French Studies

School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Student HandbookGuidelines and regulations for final year students of French

2018-19

FINAL YEAR

IMPORTANT: It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the contents of the Handbook and to comply with all the regulations, deadlines etc. which it contains. The Handbook complements information on individual modules which are more fully documented on the Moodle pages. It is also important to consult the module descriptors on the University Website (for current students) as the descriptors contain regulations and essential information on course assessment and delivery.

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French Studies

Student Handbook

Final Year 2018-19

Table of Contents

Members of Staff change names of staff members 3

General Information, overview of modules, and regulations 4

FR301 & FR321A Langue écrite et orale Required modulesFR336 Translation English to French semester 2 (elective)Please see A4 Language Workbook on sale in the French Studies Office.

*All course outlines and course material for the electives FR318 / FR313A / FR319 / FR333 / FR308 / FR328A / FR336 / FR337 are available on the relevant Moodle pages.

Students must consult these pages when studying these modules.

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French Studies

Members of Staff 2018-2019

Office Number

Professor Arnd Witte Head of School 31

Dr Francesca Counihan Lecturer 50

Dr Simona Cutcan Second Year Coordinator 32International Coordinator

(Dr Ó Ciosáin is on sabbatical leave Semester 1)

Ms Sandrine Fargeat-Kells Tutor 63

Mr Peadar Kearney Tutor 63

Ms Deirdre Marshall Executive Assistant 37

Ms Brigitte McNeely French Tutor 54

Dr Éamon Ó Ciosáin Second Year Coordinator 32International Coordinator(Semester 2)

Dr Julie Rodgers First Year Coordinator 28

Ms Marion Pelissier Lectrice 63

Dr Kathleen Shields Final Year Coordinator 65Mature students’ Coordinator

Professor Ruth Whelan Professor 29Postgraduate Coordinator

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General Information

Welcome to your final year in FrenchThis booklet contains essential information for French in Final Year. Your tutors and lecturers are also there to answer questions relating to their own courses that might not be answered here. More detailed information on courses is also available on Moodle. Information about assessment, attendance policy and required modules is also available at each module descriptor on the University website (see ‘For current students’> ‘Course Finder’).

Student representatives and staff student meetingsEach year elects representatives (preferably two) to act as spokespeople for their year should any issues arise of concern to students. There is at least one staff-student meeting per semester where student representatives and teaching staff meet. Additional meetings can be arranged as issues arise and the representatives are also welcome to contact the final year co-ordinator.

French societyIt is a good idea to participate actively in this society – it is a chance to broaden your involvement with the language and culture in an extra-curricular way. It is helpful when final year students who have been abroad themselves can offer advice and support to the committee of the society.

Time in France We advise students to spend as much time as possible in a French-speaking country in the course of their studies. This proves very beneficial to students in terms of their individual performance, their general linguistic ability and their cultural knowledge. In final year it is good to spend some more time in France, for example during vacations.

The Department requires students of French to have spent at least three months in France or another French-speaking country in the course of their studies, although not necessarily all at the same time.

Details of proof of your stay in France should be notified to the Secretary on your return or at the beginning of the academic year. These details will be entered on student records. Your degree transcript will indicate the amount of time you have spent in a French-speaking country as part of your degree programme, provided that the period spent is three or more months.

Students are required to submit the Residence Abroad Log upon their return from their year abroad or the completion of the three-month residence and in any case no later than the 1st of November of their final year at Maynooth University. The following documentation needs to be attached to the Residence Abroad Log:

(a) Erasmus / SocratesConfirmation that the year has been successfully completed will normally be provided by the International Office directly to the Year Abroad Coordinator in the relevant subject.

(b) Teaching Assistantship / Placements

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Students have to produce as evidence of the Teaching Assistantship an attestation completed and signed by the Principal / Deputy Principal of their host school or a similar attestation from their placement. Students doing the Assistantship for the BA International also have to submit a 1500-word report in the target language on their English Teaching Assistantship (containing descriptions of activities, experience gathered, teaching methods learned, comments on teaching materials used, lesson plans, etc.). A similar report must be submitted by those who are on placement as part of their BA International.

