Class location: BAL 2056
Class time: MWF 2-2:50pm
Instructor: Nathan Owens
Office: BAL 4037
Office hours: 11:00am-12:50pm
Email: nowens@odu.edu
Required: Violin-Wigent, Miller, Grim, Sons et sens: la prononciation du français en contexte. Georgetown University Press, 2013.
Recommended: A serious bilingual dictionary, such as the Collins-Robert or the Oxford-Hachette with pronunciation guides written in IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet).
Below are some links to materials that will help you succeed in this course:
French 415 is an introductory course to the production and perception of the sounds of French. Students learn the theoretical background and phonetic transcription skills for a better understanding of the sound patterns of standard French. Through a variety of activities that include transcriptions, audio-lab work, and listening practice with authentic French recordings, students have the opportunity to learn how to avoid major pronunciation mistakes and improve their spelling and knowledge of the lexicon.
At the end of the semester, students will be able to:
There will be homework almost every day. Homework is to be completed before class and will be spot checked when you arrive. You are expected to do your level best to complete all the homework assigned for a given day. If you complete all the homework for a given day, you will receive 100% for that day's homework. Failure to complete all the homework for a given day will result in a grade of zero (0) for that day's homework.
Three evaluation recordings will be made throughout the semester: (1) one at the beginning of the semester (baseline), (2) one half way throughout the semester; and (3) one toward the end of the semester. The same text will be read for each of the evaluation recordings. Sample readings and phonetic transcriptions of these texts will be posted on the course website after the initial baseline.
Only digital recordings created in the library's sound booth will be accepted. Each recording should be saved in .wav format. You may submit your recordings on a memory stick, a data CD/DVD, or via ODUBox. Sound files received blank will count as invalid and missed. Each evaluation recording will be thoroughly checked and corrected by the instructor.
During the semester, there will be several quizzes, one cumulative midterm, and one cumulative final examination. Neither quizzes nor exams can be rescheduled without a valid reason. Failure to show up at any one of them automatically results in a zero (0). In case of justified and/or anticipated absences, the instructor must be contacted ahead of time.
Quizzes: Quizzes consist of short phonetic exercises and designed to assess students' understanding of the material. There will be a quiz at the end of every chapter.
Midterm Examination: Half way through the semester, students will be evaluated as follows: (1) take a 1-hour written exam; and (2) turn in the second evaluation recording (see the section "Evaluation Recordings" for details).
Final Examination: At the end of the semester, students will be evaluated as follows: (1) turn in the third evaluation recording (see the section "Evaluation Recordings"); and (2) take a written exam.
The final written exam will take place at the time established by the University, and will be similar to (although longer than) the midterm written exam.
Daily homework: 10%
Quizzes: 20%
Second Evaluation Recording: 15%
Third Evaluation Recording: 15%
Mid-term Exam: 20%
Final exam: 20%
| A | 100–93.3 |
| A- | 93.2–90.0 |
| B+ | 89.9–86.7 |
| B | 86.6–83.3 |
| B- | 83.2–80.0 |
| C+ | 79.9–76.7 |
| C | 76.6–73.3 |
| C- | 73.2–70.0 |
| D+ | 69.9–66.7 |
| D | 66.6–63.3 |
| D- | 63.2–60.0 |
| F | 59.9–0 |
Attendance: You may miss 3 days of class for any reason. Each absence thereafter will reduce your final grade by 3.33%. If you are absent more than 8 times, you will automatically fail the class (F or WF). Please inform me as soon as you know that you will be absent, preferably by e-mail.
Participation:This class requires active participation and daily preparation. If you come to class unprepared or are unattentive, I reserve the right to count you as absent.
Cell phones: Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed, unless they have been approved beforehand by the instructor.
Daily homework: In order to prepare for class, you must read the pages and do the exercises assigned before coming to class. There is much material to cover, and you will be lost if you do not read it. The exercises assigned on the calendar must be completed in writing and will be checked at the beginning of each class.
Late work: Late work will only be accepted in the case of an excused absence (i.e., documented illness, family emergency, etc.).
Accommodations: If you require instructional accommodation through the Office of Educational Accessibility, please let me know as soon as possible, by e-mail, during office hours, or after class. For more information, see: http://studentaffairs.odu.edu/educationalaccessibility/
Honor pledge: "I pledge to support the honor system of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor system. I will report to Honor Council hearings if summoned." By attending Old Dominion University, you have accepted the responsibility to abide this code. This is an institutional policy approved by the Board of Visitors.
Unless otherwise noted, assignments are to be completed before the beginning of class on the date indicated.
| date | lectures et devoirs |
|---|---|
| lundi 10 janvier | Introduction au cours |
| mercredi 12 janvier | Chapitre 1
|
| vendredi 14 janvier | Chapitre 1
|
| lundi 17 janvier | Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday — no classes |
| mardi 18 janvier | last day to drop |
| mercredi 19 janvier | Chapitre 1
|
| vendredi 21 janvier | cours annulé pour cause de neige |
| lundi 24 janvier | Chapitre 2 – Quiz (chapitre 1)
|
| mardi 25 janvier | last day to withdraw (½ tuition refund) |
| mercredi 26 janvier | Chapitre 2
|
| vendredi 28 janvier | Chapitre 2
|
| lundi 31 janvier | Chapitre 4 — Quiz sur le 2ème chapitre!
|
| mercredi 2 février | Chapitre 4
|
| vendredi 4 février | Chapitre 4
|
| lundi 7 février | Chapitre 5 – Quiz (chapitre 4)
|
| mercredi 9 février | Chapitre 5
|
| vendredi 11 février | Chapitre 5
|
| lundi 14 février | Chapitre 6 – Quiz (chapitre 5)
|
| mercredi 16 février | Chapitre 6
|
| vendredi 18 février | Chapitre 6
|
| lundi 21 février | Chapitre 7 – Quiz (chapitre 6)
|
| mercredi 23 février | Chapitre 8
|
| vendredi 25 février | Chapitre 8
|
| lundi 28 février | Chapitre 8
|
| mercredi 2 mars | révision |
| vendredi 4 mars | Contrôle Partiel |
| lundi 7 mars | Spring Holiday — no classes |
| mercredi 9 mars | Spring Holiday — no classes |
| vendredi 11 mars | Spring Holiday — no classes |
| lundi 14 mars | Chapitre 9 |
| mercredi 16 mars | Chapitre 9
|
| vendredi 18 mars | cours annulé |
| lundi 21 mars | Pas de classe!
|
| mercredi 23 mars | Chapitre 9
|
| vendredi 25 mars | Chapitre 11 — Quiz (Chapitre 9)
|
| lundi 28 mars | Chapitre 11
|
| mercredi 30 mars | Chapitre 12
|
| vendredi 1er avril | Chapitre 12
|
| lundi 4 avril | Chapitre 13 — Quiz (Chapitres 11–12)
|
| mercredi 6 avril | Chapitre 13
|
| vendredi 8 avril | Chapitre 13
|
| lundi 11 avril | Chapitre 14
|
| mercredi 13 avril | Chapitre 14
|
| vendredi 15 avril | Chapitre 14
|
| lundi 18 avril | cours annulé |
| mercredi 20 avril | Chapitre 15 — Quiz (Chapitres 13–14)
|
| vendredi 22 avril | Chapitre 15
|
| lundi 25 avril | révision — last day to withdraw (no refund) |
| mercredi 27 avril | FINAL EXAM in our regular classroom 12:30-3:30pm! |
| vendredi 27 avril | Final Evaluation Recording Due at Midnight |