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Voices of Africa

Rose Marie Kuhn, Ph.D.

French 149 (3 units) – Spring 2012 French Minor or GE IC Integration M 2-4:50pm – IT 123

Office Hours:

M 5-6:30pm

W 1-2:30pm

F 10-10:50am

East Engineering 244 Phone: 278-6890 E-mail: rosemk@csufresno.edu

1. Administrative Schedule for Fall 2013: Months Days Events

August 22

First day of instruction

Auditors & 60+ students may register

Application period for degrees to be granted in December 2013 begins

September

2 Labor Day – Campus Closed. No classes.

5 Last day to Add & drop classes without instructor’s permission & by Wait List

Register for Credit by Examination

6 Last day to File for graduation in December 2013

14 Yom Kippur

19 Last day to:

Add classes with permission

Drop classes for serious & compelling reason without a “W” on transcript 1

Change to or from credit/no credit grading

Change from/to credit/audit or audit/credit registration

Take examination for Credit by Examination

23 Last day for graduate students to apply for candidacy for May 2014 graduation

October 1

Application for scholarship for Fall 2014 begins Admission applications for Fall 2011

21 Last day to file edited, committee-approved MA thesis for December 2013 graduation

November 4 Registration for Spring 2014 begins

11 Veteran’s Day – Campus Closed. No classes. 1 A serious and compelling reason is defined as a medical, emotional, or other condition acceptable to and verified by the dean of the school in which the course is offered […]. Failing or performing poorly in a class is not an acceptable serious and compelling reason within the university policy, nor is dissatisfaction with the subject matter, class, or instructor.” For more information on this policy, see the 2013-11 CSUF On-Line Catalog.

© Fall 2013 – Rose Marie Kuhn, Ph.D.

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November 19

Last day to drop/withdraw from classes for serious and compelling reasons. Only complete withdrawal from the university for circumstances beyond the student’s control is allowed after this date.

27-29 Thanksgiving Recess – Campus Closed. No classes.

December

11 Last day Of instruction

To withdraw from a complete program for circumstances beyond the student’s control

12-13 Study Days

16-19 Final examination period. See schedule on-line: http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/classschedule/finals/2013fall.html

24 Last Day to Submit work or request extension for incomplete from Fall 2012

Submit to Division of Graduate Studies departmental clearance for December 2013 MA candidates

2. Course Description A study of representative works by African writers which reveal the attitudes of Africans toward their land, their traditions, and their encounter with the 21st century world.

3. General & Class-Specific Learning Outcomes 3.1. GE Outcomes:

To become familiar with some of the cultures and traditions of Western Sub-Saharan Africa through the reading and discussion of literary texts originally published in French.

To understand the cultural and historical links between Africa and the Western World.

To discover cultures and traditions different to better understand our own.

To better understand how these literary texts, the concepts they proposed and the issues they raised, have not only shaped the world Africans live in today, but also influenced our own thinking and understanding of their and our world.

3.2. Class-Specific Outcomes:

Acquire additional skills by working with classmates in pairs and/or in groups;

Working to improve your ability to express yourself orally and in writing.

4. Texts & Ancillary Materials

All items below are all required. These books cannot be found in a regular bookstore in Fresno. You will need to buy or rent them from the Kennel bookstore or on-line. Murambi is an e-book available from Madden Library.

The Dark Child by Camara Laye (VHPS, ISBN: 0-8090-1548-X)

Ambiguous Adventure by Cheikh Hamidou Kane (Heinemann, ISBN: 0-435-9011-2)

So Long A Letter by Mariama Bâ (ISBN: 9781577668060)

I Tituba, Witch of Salem by Maryse Condé (Ballantine, ISBN: 9780345384201)

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Murambi by Boris Diop (Indiana Univ. Press, ISBN: 0-253-218527 or readable on-line from Madden Library e-list. Drawback: only 5 people at the same time!)