(c) Three-Months ResidenceStudents who have been granted permission to avail of the three-month residence are required to submit evidence of their stay abroad (air tickets, formal/informal confirmation by their employer, etc.) and a covering letter in the target language of approximately 200 words on their activities during their stay abroad. The form should also include details on how you have improved your French to a level commensurate with Final Year standards.

Special Requirement for Recognition to Teach French: To allow students to teach French at post-primary level in Ireland, The Teaching Council requires residential experience of at least two months in France or another country where French is the vernacular. Documentary evidence of this will be required by The Teaching Council. From December 2017 The Department of Education and the Teaching Council also require that students applying for PME degrees to teach French should have a level of at least B2.2 on the Common European Framework for Languages CEFR www.teachingcouncil.ie

Language Assistantships Final year students can apply for a one-year post as an English language assistant in a French secondary school; this enables them to spend a year in France after they graduate. This is an opportunity to gain experience in teaching (useful for teaching career or for any cv), or at the least, to see whether one likes teaching or not. It is also a chance to immerse oneself in French life and language, and to learn about the French education system while in paid employment.

Lecteur/Lectrice PostFinal year students are invited to apply for the position as Lecteur/Lectrice in Toulouse University, which is filled by the department as part of a long-standing exchange with Toulouse-Le Mirail. The post is usually advertised shortly after Christmas. Applications consist of a CV (in French) and covering letter setting out your suitability for the position and your reasons for applying (also to be written in French).

Requried small group language modules (FR301, FR321A) Students should note that attendance at all three language hours is obligatory: conversation, grammar for writing and writing skills. (NB Every student should attend three small group module hours p/w), and is a major part of the year’s work. Attendance is monitored at every class. Final year students have two hours of written language per week and one hour of oral work (conversation and language laboratory). Regular attendance at these small group modules is required to develop your ability to write and speak French, and to develop aural and written comprehension skills. See Module descriptors on University website.

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Students are required to submit a minimum of six written language exercises per term in the first and second semesters on their tutor’s instructions, but they are advised to submit all exercises required by their tutor as language learning is a process that requires constant practice. The average of the six best marks is used to calculate the grade for written work (whether in translation or Expression écrite) for the semester. Continuous assessment counts for 20% of the module mark. Classwork and continuous assessment prepare you for your examinations and it is therefore vital to participate in classes and submit exercises (see below).

Oral classesWeekly oral language classes are held, alternating conversation and laboratory work, to help students prepare for modular oral exams.

Attendance Attendance for all modules is monitored every week. If attendance falls below 70% of session hours, the mark will be capped at 35% for the module. This module condition will not be applied to repeat examinations. Absence owing to medical or other compelling reasons is not penalised. The reason must be established in writing prior to, or immediately (i.e. not more than two working days) after the missed class and evidence provided (normally such evidence would be a medical certificate).

Oral Examination (part of FR301 and FR321A)The oral examinations will take the following form:The springboard for the oral is a topic prepared by the student for a spontaneous discussion of 3-4 minutes duration about the topic, followed by more general conversation. There will be two examiners. The oral is primarily a language test. At the end of semester one (FR301) students choose the oral topic from among those studied in conversation class during the semester, choosing 5 subjects to start the conversation, with the examiners then selecting one of these to discuss. At the end of semester two (FR321A) the oral topic is chosen by the student, with the approval of the final year coordinator. This topic must not be covered in their other module studies. The student may choose any subject provided that it relates to a French or Francophone cultural, political, or social subject but could include time spent in France, articles they have read or seen on the internet which have inspired them or finding their own article or cartoon. The topic is approved by the final year co-ordinator some weeks before the oral (see below).

Students will register the topic selected for the oral discussion on a signed form to be submitted to the French Studies Office. The topic will have five aspects and one of these will be chosen by the examiners at the time of the examination (as per semester 1); the Topic must be approved by the final year co-ordinator. Further information on the deadlines for submission of oral topic will be made available on the Moodle pages of FR301 and FR321A.

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Essays1. Essays are set on subjects related to the lecture modules. They should be written

legibly, in double-line spacing, leaving wide margins to facilitate correction. They must be logged by the executive assistant, by the date indicated. In the case of late submission, where the student has not produced proof of reasonable cause for delay 5% per day will be deducted.

2. Essays should be between 1500 and 1700 words in length or as specified by the lecturer.

3. The general assessment criteria for each module are outlined in the module descriptors and more specific details will be provided by the staff member concerned.

