New Courses Developed
* New Courses already taught at least once are indicated by an asterisk:
French 138*: French Culture Through Films
This course taught in English is an introduction to French and Francophone cultures through films by French and Francophone directors examining gender, ethnicity and global issues. It is designed for Freshmen and any student interested in the French-speaking world. Films will be in the original French with English subtitles. No knowledge of French language is required for this course.
French 211*: French Composition and Conversation I
French 211 taught in French is designed for advanced students, French minors and/or majors as an intensive grammar review presented to assist with the writing task at hand. This course affords students the opportunity to explore their attitudes about writing as well as learn about the writing process: planning, brainstorming, generating ideas, composing, re-reading, editing and revising in the target language. Students will learn to describe a person write a letter, tell a story, explain a concept, and express an opinion on current topics from French or Francophone cultures. The purpose of this course is largely to intensify and deepen the student's capacity for oral and written expression in the target language.
French 212*: French Composition and Conversation II
This course is a continuation of French Composition and Conversation level I and targets advanced students of French who are interested in focusing on the development of their reading and writing proficiencies and their critical thinking skills. FRE 212 combines writing process theory, socio-linguistic and cultural analysis, collaborative and peer work and a learner-centered approach. The conversational component consists of exchanges of ideas and opinions on current journalistic texts from French or Francophone cultures and worldview topics to engage the student's interest and to serve as a springboard to improve written self-expression in the target language. FRE 212 is designed to strengthen and refine writing and conversational skills initiated and honed in FRE 211.
French 224 - Business French
Business French is the study of French business terminology and phrasing as well as the formal aspects of conducting business in francophone countries and covers such topics as banking, tourism, transportation and telecommunications. The study of aspects of the geography and sociology of francophone regions is also included. Active skills practiced will be translation, correspondence and telecommunication.
French 225*: Applied
linguistics and Phonetics
This course consists of a systematic and thorough study of French phonology, covering the three types of sounds, their alternation and combination specific to French; phonetic transcription; an overview of regional, dialectal and social variants. An initiation to linguistic analysis, including terminology and methods of investigation with an overview of morphology, syntax, semantics and sociolinguistics. The course is taught in French. PREREQUISITE: FRE 022 or its equivalent.
French 226*: Literature of the
French Speaking World I: Contemporary Female Novelists and the New Québécois
novel (Cross-listed with Women Studies.)
This course (taught in English) studies the development of the modern novel by Quebec female novelists. In 1960, the quiet revolution brought profound changes in every facet of Quebec life. Secularization and modernization gave Quebecers a new consciousness of themselves as a collectivity within the Canadian federation and as a majority within their province. For women especially, the break with a clerical traditional patriarchal society antagonistic to their advancement has been abrupt and profound. Their desire for freedom resounded in an outburst of new feminine and feminist writings. We will read and examine the works which best illustrates their vision, the interpretation of their history and present realities. Also included is written and oral work on the unique socio-cultural context in which these women write. PREREQUISITE: None.
French 227: Literature of the
French Speaking World II: Africa and the Caribbean (one time only)
French 306 - The French Enlightenment
In this course taught in French we will study the movement of ideas in the French Enlightenment from reaction against authority to revolution. This period brought about the liberal ideas of great philosophies such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot and Rousseau and witnessed the emergence of a feminist movement with the rise and triumph of the novel. In France, particularly, the Enlightenment marked the delineation of a distinctive female literary tradition as women salonnières, letter writers, memorialists and novelists offered new possibilities for a female perspective on the world that the “New Revolutionary Regime” would find intolerable and soon curb.
French 317*: French in the Global Village
This course (taught in French) presents an overview of the history of the French language and culture. It provides a humanist perspective for a better understanding of the impact of the French language and culture on the rest of the world through the colonial enterprise. While emphasizing the post-colonial era and the advent of globalization, FRE 317 gives students a content-based approach to learning the language. Focus is placed on the communicative aspect of the language and aims at deepening students' understanding of the socio-linguistic aspect of the language. PREREQUISITE: FRE 211 or instructor's permission.
