French Courses

FREN 111R / REPRESENTING THE CITY: PARIS & LONDON IN LITERATURE AND FILM () - view
No description is available for this course.

French Language Courses

In FREN 1 and 20, grammer may be explained in English. Otherwise, courses are conducted in French. FREN 1, 20, and 30 are intensive and require five hours weekly of classroom, multimedia language lab, and computer-assisted instruction.

FREN 1 / Fundamentals of Oral and Written French I (4) - view
An introduction to the French spoken and written language. Covers the basics of the French language through videos, readings, and realia from Francophone cultures. Interactive practice in the classroom and use of multimedia lab, oral, written, and computer-assisted activities. Offered fall semester.
FREN 20 / Fundamentals of Oral and Written French II (4) - view
French 20 is a continuation of French 1 or the equivalent level. Designed for students who have already covered the basics of the French language, but have yet been exposed to all tenses and other grammar fundamentals. Videos, culture readings, interactive practice in the classroom, multimedia lab, oral written and computer-assisted activities Prerequisite: FREN 1. Offered every semester.
FREN 30 / Intermediate French (4) - view
A continuation of FREN 20. Review of basic grammar; development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through films, discussion, Francophone articles and literary texts, compositions, multimedia lab and computer-assisted activities. A prerequisite for FREN 100, 101 and 102. Prerequisite: FREN 20. Offered every semester. Fulfills: DIT
FREN 35 / Intermediate French Conversation (4) - view
Developing of oral fluency through debates, round-table discussions, skits, and free conversation. Written practice through papers and computer assisted instruction. Prerequisite: FREN 30 or equivalent. Offered summers.

French Topics Given in English

The following courses may be applied to the general education literature and arts requirement and also the world literature requirements of the English major. No more than one Topics course given in English may be taken to fulfill the major requirement. Students taking these courses for credit or to complete their major requirements in French may not take the same Topics course in French.

FREN 50 / Francophone Literature in Translation: Women Novelists (4) - view
A critical reading of novels written in French by women from the late 17th through the 20th centuries. The study of 20th-century authors also includes women writers from the Francophone world (Quebec, Africa, and the Caribbean). Course may be repeated. Offered in 2008-2009.
FREN 111 / Selected Topics in French and Francophone Literatures (2-4) - view
A study of a topic or topics in a linguistic, cultural, or literary aspect of the French-speaking world not covered by the current offerings of the French Department. Amount of credit established at time of registration. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: FREN 30. Offering to be determined.
FREN 120 / Class, Ethnicity, and Culture (4) - view
This course examines the changing definitions of French national and cultural identity as a result of immigration, economic instability, and increasing internationalism. Representative twentieth-century novelists are examined. Prerequisite: FREN 104.
FREN 121 / North African Francophone Literature (4) - view
An investigation of the major components of Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian patterns of culture as seen in French-language literary texts. The historical background of Berber, Arab-Muslim, and Jewish cultural influences as well as the French impact on the Maghreb will be treated. Offered triennially.
FREN 123 / Modern West African Literature (4) - view
An examination of the struggle between traditional elements of West African cultures and modernity as seen in representative literary texts. The impact of Western influences as represented by the French political presence in West Africa will be analyzed through contemporary Francophone literature produced primarily since 1980. Offered triennially.
FREN 125 / French Caribbean Literature (4) - view
A study of the international aspect of Caribbean culture as represented by literary works from Martinique and Guadeloupe. Themes treated will include: oral culture, African roots, and French assimilation. Offered 2009-2010.

Upper-level French Language Courses

All courses are taught in French.

FREN 100 / Surf, Watch and Talk: French Popular Culture (4) - view
An advanced conversation class on popular culture in France. Discussions, creative projects and written assignments based on French cultural web sites, tv shows and on the analysis of current music trends. May be taken concurrently with other advanced classes. May be taken concurrently with FREN 102. Prerequisite: FREN 30 or equivalent. Offered fall semester.
FREN 101 / Advanced Conversation (4) - view
Aims to improve oral fluency through debates, round-table discussions, skits, and free conversation. Written practice through papers and computer-assisted instruction. May be taken concurrently with FREN 102. Prerequisite: FREN 30 or equivalent. Offered every semester. Fulfills: WI
FREN 102 / French Cinema (4) - view
Advanced conversation and writing practice through the viewing of contemporary French films on video. An examination of themes of French Francophone cultures through discussion, language study, papers, and computer activities designed for the course. Prerequisite: FREN 30 or equivalent. Offered spring semester.

Introduction to French Literary Study

Focusing on cultural relations between major literary works and simultaneous developments in art, music, politics, and society, these courses offer an introduction to French literary study. Particular attention is devoted to the enhancement of reading fluency and oral proficiency through dramatic productions, videos, oral presentations and short papers. FREN 104 is required for the French major and a prerequisite for more advanced topics courses. Offered every semester.

FREN 104A / Literary Analysis: Games People Play (2) - view
This sequence of courses develops reading fluency and oral practice through a study of selected themes drawn from play, poetry and fiction in the French literary tradition. This sequence is required for French majors and for more advanced topics courses. Prerequisite: (FREN 100 or FREN 101 or FREN 102). Offered every semester.
FREN 104B / Literary Analysis: Strangers & Misfits (2) - view
This sequence of courses develops reading fluency and oral practice through a study of selected themes drawn from plays, poetry and fiction in the French literary tradition. This sequence is required for French majors and for more advanced topics courses. Prerequisite: FREN 100, or FREN 101 or FREN 102. Offered every semester.