Continuous AssessmentClass work for Langue écrite et orale and continuous assessment in the content modules constitutes continuous assessment for final year. These assignments are worth 20% of the total mark for the year. Further information on the breakdown of continuous assessment is available on Moodle. PrizesBased on examination results, students are eligible for the following prizes:

French Government Medal for best student at BA levelNUI Prize for best student at BA level

Prix Lombard for best long essay in Final YearLibraryDictionaries and general bibliographies are in the Reference Section of the Library. Grammar books and more specialized dictionaries are on the Second Floor of the Library, in the Linguistics Section (Library codes 440 to 449). Works of French literature and literary criticism are also located on this floor, in the French Section, Library codes from 840 to 848. Books on French history and society are located in the History section (codes 944) and the Sociology section. Books in all sections can be localised by using the on-line Library catalogue, on the Ground Floor or on either of the other two floors.

Periodicals (magazines, newspapers, and French literary periodicals) are on the First Floor (level 2) and may be consulted in open access, by browsing the shelves, or traced by using the online catalogue. Many new periodicals and books are now available online through the electronic databases in the library catalogue.

Student RecordsThese records (of continuous assessment marks, examination results, etc.) are kept by the French office to help us monitor your progress. All attendance in small groups and at lecture is recorded by the department. These records are referred to at departmental exam boards and are useful for staff writing references for you.

French Notice Boards and Moodle notices and forumsStudents are advised to consult these on a daily basis. Noticeboards are in the corridor outside the School of Languages secretarial offices. There is also an online noticeboard on Moodle, and notices are also posted on the departmental website. These carry important information such as dates of continuous assessment, deadlines for essays, possible

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opportunities for employment or stays abroad and information on scholarships and posts abroad as Language Assistants or Lecteur/Lectrice. It is the responsibility of the student to acquire information on such matters.

Policy on use of sources in essay-writing and presentations:Quotations/Borrowings: ReferencesWhenever you use material from a book or other source, you must give references saying who wrote (or said) it and where you found it. If you do not do so, you are stealing another person’s work and passing it off as your own. This is plagiarism. Even if you change the wording or give a summary of the ideas, you still need to give credit to the person who originally formulated them.

Plagiarism is the passing off of another person’s writing or ideas as your own.

Good practices: Marking direct quotes with quotation marks and a footnote Footnoting paraphrased or re-worded points from a source, exactly as you would a

direct quote, to give credit for the idea Crediting authors who have inspired you, and whose work you have cited, in the

bibliography Placing the footnote properly, to show exactly where the idea ends Documenting interviews in the same way as a speech or a recital Crediting internet sources in the same way as journal or newspaper articles and

photographs.

Unacceptable practices: Out and out copying Paraphrasing or translating a text without attribution (simply re-wording is not enough) Failing to attribute a quotation Misquoting Mixing the author’s words with one’s own words, without attribution Footnoting a whole paragraph with no indication of what came from whom or where Failing to document interviews Downloading documents from the Web, altering the language or date, then submitting it

with a research paper as supporting material.Out and out copying will get a zero mark. The other practices mentioned above will be penalised accordingly. The following is an extract from the University policy:-

Please read the policy online at: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/assets/document/Plagiarism%20May%202014_0.pdf

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Plagiarism involves an attempt to use an element of another person’s work, without appropriate acknowledgement in order to gain academic credit. It may include the unacknowledged verbatim reproduction of material, unsanctioned collusion, but is not limited to these matters; it may also include the unacknowledged adoption of an argumentative structure, or the unacknowledged use of a source or of research materials, including computer code or elements of mathematical formulae in an inappropriate manner.

Internet Use at University The internet can be a very useful secondary resource, provided it is used carefully. At university and after you have graduated the internet should be a support tool, rather than a primary resource.

Not all information found on the internet is of the same value and quality. Some has been carefully vetted by experts in the field. Some is downright wrong or simply opinion. Good electronic resources can be found in the electronic databases of NUIM library (e.g. JSTOR, ACADEMIC SEARCH PREMIER) and accessed on and off campus. These include scholarly journals like French Studies, French History, French Colonial History, French Cultural Studies, etc. Another good resource are the online versions of French print media, e.g. lemonde.fr, figaro.fr, lexpress.fr, euronews.net. The department encourages you to use these resources.

