Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course equips students to use markers of description in French, as writers and readers, as listeners and speakers. Through the study of a variety of types of texts and audiovisual materials, students will improve their general proficiency in the French language and specifically their ability to engage in descriptive discourse.
FREN3115 is the second in a suite of three advanced language courses, each of which deals with a different aspect ofﾠuse of the French language in conjunction with a range ofﾠcultural outputs.ﾠ
FREN3114ﾠ:ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Narrationﾠ
FREN3115ﾠ:ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Descriptionﾠ
FREN3355 :ﾠﾠﾠﾠ ﾠﾠﾠArgumentation
While these three functions are not always distinct, the three separate courses allow us to undertake intensive work on each one of them.The theme of FREN3115 is therefore description: the act of representing the distinctive characteristics of something - ﾠbe it an object, a person, an animal, a place or an abstract emotional or intellectual phenomenon.ﾠWe will study how description varies according to genre and point of view, working with texts ranging from advertisingﾠto extracts from "great literary classics" of the nineteenth century to television programmes and films.ﾠ
In terms of language, we willﾠstudy subtleties of vocabulary choice and the parts of speech which in French allow the construction of complex descriptive passages: adjectives, adverbs, pronoun objects and relative pronouns. We will see how these operate to make possible sentence structures which would be impossible or ambiguous in English (i.e. we will write complex French sentences, not complex English sentences translated directly into French).
This work will allow us to appreciate the potential pleasures of complex description and how it may be used to different ends (writing poetry about cats;ﾠsnidely reminiscing about famous contemporaries; reviewing gadgets or advertising chocolate).ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students taking FREN3115 should either have previously passed FREN3114 or have the permission of the Course Administrator to enrol.
Please also note that a student's enrolment in a course for which s/he holds incompatible qualifications may be cancelled at any time of the semester. This cancellation may involve forfeiture of credit, and students may remain liable for course fees.
The formal prerequisites for FREN3115 are noted above. Students who do not fulfil those prerequisites, but who have an equivalent knowledge of French (e.g. from equivalent formal prerequisites gained interstate or overseas, or from residence in a French-speaking country) may be permitted to enrol in FREN3115, but they must consult the course coordinator beforehand. Please also note that enrolments may be refused on the basis of such knowledge or abilities, and enrolment in a different course may be recommended.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
FREN3114 or Course Coordinator approval
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
FREN3115 has three contact hours per week.ﾠIt is expected that students will attend all classes unless there are compelling circumstances which make it impossible for them to attend on a given day (illness, for example) - the class provides opportunities for discussion and personalized feedback which are essential for your learning.ﾠ
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice. Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to allow you to develop the skills necessary to position yourself as a "Proficient User"ﾠof French. It therefore allows performance at C1 (or even C2 for background speakers) levels on the Common European Frame of Reference for Languages, in addition to developing your critical skills and cultural knowledge.ﾠ
C1 : [The proficient user] can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
ﾠﾠ
We will study how description varies according to genre and point of view, working with texts ranging from publicity materials to extracts from great literary classics of the nineteenth century to television programmes and films.ﾠYou will cover some of the texts which would be studied as part of the advanced secondary programme in France and which you can expect will be points of reference for professionals you may meet in your working life.ﾠ
ﾠ
In terms of language, we willﾠstudy subtleties of vocabulary choice and the parts of speech which in French allow the construction of complex descriptive passages where, in contrast to English, categories such as number and gender are more important than word order: adjectives, adverbs, pronoun objects and relative pronouns.
ﾠ
This work will allow us to appreciate the potential pleasures of complex description and how it may be used to different ends.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Recognise and analyse descriptive structures in French.
LO2.
Describe the "same" object, person, place, abstract entity, emotion (etc.) in different ways to attain different goals.
LO3.
Use language associated with description with a high degree of linguistic and generic accuracy.
LO4.
Display critical awareness of descriptive techniques as seen in a range of texts (literary and other) in French.
LO5.
