French (FREN)
Requirements for the Major in French
Students majoring in French are required to complete a semester of study abroad in a country where the French language is spoken, taking a majority of courses in French, in a program approved by the language major adviser. In rare instances, exceptions to this policy may be granted, at the sole discretion of the faculty of the program, through a waiver process administered by the coordinator of the French program and in consultation with the department chair.
| FREN 201 | Intermediate Active French | 3 |
| FREN 202 | Intermediate Active French | 3 |
| FREN 303 | Advanced French 1 | 3 |
| FREN 304 | The French World: France | 4 |
| or FREN 306 | The French World: Africa, Europe, the Americas | |
| FREN 308 | Introduction to French Literature | 3 |
| Select one literature course from the following: | 3 | |
| French Novel | ||
| French Poetry | ||
| French Non-Fiction | ||
| French Theater | ||
| French Film Seminar | ||
| Select one French (FREN) course at the 400-level | 3 | |
| Select one French (FREN) course at the 300-or 400-level | 3 | |
| Semester of Study Abroad | ||
| Total Hours | 25 | |
| 1 | Students must earn a grade of 'C' or higher in order to continue in the major. |
FREN 101. Beginning Active French. 3 Hours.
A comprehensive introduction to the four skills of the language: speaking, aural
comprehension, reading, writing. Structure and communication skills are emphasized through extensive use of French in the classroom.
FREN 102. Beginning Active French. 3 Hours.
A comprehensive introduction to the four skills of the language: speaking, aural
comprehension, reading, writing. Structure and communication skills are emphasized through extensive use of French in the classroom.
FREN 201. Intermediate Active French. 3 Hours.
An intensive review of the language, with emphasis on development of fluent oral
skills, refinement of grammatical structure, vocabulary building, and expansion of
reading and writing skills. Oral communication is stressed in class.
Prerequisite: FREN 102 with a minimum grade of C-.
FREN 202. Intermediate Active French. 3 Hours.
An intensive review of the language, with emphasis on development of fluent oral
skills, refinement of grammatical structure, vocabulary building, and expansion of
reading and writing skills. Oral communication is stressed in class.
Prerequisite: FREN 201 with a minimum grade of C-.
FREN 280. Selected Topics in French. 1 to 4 Hours.
The study of selected topics, at the introductory or intermediate level, in French.
FREN 303. Advanced French. 3 Hours.
Refinement of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills aimed at moving the
student toward advanced proficiency in French. The course stresses improvement in the student's ease and richness of expression, as well as increased awareness of levels of discourse and written expression of French as it is currently used. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a minimum grade of C-.
FREN 304. The French World: France. 4 Hours.
A discovery of France and its social and cultural institutions through a study of contemporary issues and of differences and similarities between American and French attitudes, policies, and tastes. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 303 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 306. The French World: Africa, Europe, the Americas. 4 Hours.
An exploration of French-speaking areas of the world beyond the metropole, in
selected nations or regions of Europe (Belgium, Switzerland), Africa (the Maghreb,
West Africa), and the Americas (the Caribbean, Quebec). Focus is on the social and
cultural institutions of non-French francophones and their concerns as expressed in
a foreign idiom. Conducted in French. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.
Prerequisite: FREN 303 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 308. Introduction to French Literature. 3 Hours.
An introduction to French literature. The student learns reading techniques which
illuminate the content of a text through an appreciation of style, syntax, and rhetorical device. Diverse literary genres are studied, including works of prose (fiction and nonfiction), poetry, and theater. At the same time, emphasis is placed on the historical, social, and cultural contexts of the chosen works. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 303 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 412. French Novel. 3 Hours.
Readings from selected texts that represent the evolution of the French novel. Attention is paid to technique and style, with emphasis also on the historical and social importance of each novel. The student also becomes familiar with a substantial corpus of critical literature. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 308 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 413. French Poetry. 3 Hours.
Study of a variety of texts from representative poetic movements from the 17th century through the 20th century. Emphasis is placed on poetry as a social and historical document and close attention is also paid to the evolution of poetic structure and technique. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 308 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 414. French Non-Fiction. 3 Hours.
A careful reading of selected major essays, journalistic articles and reviews, biographies and autobiographies, and other non-fictional texts by writers in French. The course focuses on important themes and perspectives of influential French authors, contemporary and historical,as well as on the basic elements and strategies of their prose styles. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 308 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 415. French Theater. 3 Hours.
A careful reading of representative texts of the French theater designed to acquaint the student with the different genres of theater and to teach the student to read critically. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 308 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 421. French Film Seminar. 4 Hours.
A study of French film as an art form. Using a representative sample of films as 'texts,' the course considers narrative processes, representational modalities, and the language of film (cinematographic techniques and devices). Other topics of consideration may include the contrastive analysis of literary and cinematic fictions; the cinematic depiction of social and cultural realities (film as cultural mirror, film as propaganda); the historical development of a national film industry; and the director as auteur. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 308 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 440. The Art & Craft of Translation. 3 Hours.
To enrich and deepen the student's understanding of different methods of written
expression in French, the course focuses on expansion of the student's active and
passive vocabulary and on the student's appreciation of the linguistic nuances that
distinguish French language from English language. Conducted in French and English.
Prerequisite: FREN 303 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 441. Advanced Grammar and Composition. 3 Hours.
This course is desginated according to the ACTFL Revised Proficiency Guidelines to help students improve their control of French grammar in order to improve their composition and grammatical skills in French of different genres. The focus on grammar and writing skills will be supported by various listening and speaking activities. By the end of this course, students should be able to write in relatively sophisticated and accurate French on complex topics, converse about these same topics, and read authentic texts written in French with increasing ease. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 303 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 442. Oral Proficiency: Conversing and Interpreting in French. 3 Hours.
A practical approach to speaking French. Using a wide variety of spoken samples
for listening practice and role-play tasks for speaking practice, the course examines the functions and contexts of oral proficiency levels from intermediate to superior abilities. The course also considers techniques of oral assessment and the nature of professional interpreting as a career. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 303 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 443. French Phonetics. 4 Hours.
An introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet and its application to problems of correct phonetic utterance. Phonetic accuracy improves oral expression by the student and aural comprehension by the listener. Conducted in French and English.
Prerequisite: FREN 303 with a minimum grade of C.
FREN 480. Advanced Topics in French. 1 to 4 Hours.
The study of selected topics at the advanced level in French.