French 1411 Syllabus Fall 2010 M & W
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FRENCH 1411
Semester: Fall 2010
Section: 73581
Time: M & W 8:30am -11:00am
Room: 322
Instructor: Leverson,Corinne
< leversonc@earthlink.net >
Required Textbook & Materials
1. Vis-à-vis: Beginning French, Amon, Muyskens & Omaggio Haddley, 6th ed. , 2008, McGraw Hill, Chapters 1
through 7
2. Workbook/Laboratory manual accompanying Vis-à-vis
COURSE DESCRIPTION
French 1411, Beginning French I, is a four credit-hour course which meets five hours per week. It is part of the foursemester beginning and intermediate (1411-1412, 2311-2312) sequence. the course transfers to universities as
foreign language credit. It also satisfies the cross-cultural component of the HCCS core curriculum.
In French 1411 you will listen to, speak, read and write French. Vocabulary, language patterns and grammar are
introduced and applied in the context of practical communication. You will learn French vocabulary, expressions and
structures relating to college studies, personal identity, home and family, getting acquainted, describing people and
places, activities and leisure, dining and cuisine, transactions in a store or restaurant. You will also learn cultural
information about values, beliefs and practices related to the above situations and to speakers of French. In a more
general sense, you will learn about the cultural contexts of the French language. The class includes dialogues, tapes,
oral and written exercises, role-playing, partner or group work, and the possibility of computer exercises. A laboratory
period is incorporated into the class.
END-OF-SEMESTER PERFORMANCE LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS
These descriptions reflect what most students will be able to do by the end of the course. The terms given in
parentheses are descriptive terms of proficiency in foreign language, based on a classification developed by the
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Listening Comprehension (Novice-High)
Comprehend words, phrases and sentences of the standard spoken language where the context is familiar.
Comprehensible language will consist mainly of simple sentences and conversations using high-frequency
vocabulary and language patterns.
Speaking (Novice-Mid)
Speak using words, phrases and some short sentences, mainly learned utterances, in a limited number of familiar
contexts. Speech will be hesitant with frequent inaccuracies.
Reading (Novice-High)
Read and interpret language focused on high frequency and practical situations or subject matter. The language will
consist mainly of vocabulary previously learned. may be able to understand materials at a higher level where the
material is contextualized.
Writing (Novice-Mid)
Write short simple sentences using learned vocabulary and a limited number of grammatical structures. Topics deal
mainly with personal life and interests.
Cultural Awareness
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Be able to identify regions of the world and name some countries where French is spoken.
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B. Demonstrate knowledge of a few basic facts about several French-speaking countries or regions,
including France, Quebec and Senegal.
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C. Show understanding of French customs relating to introductions and initial social contacts, interaction in
public places, dining, interaction between family and friends.
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D. Show some understanding of issues in intercultural communication and cultural misunderstanding.
E. Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationship between culture and language.
COURSE GRADE
30 %
20 %
20 %
20 %
10 %
4 major tests-oral and written portions
final exam-oral and written portions
written homework
class work (taking into account effort, attendance, tardiness), oral work
short quizzes (oral or written)
It is necessary to pass the final exam to pass the course.
HCCS Grading System:
90-100 %
=
80-89 %
=
70-79 % =
C
60-69 % =
D
59 & below
=
A
B
F
IMPORTANT DATES THIS SEMESTER

Last day to withdraw from this course: November 18 - 4:30 P.M.
NOTE: Faculty members will not be able to give a “W” after April 9, 2009.
If you stop coming after the withdrawal date, you will receive an “F”

Labor Day: September 2
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November 18: Last day for Administrative /Students Withdrawals – 4:30 pm
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November 24: No night Classes Before Thanksgiving
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November 24 – 28: Offices closed: Thanksgiving Holidays
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December 12: Instruction Ends
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December 13 -19: Final examinations
MAKEUP POLICY
A. Students are responsible for material covered during their absences. It is the responsibility of
the student to consult with the instructor about work missed and make-up assignments. It is a good
idea to exchange phone numbers with one or two other students for times when you miss a single
class.
B. Homework: Must be turned in by due date for credit. Consult instructor in case of illness.
C. Quizzes: No makeup unless you do so prior to the next class meeting following the quiz. Missing
one quiz will not count against you. Missing several will count.
D. One major test during the semester may be made up if you have a legitimate reason for your
absence. Contact your instructor by leaving a message before you return to class.
ATTENDANCE
Class will begin at the scheduled time. Please be on time, as coming and going disrupts the class.
Attendance is essential and daily records will be kept. In accordance with HCCS official policy, a student may be
dropped for excessive absences after missing more than two weeks of class (10 hours). Consult with the instructor in
case of serious illness or business reasons for absence. Students will lose points on the participation grade for every
class missed over two weeks. Absences will be counted from the first class day of the semester, no matter when the
student registers or first attends.
POLICY ON ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Students are expected to do their own work, unless an assignment is made specifically as a group assignment.
Plagiarism (handing in another person's work as your own), or cheating will result in a grade of F for the assignment,
quiz, or test in question. For a second offense, the student may receive a grade of F for the course.
Students with disabilities
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Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office-Room 118 LH, or
call (713) 718-6164 at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
CORE CURRICULUM
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French 1411 fulfills the communication requirement of the Core Curriculum.
French 1411 fulfills the cross-cultural requirement of the Core Curriculum.
French 1411 meets the objectives for the Global Studies Certificate
Please see the HCCS Catalog 2008-2009, pp.46-60
OTHER STUDENT INFORMATION
Conduct.