Topics Courses in French

FREN 122 / North African Francophone Literature (4) - view
An investigation of the major components of Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian patterns of culture as seen in French-language literary texts. The historical background of Berber, Arab-Muslim, and Jewish cultural influences as well as the French impact on the Maghreb will be treated. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 104A/B or the equivalent. Offered 2008-2009.

Cross-Cultural Perspectives

FREN 122 / North African Francophone Literature (4) - view
An investigation of the major components of Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian patterns of culture as seen in French-language literary texts. The historical background of Berber, Arab-Muslim, and Jewish cultural influences as well as the French impact on the Maghreb will be treated. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 104A/B or the equivalent. Offered 2008-2009.
FREN 124 / Modern West African Literature (4) - view
An examination of the struggle between traditional elements of West African cultures and modernity as seen in representative literary texts. The impact of Western influences as represented by the French political presence in West Africa will be analyzed through contemporary Francophone literature produced primarily since 1980. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: One upper-level French course, preferably 104A/B. Offered 2007-2008.
FREN 126 / French Caribbean Literature (4) - view
A study of the international aspect of Caribbean culture as represented by literary works from Martinique and Guadeloupe. Themes treated will include: oral culture, African roots, and French assimilation. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: One upper-level French course, preferably FREN 104A/B. Offered triennially.

Advanced Language Courses

FREN 130A / Advanced Composition and Stylistics I (2) - view
This advanced course in stylistics enables students to refine their writing skills and learn to write in a variety of styles. Review of advanced grammatical problems, basic principles of stylistic analysis, editing, and some translation from English to French. Prerequisite: FREN 100, 101, or 102. Offering to be determined.
FREN 130B / Advanced Composition and Stylistics II (2) - view
This advanced course in stylistics enables students to refine their writing skills and learn to write in a variety of styles. Review of advanced grammatical problems, basic principles of stylistic analysis, editing, and some translation from English to French. Prerequisite: FREN 100, 101, or 102. Offering to be determined.

Poetry

FREN 140 / Reading and Writing French Poetry (4) - view
An examination of the nature of poetic creativity through numerous examples from 20th-century French and Francophone poets, such as Apollinaire, Breton, Eluard, Chedid, Desnos, Michaux, Reverdy, Senghor, Césaire. Students are encouraged to write their own poetry, which is published in a French literary journal. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offered in 2009-2010. Same as: HISTG 140.
FREN 142 / Poetry and Culture (4) - view
An examination of the changing relations between poetry and political, sexual, cultural, and social identities in the works of recent French and Francophone poets. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offered in 2007-2008. Same as: HISTG 142.

Theater

FREN 152 / The French Classical Stage (4) - view
An intensive study of the masterpieces of Corneille, Molière, and Racine with numerous videos and, if possible, attendance at a French production. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offered in 2009-2010.
FREN 154 / Contemporary French Theatre (4) - view
Representative works of the major playwrights of the 20th century, such as Sartre, Anouilh, Ionesco, Camus, and Duras. New trends emerging in the 21st century will also be studied. Prerequisite: FREN 104. offered in 2008-2009. Same as: HISTG 154.

The Novel

FREN 160 / Love, Money, and Food in the 19th-Century Novel (4) - view
A study of the cultural and literary significance of these themes in representative novels of Stendhal, Balzac, Flaubert, Hugo, Zola, and Maupassant. Discussion and lecture. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offered in 2007-2008. Same as: HISTG 160.
FREN 162 / The Modern Psychological Novel (4) - view
A study of introspection in the 20th-century French novel. Representative works from novelists such as Proust, Gide, Breton, Colette, Simone de Beauvoir, Sarraute, Yourcenar, and Butor. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offered in 2007-2008. Same as: HISTG 162.
FREN 164 / The Novel and Society in 20th Century France (4) - view
A study of works from 20th century fiction examining literary representations of social and political problems such as changing class structures, political revolt, and urban unrest. The course will focus on political and social commitment from the beginning of the 20th century to 1990. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offered in 2008-2009. Same as: HISTG 164.

Society and Culture

FREN 180 / France in the New Millennium (4) - view
A study of representative texts showing cultural, social, economic, and political developments in France since 1990. Trends such as the impact of internationalism and the New Europe, as well as the challenging of social norms, will be examined in fiction written at the turn of the millennium. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offered in 2007-2008.
FREN 186 / France in the 18th Century (4) - view
The 18th century in France was a period of major political, cultural, and ideological transformations, culminating in the French Revolution. The course examines how the printed word itself becomes a major weapon in the hands of the philosophers, women, and others to challenge the legitimacy of the established political and ideological order of the ancient régime. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offered in 2008-2009.

Other Courses

FREN 112 / Selected Topics in French Francophone Literatures (2-4) - view
A study of a topic or topics in a linguistic, cultural, or literary aspect of the French-speaking world not covered by the current offerings of the French Department. Offered in French. Amount of credit established at time of registration. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: FREN 104. Offering to be determined.
FREN 194 / Independent Study (2-4) - view
A tutorial course. Students investigate a chosen topic in French or Francophone literature or language and culture under the guidance of French department faculty. Oral and written reports. Amount of credit established at time of registration. May be repeated for credit with the approval of the department. Open only to students with junior or senior standing Meets: weekly. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: 12 credits of advanced work in French with a B average. Offered every semester.

Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum

FREN 99 / French Across the Curriculum (1-2) - view
Foreign languages across the curriculum is a tutorial program which seeks to enable students with at least intermediate-level proficiency in a foreign language to access authentic materials in that language will use their acquired skills to read and interpret texts in the foreign language and/or conduct research in the language knowledge gained will be applied to the work of the cognate course. Amount of credit established at time of registration. Prerequisite: FREN 30 or equivalent and signature of language instructor.