Fall 2007/Pasadena
LG565
Ramos
LG565: THEOLOGICAL FRENCH. Melissa Ramos.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for students with little or no prior
knowledge of French. Students will be introduced to French vocabulary and
grammar necessary for reading and translating theological journal articles and
books in academic research. Students will also be introduced to available
resources and tools for reading and translation of French texts.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course aims at helping theological students
- learn basic pronunciation skills so they will have the confidence to read
aloud short passages of text, book titles, and authors' names in a public,
academic setting;
- learn basic similarities and dissimilarities between English and French
grammar;
- begin translating academic articles and books that are available only in
French and are necessary for their research;
- make choices about tools for translating, such as grammars, dictionaries,
and websites.
COURSE FORMAT: This course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions over ten
weeks.
REQUIRED READING:
- La Bible en français au courant. Alliance Biblique
Universelle, 1988.
- Palmeri, Joseph, and E. E. Milligan. French for Reading Knowledge.
2d. ed. Boston: Heinle & Heinle, 1969. Reprint by Higby Family Trust,
1997.
- A French Dictionary such as:
- Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary: French-English
English-French. Correard, M.H. and Grundy, V. eds. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2003. OR
- Collins-Robert French-English English-French Dictionary. 2d. ed.
London: Collins Publishers, 1987.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Kendris, Christopher. 501 French Verbs Fully Conjugated in All
the Tenses. 5th ed. Huappaug, NY: Barron's Educational Series, 2003.
- Ritch, K. Janet. Reading French: A Guide for Students of Religion and
Theology. Toronto: Clements Publishing, 2006.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Attendance and participation in all class meetings is required.
- Weekly homework assignments (participation and homework preparation: 20% of
grade).
- Weekly quizzes on vocabulary, grammar, and translation (30% of grade).
- Translation of two pages of a theological journal article or book in French
of each student's own choosing (by the end of the quarter) (30% of grade).
- Final Exam (20% of grade)
PREREQUISITES: None. Transcript evidence of prior study required to audit this
class.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/07)