Read at B2 level or above: "read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources selectively. [You should have] a broad active reading vocabulary, but may experience some difficulty with low-frequency idioms".(CEFR Illustrative Scale Overall Reading Comprehension, B2). You should be at or close to C1: " [You] can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating
distinctions of style. [You] can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to [your] field." (CEFR Self-assessment grid, C1).
LO6.
Use French for spoken interaction at C1 level: "express [yourself] fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. [You have] a good command of a broad lexical repertoire allowing gaps to be readily overcome with circumlocutions. There is little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies; only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language". (CEFR C1 Overall Spoken Interaction).
LO7.
Use written French at high B2/ low C1 level: You can "write clear, detailed descriptions of real or imaginary events and experiences marking the relationship between ideas in clear connected text, and following established conventions of the genre concerned" (CEFR illustrative scale for Creative Writing, B2); "Can write clear, detailed, well-structured and developed descriptions and imaginative texts in an assured, personal, natural style appropriate to the reader in mind" (CEFR illustrative scale for Creative Writing, C1).
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Course placement
|
Pass/Fail |
21/07/2025 - 8/08/2025
May be completed prior to the beginning of semester. |
| Examination |
Written test
|
25% |
11/09/2025
WEEK 7 - 60 minutes Conducted in Thursday class. |
| Notebook/ Logbook |
Journal de bord
|
25% |
Friday, WEEK 5 - 29/08/2025 5:00 pm Friday, WEEK 13 - 31/10/2025 5:00 pm |
| Presentation, Reflection |
Discussion de votre dossier de textes
|
25% |
10/11/2025 - 21/11/2025
EXAM WEEK 1 - EXAM WEEK 2 Students will sign up at individual times for their oral interview. Students' assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment. |
| Examination |
Examen final
|
25% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Course placement
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
21/07/2025 - 8/08/2025
May be completed prior to the beginning of semester.
Task description
Correct placement by academic staff from the French Studies program. This is a hurdle requirement. Failure to be correctly placed will result in a maximum grade of 3 in the course. No assessment items will be marked until this has been completed.
During the Course Placement questionnaire, you may be asked to write a short text in French. This must be your own unassisted work so we can accurately place you.
Statement on use of Generative AI and Machine Translation: Completion of this Language Placement Questionnaire is a compliance hurdle requirement in many courses. This requirement aims to ensure that you are placed in the most appropriate language course based on your current level of linguistic proficiency. Your responses, along with the possible submission of short writing or speaking sample, help us match you to a course that aligns with your previous (formal or informal) language learning experiences. While this is an unsupervised, individual online task, it is not in your best interest to use generative AI tools or Machine Translation. If the work you submit does not reflect your actual language ability, you may be placed in a course that is not appropriate for your level, which could negatively affect your learning and performance. This may also be considered an act of student misconduct under the UQ Student Code of Conduct due to the misrepresentation of your capabilities.
Finally, please note that all language courses include at least one assessment task where the use of generative AI or MT tools is either not allowed or of limited value. These assessments are designed to be authentic, challenging, and based on real-time interaction. You will be expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of your own work without the assistance of AI or MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
A pass result in FREN3114 or placement in FREN3115 by academic staff from the French Studies program.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Placement in this course, determined through the completion of this placement process, is a hurdle requirement. It is necessary to be placed in the correct course prior to Week 2 (last day to add a course or change enrolment) so that students can seek alternative courses if necessary. Students who are not able to meet the due date (due to late enrolment) must contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to ensure they comply with this requirement.
Written test
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
11/09/2025
WEEK 7 - 60 minutes
Conducted in Thursday class.
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
You receive a short descriptive text to read. You answer questions about it, which might ask you to:
Duration: 60 minutes
- demonstrate understanding of the text
- explain the descriptions
- identify parts of speech (for example, relative pronouns)
- reformulate sentences
A final question question asks you to write some additional description (120 words plus or minus 10%) which continues, or would be inserted into, the original (as indicated on the exam itself). The mark for a text which is too short will be reduced proportionally and excess material will not be marked.
This task allows you to demonstrate Reading and Writing at B2 level and gives you the opportunity to display competence at Level C on the Common European Frame of Reference (CEFR) scales.
