University of Colorado Denver
Department of Modern Languages
FR 3200 - The Francophone World in the Post-Colonial Era
Course Syllabus, Fall 2011
Dr. Lori Willard
Plaza 118X (office)
Office hours: MW 11:00-12:00, TR 12:30-1:30
Telephone: (303) 556-4895; email: lori.willard@ucdenver.edu
Course Information:
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing
Texts & Materials:
 Aldrich, Robert. Greater France: A History of French Overseas Expansion. 1996
 Césaire, Aimé. Discourse on Colonialism. 1955.
 Hargreaves, Alec G. Multi-ethnic France: Immigration, Politics, Culture and Society.
2007.
 Current articles as they are posted on the web or distributed in class
Catalog Description:
Focuses on the many Francophone regions of the world, including (but not limited to) France, North and West
Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean, and surveys a wide span of subject matter as it pertains to the postcolonial situations in these regions. Taught in English.
Course Objectives:
Students will gain a fundamental grasp of the Francophone world in the post-colonial era. This includes knowledge
of the main historical events, principle trends in colonialism and independence, and in-depth comprehension of
the political, economic and cultural situations that exist currently in the various regions of the Francophone world.
Student Outcomes: (Students who successfully complete this course should gain the following skills:)
• Develop a basic grasp of the topics named above under Course Objectives
• Develop the ability to perform research, gain and analyze data, critique newly acquired information, learn to
present views (with analysis) both orally and in writing.
• Learn to understand and evaluate information about colonialism, assimilation, independence, economics,
politics, and immigration in order to gain greater insight into the current situations of Francophone regions that
were once part of the French colonial empire.
Instructional Activities:
• Attend class lectures
• Participate in discussions in class and online
• Read the textbooks and other selected assignments
• Research and present information to classmates
• Listen to and respond to presentations by classmates
• Take in-class midterm and final exams
Assessment Tools:
• Participation in discussions in class and online (in the form of threaded discussions, blogs, and/or creation of
wikis)
• In-class written midterm and final exams (consisting of short answer, multiple choice & essay questions)
• Short, individual oral presentation
• Group research and oral presentation
In all oral and written work, students will be expected to present their ideas in a clear and logical manner and are
graded on their ability to substantiate an argument showing their point of view.
The students will then be required to draw a thoughtful and calculated conclusion to their own assessment of the
comparison based on logic and fact rather than emotion.
Grading: (Student are awarded semester grades base on the following values:)
10% Attendance
20% Participation in class and online
10% Midterm Exam
20% Final exam
15% Individual oral presentation with handout outlining test-worthy, important facts
25% Group research and oral presentation project, with handout of test-worthy information
Tests:
The midterm and final exams are each composed of two parts. Part one (for each) will be comprised of short
answers. Part two will consist of essay questions.
The essay questions are designed to test students’ ability at critical thinking. Students will be given a topic or
choice of topics and must write a reaction to the topic in which they demonstrate that they can defend a point of
view based on showing contrasts and comparisons using the information they have gained in this course. They
must substantiate their arguments using facts, and show how they can relate the information to their personal
lives.
Attendance and Participation:
Students are expected to attend every class session and participate in all of the class discussions. As topics arise in
discussions, students are evaluated on their ability to question arguments by logically critiquing a viewpoint,
especially should the instructor present a counter-argument. It should become evident in these discussions
whether students
have processed the assigned reading materials. In this course, there will be opportunities for open discussions
where students are encouraged to criticize or defend multiple points of view. Students with poor attendance will
be graded down accordingly.
Projects:
Students must complete two projects during the course of the semester. Exact details of the projects will be
spelled out during the semester. Both projects will require a written as well as an oral component. The second
project will consist of in-depth group research followed by a presentation to the class in which groups are expected
to demonstrate that they can gather pertinent information, sort and organize that information, reflect on what
they have learned, formulate thought that goes beyond mere reporting of the facts, reach a conclusion and argue
the validity of that conclusion without allowing bias or prejudice to become any substantiation of their argument.
Critical Thinking:
Students will be monitored throughout the semester on their ability to think critically. In particular, students will
be assessed on their critical thinking skills in the essay portions of the exams and the second project (group
research and presentation). Please see the above sections for specifics on the evaluation of critical thinking skills.
Official departmental policy on attendance: Any student who is absent more than 20% of the semester will
automatically fail the course regardless of their grade in the course up until that time. (20% = a total of three
weeks of class in a typical academic semester.) Twenty-percent of the semester translates to a total of six (6) class
sessions for those courses that meet twice a week. This makes the 7th absence cause for a failing grade for the
semester. Attendance begins the first day of scheduled classes regardless of when you enroll in the class.
Policy Enforcement: The DML attendance policy is enforceable regardless of the nature of the absence. This
