The aim of this course is for students to consolidate their competence in understanding, speaking, writing and reading in French. Students will develop their abilities to express opinions on ideas and events in French and will refine their skills in oral expression, writing and grammar. The course also aims to expose students to fundamental events that have marked French and Francophone societies over the preceding century and to have them gain insight into these through the study of literature and film.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. construct increasingly complex argumentative or discursive sentences in French, using appropriate grammatical structures;
2. explain some more complex issues in modern French and Francophone cultures;
3. interpret these issues by reference to different conceptions of Francophone societies around the world;
4. construct and present written and oral arguments about themes in modern French and Francophone literature and film;
5. utilise an intermediate standard of French grammar across the four basic competencies (reading, writing, speaking and listening); and
6. recognise and use French in different registers.

Research-Led Teaching

This language course is enriched and structured by the Convenor's research in modern French and francophone cinema, literature and culture.

Additional Course Costs

None.

Examination Material or equipment

None.

Required Resources

All required resources will be provided on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

RESOURCES FOR FRENCH LEARNERS

There is no assigned textbook for this course and all files will be uploaded to Wattle. However, you may find the following useful:                                                                                

a.   Monolingual and bilingual dictionaries

Monolingual: Le Petit Robert / Le Robert (Le Robert Micro is too limited)

Bilingual: Collins-Robert French-English Dictionary

Students should consider investing in a Robert which can be of value long after your study of French with us. Avoid Google Translate at all costs; a reliable online dictionary is wordreference.com, which also has a good (and free) smart phone app.

b.   Grammar resources

You are encouraged to buy a ready reference guide to verbs, such as:

• Bescherelle 1, L’Art de conjuguer or its English adaptation: French verbs. The Bescherelle is also available as a good smartphone app.

Other useful grammar resources include:

• Le Robert, Dictionnaire de synonymes et nuances.
• Mary E. Coffman Crocker, Schaum’s Outline of French Grammar.
• Jacqueline Ollivier and Martin Beaudouin, Grammaire française.

c. French students association

Students can join the student-run ANU French Collective club, which organises film screenings, breakfasts and other fun events:

Facebook: @anufrenchcollective Email: anufrenchcollective@gmail.com

d. Alliance Française de Canberra

The Alliance Française, near the ANU campus on McCaughey St in Turner, offers a range of activities and facilities. Their library includes an online Culturethèque open 24/7 to members. They also run the French Film Festival at the Palace Electric cinema each March.                                                                                   

e. Online cultural resources for maintaining your French

Consult the document ‘Ressources culturelles’ on the course Wattle page for up-to-date suggestions of helpful online resources including podcasts, films, tv series, apps and free e-books to keep your French up outside of class. Netflix (subscription), Stan (subscription) and SBS By Demand (free) have many French-language films and series.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Each week will include 3.5 hours of class, comprising peer-to-peer and tutorial activities.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Weekly class 1: culture focus Introduction : White Material Weekly class 2: grammar focus Introduction + les conjonctions
2	Culture Focus: L’Existentialisme : Huis Clos Grammar Focus: La voix passive
3	Culture Focus: La Guerre d’Algérie : La Bataille d’Alger Grammar Focus: L’infinitif présent et passé
4	Culture Focus: La France et l’Algérie : L’Hôte Grammar Focus: Les verbes pronominaux	Writing task
5	Culture Focus: L’Afrique occidentale : Bamako Grammar Focus: Les mots indéfinis
6	Culture Focus: La Louisiane : Cris sur le bayou Grammar Focus: Test 1	Test 1
7	Culture Focus: Le Québec : Speak White Grammar Focus: La négation
8	Culture Focus: La Littérature de Banlieue : Le Thé au harem d’Archi Ahmed Grammar Focus: Les comparatifs et les superlatifs	Writing task
9	Culture Focus: Le Cinéma de Banlieue : La Haine Grammar Focus: Le futur simple, proche, et antérieur
10	Culture Focus: La Mondialisation : Pays sans chapeau Grammar Focus: Le conditionnel présent et passé
11	Culture Focus: Examens oraux Grammar Focus: Examens oraux	Oral exam
12	Culture Focus: L’Identité : L’Universalisme républicain Grammar Focus: Test 2	Test 2

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration will be available prior to the start of semester via Wattle.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Written Exercises	10 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Grammar Test 1	20 %	1,5,6
Oral exam	20 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Grammar Test 2	20 %	1,5,6
Essay	20 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Participation	10 %	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Attendance at classes is strongly recommended; full participation in classes is essential to serious study of the language. Participation accounts for 10% of FREN3006; criteria for participation grades will be presented in Week 1. If you are absent for medical reasons, send your tutor your medical certificate. If you are absent for other reasons, you may submit your written notes for the week for feedback.

Examination(s)

None.

Assessment Task 1

Written Exercises

Value: 10% (5% each)

Due: Wednesday, weeks 4 and 8

250-word written response to a provided question on a text studied in the course and/or its social, cultural or political context.

Assessment Task 2

Grammar Test 1

Value: 20%

Due: In class Week 6

This 1.25-hour test will assess your grasp of the grammatical structures covered in each half of the course, through a series of exercises similar to those practised in class and homework. There will be a 15-minute listening section at the beginning, then one hour of writing.

Assessment Task 3

Oral exam

Value: 20%

Due: In class Week 11

In this 8 minute one-on-one conversation with your teacher, you will discuss your chosen essay topic, plans for your argument, motivations for choosing this topic and any concerns or issues you have encountered in your project.

Assessment Task 4

Grammar Test 2

Value: 20%

Due: In class Week 12

This 1.25-hour test will assess your grasp of the grammatical structures covered in each half of the course, through a series of exercises similar to those practised in class and homework. There will be a 15-minute listening section at the beginning, then one hour of writing.

Assessment Task 5

Essay

Value: 20%

Due: Wednesday June 8, 4pm

1000-word research essay (20%) on one or more texts studied in the course. Topic to be determined with tutor and discussed during oral exam in Week 11.

Important: Students are not permitted to ask for help from native speakers, tutors, family or friends if the task is to be submitted for assessment. Improper collaboration of this nature constitutes academic misconduct and will be dealt with in accordance with ANU policy.

Assessment Task 6

Participation

Value: 10%

Due: throughout semester

‘Participation’ spans attendance, pre-class preparation, contribution in class, and homework quizzes - criteria will be provided in Week 1. This assessment applies to both classes of the week.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

In-class grammar tests and written exercises: students will receive their work back within the fortnight following the test/due date.

Presentation: students will receive written feedback the week after their presentation.

Essay: students will receive an annotated version of their essay via Turnitin.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students