Le langage est une peau: je frotte mon langage contre l’autre.
C’est comme si j’avais des mots en guise de doigts, ou des doigts au bout de mes mots. Mon langage tremble de désir.
Language is a skin: I rub my language against the other.
It is as if I had words instead of fingers, or fingers at the tip of my words.
My language trembles with desire.
Roland Barthes
French (FRN)
French connects students to opportunities in international business, trade, service, and travel, prepares students for college, and improves English language skills. With French, you can communicate with French speakers around the world, boost your academic skills, become proficient more quickly than with most world languages, increase options for undergraduate and graduate studies, connect your future to cutting-edge fields in science and technology, invest in your career, enjoy special leisure-time activities, benefit more from travel experiences, appreciate Francophone contributions to world culture, and understand a variety of world perspectives. Students of French learn about France’s language and culture, but there’s more to “la Francophonie” than just France! There are more than 56 countries on five continents where French is regularly used for business, government, and daily life, including 32 countries in Africa. Right next door in Canada, there are 9 million native speakers of French. From Togo to Guyana to Vietnam to Switzerland, French provides an entrée into culture worldwide.
This is a course for students who have had no previous background in French. Grammar is taught inductively and simple texts are read. Speaking, reading, and writing are emphasized.
In this continuation of French I, grammar, composition, oral comprehension of simple literary texts are developed supplemented by readings and analysis of French texts.
This course is for students who have had no previous background in French. Grammar is taught inductively and simple texts are read. Speaking, reading, and writing are emphasized.
Prerequisite: Departmental Placement
Prerequisite: Departmental Placement
Students will continue the study of basic French grammar begun in FRN 105. They will also further their skills in listening comprehension, reading and writing in French.
Prerequisite: FRN 105 or Departmental Placement
Prerequisite: FRN 105 or Departmental Placement
This course for non-native students having mastered two semesters of French is designed to build confidence and competence in conversing in French. Prerequisite: FRN 102 or departmental approval
This course includes a review of grammar plus the study of French civilization and selected readings in French literature.
While reviewing advanced grammar, students are trained in literary analysis through the works of modern French authors.
This course involves intensive oral work consisting of discussions of French/Francophone films. Communicative activities and drills in pronunciation, intonation and rhythm are included as well as several oral presentations throughout the course. A wide variety of topics ranging from everyday life problems to major social and cultural issues will be discussed. Readings, written work, and discussions will be in French.
Prerequisite: FRN 200 or departmental approval
Prerequisite: FRN 200 or departmental approval
This course explores literature written in French from countries outside of France. Works from French Canada, the Caribbean islands (Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Haiti) as well as North and West Africa will be included. Themes highlighting cultural and social differences with France will be discussed. Readings, written work, and oral reports will be in French. Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
The chronological evolution of French literature and its relation to French culture and ideas are studied. Major works by representative authors from the 17th century are read and discussed with emphasis on ideas and style. Included are selections from Corneille, Moliere, Racine, la Fontaine, Bossuet, Fenelon, Fontenelle, and Marivaux (introduction to early 18th century trends and post-revolution changes in classical literature). Written and oral reports are required. Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
This course concentrates on the literature of the Enlightenment and the 19th century as reflected in the works of Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Balzac, Flaubert, Stendhal and the Romantic and Symbolist poets. Written and oral reports are required. This course may be taken before French V.
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
In this study of the major writers and literary movements (surrealism, avant-garde, existentialism) of the 20th century, emphasis is placed on novelists like Proust, Mauriac and Camus; playwrights such as Claudel, Giraudoux, Sartre, Anouilh, Ionesco and Beckett; and the poets Valery, Eluard and Aragon. Written and oral reports are required. This course may be taken before French V and French VI.
This course introduces students to literature and cinema from French speaking West African countries. We will study various works from the 1950’s up to the present through five major themes: oral tradition, cultural alienation, social and political criticism, women’s condition and the old/new generation conflict. Documents studied will include novels, documentaries, fiction, films and songs. Some of the authors to be considered include: D.T. Niane, Camara Laye, Ahmadou Kourouma, Sembene Ousmane, Djirbril Diop Mambety, Maraima Ba and Safi Faye. This course is taught in French.
The course reviews advanced grammar and syntax and includes composition exercises, with emphasis on developing advanced oral and written proficiency in French. Through the close analysis of texts on a wide range of cultural and social issues, students will learn strategies for writing organized, compelling essays. Students are expected to complete extensive grammar exercises, participate in discussions in class, and write short essays. Readings, written work, and discussions will be in French.
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval
The objective of this course is to continue developing advanced oral and written proficiency in French through critical analysis of different texts covering a wide range of contemporary cultural and social issues. Emphasis is placed on writing persuasive and argumentative essays. Students are expected to keep a journal, a vocabulary log, actively participate in discussions in class, and write short essays. Readings, written work, and discussions will be in French.
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval
The course brings to life the essentials of existentialist philosophy in plays and novels of French authors such as Sartre and Camus, with modern insights into the age-old question of free choice and predestination, the relevancy or irrelevancy of God, commitment or alienation, and the meaning or the absurdity of life. Readings are in French; class discussions and written work in English/ French.
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
Based on works by Chateaubriand, Stendhal, Balzac, and Zola, this course analyzes the relationship between the individual and society undergoing critical changes. Special attention is given to the problem of the Romantic ego in a materialistic society and the coming of age of a new “hero” emerging from the Industrial Revolution. Readings are in French; discussion and written work in English or French.
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
This is a history survey of the theories of French Theater evolved from the Greek Tragedy through medieval, classical Romantic, Realistic, Symbolist and Surrealist theater up to Avant-garde Theater and the Theater of the Absurd. Readings are in French, discussion in English.
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
Prerequisite: FRN 210 or departmental approval, or any 400 level course
The main aspects of French life and culture as expressed in social, intellectual, and philosophical history are studied in this course. Emphasis is given to the geographic situation, economic, and social changes; the main trends of thought in French tradition, and their impact on modern France. Readings are in French, discussion in English and French. Prerequisite: FRN 200 or departmental approval
This is a study abroad course that will further develop students’ four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in French. Students will consolidate their knowledge of grammar through contextualized analysis. Students will also do further work on selected contemporary themes related to French society and institutions (e.g., the press in France, cinema, food, etc.) Prerequisite: FRN 102 or departmental approval. GPA of 3.0 or above.
3CRS., 3HRS.
do it with us at modern languages department 