FREN 3014
INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY FRANCE
Summer 2015, Georgia Tech Lorraine
Instructor: Chris Ippolito, Modern Languages, IAC, Georgia Tech – Atlanta, Swann 226
e-mail: christophe.ippolito@modlangs.gatech.edu, web: http://christopheippolito.com/
Class Meeting Times, GTL Office, Phone and Office hours TBA
Students who have never taken French at GT are required to do the online placement test
at http://www.modlangs.gatech.edu/student-resources/placement-tests AND send a pdf copy
of their results to the instructor before registering. “Students may NOT enroll in a course
lower than that indicated by their placement test score. If they do, they will be asked to leave that
course with no guarantee of a seat available in the correct course.” (Modern Languages). Students
who have taken FREN 2001 or 2002 (either course is a pre-requisite for this early advanced
course) at GT are required to confirm that by email to the instructor before registering.
COURSE MATERIAL
• William F. Edmiston & Annie Duménil, La France contemporaine. Thomson-Heinle, 2005.
ISBN 1-4130-0373-7.
• Website, T-square Forums and Links on T-square resources and open source material.
• Suggested: A good bilingual dictionary (Robert, Robert-Collins, Harraps…) and online:
wordreference.com, ARTFL
COURSE DESCRIPTION / OBJECTIF ET CONTENU DU COURS
Étude des principaux traits de la France contemporaine, dans les domaines suivants : contexte
européen, politique, société, culture, média et technologie.
Study of current issues in contemporary France, with focus on the European context, political and
social issues, culture, media, and technology. Credit Hours: 3. Prerequisite: 2002 or equivalent. 4
meetings a week.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course, a student should be able to 1/ have a good knowledge of the main issues
in contemporary France, 2/ discuss current issues in formal French, 3/ write well-formatted essays
in French at the Advanced-Mid level. The final project requires (incl. for GT-Atlanta students)
interacting in a professional manner with the community about French or Francophone culture
(art, music, politics, business, etc.).
COURSE EVALUATION / ASSIGNMENTS
15% Weekly Postings on textbook on T-square or blog entries [10+ lines on week pages];
15% Weekly Presentations in class on the issues studied (5+ Pwpt slides;
15% 2 Essays on two different issues involving contemporary France based (7.5% each) [topics
to be selected by student / essay 1 on France and Europe / length: 4-5 pages each; format: see
instructions in writing guide on T-square.
15% Active participation and in-class activities**
15% Midterm
15% Final Examination
10% Final Project: Present a project on contemporary French society and/or politics
(project selected by student, to be approved by instructor, ideally with component linked to
community in which student currently lives—Metz (for GTL); this may include interviews,
research, etc.). Powerpoint (10+slides)/Internet
All material (including the material used for the final project) has to be posted on T-square
in correct French. Instructor will assess all that is posted and make adjustments as needed
(discussion, corrections, advice, etc.). GT Honor Code applies.
All postings including weekly assignments, essays, presentations and project are due on the
2nd day of the week (GTL policy applies). Should you be absent, it is you responsibility to keep
up with work/changes. GT policy for ADAPTS students applies. Penalties for late assignments
and/or assignments not posted + essays not given in class.
**Active participation and in-class activities : exercises assigned for a specific class;
participation required (quantity, quality; French only in class); attendance essential and part of the
grade (one point taken off final grade for each unexcused absence after 4 absences ; more
than 10 minutes late: half an absence (more than 30: one). Only a letter from GTL / an MD can
excuse an absence. Please make a constant effort to participate.
ML PERFORMANCE GOAL #1: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
FREN 3014: Students will demonstrate oral proficiency at the
ML Learning Outcome 1 : Demonstrate
Advanced level on the ACTFL scale
oral and aural proficiency in the target
language
ML Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate
FREN 3014: Students will demonstrate the ability to present in
effective presentation skills in the target
class for 3 minutes or more without notes on an everyday topic
language
FREN 3014: Students will produce a variety of short (1- page)
ML Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate
essays at the Advanced level on the ACTFL scale
writing proficiency in the target language
FREN 3014: Students will demonstrate comprehension of
ML Learning Outcome 4:
Demonstrate proficiency in comprehension
authentic texts related to complex topics
of authentic written texts in the target
language
ML PERFORMANCE GOAL #2: INTERCULTURAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
FREN 3014: Students will demonstrate in-depth
ML Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrate in-depth
knowledge of a specific target-language country / region knowledge of French society
FREN 3014: Students will demonstrate the
ML Learning Outcome 6:
Demonstrate the ability to analyze an issue from targetability to analyze an issue from a French
culture perspective(s)
perspective
ML Learning Outcome 7:
Demonstrate critical reflection on cultural complexity and
context
FREN 3014: Students will demonstrate critical
reflection on French cultural complexity and
contexts
FRENCH 3014 Summer 2014: SCHEDULE
This is the 2014 schedule. It will be adapted when the 2015 GTL summer calendar is confirmed.
The following schedule is subject to changes
semaine 1: 14-16 mai
semaine 2: 19-23 mai
semaine 3: 26 mai -28 mai
semaine 4: 2-4 juin
semaine 5: 10-13 juin
semaine 6: 16-18 juin
semaine 7: 24 juin-27 juin
semaine 8: 1er juillet-4 juillet
semaine 9: 8-11 juillet
semaine 10: 15-18 juillet
semaine 11: 22-24 juillet
semaine 12: 28-31 juillet
La France et les Etats-Unis (pp. 1-4, no posting this week)
France/Europe (1) (post on pp. 5-52)
La France et l’Europe (2) (post on pp. 53-84)
La vie politique (post on pp. 85-132) + essay1 outline*
FILM and discussion
La vie sociale (1) (post on pp. 133-149) + essay1 1st draft
MIDTERM (mardi 17 juin, sur les pp. 1-132)
La vie sociale (2) (post on pp. 150-184) + essay1 final vers.
La vie culturelle (1) (post on pp. 185-201)
La vie culturelle (2) (post on pp. 202-236)
+ essay 2/FP outline
L’information et la technologie (1) (post on pp. 237-255)
+ essay 2/FP 1st draft
L’information et la technologie (2) (post on pp. 256-277)
+ essay 2/FP final version (mercredi 27 juillet)
Final project presentation
(on contemporary French culture, in Metz preferably)
(Final Week): FINAL EXAMINATION
Online Postings -- Reminder:
1/ ONE posting on the textbook per week [on T-square]. 10 lines minimum, suggested format:
2-3 remarks/points [may be developed as needed], 1-2 questions. Post on what you think are the
main points in the pages read and studied, give your opinion and analyze differences with the U.S.
when relevant.
2/ ONE presentation per chapter [posted on T-square] on the topic presented in the chapter
studied (during the 2nd week except for week 4: only 1 week on “vie politique”).
3/ Essay 1 on France and Europe, Essay 2 combined with final project (FP). Posted on Tsquare AND given to instructor IN CLASS] Note that European elections will be held during
your stay in Europe. You may write on these elections. *Outline = at least thesis statement + 2
main points.
All postings including weekly assignments, essays and project are due on the second day of the
week, according to GTL schedule.
Intercultural Sessions with SUPELEC-Metz students
(not mandatory but strongly suggested):
Meeting Times TBA