Course Syllabus

Class times: Thursdays beginning Jan. 28

 An advanced language course focusing on current events in France and other Francophone countries as they are represented in various types of media. Students will engage in blog discussions and interactive written and oral activities around these current events, while using the necessary discourse strategies, vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Through analyzing and interpreting the topics presented by the media, students will also reflect on the issues of perspective, objectivity and freedom of expression in all media. (4 credits) 

ON LINE course with use of technology such as audio and video recordings, blogging

There will be at least 1 assignment due every Thursday at 5 PM.  New material and assignments are posted at the latest every Thursday by 6 PM.   All material and assignments can be found in the link "MODULES" , in the left column of the home page.  New material is constantly updated to keep track of current events in France, therefore you should wait for the final copy at 6 PM on Thursdays.

There will be an opportunity to practice “communication” in small groups every Thursday in a live “chat-like” format, using the link CONFERENCES in the left column

CONFERENCE TIMES: Mondays 7:00PM-8:00PM, Wednesdays 5:30PM-6:30PM

Instructor contact: Carole Bergin, cbergin@fas.harvard.edu
Course Content 

 Students will  analyze and discuss topics of current interest in contemporary France and other Francophone countries, as they are presented in the media: the press, radio, television, cinema and the Internet.  They will present information and exchange opinions, with an emphasis on practical vocabulary. Through interactive written assignments (blog, grammar exercises and quizzes)  and audio/ video recordings students will fine-tune ALL language skills including personal attention to pronunciation.

^{_{Weekly course material and assignments will be posted in the link "MODULES" in the left column of the Home Page}}

SYLLABUS: (FULL material and assignments in link MODULES)

-semaine 1 (1/ 28): faire les présentations, présentation du cours et des étudiants

                              vocabulaire pour faire les présentations

                              La France et les Francais

-semaine 2 (2/4):  les médias: la presse écrite

                            vocabulaire "médias

                           grammaire: révision de la conjugaison du Présent

-semaine  3 (2/11) : liberté d'expression?  le cas "Charlie Hebdo"

                                vocabulaire pour exprimer son "opinion"

                               grammaire: l'Impératif

-semaine 4 (2/18) : les médias d'autres pays francophones

                               vocabulaire

                               grammaire: l'Interrrogatif

-semaine 5 (2/25): la radio

                              vocabulaire "radio"

                             grammaire: la négation

-semaine 6 (3/3): la télévision

                           vocabulaire " télé"

                           grammaire: les temps du Passé

-semaine 7 (3/10): l'internet et les réseaux sociaux

                              vocabulaire "internet"

                             grammaire: le Subjonctif

VACANCES DE PRINTEMPS

-semaine 8 (3/24): le téléphone intelligent

                             vocabulaire "téléphone"

                             grammaire: les déterminants: articles et pronoms COD , COI, Y et EN

-semaine 9 (3/ 31): le cinéma français et francophone

                               vocabulaire "cinéma"

                              grammaire: le Futur

-semaine 10 (4/7): cinéma  "Nouvelle Vague", film “Ma nuit chez Maud”

                              vocabulaire  expressions utiles du film

                              grammaire: le Conditionnel

-semaine 11 (4/14): les  Bandes Dessinées:

                          vocabulaire "B.D"

                           grammaire: les pronoms relatifs    

-semaine 12 (4/21): les dessins animés

                           vocabulaire "dessins animés"

                           articles et pronoms possessifs et démonstratifs

-semaine 13 (4/28): la publicité

                           vocabulaire "pub"

                           grammaire: TOUT sur tout

-semaine 14 (5/5) : la chanson

                          vocabulaire "chanson"

                          grammaire: "Hit -Parade des erreurs"

-semaine 15 (5/12) : projet final, chansons de la classe, impression de la France et des Francais en fin de cours

Recommended book :

"Contrastes, Grammaire du français courant",

by Denise Rochat, second edition 

Available at the COOP, Harvard Square, Cambridge, or on line

Course Aims 
The purpose of the course is to help students to express themselves articulately in French, as well in writing as orally. Intended for those who have learned how to handle everyday situations, FrenchE-31 prepares students for interacting on a more sophisticated level in a work or study setting in a French-speaking country. The course stresses all communication skills, written as well as spoken,  focusing on expression of ideas, negotiation of meaning, and the acquisition of discourse strategies.

Course Work 
Besides regular and enthusiastic participation on the BLOG (!), students are expected to complete other assignments (including oral and written practice) such audio/ video recordings, weekly grammar exercises, quizzes, and a final project.

New course content and assignments will be posted on Thursdays by 6 PM.   Please wait to print final copies until 12PM, as material is constantly updated following current events.

ALL assignments will be due on Thursdays 5 PM.  The work is intended to make you practice on a regular basis, therefore there is at least ONE assignment due every Thursday.

TYPE OF ASSIGNMENTS:
1. ORAL practice: (5 recordings with audio feedback from instructor))

 -"qui suis-je?, ET votre impression initiale sur la France et les Francais" (diagnostic recording)

-description "objet mystère"

-clip  "radio" (in pairs)

-création d'une "pub"

-Impression en fin de cours sur la France et les Francais (final recording)

2 WRITTEN WORK:

-5 grammar exercises

-5 home quizzes ( to apply vocabulary + grammar)

-10 blog posts: reaction to "topic of the week"

-final (class) project: 1 article on francophone subject of your choice, to be part of the course paper "Le Monde de Francais E-31"

The semester final grade is calculated as follows:
  
-Devoirs grammaire (5)     10 %

 
-Quizzes (5)                       20 %

- Recordings (5)                30 %

-10 blogs                           10 %               

-Projet Final (article)          20 % 

-Participation:                    10%

Recommended book :

"Contrastes, Grammaire du français courant",

by Denise Rochat, second edition 

Available at the COOP, Harvard Square, Cambridge, or on line

  For grammar explanations every module also has a link to a hand-out about the grammar subject of the week called "FEUILLE Grammaire"