FRN1030

French Studies 3 ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Philip Anderson

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2006 (Day)
South Africa First semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: In the language-culture component of this unit students will participate in a variety of theme-based activities developing speaking, writing and reading and aural comprehension skills. The themes of the activities will involve everyday life in contemporary France, giving students an insight into the socio-cultural specificity of France and how that is reflected in linguistic practices. They will develop explicit grammar competence through specific exercises. In the specialized culture component of this unit students will study modern French society, its values and their evolution, and the key historical, social and cultural developments that have produced it since the French Revolution.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course students should have met the following objectives in the following areas: Communicative competence and linguistic knowledge - Students should have: 1. Consolidated and improved their existing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills so as to be able to communicate effectively in an increased range of situations and on a range of themes including self, family, study, work and leisure, their own and French society, history, and cultural values. 2. Developed language skills in relation to exposition and argument in a number of contexts such as casual debate, formal pressing of a petition, letter-writing, formulating a written petition. 3. Developed information seeking skills in the form of more advanced reading skills, more advanced questioning and interview skills, writing letters and emails to request information. 4. Developed increased explicit grammatical knowledge empowering the student as an autonomous learner. 5. Developed learning strategies appropriate to their learning style, reinforcing preferred learning modes and developing other modes. Socio-cultural awareness - Students should have: 6. Acquired a greater critical knowledge and understanding of modern French society, its values and their evolution, and the key historical, social and cultural developments that have produced it since the French Revolution. 7. Understood the cultural specificity of certain features of communicative practices in French and understand and use aspects of them such as forms of politeness, modes of address in spoken and written French.

Assessment: Continuing assessment (written tasks, 500 words): 10% + Continuing assessment (oral tasks): 25% + Class tests (written, aural comprehension, specialized culture): 40% + Written examination (2 hours): 25%

Contact Hours: 5 hours (4 hours of language-culture classes, 1 hour specialized culture lecture/or workshop).

Prerequisites: 4-5 years of previous study of French or students with a VCE score of 30 or less.

Prohibitions: FRN2030