Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The Language & Culture component develops analytical reading skills and advanced writing skills. The focus will be on textual coherence and cohesion as well as morpho-syntactic accuracy in written productions. Oral work will develop expository techniques needed to present the contents of articles taken from the French press. English to French translation activities will focus on aspects of French grammar known to cause difficulties for English-speaking learners of French. In the Specialized Culture component, students will explore an aspect of French culture and society and develop competence appropriate to their year level in the theory, practices and discourses involved in analysis of it.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should have met the following objectives in the following areas: Communicative competence and linguistic knowledge: 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.
4. 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.
5. Students should have developed learning strategies appropriate to their learning style, reinforcing preferred learning modes and developing other modes.

6. Acquired a greater critical knowledge and understanding of modern and contemporary French society, its culture, values and their evolution.
7. Developed a critical understanding of a specific area of study of French Studies as a discipline addressing French culture and society.
8. Developed an explicit understanding and more sophisticated competence appropriate to their year level in the theory, practices and discourses involved in analysis of that area of French Studies.
9. Developed individual and cooperative research skills

Assessment

Language & Culture component:
+ Continuing written assessments (collaboration & individual) (1300 words): 17%
+ Composition Test (600 words): 18%
+ End semester oral examination (1000 words equivalent): 21%
+ End semester translation examination (600 words): 19%
Specialized Culture component:
+ Written assignments (1000 words): 25%

Chief examiner(s)

Patrick Durel

Contact hours

Language and Culture component:
+ One 1-hour computer lab workshop per week
+ One 1-hour translation workshop per week
+ One 2-hour language tutorial per week
Specialized Culture component:
+ One 1-hour lecture (weeks 1-8)
+ One 1-hour tutorial (weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

French studies

Prerequisites

FRN1060

Prohibitions

FRN1070, FRN3070