – A student completing the general education program at WKU will have:

• Competence in a language other than the native language
  • demonstrates basic facility of the vocabulary and grammar of a second language;
  •  demonstrates basic communication skills in a second language.
• An appreciation of the complexity and variety in the world’s cultures
  • recognizes the contributions of the various world cultures to humanity and identifies the ways in which these cultures are interrelated and interdependent;
  • identifies differences and similarities among the world’s cultural traditions and social organizations.

The broad outlines of the grammatical structure of French will be covered. There will be much reading and speaking in French. By the conclusion of F202, a student should be able to take any 300-level course--even if taught entirely in French--with the confidence inspired by ample preparation. The course goals, which follow in order of priority, clearly speak to these two broad General Education objectives.

The primary objective is cultivation of intermediate communication skills in French, especially oral, exchanging information and providing narratives. This entails an emphasis on listening comprehension, following accounts of events, weather, telephones numbers, prices, and the like. It is an assumption that communication in French, even at the intermediate level, requires much practice, much trial and error. Time is therefore precious. Our modus operandi is careful preparation for each class session. I will expect preparation from you, and you may expect it of me. Participation will assure progress toward communication skills. If absent, one should contact me before the next class meeting – not to explain or excuse the absence, but in order to find out what was accomplished and, especially, what is to be prepared outside of class. Typically, vocabulary, points of grammar or the like will be presented on day one, practiced enough to allow you to practice outside class before day two. A quiz will follow immediately, covering that same material on day two. For instance, on day one, the future tense of donner is presented, then practiced by dictation. By the very next class meeting, a quiz may establish if the future forms of donner have been learned.

Tests and quizzes: Quizzes will be numerous, and will be given as often as possible. Quizzes are intended primarily to indicate how thoroughly you have learned the material and how well your language skills are progressing as well as to prepare continuously for exams. Quizzes, as a rule, may not be made up, neither may they be retaken. On the other hand, the quiz average will be curved on the assumption that everyone will no doubt have valid reasons to be absent or unprepared for one of every ten or so quizzes. There will be no make up Tests/Exams. If you anticipate a problem with taking an exam when it is scheduled, or if you should miss an exam, contact me at your earliest opportunity!

Participation and attendance: class participation is essential; speaking French at every opportunity will help a student with his/her oral practice. Class attendance is not optional. Participation will assure progress toward communication skills. Students are to check Blackboard (http://ecourses.wku.edu) or my Web page (http://edtech.wku.edu/~nlove/101-102/f201fall2005.htm) and stay abreast of announcements, assignments and changes in the syllabus at least three times each week. There will be questions or assignments posted on Blackboard or the Web page to be completed before the next class. In the event that it is necessary to miss class, it is the responsibility of the student to find out what was covered and to learn the appropriate material. Upon returning to class students are expected to be fully prepared: ready to participate, turn in assignments, and take quizzes or exams as scheduled. 

For grading purposes, I will assign a value to each day according to the following participation point scheme:

Expectations in summary are as follows. Students are expected 1) to study, do assignments, and prepare for class, 2) to attend class, contribute and participate during class, 3) avail themselves of resources, and to seek help from instructor when appropriate, including during office hours or by appointment, 4) to demonstrate knowledge and language skills in progress against what is expected, 5) to work, for instance, on pronunciation, listening comprehension and recognition of spoken vocabulary, 6) to submit by deadlines work required, 7) to turn in for a grade the student’s own work and, of course, not to permit work to be used by another for his/her graded assignments. 8) to stay abreast of announcements, assignments and changes in the syllabus at least three times each week. 9) to keep cell phones turned off and silent during class; to keep cell phones and other electronic devices capable of communication/data retrieval out of sight during all graded activities. The instructor is expected 1) to be prepared for teaching each class session, 2) to offer clear examples and explanations, 3) to encourage participation from students, 4) provide opportunities for you to hear, speak, write and read French and to offer, specifically, as much oral practice in class as possible, 5) to meet with students during office hours and by appointment outside of class, 6) to be fair-minded at all times, 7) to respect students, and their beliefs and opinions, 8) to challenge students to meet the course goals as fully as possible. (Click on statement on teaching to read my thoughts on the entire subject.)

Study some French every day without exception and you will discover why language courses used to meet daily. The best way to learn, to meet course objectives and to maximize benefits derived from study of French is without a doubt to study some French every day. You will not be particularly successful if you learn the material for the moment only. What you learn for Module 1 or for Quiz 2 you will need to retain throughout the semester and specifically for the final exam which is cumulative.

Resources available include the textbook, Motifs, the audio CD accompanying Motifs, the multimedia CD accompanying Motifs, consultations and extra practice during office hours. I can find more resources for anyone needing more than these, and would be pleased to do so. For additional resources for individuals, click here.

Course Grade -- sources & weights:

Academic dishonesty: “Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty may receive from the instructor a failing grade in that portion of the course in which the act is detected or a failing grade in the course without possibility of withdrawal” (from the 2006-2007 online student handbook). Acts of academic dishonesty include the use of a translating device to complete writing assignments and failing to turn cell phones and PDAs off before taking an exam. Student work may be checked using plagiarism detection software. See Western's statement on academic dishonesty in the 2006-2007 online student handbook for more information. See the same source for university policy on plagiarism ‑ "To represent written work taken from another source as one's own is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense. The academic work of a student must be his/her own. One must give any author credit for source material borrowed from him/her. To lift content directly from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage without reference to the source after having changed a few words is also plagiarism." The use of online translation aids is strictly prohibited. Students enrolled may not assist one another on graded exercises.

Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 101, Garrett Conference Center. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

Changes: Changes to all matters above may become necessary, especially regarding the syllabus and/or the due dates of graded work. The instructor reserves the right to make such changes as he/she deems necessary. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the most recent iteration of the syllabus either as posted on the Blackboard site for this course or as made available in the classroom.