BELLEVUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Arts & Humanities

Instructor:            Eva Norling

Office:                   A 245 D

Hours:                   By appointment only ( (425) 564-2298 * enorling@bcc.ctc.edu

REQUIRED MATERIAL: Vis-à-vis, Mc Graw-Hill, and 3^rd Ed.

1. Textbook

2. Workbook/Laboratory Manual

3. Encore des exercices

CDs for the workbook
Stapler J

OPTIONAL MATERIAL: French-English dictionary

Vis-à-vis Interactive CD-Rom

English Grammar for Students of French by J. Morton

(A correlation to our textbook is available online:

 http://www.oliviahill.com/html/visavis.pdf

Au contraire! : Figuring out the French / Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron.
   Yarmouth, Me.: Intercultural Press, c2001 (available in the BCC library)

COURSE CONTENT:                         French 101: Chapitres 1-5

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Generally:

• To acquaint you with the language and culture of the French speaking world and thereby enable you to develop an appreciation and critical stance toward your own.
• To help you acquire better study habits.
• To prepare you for an increasingly interdependent world, where the knowledge of different languages and cultures will be necessary.

Specifically:

• To teach you the basics of the French language, including: comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.

REMARKS:

• The purpose of this syllabus is not only to help every student understand the format of this class, and the policies that go along with it, but also to ensure that learning takes place for EVERY student.  A class can be as successful as each student is willing to participate in the learning experience. A class as a whole is always going to be affected by the very few who set up their own agendas whether it’s for the good or bad.  If we look at our classroom as a community that works best as a team, where each of us gives and takes, we all should benefit for the best.  Let’s let common sense rule us on our path into a new world.
• Be open and patient toward your new language learning experience.  Language learning is a long and sometimes slow process.  You are not here to achieve fluency (it takes years of studying and, possibly, total immersion).  Be fair to yourself and set realistic goals!  Therefore, be consistent and study on a daily basis to make it an enjoyable experience.  Foreign language learning is something one learns to do, not something one studies about.  Day-to-day work in class, at home, practice with classmates, and constant revision of past material upon which the new material gradually grows are the best way of ensuring success.  You should average two hours of outside study for each hour of classroom work.  You will have to go home and practice the material you've heard in class over and over again until it becomes second nature.  As time goes by you will be developing a greater tolerance for feeling lost, confused and frustrated.  During the learning of a foreign language errors and misunderstandings are likely to occur, nonetheless, it is important you continue in the quest to master the target language. Do not let temporary setbacks, fear, or embarrassment discourage you and in doing so, deprive yourself of the opportunity to learn a new language.  Finally, a positive attitude and an open mind are essential parts to achieve positive results.
• At the end of this quarter, you would have acquired basic vocabulary, and you would be able to form simple yet well-constructed sentences, read brief descriptive paragraphs, and easily deduct the main idea or “gist” without recurring to mental translation.  You would be able to distinguish and correctly produce new sounds by recognizing words, phrases, and sentences spoken to you.  You should be able to react and reply accordingly, if not always correctly.
• You are encouraged to develop a genuine interest in French by embracing its culture.  Thus, you are invited to establish connections in and out of the classroom setting to enrich your new acquired knowledge and foster understanding of the French-speaking world.  The library, Germans on campus, the Internet, French TV and radio stations, videos, music, newspapers, etc, are great sources to accelerate the learning process.
• Please feel free to contact me with any concerns you have regarding this class.  Don’t make any premature decisions before talking to me.  A lot of things can be solved or at least clarified during a conversation.  At any time you can check with me to find out how you are doing in class, and what possibilities I might be able to suggest to you (if needed) in order to improve.  Please remember that I'm not doing magic, and that I will base your final grade on the points you have earned yourself in class.  You are the one who can make a difference.
• If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.
• If you would like to inquire about becoming a DSS student you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DSS (Disability Support Services) reception area in the Student Services Building.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Please read the Arts & Humanities Division Policy: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/

Classroom rules and procedures are set up with student’s learning in mind.  They are there to create the best learning environment for every student in order to make successful learning possible.  What you’re doing in and for this class is for yourself only, not for the teacher.  Please do take advantage of any help your teacher might be able to provide to you.

Attendance:

· This is not a distant learning class J Attendance (physical AND mental) is mandatory, and will be part of your final grade. We are meeting 51 times this quarter. Two (2) points will be given for being in class each day.  If you miss 2 weeks or more (10 days or more) of the quarter your final grade will drop one full letter grade.   (Please note that this is different from the A & H policy according to which you would fail at this point).  These 10 days are for discretionary as well as emergency absences.  Be careful as to how many discretionary days you want to use in order to have enough leway for emergencies.  You don’t want to run out of days when getting a bad flu or other.

