French for Science & Technology COURSE DESIGNATOR MONT 3XXX Language of Instruction French NUMBER OF CREDITS 3 Contact Hours 45 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will encourage the development of the four fundamental skills oral, written, reading, and listening comprehension within the specific context of daily life/culture in Montpellier and France, with an additional emphasis on French Science/Engineering fields. The course will include an introduction to scientific and technical French language (basics of math, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, computing, engineering and/or the Internet) through study of relevant vocabulary (Science, Engineering, Technology). Students will employ and develop this specialized vocabulary and French language proficiency in general through study of scientific/technological history, development, and achievements (discoveries) in France and French-speaking countries. The course will also include the study of scientific and technical material pertaining to current issues in the scientific and technical communities, as well as ethical issues that surround current research and technologies INSTRUCTOR Joanna Katsikis COURSE OBJECTIVES The course will prepare students to use the French language in real-life settings. Students will acquire active and passive knowledge of French scientific/technology terminology. Students will learn about developments and discoveries of French science and technology and the global and ethical dimensions of current research and developments. REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES Four semesters of college French or equivalent GRADING Participation in class 10% Quizzes and written exercises 50% Final Exam 40% Overall grade 100%
CRITERIA FOR GRADING AND GRADING STANDARDS Summary of how grades are weighted: Grading Rubric A 95+ Achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements. A- 90-94 B+ 86-89 B 83-85 Achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements. B- 80-82 C+ 76-79 Achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect. C 73-75 C- 70-72 D+ 66-69 D 60-65 Achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements. F <60 Represents failure (or no credit) and signifies that the work was either (1) completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an I. CLASS SCHEDULE WEEK 1 Monday, June 22 Faire connaissance Etre capable de parler de soi, de ses projets et de ses motivations «Dur d avoir 20 ans aujourd hui» Source Europe 1 Parler de soi et de ses projets/études Parler de la société actuelle La comparaison La qualification Wednesday, June 24 9:00am-12:30pm Comprendre un texte descriptif Faire des présentations «Top 20 des inventions françaises» Source France.fr Prendre connaissance des inventions-clés en France Imaginer / présenter une invention / vocabulaire en Le passé La voix passive PAGE 2
relation avec les inventions Thursday, June 25 Imaginer la société future et la presenter Faire des hypothèses «La société future» Source ACI Multimedia Vocabulaire sur l énergie, les moyens de transport, la santé Les bonnes conduites à adopter pour l avenir Les hypothèses Le futur WEEK 2 Monday, June 29 Comprendre un problème de société Utiliser les relations de cause et de conséquence «Conséquences du vieillissement de la population» Débat sur la durée de la vie et les moyens utilisés Cause et conséquence Wednesday, July 1 Comprendre des différences entre le passé / présent et argumenter «Un milliard de maladies oubliées» Le passé L hypothèse Vocabulaire médical Thursday, July 2 Comprendre, argumenter, participer à un débat «10 questions éthiques sur les sciences» Source SooCurious Vocabulaire en relation avec les choix moraux et la science Le subjonctif présent pour l opinion WEEK 3 Monday, July 6 Décrire les habitudes actuelles Comprendre les changements de la société «Les réseaux sociaux : touristes de nos propres vies» Source Courrier International Vocabulaire internet, et réseaux sociaux La comparaison Le passé et le présent La conséquence Tuesday, July 7 Comprendre un mode d emploi et l expliquer «Le téléphone mobile équitable» + modes d emploi divers Les pronoms relatifs Les pronoms compléments PAGE 3
Vocabulaire sur nouveaux moyens de communication Wednesday, July 8 Comprendre la situation de l emploi en France Comparer, expliquer, comprendre une problèmatique «L emploi en France» Les entreprises françaises et à Montpellier Le chômage L opinion La qualification Thursday, July 9 Parler de son parcours Savoir écrire son CV «Entreprises : place aux filles!» Source Phosphore Le CV et le vocabulaire asssocié La description Le résumé WEEK 4 Monday, July 13 Parler du progrès et des changements d habitudes Faire des comparaisons avec la société passée «La mondialisation des aliments» Vocabulaire de l alimentation Mondialisation vs Traditions Wednesday, July 15 Exprimer l obligation Faire des descriptions Donner son opinion «L effet de serre» Source C est pas sorcier Vocabulaire de l environnement, les nouvelles énergies Thursday, July 16 Formuler des craintes Faire des souhaits Eau en danger Source Espace des Sciences Vocabulaire sur les resources naturelles et la pollution + Evaluation finale orale et écrite CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE POLICY Regular attendance and punctuality are mandatory in order to earn full marks. The final grade will take into consideration preparation required for class (i.e. readings) and participation in class discussions. PAGE 4
If you need to miss class for medical reasons, please make sure we get a note from your doctor. If you miss any meetings without an excused absence from the on-site director, your final grade will be dropped accordingly. In the case of absences, it is the student s responsibility to find out what information was given in class including any announcements made. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Academic integrity is essential to a positive teaching and learning environment. All students enrolled in University courses are expected to complete coursework responsibilities with fairness and honesty. Failure to do so by seeking unfair advantage over others or misrepresenting someone else s work as your own, can result in disciplinary action. The University Student Conduct Code defines scholastic dishonesty as follows: SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis. Within this course, a student responsible for scholastic dishonesty can be assigned a penalty up to and including an F or N for the course. If you have any questions regarding the expectations for a specific assignment or exam, ask. STUDENT CONDUCT The University of Minnesota has specific policies concerning student conduct and student needs. This information can be found on the Learning Abroad Center website. PAGE 5