FALL 2009 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
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LOWER DIVISION
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FRENCH 1: Elementary French (5 Units)
Supervisor: Bruce Anderson, Assistant Professor (bcanderson@ucdavis.edu)
STAFF (sec. 1, M-F 8:00-8:50, 141 Olson) CRN 24913
STAFF (sec. 2, M-F 9:00-9:50, 141 Olson) CRN 24914
STAFF (sec. 3, M-F 10:00-10:50, 235 Wellman) CRN 24915
STAFF (sec. 4, M-F 11:00-11:50, 235 Wellman) CRN 24916
STAFF (sec. 5, M-F 12:10-1:00, 1116 Hart) CRN 24917
Description: Presentation of the basic grammar and vocabulary of French as well as cultural information about the French-speaking world (textbook chapters 1 to 6); in-class interactive exercises and out-of-class assignments for practice in using the language for listening and reading comprehension, writing, and speaking. French is the exclusive means of communication in class. The course meets five hours per week, with 20-25 students per section. Course materials (other than the textbook and workbook) and daily homework assignments are available through SmartSite.
Prerequisite: No previous study of French is assumed. Students who have never studied French (or who have had fewer than two years of French in high school and do not place into French 2) should enroll in French 1. Students with two or more years of French in high school may only take this course for a Pass/ No Pass grade.
Course Grade: The final grade for the course will be determined by daily preparation and participation (14%), homework (12%), three quizzes (15%), one major composition (10%), three in-class exams (30%), and a final exam (19%).
Textbooks:
- E. Amon, J.A. Muyskens, and A.C. Omaggio Hadley, Vis-a-vis: Beginning French, 5th Edition (Textbook)
- E. Amon, J. Muyskens, and A.C. Omaggio Hadley, Vis-a-vis: Beginning French, 5th Edition(Workbook/Laboratory Manual)
FRENCH 2: Elementary French (5 Units)
Supervisor: Bruce Anderson, Assistant Professor (bcanderson@ucdavis.edu)
STAFF (sec. 1, M-F 9:00-9:50, 235 Wellman) CRN 24918
STAFF (sec. 2, M-F 12:10-1:00, 107 Wellman) CRN 24919
Description: Presentation of the basic grammar and vocabulary of French as well as cultural information about the French-speaking world (textbook chapters 7 to 11); in-class interactive exercises and out-of-class assignments for practice in using the language for listening and reading comprehension, writing, and speaking. French is the exclusive means of communication in class. The course meets five hours per week, with 20-25 students per section. Course materials (other than the textbook and workbook) and daily homework assignments are available through SmartSite.
Course Grade: The final grade for the course will be determined by daily preparation and participation (14%), homework (10%), three quizzes (15%), one major composition (10%), two in-class exams (25%), a final oral exam (6%), and a final written exam (20%).
Prerequisite:French 1 or Language Placement Exam (Any student, regardless of previous experience studying French, may take this course for a letter or Pass/ No Pass grade.)
Textbooks:
- E. Amon, J.A. Muyskens, and A.C. Omaggio Hadley, Vis-a-vis: Beginning French, 4th Edition (Textbook)
- E. Amon, J. Muyskens, and A.C. Omaggio Hadley, Vis-a-vis: Beginning French, 4th Edition(Workbook/Laboratory Manual)
FRENCH 3: Elementary French (5 Units)
Supervisor: Bruce Anderson, Assistant Professor (bcanderson@ucdavis.edu)
STAFF (sec. 1, M-F 9:00-9:50, 235 Wellman) CRN 24918
STAFF (sec. 2, M-F 12:10-1:00, 107 Wellman) CRN 24919
Description: Presentation of the basic grammar and vocabulary of French as well as cultural information about the French-speaking world (textbook chapters 12 to 16); in-class interactive exercises and out-of-class assignments for practice in using the language for listening and reading comprehension, writing, and speaking. French is the exclusive means of communication in class. The course meets five hours per week, with 20-25 students per section. Course materials (other than the textbook and workbook) and daily homework assignments are available through SmartSite.
