French Courses

French Program

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  • FREN 121 Accelerated Elementary French

    Units: 2

    Description
    Introduction to French language and culture. Emphasis on oral communication. Development of elementary reading and writing skills.

    Prerequisite

    Permission of department.

  • FREN 221 Intensive Intermediate French

    Units: 2

    Fulfills General Education Requirement (COM2)

    Description
    Reinforcement of communicative language skills. Increased emphasis on reading, writing, and culture.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-121 or equivalent.

  • FREN 301 French Conversation through Cinema

    Units: 1

    Description
    Development of speaking ability in French, with stress upon vocabulary expansion, pronunciation and communicative accuracy, through representations of French culture in film.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-221 or permission of department.

  • FREN 304 French Grammar Review

    Units: 1

    Description
    An in-depth study of French grammar designed to improve the written expression of more advanced students in preparation for writing.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-301, FREN-305, FREN-306, or FREN-311 or permission of instructor.

  • FREN 305 Writing in French through Culture and Literature

    Units: 1

    Description
    Develops competent writing skills through topics in French and Francophone literature and culture. Students will engage in writing exercises in a variety of textual genres including essay, review, explication de texte (textual explication), and short paper.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-221 or permission of department.

  • FREN 306 French at Work

    Units: 1

    Description
    Task-based course designed to develop students' ability to interact in French situations specific to the workplace. Acquisition of business terminology and etiquette and exploration of cross-cultural differences, economic and political issues influencing business in the French-speaking world.
  • FREN 311 French and Francophone Culture

    Units: 1

    Description
    Exploration of significant themes and issues in contemporary French and Francophone cultures set in the context of French history and cultural traditions.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-221 or permission of department.

  • FREN 320 The Individual in Society

    Units: 1

    Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)

    Description
    Introduces students to works of literature written in French from a variety of genres (poetry, prose, and theatre) and to critical writing in French.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-305 and FREN-301, FREN-304, FREN-306, or FREN-311

  • FREN 324 Francophone Cultures and Literature

    Units: 1

    Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)

    Description
    Explores contemporary Francophone literatures and cultures through texts by African, Caribbean, Maghrebian, and Canadian writers.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-305 and FREN-301, FREN-304, FREN-306, or FREN-311

  • FREN 325 The Origins of France

    Units: 1

    Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)

    Description
    Studies in French literature, history, and culture from the Medieval period to the Enlightenment.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-305 and FREN-301, FREN-304, FREN-306, or FREN-311

  • FREN 326 Revolution in France

    Units: 1

    Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)

    Description
    Studies in French literature, history, and culture related to the concept of revolution with special emphasis on the Enlightenment and the 19th century.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-305 and FREN-301, FREN-304, FREN-306, or FREN-311

  • FREN 327 The Question of Modernity

    Units: 1

    Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)

    Description
    Studies in French literature, history, and culture related to modern French society and the French-speaking world.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-305 and FREN-301, FREN-304, FREN-306, or FREN-311

  • FREN 328 Introduction to Maghrebian Literature and Culture

    Units: 1

    Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSLT)

    Description
    Explores contemporary Francophone literatures and cultures through texts and films by Maghrebian writers and filmmakers (North Africa, Lebanon and France).

    Prerequisite

    FREN-301 and FREN-305

  • FREN 388 Individual Internship

    Units: 0.25-1

    Description
    Internship experience outside of the department in fields related to French studies. No more than 1.5 unit of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.

    Prerequisite

    Permission of the department.

  • FREN 389 Practice Assistantship

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    Students lead practice sessions associated with the elementary and intermediate language sequence in French. The practice assistantship does not count as credit toward the major or minor. Up to one unit can be applied toward graduation credit.

    Prerequisite

    Permission of the department.

  • FREN 397 Selected Topics

    Units: 1

    Description

    Prerequisite

    FREN-221 or permission of department.

  • FREN 402 Advanced French Conversation

    Units: 1

    Description
    Development of advanced speaking skills beyond 301 level.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-301

  • FREN 406 Summer Undergraduate Research

    Units: 0

    Description
    Documentation of the work of students who receive summer fellowships to conduct research [or produce a creative arts project] in the summer. The work must take place over a minimum of 8 weeks, the student must engage in the project full-time (at least 40 hours per week) during this period, and the student must be the recipient of a fellowship through the university. Graded S/U.

    Prerequisite

    Approval for summer Arts and Sciences fellowship by faculty mentor.

