Introduction to major French philosophical texts with an emphasis on post-WWI thinkers (includes Existentialism, Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Postmodernism, Deconstructionism). Conducted in French.
Course Goals and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will…
- Gain an understanding of the recent history of French philosophical thinkers
- Improve vocabulary for argumentation
- Improve their oral fluency in expressing opinions, interpreting works, and discussing current events, texts, and films
- Understand the role of philosophy in the intersections of cultural studies, literary theory, current events, and political movements
- Have read excerpts of major canonical philosophers in French
- Research historical, social, political and cultural contexts around philosophical concepts and moments
- Improve their formal writing skills with focus on advanced syntax, argumentative writing, and critical analysis
- Improve their formal presentational and public speaking skills by presenting on philosophical concepts
- Improve their oral fluency in expressing opinions, interpreting works, and discussing texts and lectures
- (FREN8803) Students will develop research skills and analysis
Course Texts
All course materials will be made available as scans or links on Canvas. We will be using an online introductory textbook (Philosophie Terminale) for textual excerpts as well as complementing the reading with PDFs and videos; The online textbook can be found here:
https://www.lelivrescolaire.fr/manuels/philosophie-terminale-2020
Additional Materials/Resources
The film we will be watching can be accessed on Prime Video or at the library. The students are expected to watch the film on their own in order to write the film review and compile the food vocabulary list. We will be watching scenes in class for discussion only.
Description of Graded Components
All written assignments and assessments will be turned in on Canvas. All assignments and due dates are on the course calendar of this syllabus, and will have specific portals on Canvas. Late work will be accepted for one week after the due date, if the student has requested the accommodation formally with the professor. Resubmission of work is not permitted.
Short assignments include written and filmed responses to discussion questions, in-class groupwork on a concept, watching documentaries, films, reading short texts, learning vocabulary, or short grammar review.
Examen oral The oral exam forms the quiz component of this course. Students will meet with me to discuss one of the topics covered in the course. It is up to the student to come with a short summary of the concepts and be prepared to speak about it spontaneously.
In-class participation is the most important element of this course. I require the students to come into class prepared, having done the reading for that day. Students who come with pertinent questions or comments and demonstrate a willingness to engage with the texts will receive full marks (graded out of 20). Discussion will be prepared by guided questions, but will be spontaneous and not scripted. Your participation is essential to creating a productive, engaging class experience for us all. Contribution to the class discussions is more than essential. Outstanding participation (19-20/20) is defined as habitually arriving for class on time, with the day’s reading prepared, listening attentively when others speak, voluntarily asking pertinent questions, participating in all activities with enthusiasm, and responding to questions from others. Average participation (15-18/20) means occasionally arriving late to class, being unprepared with the readings, sometimes listening to others when they speak, sometimes asking questions or waiting to be called on, participating in all activities, occasionally contributing to group activities, and occasionally responding to questions. Unacceptable participation (0-15/20) is defined as often arriving late to class, not having done or understood the reading, not listening when others speak, seldom asking questions, not contributing much to group work, and seldom responding to questions.
Students who earn full credit for participation will:
- Be present in class on time and with all the required texts for that day
- Consult the preparation guide (course calendar) for each course and prepare for class thoughtfully and thoroughly
- Listen actively in class, ask and respond to questions, contribute to group/pair discussions and activities, engage productively and respectfully with their colleagues
- Demonstrate thoughtful engagement and preparation in informal in-class writing
- In order to make up an absence, students will need to respond to the discussion questions on Canvas in writing and orally.
Final project For the final project, students will research and write an interdisciplinary philosophical essay that connects with their interests and engages with the concepts of the course. There will be a filmed component as well, creativity and format more open. (5-7 pages FREN 4200, 10-12 pages FREN8803)
Extra Credit Opportunities
There will be several other opportunities for extra credit throughout the semester in the form of film reviews, online theatre production reviews, reading articles, or filmed responses to discussion questions. Attendance at the Table Francophone is encouraged and given extra credit as well. Other possibilities for extra credit may be discussed and approved ahead of time with the professor.
Grading Scale
Your final grade will be assigned as a letter grade according to the following scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 0-59%
At Georgia Tech, grades are awarded on a scale of A-F with no +/- grades permitted.
According to policy, grades at Georgia Tech are interpreted as follows:
A Excellent (4 quality points per credit hour)
B Good (3 quality points per credit hour)
C Satisfactory (2 quality points per credit hour)
D Passing (1 quality point per credit hour)
F Failure (0 quality points per credit hour)
Attendance and/or Participation
Students are allowed up to 3 excused absences for the course. To be considered excused, the student must email the professor ahead of time to request the accommodation. Students may be excused from class for illness, religious observance, or All-Majors Career Fair, university trip, off-campus interview, or other academic or professional event. The student is responsible for following up with any missed work. As much of the course will be delivered virtually, a failure to log in to the course BlueJeans meeting counts as an absence.
Students who are absent because of participation in a particular religious observance will be permitted to make up the work missed during their absence with no late penalty, provided the student informs the course instructor of the upcoming absence, in writing, within the first two weeks of class, and provided the student makes up the missed material within the time frame established by the course instructor. Exercising one’s rights under this policy is subject to the Georgia Tech Honor Code. The course instructor is responsible for establishing reasonable deadlines and/or make-up material for the missed work, and for clearly communicating this information to the student. Students may choose to appeal to the Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee of the Academic Senate for formal approval of this type of absence.
Health/Illness Guidelines
If you are feeling ill, have a fever, or are experiencing any symptoms of illness, however mild, you are not permitted to come to face-to-face classes, and accommodations can be made so that you can attend the class virtually. For courses delivered face-to-face, students must wear cloth face coverings and maintain 6 ft of distance from one another.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Arts, Humanities & Ethics area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
Ethical Reasoning
Information Literacy
Intercultural Competence