The guidelines for student conducts and consequences for their violation are specifically defined in The Student
Handbook " [As] mature, responsible adults., they will voluntarily observe these rules as a matter of training and habit.
Students [will] not interfere with or disrupt the orderly educational process of the College System." It is expected that
the students will demonstrate both courtesy and cooperation in the classroom. A student who either cannot or will not
extend both courtesy and cooperation may not continue the course.
Cell-phones.
Ringing cellular phones constitute an interruption of instruction. Students must remember to turn off phones in class.
Eating is not allowed in the classroom except for a medical condition. Please notify the instructor and provide a note
from your physician if you need to eat or drink while in class.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Equipment: Computers are available in the Macintosh Interdisciplinary Lab (JDB 203-204), in the
library (second floor of SJAC) and in the Open Lab (SJAC 204). There is a computer lab in FAC 302
and the ESL/FL language lab in FAC 305. Also, there are new computers labs in the Learning Hub
Building.
Tutoring:
You can get free help with French! HCCS offers 24-hour access to online HCC faculty tutors. All HCCS students
can take advantage of this service by logging on to www.hccs.askonline.net and using your HCCS student ID
number or HCCS e-mail account address. Papers submitted for advice and information will be returned within 24
hours.
Questions or papers should be submitted to the ASK forum in FOREIGN LANGUAGES for content review and
advice. Extra credit for using online tutoring may be available from your teacher.
SCHOOL CLOSING
Please check the local radio and TV stations for information regarding school closing due to inclement weather. You
can also check the following web site:
http://www.school-closing.net
USE OF RECORDING DEVICES IN HCC FACILITIES
Per HCCS Policy, “Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students
with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for
Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations.”
NOTICE: Students who repeat a course for a third or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at
HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your professor / counselor about opportunities for
tutoring / other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.
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Français 1411 “Vis -à-Vis”
Chapters 1-7
TENTATIVE LESSON PLAN
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus
This syllabus is organized by week and gives the general pace of the course. See Calendar page for dates of major
tests. Adjustments to the calendar may be made during the course of the semester. Approximately 2 weeks will be
devoted to each chapter (chapitre). Each chapter consists of four lessons and a section of cultural information called
Correspondances. Detailed assignments will be given on a daily basis in class. Most of the written homework will be
from the workbook and it is due the day of the chapter test.
For credit, homework must be handed in at the assigned day.
Most students need to plan on an average of 8 hours per week or more study time to keep up with the class.
Tentative Schedule
Week 1
Homework to be assigned:
Introduction.
Chapitre 1 Une nouvelle aventure.
Greetings. Alphabet. Numbers.
Week 2
Structures (leçon2) Articles indéfinis.
Perspectives.
Week 3
Chapitre 2 Nous, les étudiants.
Paroles.
Structures (leçon 2). Articles définis. Verbes du 1er groupe:-ER.
Week 4
Révision et pratique orale/écrite.
Structures (Leçon 3). Verbe ETRE. Forme négative.
Perspectives (reading).
Week 5
Révision et pratique orale/écrite.
Chapitre 3 Ils ont l’air gentils.
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Paroles.
Week 6
Structures (leçon 2). Verbe AVOIR et expressions avec avoir. Adjectifs qualificatifs.
Révision et pratique orale/écrite.
Week 7
Structures (leçon 3) Questions: est-ce que…? oui/non. Prépositions.
Perspectives.
Week 8
Révision et pratique orale/écrite.
Chapitre 4 A la maison
Paroles.
Week 9
Structures (leçon 1) Articles indéfinis après “ne …pas”.Mots interrogatifs.
Révision et pratique orale/écrite.
Week 10
Structures (leçon3). Verbes du 2nd groupe:-IR. Place des adjectives qualificatifs.
Perspectives.
Week 11
Révision et pratique orale/écrite.
Chapitre 5 De génération en génération.
Paroles.
Week 12
Structures (leçon 1) Adjectifs possessifs. Verbe ALLER et Futur Proche.
Révision et pratique orale/écrite.
Week 13
Structures (leçon 2) Verbe FAIRE. Verbes du 3ième groupe:-RE
Perspectives.
Week 14
Révision et pratique orale/écrite.
Chapitre 6 A table !
Paroles.
Week 15
Structures (leçon 1). Verbes PRENDRE et BOIRE. Partififs.
Structures (leçon 2). l’Impératif. Conjugaison et révision.
Perspectives.
Week 16
Chapitre 7 Les plaisirs de la cuisine.
Paroles.
Structures (leçon 1.) Adjectifs démonstratif et interrogatifs.
Structures (leçon 2). Verbes VOULOIR, POUVOIR, DEVOIR. Verbe FALLOIR.
Week 17
Final exam.
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* Irregular verbs (prendre, vendre, aller, vouloir, devoir, pouvoir, falloir) must be memorized before the end of the
semester and will be introduced progressively as early as Week 6.
As your professor, I want you to be successful in this class. We will work together to achieve the levels of proficiency
previously stated. I will create activities where you can experience speaking, reading, listening and cultural
understanding of French.
In the syllabus, the section < Révision et pratique orale/écrite> has been specifically designed to provide to each of
you enough time for interactive practice (oral and written) in French. I will rely on your feedback through shorts
quizzes, tests as well as all other pertinent activities.
Perfect attendance will be rewarded. The teaching approach of the course is to encourage, sustain and challenge
your commitment to learning French in a non - intimidating and interactive context.
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