French Literature and Film: Patricia Quierzy-Rossoukh

Course Overview:

French Literature and Film

Books to buy:

Novels:
Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt: Monsieur Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran
Camus, Albert : L’étranger

Readers :
Introduction à l’examen de AP (Mme Knudsen)
Recueil de textes (Patricia Rossoukh)

Textbook :
Phil Turk and Genevieve Garcia Vandaele: Nouvelle Grammaire Communicative: A Communicative Grammar Worktext with Written and Oral Practices

Course description:
In this course we will study classic and contemporary works of literature and their screen adaptations where feasible. This seminar aims at developing literary and film analysis skills. Students must be actively engaged in class discussions and projects springing from our readings and class activities. In the spring, students will have a final project. For this, they will read a novel of their choice, watch a screen adaptation, and write a paper comparing the two works. Students will then present their work to the class by reading excerpts of the novel and analyzing a particular scene or sequence of the film.
This course is also designed to prepare students for the AP French Language exam. We will practice in all the different sections of the exam using a reader made up of AP materials compiled by Mme Knudsen. Students who have already taken the AP exam will work on independent projects during the AP preparation section of the class.
Additionally, throughout the year, we will review key grammatical aspects of the language using the: Nouvelle Grammaire Communicative (A Communicative Grammar Worktext with Written and Oral Practice) (see “books to buy”)

Student Assessment:
Students will be evaluated according to their engagement in the subject matter and course activities, and their year-long progress as measured by their performance on creative projects, compositions, tests, the January final exam and the spring AP preparation. The class is an advanced French class and ALL students are expected to participate in ALL class discussions. Participation will be graded. The class will be conducted entirely in French. The course grade will be determined as follows:

Participation, homework, daily preparation and quizzes: 40%
Semester project: 10%
4 essays (2 in class, 2 take home): 20%
4 tests and the January final exam/Spring AP prep: 30%

The tests will assess language skills in all areas. The final exam is equivalent to 2 tests and does not exceed 10% of the total grade. The course material is cumulative and must be reviewed regularly.

SENIOR OPTION: During the Fall semester, seniors may be excused from one of the essays (done in class or at home) or one of the tests. Requests must be made at least two days before the date of the test or the due date of the essay. If students opt not to use the Senior Option, their lowest grade will be omitted from their semester average.

Class etiquette:
You are expected to follow the rules of appropriate language class behavior, namely:
-Adhering to the “French only” policy in the classroom.
-Starting class ON TIME on a daily basis. Four late shows within a given grading period will result in detention.
-No eating (except for special occasions), chewing gum, drinking (except for water), and snoozing!
-Attending class regularly. Absences must be excused; in case of an excused absence you have the number of days absent to hand in assigned work or take tests. Medical/dental appointments should occur only on an exceptional basis.
-Turning in all work on time as assigned. If you foresee a problem turning in an assignment, you must talk to the teacher before the due date. Furthermore, “work missed through cutting may not be made up and will be marked as zero” (see student handbook)
-Acting in good faith and with integrity by turning in personal work and giving credit where credit is due: cheating and plagiarism and their consequences are described in the CPS handbook and will be handled according to those guidelines.
-Doing and being the best you can by being respectful toward others and by contributing maximally to a positive learning environment.
-Seeking help as needed both inside and outside of class.

Language Department Policy regarding cheating and plagiarism:
The Foreign language Department will not tolerate cheating and/or plagiarism of any kind. The CPS handbook clearly explains the definition of these terms. Forms of cheating and plagiarism specific to the learning of a foreign language (i.e. including but not limited to the use of translation programs, the copying of grammar, vocabulary and translation exercises from any textual or virtual source, etc…) are included. Any assignment deemed to have been plagiarized will need to be rewritten. Standard grading, but with a cap of 70%, will apply to the rewrite. If the assignment is not redone, the student will receive and incomplete in the course. A repeat offence will receive a zero. All infractions are reported to the Dean of Students.

Finally, I am available for help during school hours (my free periods are posted on the schedule on the language office door) so feel free to come by and see me with questions related to our class.

Other Class Resources:

Assignments

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Class Resources

Notes, slide shows, handouts, and other useful items.

Useful Links

A collection of web links relevant to this class.

Student Work

Examples of student work prepared for this course.