Students

FRN 250 – Reading in French

2017 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer /Convenor
Lyse Thomas
To be advised
To be advised
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
FRN226
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In this reading unit a number texts will be studied, taking into account their historical and cultural contexts. The unit is strongly recommended for students who are working towards a major in French Studies, as it will help them develop their reading skills while, at the same time, building up their vocabulary and introducing them to important aspects of French culture and society. Assessment will be by coursework.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.
  • To acquire an awareness of the global expanse of the French-speaking world that includes an understanding of the historical timeline of French colonization and decolonization, as well as political debates in postcolonial writing in French
  • To gain an appreciation of the historical, political, cultural and linguistic issues faced by Francophone writers of Maghrebian, African, Southeast Asian and Pacific origin
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

General Assessment Information

Grading standards (such as rubrics) and indicative examples of tasks are provided in the iLearn unit. 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENT POLICY ON LATE WORK

All assignments and assessments are compulsory and must be handed in or sat on time. Students unable to meet due dates must apply for a Disruption to Studies via ask.mq.edu.au. As a general rule, extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). An extension will be granted by the Unit convenor when an application for a Disruption to Studies is received and approved.

Late submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the task is late. Students who have an extension approved will not receive any penalties. No late work will be accepted after assignments and assessments have been corrected and feedback has been provided. Tasks handed in early will be marked and returned with those submitted on the due date.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture 15% No Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
Textual analysis 40% No Week 6, 8
Plan of literary essay 15% No Week 10
Literary essay 30% No End of week 13

Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture

Due: Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
Weighting: 15%

Students will bring to class every two weeks a short draft piece of writing in French (200 words) analysing the text studied the previous week. This will be peer-reviewed in the lesson by classmates and used to commence a group literary analysis of the text in question. 

Each of these homework assignments is worth 3% of the Unit total. To gain these marks, students must bring the draft textual analysis to class the required week (being absent is not an acceptable excuse).

Concerning late submissions, see below in 'General Assessment Information.'

An indicative example is found in ILearn under 'Assessments'


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.
  • To acquire an awareness of the global expanse of the French-speaking world that includes an understanding of the historical timeline of French colonization and decolonization, as well as political debates in postcolonial writing in French
  • To gain an appreciation of the historical, political, cultural and linguistic issues faced by Francophone writers of Maghrebian, African, Southeast Asian and Pacific origin
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Textual analysis

Due: Week 6, 8
Weighting: 40%

To use language, skills and methods taught in the course to write 2 literary analyses in French of one short text that has been studied in class in the preceding weeks. The textual analysis worth 20% of the Unit total must take account of social, political and historical discourses affecting the text as well as genre, style, figures of speech and applicable literary theories.

Both internal and external students will submit their textual analysis via Turnitin.

Concerning late submission please see below in 'General Assessment Information' 

An indicative and a marking rubric example is found in ILearn under 'Assessments'


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire an awareness of the global expanse of the French-speaking world that includes an understanding of the historical timeline of French colonization and decolonization, as well as political debates in postcolonial writing in French
  • To gain an appreciation of the historical, political, cultural and linguistic issues faced by Francophone writers of Maghrebian, African, Southeast Asian and Pacific origin
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Plan of literary essay

Due: Week 10
Weighting: 15%

Students must submit a detailed plan of the literary essay due in week 13.

They must follow the dialectic plan provided by the lecturer in class to plan out a convincing, structured argument that reveals some original insights.

The marked essay plans will be returned to students by week 11 to enable students to write their essays.

Internal and external students will submit their plan via Turnitin by the due date.

Concerning late submission please see below in 'General Assessment Information' 

An indicative and a marking rubric example is found in ILearn under 'Assessments'


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Literary essay

Due: End of week 13
Weighting: 30%

The students will write a literary essay in the dialectic form, which will be taught in the unit.

Students will choose one essay topic from those provided which can be applied to any one of the texts studied. They will work off the plan submitted earlier for appraisal, showing greater understanding of the topic by clearly responding to feedback on their essay plan.

The essay must take account of social, political and historical discourses affecting the text as well as genre, style, figures of speech and applicable literary theory.

Students will aim to bring some personal, original insight to their work: as well as including material provided  in the course, they will strive to go beyond subject matter discussed in class by submitting a bibliography of secondary sources in addition to the course readings provided on ilearn.

Both internal and external students will submit their essays via Turnitin.

