FRN1070 - French Studies 7

Leader: Patrick Durel

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

In the language-culture component of this unit class activities are designed to enable students to acquire advanced communication skills in spoken and written French. Oral work focuses on expository techniques needed to present the contents of articles taken from the French press. Written tasks involve expository essay writing, and English to French translation. Dictionary usage and close attention to vocabulary figure prominently in all written work. Revision and extension of competence in syntax is undertaken in conjunction with the communication skills practiced. The specialized culture component of the unit will help students to develop skills in textual commentary.

Objectives

At the end of the unit, students should have reinforced their ability to communicate and interact efficiently in French both in oral and written form by using appropriate techniques of exposition. They will be expected to develop and demonstrate the following skills in the target language:

1. Reading comprehension/oral production: students should be able to communicate the main points contained in a newspaper article they have read, reformulating, structuring and explaining its content.
2. Writing skills: students should be able to plan in detail, use appropriate expressions, vocabulary and syntax in order to write an expository text. They should also demonstrate an awareness of issues of textual grammar (coherence and cohesion).
3. Morpho-syntax and stylistics: students should further their knowledge of French grammar and develop their awareness of differences between French and English syntax. Students should also have become familiar with the use of software programs and electronic tools such as a grammar assistant, a bilingual electronic dictionary, an online French dictionary and a grammar revision software.
4. The specialised culture component of the unit will develop skills in textual commentary.

Assessment

2 Collaborative Written Assignments (500 words each) (1000 words ) : 14%
Translation Test (500 words) : 18%
End semester written examination (600 words ) : 22%
End semester oral presentation : 21%
Group presentation :10%
End semester commentaire de texte (800 words ) : 15%

Contact hours

5 hours (2 x computer lab workshops, 1 x 2 hour language tutorial and 1 culture lecture/seminar) per week

Prerequisites

VCE French (or equivalent) with a score of 40+ (or equivalent) and some study in a French-speaking country.

Prohibitions

FRN2070, FRN3070