· Please be on time.  If you can't attend, get your assignments from one of your classmates so that you will be prepared when you come back.  This is your responsibility.  Regular attendance in your language class keeps you prepared and informed.  It gives you the unique opportunity to practice your newly learned language.  You are expected to actively speak and listen to the teacher and other students during class.

Homework:

• By definition homework is what you do at home, outside of class.
• Homework will be given on a daily basis, and it will be part of your grade.  This is your way of keeping up with the subject matter.  Homework is not always what the teacher collects and grades.  Homework is your time spent with the material outside of class.  You absolutely have to make it a habit.  Homework is one way of practicing.  Most of the time your homework will result out of the lesson.  You have to do your exercises in your workbook & lab manual up to the material that we covered in class.  You need CDs burned by the Media Center that go along with the lab exercises in the workbook.  Please allow enough turn around time by the Media Center.
• All written workbook and lab assignments (Chapitres 1-5) are due after each chapitre on the day of the test during class.  It is your responsibility to keep up with the exercises, and to make corrections in a different color with the help of the answer key.  Your corrections will enable you to go back, and analyze what kind of mistakes you are making, and learn from it.  It is not important how many mistakes you made, but if you made proper corrections.  Choose one subject (if applicable) of the Par écrit, and don’t do the Journal intime (except for chapitre 1).  Please staple your complete written and lab exercises together in the right order.  I don’t want to loose any of your precious work.  10% of the total points for the workbook & lab exercises will be taken off for each day the assignments are turned in late.
• For every exercise not done, I will take off 10 points sometimes more depending on the length and difficulty of the exercise.  This is to encourage you to take full advantage of the practice and great preparation for tests this book provides you with.  I will also take off points for not doing the self-corrections, for not writing whole sentences where necessary, and for not writing out a couple of sentences in the oral exercises.
• You can get tapes or CDs of the material for the lab exercises in the Media Center.  The turn-around time for dubbing the tapes or burning a CD is 24 hours.  If for some reason your CDs or tapes don’t work, you can always sit in the Media Center , and do your work right there.

Tests:

· By definition a test is a set of questions, problems, or exercises for determining a person’s knowledge, ability, aptitude, or qualifications in this case in French.

• Tests will be given after each chapitre, and cover all grammatical structures and new words.  Tests take place in class rather than outside of class.  They will be announced in advance.  There will be no comprehensive mid-term or final.  This is to emphasize the need for constant attention as well as to discourage cramming, which is counterproductive in language learning.  One of the five (5) tests will be thrown out at the end of the quarter, which could be a test you missed, or a low test score.  This however does NOT apply to the final.

Quizzes:

• Quizzes - mostly unannounced - will be frequent.  One of your lowest quiz scores will be thrown out at the end of the quarter.

Make-up:

· No make-up tests, quizzes, homework, or any other assignments will be provided. 
(See above under tests and quizzes.)

Extra credit

• Extra credit is built into the assignments.  Your workbook is graded on how well you make corrections and learn from them.  The workbook has the same weight as the tests, and will balance any test grade if you make proper corrections.

Tutoring

• BCC offers tutoring.  You are able to see a tutor for free for a total of 2 hours a week.  I strongly encourage students to take advantage of this wonderful service early on.  Please come and check with me to find out which areas you need help on.  Students who have a C grade on their first test will be required to make an appointment with the tutor.  Please come prepared for the tutor to get the most out of your time.  Bring your tests, quizzes, and any other assignments with you.

Work ethic & civility in the classroom

• Your work ethic will directly relate to how well you do in class. Coming consistently late to class will make it harder for you to start with the day’s workload.  It will also cause a disruption to other students.   If you do have questions please don’t hesitate to ask when appropriate.  It keeps you and others on task.  Talking to other students in class while the teacher is introducing new material is not only depriving you from a first shot at it, but others too.  Consistency is going to be a very important part for success in your language learning.  If you don’t understand an exercise, please don’t hesitate to ask right away.
• Everyone in class deserves a learning environment.  Please show respectful behavior toward your fellow students and teacher.  Yawning out loud is not OK.  Coming to class consistently sleepy, and unable to show appropriate involvement in class can cause disruption to ALL learners in class.  It slows down the flow of class activities and the learning of those who are there to learn.  Use common sense and stay at home if you need sleep, and enjoy a more safe and comfortable environment at home.  Our classroom is not your living room.  The teacher will reserve the right to take disciplinary action if it is in your and the other learners interest.

GRADES:

Grades will be based on the following:

1. Attendance 10%
2. Workbook, homework, and participation 35%
3. Quizzes 20%
4. Tests 25%
5. Final 10%

Assignments are due on the day of the chapter tests.  Late work will result in a 10% point loss per late day.  All assignments are due by the last day of the quarter.  This will be FR Dec.10^th, 2003.

