Faculty Syllabus

Course description 

Credit Hours: 3

Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3

Laboratory Contact Hours per week: 0

Advanced French grammar, directed composition, conversation, and discussion of culture based on readings. Class conducted largely in French. Prerequisites: FREN 2311 with a grade of C or better, or equivalent. 

Course Rationale

In addition to working toward increased proficiency in the French language, this course is intended to fulfill the fourth semester of the World Languages requirement as needed for Associate Degree plans and transfer credit to four-year institutions. The number of courses required varies by discipline and institution.

Credit by Examination/High School Language Credit

If you are not sure if this course is the correct level for you, please talk to me.  You can earn college credit without taking this course by exploring all your options. You could easily be placed in the appropriate level, which could save you time and money.  You can earn credit for this course with the following:

High School AP or IB scores

Course Challenge Exams (ACCs in house exams for all languages)

The CLEP National Exam (French, German, and Spanish only)

Please be aware that there is not a financial penalty incurred for a level change at ACC. Please visit our departmental website for more information or talk to your me:  http://sites.austincc.edu/fola/credit-by-exam/

Course prerequisite 

As stated in the ACC Catalog, to be enrolled in the course, you must have credit for a college or university course equivalent to, or at a higher level than, ACC French 2311 with a grade of A, B, or C. 

High school, community / continuing education credit, conversation course credit, and previous knowledge are not acceptable substitutes for the required prerequisite. You must present proof of this credit (in the form of a copy of the appropriate transcript or grade report or an ACC printout) to your instructor by the twelfth day* of ACC classes or you will be withdrawn from this course and may risk losing any refund. 

Please note: 

1. If this is the only course for which you are registered and you are withdrawing, this may constitute a withdrawal from the institution. (See Catalog.) 

2. Any student wishing to challenge this course by examination must withdraw by the twelfth class day.* (See Catalog.) 

*This is the twelfth class day from the beginning of the semester for all ACC courses, not the twelfth day of your class. During the summer, the deadline is the fourth class day. 

Instructional methodology

In this lecture format class delivered through teleconferencing, our primary objective is to learn to communicate in French. We will read texts and study vocabulary words and grammar rules with this end in mind. We will develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The majority of class time will be conducted in French, and you will frequently participate in partner and group work. You will need to practice and learn much of the material and do readings outside of class, particularly vocabulary and grammatical structures. You should be prepared to spend a minimum of three hours outside of class for each hour in class; that is, at least 9 hours per week outside of class studying, reading, memorizing, and doing homework to prepare for class. It is best to study a little each day. If you feel you need extra help, you can find a French tutor at the Learning Labs. This service is free to ACC students. 

For this class, you need to have good Internet service with a working camera and audio, and students must have their camera on during class.

Student Technology Support

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Withdrawals 

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is April 27, 2026.  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Missed or late work 

Late quizzes are not generally allowed, but two quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. Late exams are allowed only with proof of a good reason for missing them. MindTap assignments are only accepted late with proof a good reason for needing an extension..

Incompletes 

If there is a documented extenuating circumstance after the last day to withdraw, then you may be eligible for an incomplete. The student must be in good standing and have a C or higher. The student must consult with the instructor and the final decision will be at the instructor’s discretion. 

1.      Prior to the end of the semester in which the I is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.      The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

3.      The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

4.      Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  

5.      When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy
This policy outlines the rules and expectations for the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) tools in this course. This course is designed to help students develop their language proficiency through personal effort, practice, and engagement with course materials. In order to preserve academic integrity and support authentic language acquisition, the use of GAI tools is not permitted for use in drafting, editing, translating, or completing any coursework unless specified otherwise by the instructor. All assessments—including written assignments, class exercises, quizzes, and exams—must be completed using your own original language skills. The use of GAI in these assessments constitutes academic dishonesty. Submissions will be evaluated for evidence of authentic language production, and suspicious patterns may be subject to further review. Instructors may check whether students using vocabulary and grammar beyond the level of the course understand their use.

Generative Artificial Intelligence refers to any software or application capable of producing human-like text, translations, or corrections based on prompts or inputs. This includes, but is not limited to:

• AI language models (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Bing Copilot, Gemini)
• Machine translation tools (e.g., Google Translate, DeepL, Reverso)
• Browser translation features (such as in Chrome, Safari, Firefox and others)
• AI writing assistants or rewording tools (e.g., Grammarly, QuillBot, Wordtune)

Students are expected to use their textbook, course notes and handouts, dictionaries, or other reference materials to complete assignments. 

Violation of this policy is considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in the following consequences:

• A grade of zero on the affected assignment or assessment
• A formal academic misconduct report filed with the College or university

College Policies

All College Policies must be followed in this class. Please review them by clicking on the College Policies and Student Support Services link in the menu for this class in Blackboard.

Grading

DAILY GRADES                                                     15%                      A = 90-100

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION            15%                      B = 80-89

WRITTEN EXAMS                                             30%                      C = 70-79 

ORAL EXAMS                                                      20%                      D = 60-69 

WRITTEN FINAL EXAM                                   20%                      F = below 60 

• DAILY GRADES: You will submit online homework assignments for almost every class using Google Docs.
• ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: Since this class focuses on conversation skills, you must attend class regularly. You will receive an attendance and participation grade for each class meeting. Students who are absent will receive a 0 for that day. I will drop two of these grades so you can be absent twice without penalty.