  • FREN 412 French and Francophone Culture in Conversation

    Units: 1

    Description
    For advanced students of French. Further refines and enhances oral expression and explores topics in current events in the French and Francophone world and how those events relate to the past. Broaden vocabulary, hone grammatical precision, and expand the sophistication of spoken French. Critical analysis of French and Francophone cultural production through oral presentations and leading class discussion.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, or FREN-328

  • FREN 414 Advanced French Grammar and Culture Studies

    Units: 1

    Description
    An in-depth review and focused investigation of French grammar and syntax designed to further refine and enhance the written expression of more advanced students of French. Also explores French grammar in action through personal and creative writing, the study of contemporary cultural issues, and consideration of the French language as alive and evolving.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, or FREN-328

  • FREN 415 Traduction

    Units: 1

    Description
    Translation of literary, journalistic, and technical texts from French to English and English to French. Includes a community-based learning component (involving both linguistic and "cultural" translation), an introduction to interpreting techniques, and readings on different theories of translation.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 420 The French Middle Ages

    Units: 1

    Description
    Analysis of issues such as morality and literacy, governance, social order, human values and ideals, authorship, gender, and artistic production as manifested in significant texts from the 11th to the 15th centuries.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 421 Renaissance

    Units: 1

    Description
    Exploration of literature of a France transformed by Reformation and Renaissance: the poetry of love; devotion and play; the prose of wisdom.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 422 Le Siecle Classique

    Units: 1

    Description
    Exploration of both triumphs and powerful tensions within 17th-century culture, with attention to such issues as political patronage of the arts, women intellectuals and salon culture, courtly life at Versailles, social satires of Molire, and place of dissent within the absolutist state.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 423 Enlightenment

    Units: 1

    Description
    Literary and philosophical texts of 18th century, emphasizing questions on selfhood, social life, gender relations, and power. Topics include the libertine tradition, novel and society, women writers and Enlightenment's others.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 424 From Romanticism to Decadence

    Units: 1

    Description
    Issues of gender, subjectivity, and socio-historical contexts in works by poets, novelists and historians in the numerous and varied cultural movements of 19th-century France. Recent topics include visual culture in 19th-century France and literary and cultural scandals.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 430 What are the Liberal Arts for? A French Perspective

    Units: 1

    Description
    Explores the connection between education and civic duties within the French context: Can truth not be truth? Do facts have alternative versions? Why do truth and facts matter to our democracy?

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 461 From Modern to Postmodern

    Units: 1

    Description
    Trends in 20th century and contemporary French poetry, drama, and fiction, set in the context of painting, film and experimental art forms. Recent topics include otherness, gender, creativity, the nature of truth, and the quest for self-expression.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 462 Contemporary Ideas

    Units: 1

    Description
    Readings and discussion of recent works which have provoked political or intellectual debate in France and the French-speaking world.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 465 French Film

    Units: 1

    Description
    Survey of development of French cinema with emphasis on the contemporary period. Introduction to film aesthetics and film theories. Film topics include French current events and trends, personal and social challenges, ethnicity, women's issues, and historical or political perspectives.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 467 French Culture in the Making: Conception and Actualization of a French Film Festival

    Units: 1

    Description
    Experience in the creation and preparation of a major cultural event on French cinema leading to significant enhancement of knowledge of French contemporary cinema and culture, substantial improvement of French language skills, and exposure to cultural management. Activities will be carried out in French and include writing, editing, translation and interpretation, film programming, advertisement and marketing development, outreach promotion, media relations at the local, national, and international levels, and event management.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 471 Francophone Studies

    Units: 1

    Description
    Literary and cultural studies of modern Francophone texts by African, Caribbean, Qubecois, Maghrebian, and other French-speaking writers. Recent topics include: tradition, postcolonialism and modernity; aesthetics; ngritude; and globalization.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 480 Food: French and Italian Rituals

    Units: 1

    Description
    Examines the impact of food on French and Italian culture and society. Through literary texts, philosophy, history, film, and the visual and performing arts, explores the complex relationship between food, culture, and identity.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 486 Paris As Visual Cliche

    Units: 1

    Description
    Examines a variety of visual clichés related to the city of Paris and analyzes them using literature, cultural studies, cultural theory, and visual analysis.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.

  • FREN 491 Honors Thesis I

    Units: 0.5

    Description
    Research on a topic of interest, design of an original thesis and draft of a first version of the honors thesis under the supervision of a thesis's advisor. Graded Pass/Fail.

    Prerequisite

    Acceptance into French Honors Program.

  • FREN 492 French Honors Thesis II

    Units: 1

    Description
    Completion of a 25-30 page honor thesis and presention of research at the French Studies Symposium.

    Prerequisite

    FREN-491

  • FREN 495 Independent Study

    Units: 0.5-1

    Description
    Special projects individually pursued under supervision of faculty member.

    Prerequisite

    Permission of department.

  • FREN 497 Selected Topics

    Units: 1

    Description
    Experimental topics based on student and faculty interests. Recent topics: autobiography, the emergence of drama, the letter in philosophy and literature, women writing in French.

    Prerequisite

    Two classes in the 320 series: FREN-320, FREN-324, FREN-325, FREN-326, FREN-327, FREN-328.