French & Francophone Studies

Courses

FREN 101: Basic French I

Credits 5
A communicative approach to basic French that emphasizes the development of language skills, cultural competence needed to communicate effectively and knowledge of French-speaking communities. Incorporates the recently articulated national Standards for Language Learning: communication, culture, comparison, connection and community.

FREN 201: Intermediate French

Credits 4
Students review speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills and build on these so as to enhance their confidence in using French in specific cultural and communicative situations such as travel and email exchanges. They continue to grow in their knowledge of communities where French is spoken, make connections between French and other disciplines, and develop a critical understanding of linguistic and cultural differences.

FREN 202: Intermediate French II

Credits 3
Students further develop speaking, writing, listening and reading skills and the cultural competence necessary for communicating in an increasing range of settings. They continue to grow in their knowledge of communities where French is spoken, make connections between French and other disciplines, and develop a critical understanding of linguistic and cultural differences.

FREN 301: Advanced Grammar

Credits 3
L'art de bien s'exprimer. In this writing intensive course, students read and analyze shorter texts representative of a variety of genres and modes. By identifying formal and stylistic elements of each students will learn to better appreciate the linguistic function of these texts while also improving their own skills to write with greater precision and ease. Students will reflect on the process of writing by considering the choices an author makes in creating a work.

FREN 302: Exploring Grammar through Media

Credits 1
In this comprehensive study of French grammar and syntax, students will read and mine various forms of print media to acquire grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions that they will apply in frequent essays.

FREN 303: Reading A Text

Credits 2
This advanced-intermediate course is designed to increase confidence in oral language skills by engaging students in conversation activities focused on present-day spoken French. An additional goal is to build vocabulary related to contemporary cultural topics in the French and Francophone world. Discussions revolve around current events, films, music and short readings.

FREN 330: Topics in Culture

Credits 4
This course aims at introducing students to sociocultural and political discourses in cinema from the French-speaking world. Students will study cinematic techniques and vocabulary and analyze principal themes. Sample topics include West African Cinema, the films of Claire Denis, and Quebecois Cinema.

FREN 340: Topics

Credits 3
Emphasizing critical literary approaches, this course enables students to gain familiarity with tools used in interpretation and analysis by encountering texts organized by topic, genre or period. The requirements include substantial reading in French and frequent written work with an emphasis on multiple drafts and the writing process. Sample topics include Monstrous Dreams: Figuring Fantasy in Nineteenth-Century French Literature, and Poetry Engagé.

FREN 430: Crisis and Identity in the 21ST Century French-Speaking World

Credits 3
Students will examine contemporary perspectives on crisis and identity across literature, film and society in a 21st-century context where French is used. Discussions will address a variety of issues such as natural disasters, economic crises, the future direction of literature, immigration, and the influence of American culture. The class will draw from literary theory and cultural studies to enrich its queries.

FREN 440: Advanced Literary Studies

Credits 3

This course is designed to introduce different Mandinka oral narrative forms through the lens of different disciplines. By reading and discussing popular and specialized literature, we will explore the nature and function of Mandinka verbal arts such as tare (folk tales, fables), sanda (proverbs), sandakòdòbò (riddles), dònkili (songs), fasa (honorifics, praise songs), buruju (origins, ancestry), mabalma (oratory technics for creating new songs from fasa), and study in detail maana (tarikh in Arabic), the Mandinka epic as reconstructed in Camara Laye’s Kouma Lâfôlô Kouma ou le maître de la parole. Works by Djibril Tamsir Niane, Massa Makan Diabaté and Ahmadou Kourouma will also be discussed. Finally, the course will reflect on ways oral narrative forms have influenced contemporary African writers.

FREN 488: Senior Capstone Experience

Credits 1
Bringing together students' experience with French, this course entails preparation for and completion of the comprehensive exams, including an extensive written paper, reflection on their own growth through French, a grammar exam, and several oral components. It also draws attention to current issues in the field of French and Francophone Studies and helps students reflect on career and life goals related to French, to French-speaking communities, and to global society.