Cultural Dossier for Voices of Africa (downloadable from Bd, under Cultural Dossier)

5. Class Organization 5.1. Every effort will be made to make this class student-centered. Also because of the

interactive nature of this course, a variety of instructional methodologies will be used, including mini-lectures, group discussions, team activities, student presentations, video clips, guest speakers, web-exploration, as well email and possibly on-line discussions.

5.2. Team Work & Buddy System:

Throughout the entire semester, you will be asked to work in a group setting with several partners. You and your partners will be asked to prepare reading assignments, discuss specific topics in groups, and make an oral group report in class.

At the end of the semester, you will evaluate each member of your group in terms of their participation in group activities and class discussions as well as for their contribution to your group’s oral report.

Please write the phone number, address, and e-mail of your group members below:

Name Address Phone # E-mail Address

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. 5.3. Internet & Blackboard Access: French 149 is a partially web-based class. Most of the

communication outside of the classroom including all course related information will be done through e-mail and/or “Blackboard”. Therefore, you are required to access your e-mail and “Blackboard” at least once a week. Make sure to read the Announcements on Blackboard which will give you via a link to all the necessary documents available there.

5.4. E-mail Policy:

Your instructor is always happy to answer your email questions provided they are not questions for which you yourself can find the answer by consulting the class syllabus, the schedule for class activities and assignments, or one of your classmates.

Please note that the instructor rarely checks any e-mail in the evening or on weekends and allow 24-48 hours for a response.

Lengthy questions requiring detailed replies are better addressed through conversation. Use the instructor’s office hours to your advantage and make an

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appointment if you need more than a 15-minute session. Otherwise be prepared to wait for your turn.

In your email, please write in a professional style as you will in your future career. Your email should include your full name as well your class.

Finally, when emailing to your instructor, you need to use your Fresno State e-mail to avoid having your email classified as spam or phishing.

5.6. Borrowed ancillary material: Occasionally you will be able to borrow educational material

from the instructor if it is not readily available at the library or via inter-library loan. Be advised, however, that you will receive an “F” for your final semester grade if you fail to return that material before or no later than the final exam day.

5.7. Writing Lab & Office Hours: You should consult with your instructor for additional help

during your instructor’s office hours. You are also encouraged to make use of CSUF’s English Writing Center (Education Building, Rooms 184-86; Phone 278-0334) for assistance with the writing process of your papers. For more info, check their web site at http://www.csufresno.edu/writingcenter/.

5.8. Learning Resource Center (LRC): For help with studying and tutoring or to enroll into an

Academic Success Workshop, go to http://www.csufresno.edu/lc/workshops/index.shtml. For Tutoring, go to http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/lrc/tutoring/index.html. LRC also provides a computer lab and ample study area. It is now located in the Madden Library on the Collections Level and you can reach them by phone at 278-3052.

6. Course Requirements

French 149 is a GE humanities class: so there are no right or wrong answers. We will be discussing ideas, interpreting events, stories, works of art, films and readings, as well as sharing our views while we are learning. At times, there might be differences of opinion between various members of the class: this is not only perfectly normal but also to be expected. When you are invited to express your opinion in class discussions, you should do so in a polite and civil manner at all times. Your classmates are also expected to treat you the same way. Always listen with respect and an open mind to those who choose to speak, and especially to those whom you might disagree with!

6.1. Attendance & Active Class Participation (20%)

No more than 1 unexcused absence allowed during the semester. Also: leaving a class session early without a valid reason will count as an absence.

You need to read the readings assigned and prepare for class discussions by writing weekly journals. This is essential for you to participate to all classroom activities.

New York Times: You need to read the New York Times regularly. It is free to all CSUF students and you can do this in the following way:

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o by subscribing electronically to it and getting it delivered to your email via the following link http://www.nytimes.com/ (You are entitled to read 10 complete articles a month).

o You will need to read at least two NY Times articles about Africa every week and be ready to report orally and/or in writing about it in class. You should be able to apply what you read to our class readings and discussions.

