Summer 2012/Pasadena
LG565
Cleath
LG565: THEOLOGICAL FRENCH. Lisa Cleath.
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 the Bible, 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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Reading knowledge of French is a necessary
skill for a ministry of scholarship in service to the church. Reading
competence of French gives a scholar a broader range of facility with important
theological works from the church's history, current journals and books in
theology and biblical studies, liturgical resources, and archaeological
publications related to the study of the Bible.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who pass this course will demonstrate that they
are able to
- begin translating academic articles and books that are available only in
French and are necessary for their research;
- make informed choices about tools for translating, such as grammars,
dictionaries, and websites;
- distinguish similarities and dissimilarities between English and French
grammar;
- improve upon their French pronunciation skills.
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. Free online: lire.la-bible.net
- Palmeri, Joseph, and E. E. Milligan. French for Reading Knowledge.
2d. ed. Boston: Heinle & Heinle, 1969. Reprint by Higby Family Trust, 1997.
ISBN: 0-9661843-6-x. Pub.price: $47.
- A French Dictionary such as:
- Collins-Robert French-English English-French
Dictionary. 2d. ed. London: Collins Publishers, 1987. ISBN: 13
978-0-00-722108-0. Pub.price: $55.
- Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary: French-English English-French.
Edited by M. H. Correard and V. Grundy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.
ISBN: 13-978-0-19-861422-7. Pub.price: $55.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Kendris, Christopher. 501 French Verbs Fully Conjugated in All
the Tenses. 5th ed. Huappaug, NY: Barron's Educational Series, 2003. ISBN:
0-7641-2429-3. Pub.price: $16.99.
- Ritch, K. Janet. Reading French: A Guide for Students of Religion and
Theology. Toronto: Clements Publishing, 2006. ISBN-10: 1-894667-27-1.
Pub.price: $34.95.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Attendance and participation in all class meetings is required (10% of
grade).
- Weekly quizzes on vocabulary, grammar, and translation (35%).
- Two translation assignments (25%).
- Final exam (30%).
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. (April 2012)