F322 Translation is a course intended for those who have had some previous study of French, either three or more years in high school or F202. F322 counts toward fulfilling the French minor and major literature distribution requirement. 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.
There are no textbooks for the course. Please have a good French-English dictionary and, if possible, a French-French dictionary.
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The course goals, which follow in order of priority, clearly speak to the General Education Categories A II A and B. |
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1. Development of techniques and strategies for translation
2. Grasp of the challenges and issues of translation
3. Greater knowledge of the structure of the French language
4. Greater knowledge of the lexicon of the French language and perhaps of the English language
5. Improved composition in French
6. Heightened sensitivity to nuances of structure and diction (style)
7. Heightened sensitivity to genres and corresponding styles
8. Preparation: become prepared linguistically to take more advanced French
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Participation and attendance: class attendance is mandatory, and participation is essential; speaking French at every opportunity will help a student with speaking and listening skills. 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/322transl/f322trans2009.htm) and stay abreast of announcements, assignments and changes in the syllabus frequently. 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, to turn in assignments, and to take quizzes or exams as scheduled. When/if you miss a class meeting, you can be relatively certain that you missed at least one quiz (see below).
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, unless you believe that you know with certainty what was missed and have no questions about it.
Auditing An auditor is one who enrolls and participates in a course without expecting to receive academic credit. The same registration procedure is followed and the same fees charged as for courses taken for credit. An audited course is not applicable to any degree or certificate program. Regular class attendance is expected of an auditor. Other course requirements, which may be obtained in writing from the instructor, will vary depending on the nature of the course. Students interested in auditing a course should secure permission from the instructor and discuss course requirements prior to enrolling. Failure to meet course requirements may result in the auditor being withdrawn from the course at the request of the instructor. A successful audit will be recorded on the transcript with the designation AU. (from: Academic Requirements and Regulations, Undergraduate Course Catalog)
Assignments (or homework) will be posted on the timeline part of the syllabus below by means of a link on the date by which the assignment is due. Thus to know what is to be prepared for the September 2 class meeting, click on the link on "02 sept 09" below. (You will know when the assignment has been uploaded, as the date will appear in bold, and turn blue as a link upon passing the mouse over it.)
There will be questions or assignments regularly posted on Blackboard or the Web page to be completed before the next class.
This semester there will be an assignment from time to time in Blackboard's Discussion Board related to class participation.
Quizzes will be done in class, although most can be prepared for before class. There will at least one short quiz every class meeting. They will cover what has been assigned or recently presented. Quizzes over what is assigned will provide an indication whether the assignment has been completed and understood. Quizzes covering what has been recently presented during class will likewise provide an indication of your emerging skills, especially concerning grammar and listening comprehension. Some will concentrate on vocabulary, some on grammar, some on listening comprehension, some will even deal with speaking. Many will be done as small group activities during class meetings. Among other things, they prepare a student for exams. As with worksheets, quizzes are not busywork (none of us has time for that!); each one has a teaching or learning point behind it. Quizzes will be numerous; and may not be made up if missed. Since they will be numerous, you may well miss some or do poorly on others. Rather than drop a certain number of quizzes, your quiz average will be curved approximately ten percent to allow for the normal vicissitudes of life.
Student Engagement Activity : Traduction d'une page dans un livre français.
All Student Engagement Activities, university wide, you can -- and really ought to -- record at the WKU SEAT page.
Exams: There will be no make up exams. If you should miss an exam, contact me at your earliest opportunity! The day and time of the final exam are established by the Registrar. Whereas there may be changes on the syllabus below, the day and time of the final exam are absolute. Please do not make plans, therefore, at variance with our scheduled final exam.
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.)
Resources I can find more resources for anyone needing more than the Internet sites, handouts and a good grammar and dictionary recommended, and would be pleased to do so. For additional resources for individuals, click here.
Course Grade -- sources & weights:
grammar / translation exercises : assignments / quizzes |
20% |
student engagement activity |
20% |
exam 1 |
10% |
exam 2 |
20% |
final exam |
30% |
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