French (FRE)

This class is an introductory course designed to develop fundamental communication skills in French culture. Supplementary videos, tapes, and other materials are incorporated in the course.

A structured communicative approach to the study of the French language. By the end of the semester, students will be able to express basic ideas in French, and will learn to use appropriate grammatical forms at the elementary level. In addition to the language component, students will gain a perspective of the French-speaking world through the viewing of representative contemporary films and discussing them in depth. Language structures studied in the Language component will be reinforced in the film study.

A continuation of the principles established in FRE 101. In addition, the course will introduce more complex sentence structures, past and future verb tenses, the subjunctive mood, and increase fundamental vocabulary. Supplementary videos, tapes, films and other materials are incorporated in the course.

Travel abroad combined with on-campus lectures and discussions. Restrictions/Requirements: Course conducted in English.

This course will examine select avant-garde writers of France and Spain and the literary connections between the two countries in the early 20th century. We will travel to select cities in France, including Paris and Barcelona, and Spain during Spring Break. While in Europe, we will visit museums and other cultural sites which shaped French and Spanish writers, emphasizing the art, theatre, history and culture of both countries. Course conducted in English.

This course deals with subjects selected from French literature and culture. Knowledge of French is not required. Restrictions/Requirements: Course conducted in English.

This course explores through literature the complex historical and cultural ties between women writers of West African countries that have a French colonial history and their counterparts in the island nations of the Caribbean. While these nations have distinct cultures, their literature and the concerns of women writers share common thematic threads. All works are in English translation.

Students will gain a perspective of the French-speaking world through the viewing of representative contemporary films and discussing them in depth. Field trips into Pleasantville to the Jacob Burns Center and Jean-Jacques French restaurant will enhance the course. Restrictions/Requirements: Course conducted in English.

A structured communicative approach to the study of the French language. By the end of the semester, students will be able to express basic ideas in French, and will learn to use appropriate grammatical forms at the elementary level. In addition to the language component, students will gain a perspective of the French-speaking world through the viewing of representative contemporary films and discussing them in depth. Language structures studied in the Language component will be reinforced in the film study. Restrictions/Requirements: Course conducted in English.

This "hybrid" course on French culture will be conducted in English and does not require any knowledge of French. Approximately two-thirds of the course will be conducted online with provision for a number of class meetings to be scheduled during the semester. Students will work with order and coordinated cultural readings on the Internet. The class meetings will be used to discuss and understand the truth and myth of certain intercultural perceptions. The course will use role-play to promote cultural competence. Course conducted in English.

France and America, currently two of the world's most advanced industrialized nations, are similar in many respects with regard to how they conceptualize and practice freedom, the duties of citizens and government, human rights, capitalism and other matters that pertain to modern life. There is much in America's history that is rooted in ideas that stem from the Enlightenment in 18th century France. At the same time, French views on matters like freedom, the obligations of government to the citizenry and the like often differ markedly from those held by Americans. This course will examine those similarities and differences and attempt to explain them through lectures, readings, discussions and presentations. Restrictions/Requirements: Course conducted in English.

This course will examine post-colonial novels by authors from throughout francophone Africa, introducing students to the culture and literature of this part of the world. The readings share the themes of dictatorship and violence, and in this context prostitution is emblematic of corruption and rebellion. Course conducted in English.

Paris, the City of Lights, holds a mythic presence in world literature. In this course, we will study the many ways that Paris has appeared in French literature over the centuries. Readings will introduce students to the multiple and changing identities that the city has developed since its inception. This course is conducted in English.

Students will learn about the people who speak French (Francophones) by reading selections about the French from various print and internet sources, by viewing, analyzing and writing about film produced by French and Francophone directors, and by online discussions of these documents and films. Watching Francophones in action will help students understand both similarities and differences in cultural expectations, attitudes and values. In addition, students will view a series of films, selected for their representation of cultural topics. Before viewing the film, students will read selections from the text, as well as prepare and discuss cultural materials. For each film, students will discuss the topic on Blackboard, bringing in observations, ideas, and thoughts. Additional activities include reading, keeping a journal, online discussion of texts and films, viewing of films and film clips, short papers and a final PowerPoint presentation.

This course introduces students to a representative sample of the literature of the Canadian province of Quebec as it has developed over the past 200 years. All works were originally written in French and will be read in English translations.

This course will explore literary works of French speaking authors from the Caribbean as they tell of exploration, exploitation and the search for a national identity. Authors from Haiti, Martinique and Guadeloupe will be represented, primarily from the 20th century. All works are read in their entirely in translation.

Readings in this course are taken from three different region of North America, Canada, The United States and the Caribbean-which represent different histories and different societies bit one language: French. Francophone women writers of North America speak for two minorities and speak from a variety of experiences: as citizens whose language is that of a minority, or with the voice of a former slave, or with the language of a disappearing heritage. All works are in English translations.

This course explores through literature the complex historical and cultural ties between women writers of West African countries that have a French colonial history and their counterparts in the island nations of the Caribbean. While these nations have distinct cultures, their literature and the concerns of women writers share common thematic threads. All works are in English translation  PLV Fall

This course is designed to introduce students to France's most well-known and well-loved city, Paris, using a variety of films and literary sources which highlight themes which have dominated Parisian life in modern times.

This course will focus solely on listening and speaking skills for students with a basic knowledge of French using strategies specifically designed to improve vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding of the spoken language. Restrictions/Requirements: Listed prereq or 3 years of high school French.

This course is designed to strengthen and solidify reading, writing, speaking, and understanding skills acquired in FRE 101/102 (or equivalent) by the intensive review of grammar, class conversations, reading of literary texts and the use of technology. Restrictions/Requirements: Listed prereq or 3 years of high school French.

