Description:

This course is designed to build students? speaking and listening comprehension proficiencies in French through the viewing and discussion of French and francophone films. Students will study vocabulary and grammatical structures presented in the course textbook and/or handouts and will view films and discuss them. Most topics of discussion will relate to everyday life and social situations as well as basic personal information. Students will also learn to identify and discuss the main components of a film and key cinematic techniques and concepts. 4 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify the main elements of a film and common cinematic techniques.
2. Perform a number of basic communicative functions in French (i.e. simple narration; description of persons, places and things; asking and answering questions).
3. Handle a number of everyday social situations in French (i.e. greeting, inviting, asking for help, and giving directions)
4. Use devices for handling difficult linguistic situations (i.e. paraphrase and circumlocution).
5. Discuss the French and / or francophone cultural practices observed in films and compare them with one’s own cultural practices.
6. Demonstrate comprehension of a short spoken dialogue or monologue viewed in a film.
7. Use in conversation vocabulary, expressions and grammatical structures reviewed in class.
8. Demonstrate effective group discussion techniques (i.e. listening and asking questions).

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Basic Cinema Terms in French 
   A. Identify and describe the main components of a narrative, such as
plot, setting, conflict, characterization, and theme.
   B. Identify and describe the main narrative elements used in film, such
as frame, shot, scene, and sequence. 
   C. Identify and describe the main tasks involved in the production of a
film, such as producing, directing, screenwriting, filming, acting and
editing.
   D. Identify and describe major cinematographic techniques, such as
framing, composition, camera position and motion, transitions and
lighting.  

II. Narration of a Film’s Story Line.
   A. Use the present and past tenses to recount a narrative.   
   B. Use connectors to indicate chronology of action, cause and effect,
simultaneity, etc.
   
III. Description of Characters, Places, Things and Relationships Portrayed
in Films. 
   A. Use appropriate linguistic elements (such as adjectives, relative
clauses, prepositions, comparisons) to specify and describe.  
   B. Use brief narrations to illustrate the character of persons, places,
things and relationships.

IV. Effective use of Questions in Conversations.
   A. Ask questions in the appropriate register (familiar, conversational,
formal).
   B. Demonstrate understanding of questions by responding appropriately
to them.   

V. Strategies for Managing Everyday Social Interactions in French. 
   A. Identify types of social interactions (such as greeting, inviting,
asking for help and giving directions) in selected passages from films.
   B. Identify and list communicative strategies for managing these
interactions successfully. 
   C. Use vocabulary and expressions reviewed in class to practice and
perform these interactions in brief dialogues.

VI. Strategies for Managing Difficult Linguistic Situations.
   A. Use circumlocution or paraphrases to handle unknown vocabulary.
   B. Use gestures appropriately to aid in understanding.

VII. Comparison of Foreign Cultural Practices with One’s Own Cultural
Practices. 
   A. Describe interpersonal communicative practices (verbal and
non-verbal) viewed in films that are different from one’s own.    
   B. Describe ways of life, attitudes and beliefs (such as those
involving family, friendship, work, leisure, food, housing, etc.) viewed
in films that are different from one’s own. 
   C. Use expressions reviewed in class for making comparisons.
   D. Use expressions reviewed in class for stating opinions.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

50% of grade - Oral presentations and participation in group
discussions  
25% of grade - Midterm exam       
25% of grade - Final exam        
100% - Total        

Grade Criteria:
  A = 90 – 100%    
  B = 80 –  89%  
  C = 70 –  79%  
  D = 60 -  69%  
  F =  0 –  59%    

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.