French 321 - The French Novel and its Discontents
FRE 321 (formerly FRE 320), taught in French, examines how French women novelists embraced the genre both as an art form and as a subversive tool against patriarchy. Paradoxically, the triumph of absolute monarchy and centralization of power proved more beneficial to them than the French Revolution and the Napoleonic code would. The French novel became their means to regain a voice making it a mirror of ideologies and societal forces at play from the classical period to the present times. Focus will be placed on the rise of the bourgeoisie with the birth of “the public sphere” and/or journalism (Habermas) publishing, the book trade and censorship (Darnton) to conclude with the controversy of Canon formation. We shall explore the aftermath of WWII and French intellectual icon Simone de Beauvoir’s essay: Le deuxième sexe whose impact has been and is still felt worldwide. We shall analyze excerpts of representative selected works. DVDs and videos complete readings to allow an appreciation of inter-arts discourse, social and political institutions.
French 327: Professional Translation Skills in French
This course is an introductory level course in translation to learn and practice skills needed to read critically and to translate from English to French and vice versa. We shall stress accuracy, precision, idiomacy, and subtlety in both languages. Furthermore, the proper use of a dictionary will be taught to avoid pitfalls of errors when words are taken out of context or as a single unit. A review of various kinds of specialized dictionaries (unilingual versus bilingual) will be presented. The interest in Translation Studies (Traductology), i.e. Comprehensive History of Translation, has grown since the 80s. We shall endeavor to present an overview of recent developments in this fast growing field.
French 331 - Identity, Modernity and Text in New France
FRE 331 (formerly FRE 330) consists of the study of ideas and societal changes that shaped and continue to impact linguistic, artistic, political and cultural achievements of the French and the French-Speakers in the contemporary world. Focus is placed on modernity and identity formation to teach students how to think critically and develop research skills through specific exercises including Web resources. The course will be taught in French.
French 342 : Canada: Past & Present
This course is a panoramic exploration of the multifaceted and vibrant French culture in Quebec and the ROC (Rest of Canada) from the birth of New France to recent Quebec political turmoil. This course will incorporate a multidisciplinary approach to the historical, political, cultural, artistic, and socio-economic movements that have influenced and still impact Quebec and Canada as a nation, our neighbor to the North. Cultural manifestations such as creative art, cinema, music, folk songs, narrative texts and a brief overview of the economic sector to underline Quebec/U.S.A. special partnership will be examined. Oral and written practice in critical thought will further mastery of the French language. This course is taught in French.
French 343 - France at the Dawn of the Twenty-First Century
FRE 343 consists of a study of contemporary France and French-Speaking societies, as manifested in present-day life and culture to provide a vivid overview of present day France at the dawn of the Twenty-First Century. Consideration will be given to their place within the enlarged European Union and the world, to political, economic and social structures to education and the Arts. We shall focus on the way French people are reacting as they are confronted with an increasingly complex world, the advent of the information revolution technology, and multiculturalism. Special attention will be given to the fabric of French society as a new mosaic of cultures, specifically the influx from former North African colonies: Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, i.e. the Maghreb.
French 360 : Experiences in Study Abroad
This course permits approved study abroad experiences to be counted in the student’s French major (B.A. and B.S. Ed.), minor or concentration. Prior to an approved study abroad experience, any students majoring in French may, with the input and approval of her/his advisor, request that 1-6 credit hours be granted toward her/his major based on the activities to be undertaken. Any student minoring in French or seeking a concentration in French may request that 1-3 credit hours be granted based on the activities to be undertaken. Students are required to prepare a written request to the advisor giving a description of activities and a rationale for requesting credit. This course is available only to students majoring, minoring or earning an Elementary Education concentration in French who complete an approved study abroad program and meet evaluation standards approved by the French advisor.
French 390*: International internship in France
This course is designed for the student wishing to spend an extended period of time in France or a French-Speaking countr; at an approved agency/organization in either an internship situation or nontraditional studies setting. Students must demonstrate that the internship or non-traditional program will be conducted in the target language of study and will be adequately supervised. They must provide a detailed written account of the program including objectives and method of study, to their academic advisor, for approval prior to the period of study. Students must present a written journal, paper or other material to the Program Director upon their return and be prepared to make a presentation about their experiences. (This course can be repeated but is not to exceed a total of 9 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: French major and/or minor and permission of department chair and advisor; junior or senior status; 2.5 minimum GPA in major and/or minor or a 2.5 GPA overall.