This course is designed as a liaison between culture courses and language study, and incorporates both speaking and writing skills as well as a critical introduction to the study of French culture.

 

Format
In-class work:
This involves grammar and vocabulary exercises/tests as well as close reading and preparation of required assignments in the cultural sphere. This also involves active class participation as well as a short presentation on a chosen topic. Peer, self-evaluation and comprehensive teacher feedback are all effective means of evaluating and facilitating progress in student writing. To that end, student papers may be duplicated, circulated anonymously, and analyzed in class on a regular basis.The documents studied in class include accessible readings from various textbooks, a comic book, and more challenging texts and documents excerpted from ethnographies, life stories, novels, films, essays, advertising material, and the mass media. All documents will be provided in target language but an English version will also be offered for the most complex ones.
 

Wherever possible, French is the language of communication in class. Students will be trained to become more critical and effective readers of French with an enhanced appreciation for style and content. They will also be encouraged to better organize, evaluate and revise their own writings. For more advanced questions or analysis of French cultural topics, English will be the language.

Outside-class work:
This includes a paper and a take-home final examination. Outside class work must be done individually and without collaboration, unless indicated otherwise.

Grades
The tests for the language component of the course together (60%) must average at least a C-. If this average is under a C-, then the student cannot move on to the next level. If a student nonetheless wants to continue to Language & Culture II, course admission needs to be approved by the instructor, who may ask for extra work to be completed.