You will be exposed in this course to short French and Francophone texts of different genres and levels of difficulty. By the end of the course, it is expected that you will:
have increased your proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in French (as well as having increased your comfort level with the interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication in French);
have a basic foundation for critically reading and writing literary language in French; and
be able both in oral and written form to ask pertinent questions, to recognize and define problems, to identify the arguments on all sides of an issue, to search for and use relevant data, and to arrive at carefully reasoned judgments.
As a result of reading, analyzing, interpreting, and comparing the assigned texts, and in keeping with Cal Poly's Learning Objectives, successful students should better be able to:
think critically and creatively; communicate effectively in French (both orally and in written form);
work productively as individuals and in groups; use their knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to society; and
make reasoned decisions based on an understanding of ethics and a respect for diversity.
Successful students should have made progress in:
communicating effectively through speaking, listening, reading, and writing in authentic situations in French;
developing communicative and intercultural competency in order to work productively both as individuals and in collaboration with others;
gaining perspective on cultural and historical achievements in French-speaking cultures as well as on relevant issues of diversity;
cultivating awareness of ethical and professional perspectives that reflect linguistic and cultural heritage;
thinking critically and creatively using French and negotiating meaning between French and English; and
developing the ability to evaluate ways in which language and culture provide perspective on the larger world of the arts, science, and technology.
Please Note
Please reach out to me first and directly during my office hours with suggestions and/or concerns. If you are registered with the Disability Resource Center, please plan on meeting with me in person during my office hours no later than by the end of the first week of class to discuss how I might best accommodate your need/s.
Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Translation software or Artificial Intelligence to complete your homework and/or tests/quizzes is forbidden, unless notified otherwise. Per California Education Code Section 78907, neither electronic listening nor recording devices should be used without prior written consent of the instructor.
In order to be successful in this class, you should make it a priority, put away your cellphone, and actively participate in person in each class session. You should meet with me to review tests, homework, and any concepts with which you might be struggling.
Help is also available in the World Languages Lab.
Required Text
We will study works included in various editions of Autour de la littérature: Ecriture et lecture aux cours moyens de français (Schofer and Rice). More information will be included on the course's Canvas page.
Grade Distribution
2 in-class exams graded both for form (grammar, accents, tenses, for example) and content (40%).
2 oral exams (20%)--to be scheduled during my office hours (Weeks 4-5 and Weeks 9-10)
Documentation of active in-class participation (20%)
Written homework assignments (20%)
Recommended Resources
Schedule
18 September: "Le Message" (Jacques Prévert)
23 September: "Mélusine" (Jean d'Arras); manuscrit (Bibliothèque nationale de France)
25 September: "Mon Oncle Jules" (Guy de Maupassant); Le Havre à Jersey; Les 8 choses incontournables à faire à Jersey
30 September: "Le Pagne noir" (Bernard Dadié)
2 October: "Acte sans paroles I" (Samuel Beckett); Scènes d'écran; "Acte sans paroles II"; Samuel Beckett, le dramaturge de l'absurde
7 October: "Demain, dès l’aube" & "A Villequier" -- pages 26-30 -- (Victor Hugo); Lecture analytique
9 October: "Le Laüstic" (Marie de France); The Lays and Fables of Marie de France (British Library); The 'Lais' of Marie de France
14 October: "L'Autre Femme" (Gabrielle-Sidonie Colette)
16 October: "La Cantatrice chauve" (Eugène Ionesco); "La Cantatrice chauve"
21 October: "Leçon d’histoire" (Maryse Condé)
23 October: Exam 1 (in class)
28 October: "L'Os" (Birago Diop)
30 October: "L'Echafaudage" (Linda Lê)
4 November: "Le Grand Michu" (Emile Zola); Coup d'État de Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte; Le naturalisme
6 November: "Le Dormeur du val" (Arthur Rimbaud); Commentaire de texte
11 November: No class
13 November: "Le Retour de Mamzelle Annette" (Joseph Zobel)
18 November: "La Vallée Houdou" (Gabrielle Roy); Doukhobors; Carte du Caucase
20 November: "Il n'y a pas d'exil" (Assia Djebar)
2 December: "La Main" (Gabrielle-Sidonie Colette); Colette: Entretiens
4 December: "La Maison face à la mer" (Marie-Célie Agnant)
5 December: Active in-class participation log due at 11:59 p.m. (via Canvas)
9 December: Exam 2 (1:10 - 4:00 p..m.)