FRENCH 101
Advanced French Syntax and Composition
Spring 2011
MWF, 9:10-10:10, Dante 217
Professor : Catherine Marachi
Office : Dante 317,
Ext. 8518 ; email : cmarachi@stmarys-ca.edu
Office hours: MWF, 11:30-12:30 and by appointment
Texts: Limouzy & Bourgeacq, Manuel de Composition Française, 2ème édition
French 101 Reader
Watson-Rodger, Mieux Traduire et Mieux S’exprimer
You should also have a good French-English dictionary and a current copy of the MLA
Handbook.
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide students with the necessary tools to develop advanced written
proficiency in the discipline. It focuses on essential aspects of French syntax and on developing
composition skills. Translation techniques and analysis of model literary texts through various
genres serve as means of improving self expression and written communication. Students are
also introduced to research strategies, information evaluation, literary analysis, proper
terminology, and sound citation practices.
The writing component of the course uses Limouzy and Bourgeacq’s Manuel de Composition
Française, and is divided in three main parts:



La composition d’imagination (description, portrait, narration and dialogue)
La méthode de la dissertation morale (essay writing on a given topic, i.e. death penalty,
abortion, etc…) In this section students practice presenting and organizing strong and
convincing arguments
La méthode de la dissertation littéraire française (learning how to write analytically
about challenging poems and excerpts of literary texts)
On Mondays and every two Fridays we will focus on one type of composition, using close
reading of short model texts, sample drafts, and a series of vocabulary-building and pre-writing
exercises. Every Wednesday we will practice the art of translation from French to English and
from English to French. This will help you identify the syntactic differences between French and
English, and learn once and for all to avoid word to word translation (of a text or of your own
thoughts). Every two Fridays we will discuss a short story that you will read ahead of time. Do
not wait until the last minute to do your reading since the stories a fairly long and complex.
They are listed on the schedule and you must reserve in advance the necessary time to devote to
them. For each short story you will come to class with a one page typed response.
We will start all the composition classes with a five to ten minute exercise in free writing on a
given prompt. Please bring a composition notebook for this purpose and also to write down the
new vocabulary words that you encounter during your readings.
Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes:

To build on the writing skills students have acquired in English 4 and 5

To develop writing strategies through in-class writing activities, a variety of essaywriting techniques, multiple drafts and peer-editing

To improve mastery of French syntax through exercises in translation from one language
to the other, and through two literary translation assignments

To develop reading strategies and lexical proficiency through literary analysis of selected
French works

To develop sound research strategies through an exploration of primary and secondary
sources

