course descriptions - french
Prerequisite Grade
All prerequisites must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
Lower Division Courses
#1 Elementary French
For students with no prior knowledge of French. With instruction in basic grammar structures and communication strategies, students begin to develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
#2 Continuing Elementary French
For students with 1 or 2 years of secondary study of French (or the equivalent). This course continues the development of reading, writing, listening and speaking, emphasizing conversation on everyday topics. Prerequisite: French 1 or equivalent.
#3 Intermediate French
For students with 2 or 3 years of secondary study of French (or the equivalent). This course continues the development of reading, writing, listening and speaking, fostering confidence in conversation and composition across a variety of subjects. Prerequisite: French 2 or equivalent.
4 Continuing Intermediate French
For students with 3 or 4 years of secondary study of French (or the equivalent). This course offers an abbreviated review of primary structures and concentrates heavily on developing communicative ability through readings, music and visual resources. For students who have completed an overview of basic grammar and are ready to combine and apply their language skills in most settings. Prerequisite: French 3 or equivalent.
#6 Conversation (.25)
Conversational practice for students enrolled in first- or second-year French. Meets once a week. May be repeated for credit.
10 Conversation-Composition
This course prepares students for upper division work by developing fluency in speaking and writing. Curriculum includes study and discussion of selected texts by contemporary French authors, with emphasis on the short story; discussion and debate of contemporary issues; written composition. A sound knowledge of French grammar is expected although particular features of the language are reviewed. Required for French majors and minors. Also open to students from other disciplines who wish to improve their mastery of the language. Prerequisite: French 4 or equivalent.
11 Introduction to Literature
Introduction to literary analysis. This course requires close reading of texts and emphasizes extensive writing about literature. Examination of the notion of genre, narrative devices, structure, etc. Required of majors and minors. Prerequisite: French 4 and/or 10, or equivalent.
#15 Phonetics (.25)
A practical course designed to instill correct pronunciation habits early in the student’s career. Required for all majors and minors, except by special exemption.
17 Introduction to Business French (.25)
For students with a minimum of 1 year of high school French or the equivalent. The course familiarizes students with French business practices and vocabulary, aspects of the French economy, and cultural differences between France and the U.S. By building on students’ knowledge of the language, the course develops the practical communication and comprehension skills needed to interact in French in professional situations. Class meets 1 and a half hours weekly.
#60 French Civilization for January Term (.25)
Students who register for the January Term travel course in France are required to take this course on the history, geography and political structures of France.
Upper Division Courses
*100 Advanced Phonetics and History of the French Language
A survey of the evolution of the French language, treating phonology, syntax, lexicon and semantics; detailed analysis of the sounds and speech patterns of modern French.
*101-102 Advanced French Syntax and Composition
A systematic review of the essential structures of French, with a focus on developing composition skills. Analysis of model texts as a means to improving self-expression and communication.
103 Advanced Composition and Stylistics
Using literary texts as a point of departure, this course concentrates on stylistics in order to help students perfect their own writing style in French.
104 Workshop in Translation
Introduction to the linguistic and aesthetic problems of translation, with emphasis on learning through practice. Focus on various kinds of texts, both literary and technical. Equal emphasis given to translating from French into English (version) and from English into French (théme).
#106 Conversation on Contemporary Issues (.25)
Open to sudents with at least 2 years of French. Meets once a week. May be repeated for credit.
121 French Literature: Middle Ages to the Renaissance
Readings in the medieval epic poem (Chansons de geste), lyric poetry, and the courtly novel; early religious and secular theater; the first historians; major writers of the Renaissance: Rabelais, Montaigne, Marguerite de Navarre, the poets of the Pléiade.
122 French Literature: 17th and 18th Centuries
Study of the great writers of the age of Classicism: plays by Corneille, Moliére and Racine; the fables of La Fontaine; the ideas of Descartes and Pascal; Mme de Lafayette and the birth of the psychological novel; introduction to the great philosophes of the Age of Enlightenment: Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau. The theater of Marivaux and Beaumarchais; preromanticism in the novel.
123 French Literature: 19th and 20th Centuries
The principal literary movements of the 19th century: romanticism and symbolism in poetry and drama, realism and naturalism in the novel and short story; development of the 20th-century novel, from Proust to the nouveau roman; trends in modern drama, poetry and philosophy.
129 French Literature outside Europe
Literature and culture of French-speaking Africa, Canada and the Antilles. May be repeated for credit as content varies.
130 Thematic and Stylistic Study of a Single French Author or Genre
May be repeated for credit as content varies.
# Does not fulfill an Area requirement unless language proficiency requirement has been fulfilled in another language. *Offered in alternate years.
131 Exploration of a Particular Literary School or Period in French Literature
Offered according to student interest. May be repeated for credit as content varies. 150 Culture and Civilization of France A study of the relationship between the rich culture of France and its turbulent history. Attention is given to the interchange between artistic or literary expression and the political process.
Culture and Civilization of France
A study of the relationship between the rich culture of France and its turbulent history. Attention is given to the interchange between artistic or literary expression and the political process.
170 Business French
Introduction to commercial French for students interested in international business and finance. Students who complete this course successfully are prepared to take the internationally recognized Paris Chamber of Commerce examination, the Certificat Pratique.
197 Special Study
An independent study or research course for students whose special needs cannot be met by regular courses offered by the department. Permission of the instructor and department chairperson required.
198 Honors Essay (.25)
An independent research project for senior French majors completing the Honors program, Option B.
199 Honors Special Study
An independent study or research course for senior French majors with a B average in French. Permission of the instructor and department chairperson required.