An incomplete grade can only be given, if the student is missing one (1) assignment at the end of the quarter.  You will need to arrange with the instructor before the end of the quarter (FR Dec.10^th, 2003) by what time the missing assignment has to be made-up.  This usually applies only to students who have an emergency on the final day.  It is however up to the instructor whether an incomplete can be granted based on the provision that one (1) of the five (5) test grades will be thrown out. (See above)

Grade Scale

100%-93%	A	79%-77%	C+	69%-67%	D+
92%-90%	A-	76%-73%	C	66%-63%	D
89%-87%	B+	72%-70%	C-	62%-60%	D-
86%-83%	B
82%-80%	B-

	Lundi	Mardi	Mercredi	Jeudi	Vendredi
1	9/27 Introduction	9/28 Chapitre 1	9/29 Chapitre 1	9/30 Chapitre 1	10/1 Chapitre 1
2	10/4 Chapitre 1	10/5 Chapitre 1	10/6 Chapitre 1	10/7 Chapitre 1	10/8 Chapitre 1
3	10/11 Test: Chapitre 1 WB p.1-17 due	10/12 Chapitre 2	10/13 Chapitre 2	10/14 Chapitre 2	10/15 Chapitre 2
4	10/18 No daytime classes	10/19 Chapitre 2	10/20 Chapitre 2	10/21 Chapitre 2	10/22 Chapitre 2
5	10/25 Chapitre 2	10/26 Test: Chapitre 2 WB p.19-40 due	10/27 Chapitre 3	10/28 Chapitre 3	10/29 Chapitre 3
6	11/1 Chapitre 3	11/2 Chapitre 3	11/3 Chapitre 3	11/4 Chapitre 3	11/5 No daytime classes
7	11/8 Chapitre 3	11/9 Test: Chapitre 3 WB p.41-60 due	11/10 Chapitre 4	11/11 No daytime nor eve classes	11/12 Chapitre 4
8	11/15 Chapitre 4	11/16 Chapitre 4	11/17 Chapitre 4	11/18 Chapitre 4	11/19 Chapitre 4
9	11/22 Chapitre 4	11/23 Chapitre 4	11/24 Test: Chapitre 4 WB p.61-78 due	11/25 Thanksgiving	11/26 Thanksgiving
10	11/29 Chapitre 5	11/30 Chapitre 5	12/1 Chapitre 5	12/2 Chapitre 5	12/3 Chapitre 5
11	12/6 Chapitre 5	12/7 Chapitre 5	12/8 Chapitre 5	12/9 Chapitre 5	12/10 Chapitre 5 WB p.83-102due ALL assignments have to be in by today.
12	12/13 Final: Chapitre 5 From 9:30-11:20	12/14	12/15

What grade do you want to get in this class?

· A grade is not a gift, but an evaluation.

· It is important for you to be evaluated so you can make responsible decisions for your future.  The following will help you understand where you are at in class.

· Decide at the beginning of the quarter if you want to be an “A”  “B”  “C” or “D” student, and read below what that student needs to do in order to get the grade s/he wants:

The “A” student

· Demonstrates consistent mastery of learning outcomes for the course;

· Demonstrates ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes beyond the context of the course through application of critical and creative thinking skills;

· Completes work assignments that consistently exceed requirements and that interpret and apply objectives in new, unique, or creative ways;

· Demonstrates consistent leadership in class participation activities.

The “B” student

· Demonstrates a high level of competence in learning outcomes for the course;

· Demonstrates ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes within the context of the course through application of critical and creative thinking skills;

· Completes work assignments that consistently meet most requirements;

· Contributes regularly to class participation activities.

The “C” student

· Demonstrates a satisfactory level of competence in learning outcomes for the course;

· Demonstrates competent ability to interpret, integrate, and apply learning outcomes within the context of the course;

· Completes work assignments that satisfy minimum requirements for the course;

· Satisfies minimum requirements for class participation activities.

The “D” student

· Demonstrates minimum competence in some learning outcomes for the course;

· Completes work assignments that usually meet minimum requirements;

· Contributes inconsistently or infrequently to class participation activities.

The “F” student

· Cannot demonstrate competence in many or fundamental learning outcomes;

· Submits work assignments that frequently do not meet minimum requirements, or does not complete the assigned work;

· Does not satisfy minimum requirements for attendance or contribution to class activities.

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I acknowledge the receipt of the syllabus and I assume full responsibility for reading, understanding and implementing the procedures and expectations of this French class.

__________________________                                                                   ______________

Name (Print)                                                                                                                          Date

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Signature