Concerning late submission please see below in 'General Assessment Information' 

An indicative and a marking rubric example is found in ILearn under 'Assessments'

 

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.
  • To acquire an awareness of the global expanse of the French-speaking world that includes an understanding of the historical timeline of French colonization and decolonization, as well as political debates in postcolonial writing in French
  • To gain an appreciation of the historical, political, cultural and linguistic issues faced by Francophone writers of Maghrebian, African, Southeast Asian and Pacific origin
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Delivery and Resources

Learning and Teaching Strategy

To achieve the learning outcomes associated with this unit, students will be required to engage with a wide range of 20th and 21st century French texts including short stories, poetry, drama, essays and novel extracts. Each genre will be represented by one text and will be taught over the period of two weeks. Students will be expected to familiarise themselves with the readings prior to each class. There will be scope for teamwork in class discussion. Assessment will be based on participation in bi-weekly in-class peer-review activities, textual analyses, an essay plan and a literary essay in French.

Classes

Each weekly class consists of one block of 2 hours. For more information and for the latest updates on times and the venue, see the official University timetable on https://timetables.mq.edu.au. Classes start at five minutes past the hour and students are encouraged to maximise their learning by coming to as many classes as possible.

External students will be expected to listen to the lecture recordings available after each class and will be able to interact with each other through online discussion forums, which make up the participation component of assessment.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

There is no one set text. The unit materials consist of a series of primary literary texts made available online. Related secondary texts, as well as other resources will also be available via iLearn. These will remain accessible at all times, for the entire duration of the session.

Technologies Used and Required

You will need to have regular computer and internet access to gain access to the teaching materials on iLearn.

IT and iLearn assistance is available via the iLearn login page or by clicking on the words "Help me" under the iLearn logo at the top right hand side of every iLearn window.

Please note that replies to e-mails will be automatically directed to the account they were sent from. All new threads will be sent to your University account. You are encouraged to use the University account and are advised to check it regularly for announcements from the course convenor.

Unit Schedule

Please refer to the iLearn materials, which closely reflect the unit schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Please note that HD (High Distinction) or D (Distinction) are by no means standard marks but are given for outstanding work only. Students who fulfil the unit in a satisfactory but expected manner will usually get a high Pass or a Credit.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Campus Health and Wellbeing : http://students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent

Assessment tasks

  • Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture
  • Textual analysis
  • Literary essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • To acquire an awareness of the global expanse of the French-speaking world that includes an understanding of the historical timeline of French colonization and decolonization, as well as political debates in postcolonial writing in French
  • To gain an appreciation of the historical, political, cultural and linguistic issues faced by Francophone writers of Maghrebian, African, Southeast Asian and Pacific origin
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Assessment tasks

  • Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture
  • Textual analysis
  • Plan of literary essay
  • Literary essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.
  • To gain an appreciation of the historical, political, cultural and linguistic issues faced by Francophone writers of Maghrebian, African, Southeast Asian and Pacific origin
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Assessment tasks

  • Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture
  • Textual analysis
  • Plan of literary essay
  • Literary essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.
  • To gain an appreciation of the historical, political, cultural and linguistic issues faced by Francophone writers of Maghrebian, African, Southeast Asian and Pacific origin
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Assessment tasks

  • Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture
  • Textual analysis
  • Plan of literary essay
  • Literary essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.

Assessment tasks

  • Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture
  • Textual analysis
  • Plan of literary essay
  • Literary essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Assessment tasks

  • Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture
  • Textual analysis
  • Plan of literary essay
  • Literary essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • To become well acquainted with key literary Francophone texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, understanding the periods in which they were written, the social and political discourses that they draw upon, the literary theories that may be applied to them and the different literary genres they represent
  • To develop the interpretative skills to write a textual analysis in French, which displays an awareness of genre, literary style, figures of speech and related literary theories
  • To acquire the linguistic and writing skills in French to compose a dialectic literary essay at the end of the unit.
  • To acquire an awareness of the global expanse of the French-speaking world that includes an understanding of the historical timeline of French colonization and decolonization, as well as political debates in postcolonial writing in French
  • To gain an appreciation of the historical, political, cultural and linguistic issues faced by Francophone writers of Maghrebian, African, Southeast Asian and Pacific origin
  • To develop strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to write a formal structured argument in French

Assessment tasks

  • Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture
  • Textual analysis
  • Plan of literary essay
  • Literary essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • To acquire an awareness of the global expanse of the French-speaking world that includes an understanding of the historical timeline of French colonization and decolonization, as well as political debates in postcolonial writing in French

Assessment tasks

  • Devoirs: Atelier d'écriture
  • Textual analysis
  • Literary essay

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Online Unit

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For students attending classes on campus we strongly encourage that you bring along your own laptop computer, ready to work with activities in your online unit. The preferred operating system is Windows 10.

Students are required to access the online unit in iLearn by the end of Week 1 and follow any relevant instructions and links for downloads that may be required. If applicable, students are required to download the relevant language package prior to Week 2.

Please contact your course convenor before the end of Week 1 if you do not have a suitable laptop (or tablet) for in-class use.

 

Changes since First Published

Date Description
29/06/2017 New section on technology requirements required by INST department.
19/05/2017 Change for new convenor
19/05/2017 Changes for new convenor session 2 2017