Exam adjustments: Please be aware that if you have an agreement re exam adjustments, you still need to apply for them to be activated by the set deadline. Otherwise staff may not be able to organise your adjustment.
Statement on the use of AI & MT: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Bilingual dictionaries, verb tables |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Test conducted through Inspera.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Journal de bord
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
Friday, WEEK 5 - 29/08/2025 5:00 pm
Friday, WEEK 13 - 31/10/2025 5:00 pm
Task description
A series of short descriptive texts written over the course of the semester. This assessment task is an opportunity for students to explore techniques studied in class at their own pace. While the full journal must be submitted by the set deadline, individual entries may be submitted over the course of semester for feedback, within a specified timeframe.
Statement on the use of AI & MT: This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
Students who have not submitted their Journal de bord will not able to do the final oral.Submission guidelines
Via Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
A maximum extension length of 7 calendar days is allowed as the Journal de bord must be reviewed by academic staff before the final oral, during which students will discuss the work in their journal.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Discussion de votre dossier de textes
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation, Reflection
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
10/11/2025 - 21/11/2025
EXAM WEEK 1 - EXAM WEEK 2
Students will sign up at individual times for their oral interview. Students' assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment.
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Secure.
Task description
This oral relates to your journal de bord. During this interview, you will discuss your project with the course co-ordinator and another member of French staff. You will be asked about your ideas, approach to the texts in your journal, relating them to the techniques and concepts presented in the course.
This task requires you to demonstrate competence at least at low C1 level on the CEFR scale for Spoken Interaction, in addition to your critical engagement with course content.
- This is an individual interview.
- The discussion should last 8-10 minutes per student
- You speak without notes.
- The orals will be scheduled during exam period, and will be filmed as a record of your performance.
Statement on the use of AI & MT: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Student may achieve a mark of at least 40% in this task to pass the course. If a student achieves less than 40% their final grade can be no higher than 3.Submission guidelines
The discussions will be conducted in person.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 calendar days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Examen final
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited, Secure.
Task description
You receive a short descriptive text to read. You answer questions about it, which might ask you to:
- demonstrate understanding of the text
- explain the descriptions
- identify parts of speech or techniques
- reformulate sentences
A final question question asks you to write some additional material on the basis of the text provided (120 words plus or minus 10%), either as an extension of that text, or an adaptation of it, as indicated on the exam itself. The mark for an answer which is too short will be reduced proportionally and excess material will not be marked.
This task allows you to demonstrate Reading and Writing at B2 level and gives you the opportunity to display competence at Level C on the Common European Frame of Reference (CEFR) scales.
Exam adjustments: Please be aware that if you have an agreement re exam adjustments, you still need to apply for them to be activated by the set deadline. Otherwise staff may not be able to organise your adjustment.
Statement on the use of AI & MT: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | Paper monolingual French-French dictionary; Paper bilingual dictionary (French - any other language); paper verb table or verb wheel. |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. ﾠ
Note that it is necessary to sit and obtain a mark of 40% or higher on the final oral in order to pass this course. If you do not achieve at least 40% ﾠon the final oral, even if you have passed the continuous assessment in this course, your grade will be reduced to a 3.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
STATEMENT ON HELP WITH ASSIGNMENTS (written and oral)
All assignments submitted should be the work of the student and the student alone (or group in a group assignment). This means that students are NOT to seek unauthorised outside help (which may include help from other students, teachers, private tutors, ghost writers, advanced/ native speakers) either in the preparation of assignments or in checking for errors before assignments are submitted. Cases where students are suspected of having used outside help will be referred to the School of Languages and CulturesﾠIntegrity Officer for further investigation.
INFORMATION FOR CROSS-INSTITUTIONAL STUDENTS
- Griffith University teaching and exam weeks do not coincide with those of UQ. If this is impacting on your UQ assessment (e.g. participation, test dates) please contact your lecturer early in the semester to discuss possible solutions.
- Assessment information will arrive by UQ email only.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Weekly tutorials The detailed plan of the course content is available on Blackboard, where you can easily consult it. Class activities typically include discussion and analysis of written or audio-visual materials, usually prepared by students before class in tandem with worksheets. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.