French 451 (French for Business and the Professions);
Spring of 2011, MWF 10-10:50 AM (EPS Building G7). Successful
completion of French 341 or 342 or departmental permission
prerequisite. Prof. TennesseeBob Peckham (427E
Humanities -Tel. 881-7424. Home 587-6562. e-mail: bobp@utm.edu).
Les
examens CCIP à Vanderbilt auront lieu le 27 avril.
GOALS: French 451, "French for Business and the
Professions" is a course refocused to meet more precisely the needs of
students wanting to incorporate a knowledge of French language into a
variety of future workplaces. It is devoted to the acquisition of
linguistic proficiencies within the context of French and European
business and professional scenarios, rather than being content or
fact-focused. Our media will include the latest Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry
focused coursebook a book targeting what is needed to pass the CCIP
exams for the
Diplôme de français professionel A2 (DFP A2). Its
eleven units deal with business correspondence, technology, job
hunting, kinds of businesses, creating a business, the structure of
businesses, marketing, banking, markets, insurance, shipping . We will
integrate a limited number of pertinent articles and videos. We will
also build student competence for speaking about their own chosen
professions (not necessarily in the business world), through
independent reading of pertinant articles, viewing videos (where
available), personally crafted vocabulary lists, and public discussion.
Our target proficiencies for participants are an ACTFL oral level of "Intermediate
High" to "Advanced
Plus", depending on entry level. Naturally, the language of the
classroom will be French.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Complete on time the readings and activities in our very short
textbook (usually 2 pages per class meeting).
2. Be able to read your prepared answers and explain them in French.
3. Complete on time certain designated textbook assignments typed or in
electronic form.
3. Pass 5 tests (modules 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10), and the one for
module + questions about your chosen profession as a final exam.
4. Participate at least twice a unit in an electronic French discussion
of a unit-related topic.
5. Work on a regular basis at a written and public oral explanation of
your chosen field, creating a vocabulary to go with it.
6. Participate in a team project concerning regional ties with
francophone countries through business.
ATTENDANCE: Student are allowed 3 unexcused absences
without penalty. EACH additional absence will result in the subtraction
of a point from their course grade (on 100 scale).. Those who will have
regular absences because of scheduling difficulties must see me during
the first two days of class.
ASSIGNMENTS will be specified in the lesson list
below. All of those to be handed in will be typed or will be submitted
in electronic form, as a Microsoft Word attchment or in the text of an
email. All late assigignments (not officially excused) will cary a
penalty to be determined by the situation and importance of the
assignment.
GRADE SCALE & DETERMINATION: 90 -100 = A; 80 - 89
= B; 70 - 79 = C; 60 - 69 = D; below 60 = F. I use a 1000 point scale,
so divide by 10. 5 tests = 500 points, final exam = 100 points, "career
day activities" = 100 points, class participation and homework = 200
points, class project - 100 points.
There are a number of opportunities for extra credit. Besides the
cultural events, conversation tables and extra TV5, I will offer 50
extra points on my 1000-point scale to anyone who will sign up for,
study for and take (showing evidence for all 3) an appropriate CCIP
(Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie) exam, which will be offered this
Spring at Vanderbilt, and I offer a guaranteed "A" to the student who
can pass the CCIP exam.
GENERAL & ETHICAL EXPECTATIONS: We expect students
to demonstrate a solid work ethic, and to conduct themselves as ladies
and gentlemen, with the
as a base-line minumum for their behavior. Anything else is
unacceptable to this instructor.
CULTURAL EVENTS: The department strongly encourages
those who will make use of a foreign language in their professions to
reach an acceptable level of general cultural awareness. To this end,
we have a CULTURAL EVENTS POLICY. Students qualify for extra credit by
attending approved cultural events. They will be penalized for not
attending a prescribed number of cultural events. PLEASE SEE
DEPARTMENT'S CULTURAL EVENTS POLICY, on the handout or @ the following
address:
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: I will try to get some relevant off-air
recordings of TV5 programs, but you can earn an extra credit point for
each 150-word French summary of a business or profession-related
program you saw during the semester on TV5
CONVERSATION HOUR: You are strongly encouraged to
attend weekly conversation hours organized by the French Club or
faculty. You can earn extra credit by attending these.
FRENCH CLUB: All interested students are encouraged to
join the French Club and to enrich their understanding of the French
language and francophone culture by participating in its activities.
Yes, you can earn extra credit this way.
*NOTE: "Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations
due to a disability is requested to provide a letter of accommodation
from Student Success Center within the first two weeks of the
semester". For additional information contact Sharon Robertson at
731.881.7719, sroberts@utm.edu, or Stephanie Mueller at 731.881.7605,
smueller@utm.edu.