French 341-01 [Advanced Conversation] MWF 9-9:50. An acceptable perfromance in French 222, or its equivalent, or instructor's permission. Prof. TennesseeBob Peckham (359 Clement Hall -Tel. 7424. e-mail: bobp@utm.edu).

local course web site -- http://www.utm.edu/staff/globeg/f341.shtml

Dr. Peckham's office hours http://www.utm.edu/departments/french/offhours.html


Media:Maley, Catherine. Dans le vent. [ISBN 0030256062],4th edition. [Boston]: Thomson/Heinle, 1999 (or 2006 orinting), with accompanying "Audio CD" [=Dlv]. + Coffman Crocker, Mary E. Schaum's Outline of French Grammar [ISBN 0-07-013887-7], 4th edition. Schaum's Outline Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999 [=Schaum]. We will also work with the Belgian film "La Huiti_me Jour" (Jaco van Dormael), available in 9 episones in the UTM Library.


You will also need a good English-French-English dictionary. The online dictionaries below are adequate, but you have to be online to use them:

You can also extend your grammar practice infinitely with:

Knowledge of French Pronunciation:

Microtext for extending discourse through explanations


Goals & Objectives:While all of our department's "language" courses are designed to facilitate an end-of-program balance of listening, speaking, reading and writing, this course will emphasise speaking, for a range of topics, and situations. In general, we will be working toward extended paragraph-like discourse, expanded text type (using more compound and complex sentences), logical sequencing of actions and desciptive elements (for a natural flow of narration, description and general explanation) Our class will target the range of from "Intermediate High" to "Advanced Low" on the

Strategies:The Language of the classroom will be French. Activities will include exercises in our textbook, the diction of reading texts aloud, oral projects, the oral interpretation of sayings and proverbs, discussion about a full-length film, a French grammar review.


Grade Scale and Determination: 60-69=D, 70-79=C, 80-89=B, 90-100=A We have a 1000 point system. 3 two-chapter tests (3 X 100 = 300 points), 6 orals, based on on proficiency, improvement & performance (6 X 50 = 300 points), 4 audio recordings (4 X 25 = 100 points), test on film (100 points), homework and classwork (200 points). The final exam will consist of the final oral, the final recording and the exam on the film.

General & Ethical Expectations We expect students to demonstrate a solid work ethic, and to conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen, with special attention given to the "Standards of Conduct" and "Academic Integrity" sections of

as a base-line minimum for their behavior. Since our class focus is writing, and since at your level you are expected to be able to create with the language rather than just using learned phrases or imitating discourse, plagiarism will be a concern. Anything outside of living up to these standards is unacceptable to this instructor.

Extra Credit Policy: See our cultural events policy web page:

Home preparation and class participation: You will type all written assignments. If you have trouble with accents, please refer to my web page:

Typing all your work gives you a record of what you did, and since very little is written by hand, it gives you practice doing what you will do all your life, also a proof that you can really write in French.

Attendance: DON'T MISS! I have very few hours I can give to you, and I need to see you in class. Since we have fewer class hours than usual, we will be making up for some of it by email.

HELP! Be honest with yourself and with me. If you have difficulty in this course, use your resource materials, and contact me ASAP. I want you to succeed.

TV 5: You are encouraged (with a small amount of extra credit) to watch one half hour of TV5 programming (click "Etats-Unis->Chicago->la grille de...") on this international French station each week, and you will receive extra credit for passing in a summary (150 words, in French) of program content. You may also wish to listen directly to an RFI broadcast.

CONVERSATION HOUR: You must attend three of the weekly conversation hours organized by the French Faculty. You will earn extra credit if they attend four or more sessions.

FRENCH CLUB: All interested students are encouraged to join the CERCLE FRANCOPHONE and to enrich their understanding of the French language and francophone culture by participating in its activities.

Lesson list:


bobp@utm.edu
TennesseeBob Peckham
Director, the Globe-Gate Project
University of Tennessee-Martin
1237