• WRITTEN EXAMS: There will be four written exams. They will test reading, writing and culture. To qualify for a make-up, you must contact the professor prior to the exam deadline and supply proof of emergency. Written exams will be conducted using the Respondus Lockdown Browser. You can download it at https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=999134577.
• ORAL EXAMS There will be two oral exams, which will be conducted on Zoom by appointment during class time, one at midterm, and one at the end of the semster.  
• WRITTEN FINAL EXAM: There will be a cumulative final exam covering the most important parts of the class. It may not be taken late or early. 

Required materials

This class requires technology access (including microphone and recording access).

French Conversation (3e) Eliane Kurbegov. McGraw-Hill, 2021, ISBN 978-1-264-25729-4

Tentative Schedule of Work

le mercredi 21 janvier  : Introduction au cours, révision, les verbes au present, la formation des questions

le lundi 26 janvier  : Révision, les articles, les pronoms compléments d’objet direct et indirect, y , en

le mercredi 28 janvier  : Révision, le passé composé et l’imparfait

le lundi 2 février  : Chapitre 1 (French conversation): Meeting people, quelques nouvelles conjugaisons de verbes irréguliers, les pronoms toniques

le mercredi 4 février  :  Chapitre 1: Le petit Nicolas : Djodjo

le lundi 9 février  : Examen 1

le mercredi 11 février  : Chapitre 2: Making conversation and making plans, la négation

le lundi 16 février  : Chapitre 2: Les actualités du jour

le mercredi 18 février  : Chapitre 3: Discussing leisure activities, les pronoms groupés

le lundi 23 février  : Chapitre 3: Des bandes dessinées

le mercredi 25 février  : Chapitre 4: Discussing current events, les adverbes, le participle présent

le lundi 2 mars: Chapitre 4: Les actualités du jour

le mercredi 4 mars  : Examen 2, Examen oral 1

le lundi 9 mars  : Chapitre 5: Watching sporting events, la voix passive, on, se

le mercredi 11 mars  : Chapitre 5: Le petit Nicolas: Le football

le lundi 23 mars  : Chapitre 6: Celebrating and having fun, le futur, le conditionnel, le discours indirect

le mercredi 25 mars  :  Chapitre 6: Les actualités du jour

le lundi 30 mars  : Chapitre 7: Accomplishments, Le plus-que-parfait, le futur antérieur, le conditionnel passé

le mercredi 1er avril  : Chapitre 7: L’homme qui plantait des arbres (Jean Giono)

le lundi 6 avril  : Examen 3

le mercredi 8 avril  : Chapitre 8: Making comparisons, les pronoms démonstratifs et interrogatifs, les adjectifs nominalisés, les adjectifs possessifs

le lundi 13 avril  : Chapitre 8: Les actualités du jour

le mercredi 15 avril  : Chapitre 9: Asking for help, les pronoms relatifs

le lundi 20 avril  : Chapitre 9: Le Petit Prince (extrait) (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

le mercredi 22 avril  : Chpitre 10, Departures, l’impératif et quelques usages du subjonctif

le lundi 27 avril  : Chapitre 10: Le Petit Prince (extrait) (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

le mercredi 29 avril  : Chapitre 11: Communicating in a remote environment, le subjonctif, le subjunctif passé

le lundi 4 mai  : Chapitre 11: Les actualités du jour

le mercredi 6 mai  : Examen 4, Examen oral 2

le lundi 11 mai  : Révision

le mercredi 13 mai  : Examen final

Learning Outcomes

General Education Student Learning Outcomes 

Students will demonstrate competence in: 

—    Critical Thinking

Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.

—    Teamwork

Consider different points of view to work collaboratively and effectively in pursuit of a shared purpose or goal.

—    Social Responsibility

Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities

.—    Personal Responsibility

Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by connecting choices, actions and consequences 

—    Communication Skills

Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Course Outcomes

The main objective of the course is to help students develop skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the French language at an intermediate level. Your ability to understand and communicate will develop along with your knowledge of the vocabulary and grammatical structures of the language.  

At the end of FREN 2312, you should be able to do the following: 

Listening:

• understand the main idea and most details when listening to a passage based largely on known material 
• understand the main topic and some details of an authentic text or one not primarily based on known material 
• comprehend questions on familiar topics 

Speaking:

• initiate and maintain a conversation 
• ask and answer questions on known topics with comprehensible grammar and pronunciation 
• ask about, talk about, and describe yourself and others, and make comparisons 
• narrate in the past 
• request or suggest that someone do something 
• perform specific communicative functions related to the theme being studied

Reading:

• use reading strategies such as cognates and context 
• read slightly more complex literary texts in French 

Writing:

• list items and activities related to a topic being studied 
• take dictation of familiar material 
• ask and answer questions on known topics with reasonably accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation 
• write documents that do the following: describe, compare, advise, convince or suggest, narrate past events 

Cultural Awareness:

• demonstrate an understanding of francophone cultures as reflected in selected literary texts and videos
• demonstrate familiarity with selected French literary texts 

Discipline-Level Learning Outcomes for French 

At the end of the fourth semester of French, students should be able to:

• demonstrate comprehension of aural instructions, aural questions, and aural passages composed of familiar materials; 
• converse on familiar topics,  
• read intermediate-level materials and brief literary texts with reasonable comprehension;
• write original compositions using correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical structures;
• demonstrate awareness of cultural connections and contrasts, of the culture of the target countries, and of sociolinguistic conventions.