Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Conversation Through Film (Face-to-Face)

FREN 3100-01

Course: FREN 3100-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: FLPH
CRN: 12395

Course Description

This is a conversation course that utilizes film as its organizing structure. We will focus on the development of intermediate and advanced conversational fluency through the viewing and discussion of a variety of films. Pre-, during, and post-viewing activities will guide and scaffold students’ interaction with the material, thus providing opportunities to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the target language. In addition to developing linguistic abilities, we will also focus on cultural competence. The study of films from various genres, styles, countries, and historical periods will allow students the opportunity to engage in the analysis and discussion of aesthetic, historical, cultural, and socio-political topics. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): FREN 2020 or FREN 2030 or equivalent - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

I will provide handouts of the lessons and texts we read and study for this class on Canvas. Many of the films on the syllabus are on Kanopy or Avon, and some which are available on the Criterion Channel will be view together in class. Students may have to rent between 1 and 3 films to be viewed for class, but this should not cost over $15 total.
Students should have access to whatever types of dictionaries they prefer to use. My favorite is
which gives one access to Larousse, Trésor, Robert... in essence, all the dictionaries you could want to consult. 
My favorite English-French is https://www.wordreference.com/fren/

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Students of FREN 3100 will: 
-Learn and practice using the vocabulary employed to describe, discuss and analyze cinema. 
-Become more comfortable speaking French in general, and discussing abstract topics, presenting information and expressing opinions more specifically. 
-Learn about the history of French cinema and study some classics and some more recent films of various genres, including studying some of the most important filmmakers in French film history. 
-Improve listening comprehension through watching movies and participation in class discussion. 
-Refresh knowledge of some basic grammatical structures and pronunciation rules which will aid in improving verbal communication. 

Course Requirements

Grade components / Course requirements for FREN 3100:
Attendance and participation : 20 % 
Homework : 15%
Vocabulary quizzes (3) : 13%
Pop quizzes : 10%
Group presentations (2) : 10%
Individual presentations (3) : 12%
2 oral exams : 10%
Final project and presentation: 10%

Course Outline

Course Outline
Attendance and participation : As FREN 3100 is a conversation course, class time amounts to a workshop where the work of the class is done. 
If a student misses 4 class periods in the course of the semester, they will receive a zero for attendance and participation. (Day 1 of the semester is not included in this accounting.) This policy is meant to inspire success in the class, since past experience has shown that missing classes is detrimental to the student's progress and grades. 
Homework: Homework for FREN 3100 includes written exercises, short videos to be narrated in class, and prepared formal contributions to class discussion. 
Vocabulary quizzes (3) Vocabulary quizzes test students’ comprehension and/or production of vocabulary studied for the course. Quizzes will be conducted on Canvas and practice quizzes will be provided. 
Pop quizzes : Pop quizzes will ascertain if films assigned outside of class have been carefully viewed. (I drop 1 grade).
Group presentations (2) Each student will do 2 presentations in pairs. Group presentations open discussion of films we have not viewed together in class. Presentations include a slide show, 3-6 discussion questions for the class, and should emphasize 2 or more important scenes, shots or sequences chosen from the films.  
Individual presentations (3) Each student will do 3 short formal presentations, focusing on, for example, directors, actors, background information on historical and cultural topics, or leading thematic discussions of class films. Presentations include slide presentations with polished French. In the case of thematic discussions, the idea is to ask questions which inspire conversations among the students. 
2 oral interviews: Individual discussions between student and professor at midterm and the semester’s end. Topics : films we have studied for class. 
Final project and presentation: Choose two French or Francophone films we have not studied in class to view, review and present to the class. Include a slide presentation and prepare remarks about the films, 6-8 minutes, including questions which provoke discussion among the students. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Attendance and participation in class cannot be made up. Written homework will be accepted late, with a loss of 20% of points for work handed in after the due date. Homework or presentations which are to be presented in class may still be presented during the subsequent class period. 
Quizzes, pop quizzes and oral exams may be rescheduled in cases of illness or other emergencies, with prior communication with the professor. Students must be present for final project presentation, or should make arrangements to present during the final class period of the semester (in the case of unusual circumstances which prevent the student from attending during finals week). 

Attendance Policy

Attendance and participation in the class is worth 20% of the final grade. Attendance is vital because our goals are to practice speaking and exchanging ideas in French, and this cannot be done without the group. 
If a student misses 4 class periods in the course of the semester, they will receive a zero for attendance and participation. (Day 1 of the semester is not included in this accounting.) This policy is meant to inspire success in the class, since past experience has shown that missing classes is detrimental to the student's progress and grades. 

Course Fees

FREN 3100 has a course fee of $12. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.