Course Grade: The final grade for the course will be determined by daily preparation and participation (14%), homework (10%), three quizzes (15%), one major composition (10%), two in-class exams (25%), a final oral exam (6%), and a final written exam (20%).
Prerequisite:French 2 or Language Placement Exam (Any student, regardless of previous experience studying French, may take this course for a letter or Pass/ No Pass grade.)
Textbooks:
- E. Amon, J.A. Muyskens, and A.C. Omaggio Hadley, Vis-a-vis: Beginning French, 4th Edition (Textbook)
- E. Amon, J. Muyskens, and A.C. Omaggio Hadley, Vis-a-vis: Beginning French, 4th Edition(Workbook/Laboratory Manual)
FRENCH 21: Intermediate French (5 Units)
Supervisor: Eric Russell, Assistant Professor (erussell@ucdavis.edu)
STAFF (sec. 1, M-F 9:00-9:50, 1120 Hart) CRN 24922
STAFF (sec. 2, M-F 10:00-10:50, 102 Hutchison) CRN 24923
STAFF (sec. 3, M-F 11:00-11:50, 102 Hutchison) CRN 24924
Description: Presentation and analysis of the cultures of the French-speaking world (Paris, Quebec, Tahiti, Lyon, Northern Africa) and comparison to home culture; review of the basic grammar presented in first-year French; expansion of vocabulary related to city living, history/geography, the arts, food/cooking, and family life (textbook chapters 1 to 5). In-class presentations and activities, as well as out-of-class assignments, are conducted solely in French and focus on the development of listening and reading comprehension, writing, and speaking skills. The course meets four hours per week, plus an additional hour of independent web-based work, with 20-25 students per section. Course materials (other than the textbook and workbook) and daily homework assignments are available through SmartSite.
Course Grade: The final grade for the course will be determined by daily preparation and participation, homework, and one in-class composition per chapter (5 x 13% = 85%), an oral final exam (5%), and a written final exam (10%).
Prerequisite:French 3 or Language Placement Exam (Any student, regardless of previous experience studying French, may take this course for a letter or Pass/ No Pass grade.)
Textbook:
- M. Oates and J. Dubois, Personnages: An Intermediate Course in French Language and Francophone Culture (4th Edition)
FRENCH 22: Intermediate French (5 Units)
Supervisor:Eric Russell, Assistant Professor (erussell@ucdavis.edu)
STAFF (M-F 1:10-2:00, 167 Olson) CRN 24925
Description: Presentation and analysis of the cultures of the French-speaking world (Senegal, Martinique, Geneva, Strasbourg, Brussels) and comparison to home culture; review of the basic grammar presented in first-year French; expansion of vocabulary related to commerce, tourism, sports and leisure, politics, and modern technology (textbook chapters 6 to 10). In-class presentations and activities, as well as out-of-class assignments, are conducted solely in French and focus on the development of listening and reading comprehension, writing, and speaking skills. The course meets four hours per week, plus an additional hour of independent web-based work, with 25 students per section. Course materials (other than the textbook and workbook) and daily homework assignments are available through SmartSite.
Course Grade: The final grade for the course will be determined by daily preparation and participation, homework, and one in-class composition per chapter (5 x 13% = 85%), an oral final exam (5%), and a written final exam (10%).
Prerequisite:French 21 or Language Placement Exam (Any student, regardless of previous experience studying French, may take this course for a letter or Pass/ No Pass grade.)
Textbook:
- M. Oates and J. Dubois, Personnages: An Intermediate Course in French Language and Francophone Culture (4th Edition).
