Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Composition and Discussion (Face-to-Face)

FREN 3220-01

Course: FREN 3220-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Languages and Philosophy
CRN: 33330

Course Description


This course will focus on three of the foundational skills of language learning: reading, speaking and grammar.
A grammar handbook will provide a review of key grammar structures to keep in mind when speaking and writing in French. 
Students will prepare and deliver short individual presentations. The class will prepare and participate in whole class discussions and debates. 
Guided by the writing process which includes brainstorming, drafts and peer editing, students will produce 3 written projects.
Informal weekly journal writing will give students a chance to explore course topics in less formal, less structured writing. 

Class themes includes education and career paths & preparation. Examples of these topics will be explored: a debate of the pros and cons of humanities educations, comparing educational systems of selected countries, comparing le bac with American high school, exploring personal learning styles, analyzing career paths forward, and preparing a statement of purpose. 

(Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded Letter] Prerequisite(s): FREN 2020 or equivalent - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

Contextualized French Grammar: A Handbook
by Stacey Katz Bourns | 1st Edition | Copyright 2013

This book will be available in this Canvas course under Inclusive Access Course materials. 

From the bookstore regarding this For CONTEXTUALIZED FRENCH GRAMMAR, we have decided to utilize the Inclusive Access program at the school so that you are able to get the book digitally though your canvas page on the first day of class. There will be a charge for $64.40 that will be added to your student account which you will need to pay if you want to use the digital book. If you don't want to use the digital book and want to have physical copy you are able to opt out and a refund will be posted back on your student account. If you have questions this link should be able to help answer them. 

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes for students of FREN 3220, who will endeavor to acquire:
  • a deeper understanding of French grammar and improved ability to put this knowledge into practice when speaking and writing.
  • honed skills related to information gathering from both personal interviews and other resources (books, articles and websites) on course topics, in preparation for presentations and discussions.. 
  • improved speaking in presentational and interpersonal modes, and more ease in participation in class discussions of themes such as language in career paths, career choices generally, learning styles, and comparing educational systems.
  • improved writing in French, including such professional-oriented tasks as composing a statement of purpose for grad school or next steps after college; and transcribing and summarizing answers to interview questions asked of possible mentors or people in fields related to the students' future plans. 
  • (optional) submission of proposals to participate in the Festival of Excellence, on a panel sharing our findings from the class discussions and personal career/educational exploration. 
  • stronger cooperative learning skills and peer teaching and learning habits. 

Course Requirements

Grammar quizzes (3) 20%
Attendance & Participation 20%
Presentations (3) 10%
Participation in class discussions (3) 20%
Writing Projects (3) 20%
Journal de la semaine (10) 10%

Course Outline


Grammar quizzes (3) :
Grammar quizzes wil tests students knowledge of the basics of grammar topics we review this semester. 
Active Participation in class: Students should remain engaged in all class activities and discussions, and speak French except when a question in English is absolutely necessary. Students should consider themselves part of a learning community wherein helping one another and a supportive cooperative atmosphere are class values. Six absences will result in a zero for this portion of the final grade. 
Presentations (3) : Students will prepare and deliver 3 short presentations on topics related to course themes (examples: how they learn (write, study, etc.) best; possible future career paths with motivations/reasons; reporting on an interview of an international SUU student about their impressions of the American system in comparison of their own).  
Discussions (3) : The class as a whole will parse out which aspects of 3 debate/discussion topics we should research and explore. Each student will have specific aspects of a topic to research and present. 
Writing Projects (3) Students will do research on and prepare to write three travaux écrits (written short papers) on various topics related to course themes. 1. A summary of answers to 3 questions asked of a mentor or person in a field of interest to the student. 2. A story of the student's personal educational journey, which may focus on an inspiring educator from their past, experiences which lead to this moment in their college career, students' experinces with artificial intelligence, etc. 3. A statement of purpose of the type needed for graduate school application, TAPIF applications etc. 
Journal de la semaine (10) ten times during the 13-week semester, students will hand in a 5 sentence (education- or career path-themed) journal recounting that week's experiences as related to our course topics. 

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

Students should be present for Discussion days and In-Class Writing days. See calendar for dates. If other work is missed, please email to reschedule leahy@suu.edu

Attendance Policy

Active Participation in class = 20% of final grade.
Students should remain engaged in all class activities and discussions, and speak French except when a question in English is absolutely necessary. Students should consider themselves part of a learning community wherein helping one another and a supportive cooperative atmosphere are class values. Six absences will result in a zero for this portion of the final grade. 

Course Fees

3 Credit(s) | $18 Fee

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.