At the other end of the spectrum there are user-generated sites which are created by private individuals. The information and opinions on these sites does not go through any editorial process, which means that an individual who creates a site can write whatever s/he wishes. No matter how “professional” a site looks, you cannot trust the content unless you are sure that it has been subjected to a rigorous editorial process. Also, much of this information is then copied and reproduced on other websites and blogs by other internet users, with the result that the same (often inaccurate) information can appear on several sites, thereby giving it an aura of accuracy and authenticity. The department discourages use of such sites.

In between these two poles lies a vast array of user-generated material that attempts to bring a more democratic version of the editorial values of printed publications, e.g., wikipedia.org. and wikipedia.fr. The danger with such sites is that they are user-generated and, as a consequence, the content cannot be fully trusted. They are sometimes useful if you need to have a general idea about a particular concept or well-known individual (for example, what is a historian talking about when she mentions “les Trente Glorieuses”?; when a French journalist refers to “BHL” or the FLN, who is he talking about?). Such sites should never be used as the main source of information for university work, no matter how comprehensive they appear to be. Remember, your reader, the lecturer, is interested in your ideas, and how you produce your own arguments and engage with the arguments of others. The university policy on plagiarism applies to all media, including electronic media.

Finally, free translation software on the internet or mobile phone ‘dictionaries’ should never be used for translations at university. For one thing, to use these tools unacknowledged is a form of plagiarism, and also, such software produces terrible translations.

Email policy and guidelines – the School policy on emails is published on Moodle

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ModulesLanguage Modules

REQUIRED FR301 (5 credits) and FR321A (5 credits)

Students must register for three hours of tutorials weekly. Langue écrite and Langue orale with the French Office.

NOTE: FR301 and FR321A are compulsory courses and required modules.

FR301: Oral, Grammar for writing and Rédaction - a minimum mark of 40% must be achieved on both the oral and written components of the examination in order to pass.FR321A: Oral, Grammar for writing and Rédaction - a minimum mark of 40% must be achieved in both the oral and written components of the examination in order to pass.

BA International Finance and Economics and European Studies: Students on these programmes take a minimum of 20 credits in French.

ELECTIVES Optional ModulesSemester 1: FR318, FR313A, FR319, FR333(Choose two)Semester 2: FR308, FR328A, FR336, FR337(Choose two)

CreditsCourses undertaken in each semester carry fifteen credits. The year’s work is, therefore, the equivalent of thirty credits.

Semester 1

FR301 (Compulsory and required language module) 5 credits

FR318 France under the Occupation 5 credits

FR313 Long essay (self-directed research project) 5 credits

FR333 Advanced translation skills – translating from French to English

5 Credits

FR319 Le nouveau roman 5 Credits

Choose TWO from FR318, FR313, FR333, FR319(a maximum number of 20 students can enrol on some of these modules. Please check with department or on module descriptor.)

Total: 15 credits

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Semester 2

FR321A (Compulsory and required language module) 5 credits

FR308 Breton 5 credits

FR336 Translation from English to French 5 credits

FR337 Beauvoir et après? Les écritures féminines au XXe et XXIe siècles

5 credits

FR328A La Fontaine and La Bruyère 5 credits

Choose TWO from FR308, FR328A, FR336 and FR337 (a maximum number of 20 students can enrol on some of these modules. Please check with department or on module descriptor.)

Total: 15 creditsTotal for Year’s Work: 30 Credits

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AssessmentSemester 1

FR301 Grammar for writing and Rédaction: 2 hour exam (50%) 5 creditsOral exam week 11 (30%)Continuous assessment (20%)

For the elective modules please check the module descriptors at the ‘For current students’ part of the university website. You can also check with the module coordinator.

Total Semester 1: 15 credits

Semester 2

FR321A Grammar for writing and Rédaction: 2 hour exam (50%) 5 creditsOral (30%)

Continuous assessment (20%)

For the elective modules please check the module descriptors at the ‘For current students’ part of the university website. You can also check with the module coordinator.

Total Semester 2: 15 credits

Total for Year’s Work: 30 credits

NOTE: No candidate will be permitted to pass any University Examination in French who does not satisfy the Examiners in Language. A satisfactory mark is a mark no lower than 40%. See online Module descriptors on University website at ‘Current Student’> ‘Course Finder’.