Active class participation includes: Constructive criticism, complexity in thinking & analytical subtlety, as well as courtesy towards others & respect of their opinions.

6.2. Journaling (20%): Weekly uninterrupted focused free & informal writing at home for 30 minutes or a total of 400-600 words each.

Your journal entries are on a given topic and explore a reading-related subject.

You need to write them after having read the assigned text.

Purpose: To reflect on your assigned readings, prepare for class discussions, & develop ideas for your analytical essays.

Each entry needs to be titled and dated and is due at the next class meeting.

Each entry can be either typed or hand written (as long as it is legible!)

Emphasis on developing ideas. Full sentences preferable. Grammar, punctuation, paragraphs, and organization secondary.

Eight journal entries to choose from 12-14 possible journals during the semester. However, these need to be turned in at the assigned time for each of them.

The topics for your journal entries are included in the Course, Reading & Assignment Schedule under the heading “Journal”. There will be 12-14 topics to choose from.

6.3. Analytical Essays (20%): For three of the books read in this class.

You will be writing 3 analytical essays in this class based on class discussion and some of the readings, in-class writings and journal entries you will have written about a specific book.

Write 650-800 words of personal and analytical comments per book explaining how you understand the story and its main ideas.

For more info, see “How Do I Write an Analytical Essay?” in your Cultural Dossier folder on Blackboard.

All four essays need to be submitted to the SafeAssign function on Blackboard by class time on the due date.

6.4. Films (20%): View 4 films.

These films illustrate some of the books and/or topics discussed in this class. Please check the listings posted on Blackboard.

Many can be viewed in or checked out of Madden Library’s Music & Media Center. Some are also available at the Fresno County Public Library or from Netflix, but you need to plan according to get them to be able to do your assignments in a timely manner. Finally, many are available on-line from specific websites.

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After viewing a video, you will write a reaction paper (450-600 words) for each of the four films and submit them to SafeAssign on Blackboard by class time on the due date.

You also need to hand in a paper copy to your instructor with proof that you submitted your reaction paper to say SafeAssign.

For comprehensive info on this assignment, check the Video Lists for French 149 on Blackboard under “Assignments”.

6.5. In-Class intensive reflective & informal Writing (10%): You will be asked to write for 5-8 minutes most weeks on a topic related to your reading and your journaling assignment. The purpose of this exercise is to encourage you to come prepared to class and to jump start class our discussions. You will also be asked to report on your NY Times readings during this exercise.

6.6. Final Exam (10%): Personal interpretative analysis and analytical reflection on readings and

class discussions. Open book. You will be proposing the essay topics of your final exam. Duration: 2 hours. Can be replaced with another assignment. TBA in class.

6.7. No Tests & No Term Paper/Semester Project: Your journal entries, analytical essays, film

reports and in-class writing exercises replace any learning assessment which you would normally have in a similar class.

6.8. Extra-Credit (up to 5%): You may earn extra credit points for attending class-related

cultural activities. Consult your instructor for more info and use the Extra Credit Report Sheet available on Blackboard to write a short reaction paper on the event.

6.9. No paper will be accepted via email: Too many papers get lost that way because of faulty

email addresses. So plan accordingly and have your paper delivered to my office or through a fellow student if you will be missing a class.

6.10. Be sure to keep all your assignments in a safe file and back them up via Google Doc or

Box.com. You might have to produce your original paper with its grade if there is any question about missing assignments in the course of the semester.

7. Grading

7.1. Letter Grade vs. Credit: If you are concerned about your grade, you could switch to

Credit/No Credit. You usually have two weeks to decide. The French 1A units of credit would then count toward G.E. and your degree, and CR/NC does reduce the grade pressure a bit. However, a CR/NC grade is routinely considered to be the equivalent of a “C” by Graduate School Evaluators and you need a “real” letter grade in your French minor or major.

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7.2. Upper & Lower Division Classes: If you enroll in an upper-division class in French and then a lower-division class in French the next semester, you will not receive credit for the lower-division course and the course does not count toward graduation. BTW: this rule applies to all disciplines.

