French 105 is an intensive review of elementary French.  In the course, which meets five days a week and covers a year’s worth of material, students are immersed as much as possible into French language and culture.  The course is taught in the target language, and stresses communicative competence through the acquisition of high-frequency grammar and vocabulary.  The textbook, Débuts, works with a feature-length French film called Le Chemin du Retour in order to create a meaningful and culturally relevant context for the grammatical and thematic structures studied.  The film, by using visual as well as auditory cues, is able to illustrate both verbal and non-verbal French communication systems to students.  While not required, it is strongly recommended that students enroll in 1051.01 (MW 12-1), a one-credit, pass-fail practice session.

Course goals:
The main objective of this course is the continued development of the four skills (listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing).  The course is designed to prepare students for further studies in French language, literature, and culture. 

Texts:
Siskin, Williams-Gascon, Field, Débuts: An Introduction to French,   third edition.
Siskin, Williams-Gascon, Virtue, Leahy, Workbook and Laboratory Manuel, Parts I, II, - QUIA codes, found in text (or bought online).
Listening Comprehension Audio CD to accompany Débuts
French-English dictionary.
Film:  Le Chemin du Retour (to be viewed in class)

Course structure: 
There are two instructors for this class:  the MWF instructor, who will assign the final grade, which is based on 60% of her grade and 40% on the TTh instructor’s grade.  The TTh teaching assistants work more with oral participation since their class sizes are designed to be smaller; accordingly, there is one pronunciation/listening test near the end of the semester in this section.  The written midterm and final exams, however, count towards the MWF instructor’s grade.  Aside from these differences, there is no content separation between the two classes.  Material is to be reviewed from each previous class, and previewed for the following class.  In this way, a smooth continuum is ensured. 

There will be two film-viewings per chapter:  the first one to introduce the structures studied, and the second one to allow for reflection upon the cultural and thematic content witnessed during the lesson.  While use of the target language is essential and mandatory, there will be occasional room for reflection in English on the crucial cultural aspects introduced in each chapter.  Accordingly, written assessments will reflect the importance of cultural acquisition.  In order to prepare students for 201, students will be responsible for two two-page, typed compositions.  The themes of these compositions reflect those studied in class, primarily, French cinema; the Occupation; and the French Resistance.

Finally, we have chosen to use a program with a film at its center in order to stress that learning a language can be fun, interesting, and intellectually challenging – just as watching film should be.  Students will not be expected nor obliged to think like children even as their sophisticated English vocabulary is no longer of immediate relevance to them in class.  On the contrary, they are encouraged to sharpen their critical and aesthetic faculties, awareness of culture, and appreciation for an engaging, compelling story-line. We wish to all new and continuing students of French:  Amusez-vous bien!  A whole new world is awaiting you.