French and Francophone Studies Course Options

Core courses:

FRE 3420 Review Grammar/Writing I (3). Practice in contemporary usage through selected readings in culture and civilization. Development of writing and speaking ability in extemporaneous contexts. The course will be conducted exclusively in the target language.

FRE 3421 Review Grammar/Writing II (3). Instruction and practice in expository writing in French, with emphasis on organization, correct syntax, and vocabulary building.

FRE 3780 French Phonetics (3). An introductory course in French linguistics. Includes the International Phonetic Alphabet and a systematic inventory of all the sounds of French, with refinement exercises in the language laboratory.

FRW 3101 Introduction to Francophone Literature and Cultural Studies (3). This survey course examines the main literary movements and texts of the French and Francophone world from the Middle Ages to the present, while preparing students to take advanced literature courses.


Breadth courses:

FRE 3500 History of French Civilization (3). Open to any student who understands the target language. The development of a particular civilization. Emphasis on the evolution of a society, its ideas and its values.

FRE 3504 Language and Culture (3). Emphasis on oral skill applied to contemporary culture, to enhance student’s knowledge and understanding of French way of life in Francophone world. Emphasis is also placed on acquisition and intensive practice of vocabulary and grammar.

FRE 4390 French and Francophone Cinema – GL (3). Introduces to Francophone cinema. While comparing movies from France and Francophone world, students explore various issues such as language, race, and postcolonial politics.

FRE 4391 French Cinema (3). In-class viewing and discussion of selected French films to develop knowledge and understanding of this important aspect of French culture from beginnings to the present.

FRE 4501 Contemporary French Society (3). Course designed primarily for French majors, advanced undergraduates and graduates. Examination of the cultural, ideological, socio-political and economic fabric of France from WWI to the present.

FRE 4503 La Francophonie (3). Analysis of the different varieties of French spoken outside of France. Includes Quebec French, African French, and French Creoles. Also examines the political alliance of Francophone countries.

FRW 3300 French Comedies (3). A study in French comedies from the 15th century to the 19th century, with special emphasis on Moliere’s plays.

FRW 3370 French 19th and 20th Century Short Stories (3). Great short stories by Maupassant, Merimee, Flaubert, Camus, and Sartre will be studied to familiarize the student with literary criticism by a close reading and analysis of short texts.

FRW 3810 Literary Analysis (3). The identification and appreciation of techniques for sensitive reading and discussion of literary texts.

FRW 3930 Special Topics (3). Readings and discussion of literary/linguistic topics to be determined by students and instructor.

FRW 4123 Travel, Exile, and Cross-Cultural Encounters (3). Drawing on writings from the turn of the century to the present, explores the themes of exile and escape, of cultural and visual appropriations, the repetition and deconstruction of exotic clichés. Prerequisites: FRE 3420 or FRE 3421 or permission of the instructor.

FRW 4281 French 20th Century Novel (3). A detailed analysis of modern novels, and a general examination of the intellectual currents which these novels illustrate or express (e.g. surrealism, existentialism, nou-veau roman, post-modernism. Prerequisites: FRE 3420 or FRE 3421 or permission of the instructor.

FRW 4310 Seventeenth-Century French Drama (3). A study of French classical aesthetics through the plays of Corneille, Moliere, and Racine.

FRW 4324 French 20th Century Theatre (3). Focuses on the scope and variety of contemporary French theatre from Claudel, through existentialism and the theatre of the absurd, to Cixous and Cesaire.

FRW 4750 Francophone Literature of Africa (3). Introduction to the Francophone literatures of Africa; study of a literary tradition in French, with special emphasis on post-World War II writers.

FRW 4751 Francophone Literature in the Caribbean (3). Introduction to the Francophone literature of the Caribbean; study of a literary tradition in French, with special emphasis on post-World War II writers.

FRW 4583 Women Writers in French (3). Drawing on the writings of women authors in French, this course explores topics such as: the effects of narrative techniques on subject formation, the poetics of silence and of revolt, sexual difference versus cultural difference.

FRE 4791 French Phonology (3). Contrasts in the sound systems of English and French. Prerequisites: FRE 3780 or permission of the instructor.

FRE 4800 French Morphology (3). Contrasts in the morphology and syntax of English and French.

FRE 4840 History of the Language I (3). The internal and external history of the French language from Latin to Old French. Examination of some of the first texts written in French.

FRE 4841 History of the Language II (3). External and internal history of the French language from 1400 to the present. Examination of first dictionaries and grammars of French. Survey of recent linguistic legislation concerning the French language.

FRE 4850 Structure of Modern French (3). Systematic study of the phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon of Modern French. Taught in English.

Advanced Literature course:

FRW 3300 French Comedies (3). A study in French comedies from the 15th century to the 19th century, with special emphasis on Moliere’s plays.

FRW 3370 French 19th and 20th Century Short Stories (3). Great short stories by Maupassant, Merimee, Flaubert, Camus, and Sartre will be studied to familiarize the student with literary criticism by a close reading and analysis of short texts.

FRW 3810 Literary Analysis (3). The identification and appreciation of techniques for sensitive reading and discussion of literary texts.

FRW 3930 Special Topics (3). Readings and discussion of literary/linguistic topics to be determined by students and instructor.

FRW 4123 Travel, Exile, and Cross-Cultural Encounters (3). Drawing on writings from the turn of the century to the present, explores the themes of exile and escape, of cultural and visual appropriations, the repetition and deconstruction of exotic clichés. Prerequisites: FRE 3420 or FRE 3421 or permission of the instructor.

FRW 4281 French 20th Century Novel (3). A detailed analysis of modern novels, and a general examination of the intellectual currents which these novels illustrate or express (e.g. surrealism, existentialism, nou-veau roman, post-modernism. Prerequisites: FRE 3420 or FRE 3421 or permission of the instructor.

FRW 4310 Seventeenth-Century French Drama (3). A study of French classical aesthetics through the plays of Corneille, Moliere, and Racine.

FRW 4324 French 20th Century Theatre (3). Focuses on the scope and variety of contemporary French theatre from Claudel, through existentialism and the theatre of the absurd, to Cixous and Cesaire.

FRW 4750 Francophone Literature of Africa (3). Introduction to the Francophone literatures of Africa; study of a literary tradition in French, with special emphasis on post-World War II writers.

FRW 4751 Francophone Literature in the Caribbean (3). Introduction to the Francophone literature of the Caribbean; study of a literary tradition in French, with special emphasis on post-World War II writers.

FRW 4583 Women Writers in French (3). Drawing on the writings of women authors in French, this course explores topics such as: the effects of narrative techniques on subject formation, the poetics of silence and of revolt, sexual difference versus cultural difference.

French Elective: Any FRE or FRW course (see above list) as well as:

FRE 3410 Advanced French Conversation (3). To develop oral proficiency skills and a greater awareness of French culture.

FRE 3413 Communication Arts (3). Develop communicative competence through intensive oral class work. Emphasis on ability to express ideas and appreciation of multiple aspects of French culture.

FRE 4422 Review Grammar/Writing III (3). A study of various aspects of forms and styles, with emphasis on expository writing in French.

FOR ALL MAJORS:

FOL 3940 Internship in Foreign Language (0-3). An option for students who wish to Minor or Major in a foreign language.


Academic Learning Compacts

The Board of Governors requires that every undergraduate program provide its students with academic learning outcomes and inform them of the program's mission. During the course of their studies, French and Francophone Studies majors must be aware that they will be required to take part in assessment activities.