applies to all absences, whether excused or unexcused. Attendance rules are enforceable even in the event of
extenuating circumstances. If students foresee difficulty in meeting the attendance requirement, they should
withdraw from the course. The instructor of a course has the right to exercise further stipulations concerning
attendance (see above).
Evaluation Methods
Students’ ability to perform research, assimilate and analyze data, think critically about information gathered, and
demonstrate and/or present information will be evaluated through class discussion, written examinations, written
homework assignments, and oral presentations. In everything you present for evaluation, it should be clear that
you have read (seen or heard) and understood the material, that you have a relatively fluid command in being able
to identify works of art, music, cultural movements, etc. and that you can substantiate and logically defend your
point of view when evaluating the material.
Grades
As a general expectation, university students should spend as many hours per week on work for a course as they
spend in the classroom. This course meets for 2 ½ hours per week, so students should spend at least an additional
2 ½ hours on coursework each week. The final grade will represent what you have accomplished during the term
based on the judgment of the instructor. Late work is accepted entirely at the discretion of the instructor. Any
work accepted late will be graded down a minimum of one full grade. In most cases, only partial points will be
given for late work.
Grading Standards
The following grading standards apply across all courses in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Grades for
assignments, projects, exams and the course will reflect student performance in the following criteria:
“A/A+” is for exceptionally excellent work; clearly better than very good and reflecting special research,
aesthetics,theory, excellence, abilities and/or effort. Excellent quiz and test scores;
“A-” is for very good, reflecting strong performance on all course requirements and for making regular and
important contributions to the course. Work displays exceptional attention to detail;
“B+’’ is for finishing all the course requirements and doing a very good job on each of them or doing a good job on
some of them and an exceptional job on a few of them. Student exemplifies attention to detail and going beyond
the assignment guidelines to display initiative and thoroughness on all assignments;
“B” is for completing all course requirements in an extremely consistent manner that displays a continued desire
to improve and push ones abilities to the next level. Good quiz and test scores. Simply completing all the
assignments is not sufficient to earn an “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B” in the course;
“B-” is for slightly above standard performance on all course requirements. Student shows potential and some
effort but has not pushed execution and ability to the next level;
“C” is for completing all course requirements without special distinction;
“D” and lower are for poor performance and generally mean that the student is not progressing well in the course.
Grades will be assigned on the following scale (points achieved divided by total possible points):
A+ = 98-100% A = 93-97% A- = 90-92%
B+ = 87-89% B = 83-86% B- = 80-82%
C+ = 77-79% C = 73-76% C- = 70-72%
D+= 67-69% D = 63-66% D- = 60-62%
F > 59%
Code of Conduct
As a University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center student (or taking a UCDHSC class) you
are expected to abide by the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center Student Code
of Conduct. The following is a link for the University of Colorado at Denver Student Code of Conduct:
http://carbon.cudenver.edu/public/studlife/01pages/Codeofconduct.html
Academic Honesty
You are expected to do you own work. All work submitted should include citations or other indications
when others’ work is included with your own. Representation of others’ work as your own is considered
cheating. This includes plagiarism, work purchased from "paper mills" and sharing of test answers.
If the instructor suspects cheating she may, at her discretion, provide an alternate or make-up
assignment.
In the case that a student submits works with inconsistencies in answers--such as correctly identifying a
person on a multiple choice question and misidentifying the person in an essay question--the instructor
may deduct points for both questions.
This course of action will be taken when the instructor determines that the student has provided a correct
answer that was not based on their knowledge of the material.
The instructor may make use of anti-cheating services to ensure that submitted work is original.
Finally, cheating diminishes the value of your learning. If you find yourself struggling in this course, please
contact the instructor!
Other Policies
The subject matter and order of course events are subject to change at the instructor's prerogative.
It is CLAS policy that all materials created by a student for this course must adhere to proper and correct
applications of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Deviations from these expectations can result in student work
being rejected for evaluation and/or grading.
You must not produce inflammatory, profane, plagiarized or otherwise inappropriate material for this class. Failure
to comply with this policy will result in an "F" for the semester and immediate dismissal from class. You may also
face other repercussions from CLAS and the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center. When in
doubt, ask the instructor.
Disability Services Information
To ensure disability-related concerns are properly addressed, students with disabilities who require assistance to
participate in this class are expected to contact me as soon as possible. To be eligible for accommodations,
students must be registered with the UCDHSC Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS) (Arts Building,
Room 177; 303-556-33450, 303-556-4766 TDD).
Fall 2011 CLAS Academic Policies
The following policies pertain to all degree students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).