FRENCH 23: Intermediate French (5 Units)
Supervisor: Nicole Asquith, Assistant Professor (nvasquith@ucdavis.edu)
STAFF (M-F 9:00-9:50, 7 Wellman) CRN 24926
Description: Rigorous concentration on writing skills in French in preparation for the major/minor; course assignments relate to the cultural topic of la lacité (the issue of church and state in modern France, religious freedom/tolerance, secularism in French schools). A variety of materials, including written texts, videos, and songs will be analyzed and used as sources in the preparation of a dissertation (major course paper). In-class presentations and activities, as well as out-of-class assignments, are conducted solely in French. The course meets four hours per week, plus an additional hour of independent web-based work, with 20-25 students per section.
Course Grade: The final grade for the course will be determined by daily preparation and participation, homework, and a major course paper. Percentages have yet to be determined.
Prerequisite:French 22 or Language Placement Exam (Any student, regardless of previous experience studying French, may take this course for a letter or Pass/ No Pass grade.)
Textbook: Course materials will be available for downloading in PDF format through SmartSite.
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UPPER DIVISION
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FRENCH 100: Composition in French (4 Units)
Nicole Asquith, Assistant Professor (nasquith@ucdavis.edu)
(TR 9:00-10:20, 148 Physics/Geology) CRN 24950
Description: This course is intended to teach upper division students to write clear expository French with correct syntax, clear organization, and with some degree of sophistication in the use of French vocabulary. Several compositions will be written based on subjects discussed in class which include:
* Formal writing in French
* Choosing a title
* Outlines, logic & organization in writing
* Critical analysis of articles
* Text analysis of articles and literary material:analysis of poems, analysis of a play, analysis of short stories
Prerequisite: course 23 recommended.
Format: Lecture - 3 hours; Compositions - 4 papers.
Textbook:
- A Course Reader
FRENCH 104: Translation (4 Units)
Bruce Anderson, Assistant Professor (bcanderson@ucdavis.edu)
(MWF 10:00-10:50, 217 Olson) CRN 43681
Description: This courses is a practice in English-to-French and French-to-English translation by using a variety of non-literary materials, illustrating different problems and styles.
Prerequisite: course 100
Format: Lecture/Discussion - 3 hours.
Textbook:
- Roger Hawkins and Richard Towell, French Grammar and Usage
FRENCH 109: French Phonetics (4 Units)
Eric Russell Webb, Assistant Professor (erussell@ucdavis.edu)
(TR 1:40-3:00, 290 Hickey Gym) CRN 24952
Description: This course examines the introduction to the sound-inventory of French and practice in phonetic transcription, with a focus on ways in which phonetic contrasts signal grammatical contrasts; spoken forms and spelling; formal differences between the "Standard" and other varieties across the French-speaking world.
Prerequisite: course 23 or consent of instructor
Format: Lecture/Discussion - 3 hours; Term Paper.
Textbooks:
- Douglas C. Walker, French Sound Structure
- A Course Reader
FRENCH 115: Medieval French Literature (4 Units)
Noah Guynn, Associate Professor (ndguynn@ucdavis.edu)
(MWF 12:10-1:00, 267 Olson) CRN 43682
Description: This course offers an introduction to Old French, Middle French, and Old Provençal literature in Modern French translation. There will be a particular focus on short, episodic verse narratives and dialogue or debate poems belonging to the courtly love tradition. We will also read comical and pornographic texts that satirize or parody courtly literature.
The course has two principal goals: (1) to provide a broad understanding of medieval vernacular literature in its cultural, social, and political contexts; and (2) to improve analytical skills and expository writing. There will be two papers and a final exam. Students will choose their own paper topics but should request assistance if they need it. The final exam will consist of text identification questions and explications de texte.
The course requirements will be as follows: Paper #1 (30%); Paper #2 (30%); Final Exam (30%); Attendance (10%).
Prerequisite: course 100
Format: Lecture/Discussion - 3 hours; Term Paper.
