Honors Variable Credit Courses

The content of the honors course as well as of the Épreuves are the same as for the other sections. The difference lays in the fact that Honor students are generally more motivated and manage to get more practice done in class. The big advantage is that the Honors sections takes a maximum of only 16 students compared to a regular section that has 24 students. To take French 102 honors, it is recommended that students receive an A or AB in French 101.

A student who wants to do the Honors option will meet with the TA to discuss projects to do in addition to the normal 101 or 102 homework and activities.

The student must do four (4) additional activities. Possibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lunch, dinner, or other activity at the French House
• Watching a French movie (in French; English subtitles are ok) – these can be found through the LSS learning lab, 4-Star video, or elsewhere.
• Following the news or weather on TV5 for a week
• Some other event involving the French language; use your best judgment to determine what would be appropriate

In French 101, the student will write a 1-page summary (the first two in English; the last two in French).

In French 102, the student will write a 2 page summary, in French, for each activity; what he or she did and learned in the activity. These summaries will only be graded on content. The four summaries together count as the Honors project, which becomes part of the Homework grade in the course (like 4 additional homework assignments).

Each student will write up an individual contract with the TA stating the following:

• Specific descriptions of the activities they will do and requirements for the summaries
• Stated deadlines for each written summary

The contract must be typed and signed, and a signed copy given to the Course Chair, before the actual work on the honors project begins.

French 203H (offered Fall semester) is a designated honors section. Students interested in enrolling in this section must either be in the L&S Honors Program or receive permission from the Department.

• a research project wherein the instructor and the student will determine a focus. The instructor will determine a timeline to include a formal proposal, outline, and 5-page paper and/or 5-minute presentation to the class.
• a 3-4 short 2-page reaction papers, or 3-4 in class presentations based on films, current events, news items, or a theme to be worked out between the student and the instructor.

A major advantage of the Honors section is that motivated students have the opportunity to improve their French in a smaller class environment and at a faster pace. The content of the course as well as the exams are the same as in regular sections of French 204. However, the course is somewhat more challenging in terms of grading and/or length of assignments (extra homework; extra reading; longer compositions). Additional work consists of a directed independent research project (6-8 pages). Students will consult with their instructors at least three times during the semester to define their topics and discuss their research. The description of the project will be due by the 4th week of class and the project will be due by the end of the semester.

Two options are available for additional writing assignments, to be determined in consultation with the instructor

• A directed independent research project (6-8 pages). Students will consult with their instructors at least three times during the semester to define their topics and discuss their research. The description of the project will be due by the 4th week of class and the project will be due by the end of the semester
• 4 analytical essays (2 pages each) based on French/ Francophone movies, with emphasis on cultural content. Students will consult with their instructors to choose their movies.

The content of the honors section is the same as for the other regular sections. However the requirements are greater. Requirements include, but are not limited to:

• a directed independent research project (6-8 pages) related to one of the themes discussed during the semester and determined early in consultation with the instructor to define the topic and discuss the project. The project will be due by the end of the semester.
• 3 to 4 essays (2 pages each) based on movies, news, current issues or themes to be worked between the instructor and the student

A program of extra reading and other assignments given in conjunction with approximately seven extra class meetings (known a discussion sections) which students are required to attend on top of the regular weekly 3-credit lecture sections. Depending on the instructor, these seven extra meetings may take place every other week, or they may be clustered in successive weeks at selected points in the semester.

In addition to the regular course requirements, student must do a directed independent research project, designed and carried out by each student in consultation with the instructor. Such projects often include a program of individual meetings with the instructor; occasionally, they also entail group meetings with other students taking the course for 4 credits.

A student who wants to do the Honors option will meet with the instructor to discuss projects and activities to do in addition to the normal 101-102 homework and activities.

The student must do one research project and participate in additional activities related to Italian language and culture. For 101, the research project will normally be a paper, in English, of approximately 10-12 pages, focused on a topic of the students’ interest, on consultation with the instructor. For 102, the paper will be in Italian, normally 6-8 pages in length. Students may propose alternatives to a paper (e.g., a video presentation).

Possible activities may include but are not limited to

• Regular attendance at Tavola Italiana
• Watching movies provided by Cineteca or otherwise available in Italian.
• Other events involving Italian language and culture

Each student will write up an individual contract with the TA stating the following:

Specific descriptions of the activities the student will participate in, and means of reporting the activity to the instructor (e.g. a brief resume of each movie).

A brief description of the topic of the project, sources to be examined, and deadline for the final product.

The contract must be printed and signed, and a signed copy given to the Course Chair, before the actual work on the honors project begins.

Students interested in taking either Italian 203 or Italian 204 for honors need to discuss additional projects and activities, besides the regular workload of the course, with the instructor. Students need to write down the terms of the agreement in a sort of contract that will be given to the instructor as well as to the Course Chair before the beginning of the project.

Students must do one written research project (a 6-8 page paper in Italian) and engage in additional activities, which include: regular attendance of the "Tavola Italiana;" regular attendance of the "Cineteca Italiana;" other events involving Italian language and culture. Students will write a one-page report in Italian on each activity.