Schedule verification: It is each student’s responsibility to verify online that his/her official
registration is correct: verify before classes begin and prior to the drop/add deadline. Failure
to verify schedule accuracy is not sufficient reason to justify a late add or drop.

E-mail: Students must activate and regularly check their official student e-mail account for CU
Denver business: http://www.ucdenver.edu/student-services/Pages/WebMail.aspx. Those
who forward email to a private account are still responsible for checking their official student
e-mail account for messages not automatically forwarded.

Waitlists:

Students are not automatically notified if they are added to a class from a waitlist.
Students are not automatically dropped from a class if they never attended, stopped
attending, or do not make tuition payments.

Waitlists are purged after the 1st week of classes, after which a paper Schedule
Adjustment Form (drop/add form) is required. It is the student's responsibility to get the
form (online or at the Advising Office, NC 4002), have it signed, deliver it to the Registrar
(Annex 100) or the Student Services Center (NC 1003), and verify her/his schedule
online.

Late adds (after 7 September) will be approved only when circumstances surrounding the
late add are beyond the student’s control. This will require a written petition and verifiable
documentation. Petition forms are available in NC 4002. The signature of a faculty member on
a Schedule Adjustment Form does not guarantee that a late add petition will be approved.

Late drops (after 14 November) will be approved only when circumstances surrounding the
late drop have arisen after the published drop deadline and are beyond the student’s control.
This will require a written petition and verifiable documentation. The signature of a faculty
member does not guarantee that a late drop petition will be approved.

Tuition: Students are responsible for completing arrangements with financial aid, family,
scholarships, etc. (depending on tuition plan selected) to pay their tuition prior to Census
Date (7 September). Students who drop after that date are (1) financially responsible for
tuition and fees, (2) academically responsible and will receive a "W" grade, and (3) are
ineligible for a refund of COF hours or tuition.

Graduation:

Undergraduate students wishing to graduate in fall 2011 must complete the online Intent
to Graduate Form and meet with their academic advisor to obtain a graduation
application. This application must be submitted by Census Date (7 September). You can
obtain an application only after meeting with your advisor. There are no exceptions to
this policy.

Graduate students wishing to graduate in fall semester 2011 must complete the online
Intent to Graduate form and have a Request for Admissions to Candidacy on file with the
CU Denver Graduate School (Lawrence Street Center) no later than 5 PM, September 7,
2011.
Important Dates and Deadlines

August 22, 2011: First day of classes.

August 28, 2011: Last day to add a class or be added to a waitlist using the UCD Access
student portal. After this date, you must use a Schedule Adjustment Form to change, add, or
drop.

August 29, 2011: LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT DROP CHARGE – THIS INCLUDES
SECTION CHANGES.

August 29, 2011: Waitlists are dropped. Any student not added to a course automatically
from the waitlist by this date MUST complete a Schedule Adjustment Form to be added.
Students are NOT automatically added to the class from the waitlist after this date and time.
If your name is not on the official student roster, you are not registered for the course.

August 30-September 7, 2011: Students are responsible for verifying an accurate fall 2011
course schedule via the UCDAccess student portal. Students are NOT notified of their waitlist
status by the University. All students must check their schedule prior to 9/7 for accuracy.

August 30, 2011: First day instructor may approve request to add a student to a course with
a Schedule Adjustment Form.

September 7, 2011: Census date.

9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day to add structured courses without a written petition for a late
add. This is an absolute deadline and is treated as such. This deadline does not apply to
independent studies, internships, project hours, thesis hours, dissertation hours, and latestarting modular courses.

9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day to drop a fall 2011 course or completely withdraw from all fall
2011 courses using a Schedule Adjustment Form and still receive a tuition refund, minus
the drop fee. After this date, tuition is forfeited and a "W" will appear on the transcript.
This includes section changes. This is an absolute deadline and is treated as such.

9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day to request pass/fail or no-credit option for a course.

9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day for a graduate student to register for a Candidate for Degree.

9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day for a Ph.D. student to petition for a reduction in hours.

9/7/11, 5 PM: Last day to apply for fall 2011 graduation. You must make an appointment
and see your academic advisor before this date to apply for graduation if you are an
undergraduate; you must complete the Intent to Graduate and Candidate for Degree
forms if you are a graduate student.

September 19-28, 2011: Faculty can use the Early Alert system.

October 31, 2011, 5 PM: Last day for non-CLAS students to drop or withdraw without a
petition and special approval from the academic dean. After this date, a dean’s signature is
required.

November 14, 2011, 5 PM: Last day for CLAS students to drop or withdraw with signatures
from the faculty and dean but without a full petition. After this date, all schedule changes
require a full petition. Petitions are available in NC 4002 for undergraduates and in the CU
Denver Graduate School offices for graduate students.

November 21-27, 2011: Fall break (no classes; campus closed). Be thankful.

December 12-17, 2011: Finals Week. No schedule changes will be granted once finals week
has started. There are NO exceptions to this policy.

December 27, 2011: Fall final grades available on UCD Access (tentative).