A review and expansion of the principles learned in the first year of French. Greater emphasis will be placed on reading and writing skills. By reading texts related to contemporary cultural issues, the student will enhance his knowledge of the language and the culture. Restrictions/Requirements: Listed prereq or 3 years of high school French.

A review and expansion of the principles learned in the first year of French. Greater emphasis will be placed on reading and writing skills. By reading texts related to contemporary cultural issues, the student will enhance his knowledge of the language and the culture.

An intermediate level course for students who possess a solid foundation in the fundamentals of the language and who wish to improve their ability to speak and communicate in the language. Restrictions/Requirements: Listed prereq or 4 years of high school French.

An intermediate level course for students who possess a solid foundation in the fundamentals of the language and who wish to improve their ability to write with ease and correctness. Restrictions/Requirements: Listed prereq or 3 years of high school French.

This course aims to develop fluency in the spoken language and increase vocabulary through oral and written exercises. Appropriate laboratory materials are included. Course is conducted in French. Restrictions/Requirements: 6 credits of intermediate French or 4 years of high school French.

A course that stresses writing correct French on a broad variety of topics including literature, culture, and daily life. Restrictions/Requirements: 6 credits of intermediate French or 4 years of high school French.

A course for those wishing to improve their ability to speak and write French. The stress is on acquisition of correct pronunciation and a wider vocabulary. Restrictions/Requirements: 6 credits of intermediate French or 4 years of high school French.

This course is designed to introduce the students to students to the basic theories and strategies for practical translation and interpretation both from French to English and from English to French. With reading and writing assignments as well as class discussions, students are encouraged to evaluate and apply theoretical concepts and techniques to improve their own translation and interpretation performance. In addition, oral and written translation of a variety of texts and exercises provides student an opportunity to reinforce the knowledge of French grammar they have already learned and to increase their mastery in the areas of vocabulary, syntax, and stylistics.

Designed to develop the student's language proficiency within his/her career interests. Students will be introduced to commercial terminology and cultural differences in business. Emphasis is on business correspondence. Restrictions/Requirements: 6 credits of intermediate French or 4 years of high school French.

A continuation of FRE 305. Designed to develop the student's language proficiency within his/her career interests. Students will be introduced to commercial terminology and cultural differences in business. Emphasis is on business correspondence. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

Comprehensive study of the most important aspects of French history, art, and literature. Consideration is also given to French geography, social customs, life, and institutions. Extensive use of visual aids. Course is conducted in French. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

A study of the diverse French-speaking cultures in North America and Africa. A selection of seminal works by important writers and thinkers from the French-speaking world outside of metropolitan France. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

A selection of seminal works in prose, poetry and theater by many of France's most important and influential writers. The course will be conducted entirely in French and students will read the texts in the original. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

A selection of seminal works in prose, poetry, and theater by several of the most important and influential writers of the present modern period. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

This course will allow students to understand the evolution of French cinema from birth with Lumiere and Melles to trends of the 21st century. Principle movements and major directors' representative films will be studied from historical, social and esthetic perspectives (Jean Renoir, Rene Clement, Francois Truffaut, Claude Chabrol, Jean-Luc Godard, Agnes Varda, Mathieu Kassovltz). Throughout the course, students will be acquainted with basic methods and concepts of film analysis. Also, they will develop critical thinking on film analysis as well as on French society and culture. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

This course offers an introduction to the diverse French-speaking literatures of Africa, North America, and the Caribbean, beyond French culture and literature. We will study the relationship between literature and society in Francophone cultures providing an overview of the international context of Francophonie. We will particularly consider themes as "Negritude", the Negro-African identity, the dialogue between tradition and modernity, the status of women in the Francophone world, the relationship between French culture and Francophone cultures notably through the reality of colonial and post-colonial history that is still alive in the literatures of countries that are former colonies of France. This course will be taught in French.

A study of the classical period of French literature with special emphasis given to the life and works of Corneille, Racine, and Moliere. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

A study of the works and ideas of Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot and Rousseau. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

This course will examine representative novelists, poets, and playwrights of these major literary trends of the 19th century. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

A survey of the main trends emerging in the post-war period especially in the novel and theater. Intensive and extensive readings from Proust, Gide, Sartre, Camus, Giraudoux, Anouilh, existentialism, and the Theater of the Absurd. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

This is an advanced French course on French women writers and artists. The works studied will be presented in the respective social and historical contexts from 1789 to the present. While highlighting key moments in women’s social and political history (from the suffrage movement to family law to feminism), issues of representation and agency will also be addressed through the analysis of women’s artistic and literary production. Supportive readings will include historical scholarship, theoretical texts, and writings representative of a variety of genres (poetry, fiction novels, travel narratives, as well as journalism and political pamphlets). We will also rely on visual and plastic arts, as well as performance arts.

This course focuses on modern French films and their literary counterparts.

This course traces the development of French civilization from its origins in prehistory-evident in the cave paintings of Lascaux to the existentialist philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. The text for the course is Steele et al.'s La civilization française en évolution I. The work in this course should contribute to a development of all four language skills since all will come into play. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

This course will focus on the issues involved in the psychosocial and historical construction of gender and gender roles. We will analyze the nature and function of Francophone Caribbean feminist/feminine writing in woman's search for self-definition, and the way it represents the body and desire. The students will debate and explore issues such as feminism, racism, colonialism, independence, post independence, and other aspects of a multi-cultural society. Restrictions/Requirements: Completion of one 300-level French course.

It is a course about literary texts and authors from the whole French speaking world. Occasionally, we may illustrate the literary discussions and discoveries with audiovisual documents. The course will study creative writings from the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century. It will be taught completely in French. This course should allow students to know and understand better the diversity and richness of literature produced in Francophone nations.

Designed to provide the student with an opportunity to apply language proficiency to a professional setting.