7.3. Attendance is essential to your success in French 149. Hence the following policy: you are only allowed 1 unexcused absence. Additional unexcused absences will result in a lower grade at the discretion of the professor. Excused and valid absences are those which are reported promptly to the instructor (doctor’s notes and family/medical emergencies). Leaving class early without a valid reason will count as an absence. At all times, it is your responsibility to make sure you are up to date with your class work and assignments.

7.4. Assignments are detailed in a document entitled Course Activity, Assignment & Reading Schedule available on Blackboard. They are due in class on the dates listed on it. Late homework will be marked down at the discretion of the instructor.

7.5. Grading is done according to standard scale (A = 94-100; A- = 90-93; B+ = 87-89; B = 84-86;

B- = 80-83, etc.). Semester grades will be distributed as follows:

Attendance + Active Class Participation + Discussion 20%

Journaling/Focused Free Writing 20%

Analytical Essays 20%

Films 20%

In-Class Writing + Written Comments on the NY Times articles 10%

Final Exam 10%

Extra Credit up to 5%

7.6. No grades are posted on Blackboard: Due to the unusual high numbers of students in all

her classes, the instructor will not post any grades on Blackboard. You can determine your own grade by using the Student Progress Sheet downloadable from Blackboard. However, you can consult the instructor in the course of the semester with your Student Progress Sheet.

7.7. Grading Value is done according to standard scale (A = 94-100; A- = 90-93; B+ = 87-89; B =

84-86; B- = 80-83, etc.). Semester grade will be given as follows:

A Excellent You have demonstrated the highest level of competence, showing sustained superiority in meeting all stated course objectives, & exhibiting a very high degree of intellectual initiative.

B Very Good You have demonstrated a high level of competence showing sustained superiority in meeting all stated course objectives and responsibilities and exhibiting a high degree of intellectual initiative.

C Satisfactory You have demonstrated a satisfactory level of competence, with an adequate level of understanding of course objectives, responsibilities, & comprehension of course interest.

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D Unsatisfactory Your performance is unsatisfactory, showing inadequacy in meeting basic course objectives, responsibilities, and comprehension of course content.

F Failure You failed to meet course objectives. Work at this level does not meet requirements for credit toward a degree.

UW Failure—

Unauthorized Withdrawal

You did not complete course, requirements and did not properly draw from the course. It is assigned when, in the opinion of the instructor, completed assignments or course activities, or both were insufficient t for a normal evaluation of academic performance.

8. Edited Standard Written English (or “ESWE”) Most of the documents you will hand in during this semester have to be written in Edited Standard Written English or “ESWE”. This includes: (1) your four analytical essays; (2) your four video reports: (3) your extra-credit events; and (4) your final exam. Note that “ESWE” only applies to finished, final, formal writing. It does not include drafts, in-class writing, or journaling: all these types of writing are usually considered “informal” and will not be scrutinized for accuracy in grammar and punctuation. For more info, see: “How Do I Write in Edited Standard Written English (or ESWE)?” in your Cultural Dossier.

9. Cheating & Plagiarism

Cheating is “the practice of fraudulent and deceptive acts for the purpose of improving a grade or obtaining course credit. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations. It is the intent of this definition that the term ‘cheating’ not be limited to examination situations only but that it includes any and all actions by a student which are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage by fraudulent and deceptive means.”

Plagiarism is “a specific form of cheating which consists of the misuse of published and/or unpublished works of another by representing the material so used as one’s own work.”

