Burkina Agrégation Secondaire flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Burkina Faso independence

Burkina Faso (then Upper Volta) became independent from France on 5 August 1960. The country was renamed Burkina Faso on 4 August 1984 under Thomas Sankara's revolution.

National motto of Burkina Faso

The motto is 'Unité – Progrès – Justice' (Unity – Progress – Justice). It appears on the coat of arms and expresses the founding values of the republic.

ECOWAS founding

The Economic Community of West African States was created by the Treaty of Lagos in 1975. Its headquarters are in Abuja, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso is a founding member.

Schéma narratif

The five-stage structure of a narrative: situation initiale, élément perturbateur, péripéties, dénouement and situation finale. It is the standard tool for analysing contes, nouvelles and romans.

Oxymore

A figure of speech that joins two contradictory terms in a single expression, such as 'une obscure clarté' or 'le silence assourdissant'. It creates tension and draws attention to a paradox.

Négritude movement

A literary and political movement launched in the 1930s by Senghor, Césaire and Damas. It affirmed black cultural identity and rejected colonial assimilation, shaping francophone African literature.

Present perfect with since

The present perfect (have/has + past participle) with 'since' marks an action starting at a past point and continuing to now: 'She has taught here since 2010.'

Third conditional

Formed with 'if + past perfect, would have + past participle'. It describes an unreal past situation and its imagined result: 'If he had studied, he would have passed.'

Postcolonial literature in English

Writing produced by authors from formerly colonised countries, often exploring identity, language and power. Key figures include Achebe, Soyinka, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and Buchi Emecheta.

Quadratic discriminant

For ax² + bx + c = 0, the discriminant Δ = b² − 4ac. If Δ > 0 there are two real roots, if Δ = 0 one double root, and if Δ < 0 no real roots.

Integration by parts

The formula ∫u dv = uv − ∫v du transforms a product integral into a simpler one. It is chosen when the integrand is a product such as x·e^x or x·sin x.

Geometric sequence sum

For a geometric sequence with first term u₀ and ratio q ≠ 1, the sum of the first n+1 terms is S = u₀(1 − q^(n+1))/(1 − q). If |q| < 1 the infinite sum is u₀/(1 − q).

Ohm's law

The voltage U across a resistor equals the product of its resistance R and the current I: U = RI. Electrical power is P = UI = RI² = U²/R.

Photosynthesis equation

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. It occurs in chloroplasts: light reactions in thylakoids, the Calvin cycle in the stroma.

Mitosis versus meiosis

Mitosis yields two genetically identical diploid cells for growth and repair. Meiosis yields four haploid gametes and includes crossing-over in prophase I, generating genetic diversity.

Monohybrid cross ratio

A cross between two heterozygotes Aa × Aa produces a 3:1 phenotypic ratio (dominant to recessive) and a 1:2:1 genotypic ratio (AA:Aa:aa) under complete dominance.

Berlin Conference

Held in 1884–1885, it set rules for European partition of Africa without African participation. It formalised the Scramble for Africa and shaped later colonial borders.

Upper Volta colony

Created as a French colony in 1919, dissolved in 1932 and reconstituted in 1947. It became the Republic of Upper Volta in 1958 and independent Burkina Faso in 1960.

Harmattan

A dry, dusty wind from the Sahara that blows over West Africa during the dry season, roughly from November to March. It lowers humidity and affects agriculture in Burkina Faso.

Cogito ergo sum

Descartes' first certainty: 'I think, therefore I am.' Methodical doubt suspends all beliefs until the act of thinking itself proves the existence of the thinking subject.

Categorical imperative

Kant's supreme moral principle: act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. It is unconditional and duty-based.

Modus ponens

A valid logical inference: from P → Q and P, conclude Q. Its invalid counterpart, affirming the consequent (P → Q, Q, therefore P), is a common fallacy.

GDP expenditure identity

Gross domestic product equals consumption plus investment plus government spending plus net exports: GDP = C + I + G + (X − M). Real GDP uses constant prices.

Mechanical versus organic solidarity

Durkheim's distinction: mechanical solidarity binds homogeneous traditional societies through shared beliefs; organic solidarity binds modern societies through interdependence created by the division of labour.

Weber's legitimate authority

Max Weber identified three types of legitimate domination: traditional (custom), charismatic (personal exceptional qualities) and rational-legal (rules and offices). Modern states rest mainly on the third.

Zone of proximal development

Vygotsky's concept: the gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can do with guidance from a more capable peer or teacher. Instruction should target this zone.

Bloom's revised taxonomy

A hierarchy of cognitive objectives: remembering, understanding, applying, analysing, evaluating and creating. Teachers use it to write measurable learning objectives at appropriate levels.

Formative assessment

Assessment carried out during learning to inform teaching and give feedback. It contrasts with summative assessment, which certifies achievement at the end of a unit or cycle.

Didactic transposition

Chevallard's concept describing how scholarly knowledge is transformed into teachable content. It involves decontextualising knowledge and recontextualising it for classroom use.

Loi d'orientation de l'éducation

Burkina Faso's 2007 framework law organises the education system, affirms free and compulsory basic education, and sets the principles of decentralisation and partnership in schooling.

School discipline council

The conseil de discipline applies graduated sanctions to learners in secondary schools. It must respect due process, hear the learner, and follow the principle of proportionality.

Teacher professional secrecy

The ethical and legal duty not to disclose confidential information about learners, families or colleagues obtained in the exercise of the profession, except where the law requires disclosure.