Course outline:
Attendance and participation : Students should come to class having read (literary texts) or viewed (cinematic texts) assigned material and be ready to actively participate fully in all class activities. To overcome fear of speaking up in class, it can help to prepare a few comments ahead of time and jump in early and often, which builds confidence.
Homework : Students can expect one to two hours of homework per class period (on an average, perhaps less for Thursday and more for Tuesday considering time in between classes.) Homework will include readings or film viewing with guiding questions to answer in writing.
Reading quizzes : Occasional reading or viewing quizzes will verify students have prepared the day’s work.
Creative auto portraits: Self-portraits (written, video or pictures to be narrated in class) will allow the class to practice speaking in the presentational mode.
Individual presentations (2): Each student will do 2 five-minute presentations, one about an author or artist we are studying in class—their biography in brief—and one sharing some ideas and discussion questions about a work we are studying in class. Both should include a slide show. The first type is presenting material; the second is to generate discussion.
2 exams: There will be a midterm and a final exam (not comprehensive, just covering the second half of the semester). These will assess knowledge of vocabulary we use to discuss the various genres of memoirs we have studied, authors and artists and their works, and important themes the works explore.
Final creative project and presentation: The final creative project is an assemblage of works (text, video, captioned photos, etc.) the creation of which allows you to explore aspects of your own self and/or life using French. The project includes a short presentation of some part of the final project shared in class during the final week of classes.
2 short essays : Students will write two short essays exploring themes or style of works we study in class. Rubrics and a choice of specific topics will be provided.