Please note that failure to attend the FR301 oral Examination or the FR321A oral examination will result in a technical fail being obtained for the module. This also applies to the Autumn repeat examinations. Both the oral and the written components must be passed with 40%.

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References

Members of the department are pleased to act as referees when requested to do so by students whose work they know. References normally take account of interpersonal as well as academic skills, so following these recommendations will help your referee.

- Requests for references are best made in writing, with full details of the nature of the course or appointment for which an application is being made. The desirability of a written request still applies even if you also make the request in person. Please supply any relevant documentation or forms.

- Please give as much notice as possible to your referee, at least two weeks. The final date for submission of the reference should be made clear.

- It is useful for the referee to have an updated copy of the applicant’s curriculum vitae to provide background to the writing of a reference. It should indicate subjects studied and your results in University examinations to date, and also relevant extracurricular activities, such as voluntary work, sports, travel, etc.

Remember to let us know how you get on.

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Percentages, Grades and Descriptors

For literature and content-based courses the following qualities are being sought:(a) Handling and understanding of topics(b) Marshalling of ideas and organisation(c) Evidence of having studied primary texts

As = 70%-100% 2.1s = 60%-69% 2.2s = 50%-59% Pass = 40%-49%

Letter Grade Descriptive Heading Typical % ClassA++ Outstanding and extremely original and thoughtful : excellent level of accuracy 100 IA+ Outstanding and thoughtful treatment of subject and organisation 90 IA Excellent treatment of subject and organisation of answer 80 IA- Excellent treatment of subject and organisation with a few small errors 70 IB+ Mostly relevant answer, well treated and organised 68 II-IB Clear grasp of subject, one or two serious or extensive errors, misunderstanding of one

of key concepts, poor use of secondary sources65 II-I

B- Clear grasp of subject, but with more than 2 of the type of errors listed above at B 60 II-IC+ Relevant answer but requiring more thought and analysis 58 II-2C Does answer the question, but could be better structured and made more relevant 55 II-2C- Mixed understanding of assignments, some errors 50 II-2D+ Attempts to handle question, but lack of definition and structure 48 III

(where applicable) D Grasp of subject is less than adequate. Random organisation 45 PD- As above, but with lack of reading of main texts 40 PE+ No attempt to tackle the subject or to define terms, little evidence of reading 38 FE Fails to address the question, no evidence of reading 35 FE- Fails to address question, chunks of irrelevant material, no reading 30 FF+ Mostly irrelevant, fails to address question, chunks of irrelevant material, no reading 20 FF Completely irrelevant, fails to address question, chunks of irrelevant material, no reading 10 FF- Far too short (10 lines or so). 0 F

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Percentages, Grades and Descriptors

For language work (comprehension/literature/essay) the qualities are being sought:(a) Comprehension of exercise(b) Production of correct language

As = 70%-100% 2.1s = 60%-69% 2.2s = 50%-59% Pass = 40%-49%

Letter Grade

Descriptive Heading Typical % Class

A++ Outstanding and extremely original and thoughtful: excellent level of accuracy 100 IA+ Outstanding and thoughtful treatment of subject /test/ may still have some small errors 90 IA Excellent, with a couple of small errors (2) 80 IA- Excellent, with a few small errors (5) 70 IB+ Creative solutions offered with few correctable structural and other errors 68 II-IB Clear grasp of subject, some errors 65 II-IB- Clear grasp of subject/text, many errors 60 II-IC+ Does not show complete grasp of subject, many errors 58 II-2C Mixed understanding of assignment, some good ideas but serious errors 55 II-2C- Erratic understanding of subject, reasonable presentation 50 II-2D+ Grasp of subject not adequate, structural problems, poor presentation 48 III

(where applicable)D Grasp of subject is less than adequate, serious errors 45 PD- As below, but student deserves to pass 40 PE+ Inadequate in terms of understanding and expression 38 FE Fails to address the exercise properly but displays some knowledge of understanding of

exercise35 F

E- Fails to tackle exercise 30 FF+ Almost completely incomprehensible but tries to tackle text/exercise 20 FF Very little is comprehensible, correct or coherent 15 FF- Totally incomprehensible or too short answer 0 F