An experienced teacher can easily tell the difference between original student writing and plagiarized work. In the course of this semester, you will regularly write in class and various assignments at home so that your instructor will have a fairly good idea of your true writing abilities. Your writing is like your signature: it is unique to you. To turn in someone else’s writing is foolish, easily recognized, and a good way to get yourself into serious trouble. Therefore, for all assignments you usually draft and edit, i.e. all formal papers, you need to keep your original research notes, outlines, and rough versions… so be sure to save or print out the drafts you do on your computer. You need be able to produce them at your instructor’s

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request. They help me gauge the quality of your research as well as the amount of work that you put into assignments.1 Please consult www.csufresno.edu/catoffice/current/policies.html to understand University policy regarding plagiarism and cheating, as well as those discussing disruptive classroom behavior, drug-free workplace, nondiscrimination, and policies regarding privacy with regard to student records.

10. SafeAssign Detection Software Our campus is using SafeAssign: it is a plagiarism prevention screening service available on Blackboard. You may indicate in writing that you do not wish to participate in this screening process, in which case the instructor will use other means to check your work for plagiarism. For plagiarism prevention tips, go to http://safeassign.com/

11. Copyright policy

Copyright laws and fair use policies protect the rights of those who have produced the learning material used in this course. This material is provided to you for private study, scholarship, and/or research. Other uses may require permission from the copyright holder. You, the user of this learning material, are responsible for adhering to copyright law of the U.S. To help you familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright web page: http://www.csufresno.edu/library/information/copyright/ Blackboard courses contain material protected by copyrights held by the instructor, other individuals or institutions. Such material is used for educational purposes in accord with copyright laws and/or with permission given by the owners of the original material. You may download one copy of the materials on any single computer for non-commercial, personal, or educational purposes only, provided that you (1) do not modify it; (2) use it only for this course; and (3) include both this notice and any copyright notice originally included with the material. Beyond this, no course material may be copied, reproduced, re-published, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in without the permission of the original copyright holder. Your instructor is not responsible for improper use of copyrighted material posted on blackboard.

12. Other Matters 12.1. Positive & active class participation includes: collaboration with your classmates in

classroom activities as well as courtesy towards them & respect of their opinions. Courtesy towards & respect of others also means keeping your talking in class with fellow students to a minimum at all times, and especially while the instructor lectures or during a general class discussion.

__________________ 1 Adapted from: Murray Spurber. Beer and Circus: How Big-Time College Sports is Crippling Undergraduate Education. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2000. 129.

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12.2. A classroom is an educational setting that promotes active learning and positive class

participation. You are expected to contribute effectively to make our classroom a real learning environment.

No food or drinks (except water) are allowed in the classroom.

All cell phones must be deactivated before entering the classroom.

Turn your computers and tablets completely OFF. No need to have it on as this distracts other students as well as yourself. You will use them only when requested by the instructor.

Use pen and paper to take your notes.

Striking unnecessary conversations and making unwelcome half-loud remarks in class will not be tolerated.

Any student whose learning is disrupted by the unprofessional and/or distracting behavior of a fellow student should immediately alert the instructor.

12.3. Students with disabilities or special needs: Please identify yourself to the instructor so

reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation within the course can be made. 12.4. Recording: You need to ask the instructor for permission to make any recording in class. 12.5. The above schedule and procedures for this course are subject to change in the event of

extenuating circumstances. If changes to the schedule are needed, they will be discussed in class and posted on Blackboard and you will have to include them into your syllabus.

12.6. Classroom Emergency Preparedness: In an emergency, you should proceed to the

nearest exit in an orderly manner. Once outside, you cannot reenter the building until it has been deemed safe. For more info, consult: http://www.csufresno.edu/police/ or http://www.fresnostate.edu/adminserv/emergency/

12.7. Thank you for reading this syllabus cover to cover. I wish you a great and successful

semester in my French 149 class. Do not forget to consult the Schedule of Assignments & Class Activities for more details. Below are a couple of bonus questions which count toward extra-credit if you get them in within the proposed time period:

What are Ramadan, Passover, Yom Kippur, Divali, and Norooz? Explain. And when (approximately) is each of these events commemorated this year?

Send the instructor an email with your answer no later than Tuesday, September 3, 2013 to get your answers counted toward extra-credit.

© Fall 2013 – Rose Marie Kuhn, Ph.D.