To master MLA formatting standards for academic writing in French, including citations
and bibliographic references
Attendance:
You are allowed a maximum of three absences during the semester. Each additional absence will
lower your grade by half a point. Please arrive on time since late arrivals disturb the class.
Being more than five minutes late three times during the semester will be equivalent to an
absence. Please do not leave the classroom during the duration of class. Cell phones must
remain in your bags at all times.
Workload:
You will have a total of five formal written assignments: three essays (one for each kind of
composition), with multiple drafts and two literary translations (one from French to English and
one from English to French). You will also have daily homework, a mid-term, and a final exam.
I will not accept any late work.
Grades:
Active class participation
Homework
Compositions
Translations
Mid-term
Final exam
Grading percentage Scale:
A
93-100
A90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B80-82
C+
77-79
10%
15%
30%
10%
15%
20%
C
CD+
D
DF
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
59 and below
Honor Code:
This course operates under the premises of the academic honor code, including the expectation
of high standards of integrity. For further information, see the Saint Mary’s College Student
Handbook.
Student Disability Services:
Student Disability Services extends reasonable and appropriate accommodations that take into
account the context of the course and its essential elements for individuals with qualifying
disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Student Disability Services
Office at (925) 631-4358 to set up a confidential appointment to discuss accommodation
guidelines and available services. Additional information regarding the services available may be
found at the following address on the Saint Mary’s website: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sds
Additional Campus Services:
Center for Writing Across the Curriculum. Students of all levels and disciplines are welcome
to drop in or make appointments for one-on-one sessions with CWAC Writing Advisors.
Students may request weekly or bi-weekly sessions with the same peer student advisor.
Dante 202: 5:00-8:00pm Sunday and 2:00-8:00pm Monday through Thursday. 925-631-4684.
Student Academic Support Services. Students are welcome to seek additional help for any
aspect of this course through the Office of Tutorial and Academic Skills Center. Tutors are
available to help with review and study of Spanish grammar, as well as phases of the writing
process in Spanish. Augustine Hall, Suite 118, Monday through Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. 925631-4349
Tentative Schedule
Assignments are in bold. Schedule of successive drafts will be announced in class
février
lundi 7
mercredi 9
vendredi 11
lundi 14
mercredi 16
vendredi 18
lundi 21
mercredi 23
vendredi 25
lundi 28
mars
mercredi 2
vendredi 4
Présentation du cours
Mieux Traduire (MT), Ch. III A, exercices 5 p. 27; 4&5 p. 28; 4 & 5 p. 29
Ch. III B, exercices 4 & 5 p. 31; 4 & 5 p. 32; 3 p. 33
I. La composition d'imagination
a) la description
MT, Ch V A, ex. 2,6,7 p. 45; 11, 13 p. 46.
Ch V B, ex. 2 p. 47, 9 p. 48; 11 p. 49
Short story, Le Fait du Jour, reader, p. 91-98
description
MT, "Niveaux de langue," Ch VII A, ex. 2,4 p. 61; 2, 5 p. 62; 3 p. 66;
Ch VII B, ex. 3 p. 65; 3 p. 66; 2 et 5 p. 67
Devoir traduction.
b) le portrait
portrait
MT, Ch XIII A, ex. 4 p. 112; 6 et 9 p. 113
Ch XIII B, ex. 2 p. 117; 4 et 6 p. 118; 8 et 11 p. 119
Short story, Camus, Les muets, reader, p. 99-108
lundi 7
mercredi 9
vendredi 11
lundi 14
mercredi 16
vendredi 18
lundi 21
mercredi 23
vendredi 25
lundi 28
mercredi 30
avril
vendedi 1
lundi 4
mercredi 6
vendredi 8
lundi 11
mercredi 13
vendredi 15
Du 16 au 25
mercredi 27
vendredi 29
mai
lundi 2
mercredi 4
vendredi 6
lundi 9
mercredi 11
lundi 13
mercredi 18
c) La narration
MT, Ch. X A, ex. 1 et 2 p. 82; 4, 5, 7 p. 83; 10, 11, 12, p. 84
Ch X B, ex. 1 p. 88, 3. 5, 6 p. 89; 11 p. 91
narration
Rendre devoir sur une des compositions d'imagination (description, portrait
ou narration)
d) le dialogue littéraire
MT, "Les faux amis," Ch. IV A, ex. 1 et 4 p. 35; 6 et 7 p. 36; 10 p. 37
Ch. IV B, ex. 3 p. 39; 5 et 7 p. 40; 9 p. 41
Short story, Anna Gavalda, IIG, reader, p. 109-117
d) le dialogue littéraire
Examen de mi-semestre
II. La correspondance
La correspondance
MT, Ch II A, ex. 1 et 2 p. 16; 3 p. 174
Ch II B, ex. 3 p. 39, 5 et 7 p. 40; 9 p. 41
Short story, Junior, reader, p. 119-127
III. La dissertation morale
Rendre devoir traduction
dissertation morale
dissertation morale
MT, Ch VIII A, ex. 2 et 7 p. 69; 11 et 13 p. 70
Ch VIII B. ex. 5 et 7 p. 72; 8 et 12 p. 73
Short story, Le Rappel, reader, p. 128-135
Rendre composition dissertation morale
IV. La dissertation littéraire
Vacances de Pâques
MT, Ch. XXI A, ex. 2 et 5 p. 182; 7 et 11 p. 183
Ch XXI B, ex. 3 p. 185; 4 et 7 p. 186; 11 p. 187
dissertation littéraire
dissertation littéraire
MT, Ch. VI A, ex. 2 et 5 p. 51; 2 p. 52; 2 et 4 p. 53
Ch VI B, ex.2 p. 55; 4 p. 56; 2 et 5 p. 57
Short story, Marguerite Yourcenar, reader p. 136-142
Rendre composition dissertation littéraire
dissertation littéraire
bilan
Examen final, 9:00-11 :00