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Your syllabus and detailed assignments at http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~nc44/. Recommandé: Dictionnaire de français, de préférence électronique.
The main feature of this class is reading, as you may expect. Reading a foreign language is an efficient way to become more proficient in that language. It also allows you to discover the culture(s) where that language is spoken. It will help you develop all 4 skills: not only reading, but also writing, speaking and listening. You will write essays, which will improve your writing skills and help you use the words you discover during your reading, helping you make the transition from passive understanding to an active use of the language. This will improve your speech as well as your oral comprehension. You will be asked to read for each class. Failing to read the texts would sabotage you from the start, so make sure you plan your readings in advance. Don't expect to be able to read 30-50 pages the night before we meet. It would set you up for failure and frustration. Try to read between 12 and 20 pages at a time, on a daily basis — and enjoy it! All page numbers are clearly indicated on the syllabus or on the pages provided on the syllabus. During two out of every 3 classes, you will write a short essay and/or answer short questions on the reading you had to do at home. After turning it in, you will participate in group discussions as well as class discussions. Once again, make sure that you have read the texts to be ready to do the class assignment and engage in discussions. Via these discussions, you will have the opportunity to improve your oral skills. EvaluationParticipation: 15% Participation. You are expected to volunteer and be eager to participate. Above all, you are expected to speak FRENCH ONLY. Leave the English language at the door. There are 168 hours in a week. We meet three hours a week, i.e., a 56th of your time! Now, if you don't use the opportunities you have, or if you use English among yourselves instead of French, you further reduce the time you have to speak French! Class participation will be graded on how much you speak, not how well you speak. So don't worry and just speak up! Homework. You are expected to read the texts as indicated on the syllabus. You will have essays/quizzes in class to test that you have read the texts and to test your understanding. These will be relatively short. Make sure you bring some paper and dark pen for each class. There will be two types of questions: 1) Short answer questions designed to check that you have read the texts. Don't waste your time giving me long answers for those. Just be specific to show that you have read the text. 2) Questions requiring longer answers to check that you have understood the text and some of its less obvious meanings. For these, do your best (write more) but don't worry. I want to see how you're thinking. There is no correct answer to those questions. Just your beautiful mind at work. Exams.There are 2 exams this semester and a final project. Reminder of some nasty rules:No make-up tests of examinations will be given without an official excuse (a written medical excuse stipulating that you could not come to class that day, on official letterhead, signed, and with all pertinent contact info. Please understand that I may need to verify the info you provide me). Daily class attendance is expected. More than three absences will affect the final course grade. 1.5 point will be substracted from your average for each daily absence in excess of two. Please arrive to class on time. If I already called the roll, you will be marked absent, unless you tell me after class, in which case you will be marked late. Do make sure you arrive on time. Not only do you lose points for coming in late, but also, you lose participation points (5 minutes late means 10% of the class, 20% of the "talking time," thus minus 20 points for participation that day). Hopefully, you will love this class so much that you won't want to miss a minute of it...
Homework is to be done before coming to class.
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