Textbooks:
- D.J. Hult and J.E. Mcrae, La Belle Dame Sans Merci
- Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun, Le Roman de la Rose
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GRADUATE COURSES
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FRENCH 200: Introduction to Graduate Study in French (2 Units)
Noah Guynn, Associate Professor (ndguynn@ucdavis.edu)
(R 2:10-4:00, 412B Sproul) CRN 25018
Description: This is an introduction to a range of methodologies and critical practices in the field of French Studies, including literature, culture, and linguistics. The course will cover basic principles of bibliographic research in the humanities. This is S/U grading only.
Format: Seminar - 2 hours; Term Paper.
Textbook:
- A Course Reader
FRENCH 202: The French Revolution ( 4 Units)
Julian Simon, Professor (jsimon@ucdavis.edu)
(M 2:10-5:00, 5 Wellman) CRN 43695
Description: This course will study the historical phenomenon of the French Revolution. We will explore documents, narrative histories, and other primary sources - cahiers de doléances, speeches to the assembly, decrees, political pamphlets—to delve into the causes and events of the revolution of 1789. In addition to contemporary source documents, we will read debates in nineteenth-, twentieth- and twenty-first-century history, engaging questions of micro-history, macro-history, historical sociology, and historiography. Work for the course will consist of an oral presentation to the seminar and a research paper. Possible authors to include Sieyès, Robespierre, Mirabeau, Danton, Tocqueville, Burke, Michelet, Taine, Furet, Chartier, and Lefebvre.
Format: Seminar - 3 hours; Term Paper.
Textbooks:
- Jeremy D. Popkin, A Short History of the French Revolution
- A Course Reader
FRENCH 211 - Theories of the Vernacular (4 Units)
Nicole Asquith, Assistant Professor (nasquith@ucdavis.edu)
(T 2:10-5:00, 123 Wellman) CRN 43971
Description: The term vernacular has been used to describe such diverse cultural forms as Dante’s poetry and Michael Jordon’s basketball playing. It has been associated both with the consolidation of dominate cultures – through the formation of national vernacular literatures – and with the expression of marginalized communities through dialects and other non-standard forms of language. Moreover, definitions of the term vary significantly. For some, it is a specific language or idiom – as in Zora Neale Hurston’s formulation of a black vernacular through her analysis of African-American literature and art – whereas, for others, it is a practice of cultural resistance.
In this seminar, we will analyze different conceptions of this rich, polyvalent term in order to consider its broader implications, looking specially at the way it helps us rethink the way literary and other cultural practices shape collective and individual identity. Drawing on a variety of sources, we will center our discussion primarily (although not exclusively) on literatures and other forms of cultural expression in French.
We will begin with Dante’s plea for a vernacular literature in De vulgari eloquentia and look at an early-modern French counterpart in Du Bellay’s Défense et illustration de la langue française. Going forward, we will examine a number of twentieth and twenty-first century theories of the vernacular, including Deleuze et Guattari’s Kafka: Pour une littérature mineure, postcolonial theory (Fanon, Césaire, Bhabha, Spivak, Glissant and Chamoiseau), transnationalism and hip-hop.
Format: Seminar - 3 hours; Term Paper.
Textbooks:
- Jean Bernabe, Eloge De La Creolite. In Praise of Creoleness.
- A Course Reader
FRENCH 390A - The Teaching of French in College (2 Units)
Bruce Anderson, Assistant Professor (bcanderson@ucdavis.edu)
(T 2:10-4:00, 144 Olson) CRN 25072
Description: Introduction to Communicative Language Teaching as it relates to French as a foreign language in U.S. colleges/universities through textbook readings, in-class demonstrations, and discussion.
Prerequisite: This course is only open to new, graduate student teaching assistants within the department of French & Italian.
Format: In-class session - 2 hours.
Course Grade: The final grade for the course will be determined by weekly preparation and participation as well as short written assignments. Grading is Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory only.
Textbooks:
- James F. Lee, Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen