French Introductory Language Sequence
An introduction to French as a spoken and written language. The work includes regular practice in class and scheduled drill-sessions in understanding and using the spoken language. Written exercises and elementary reading materials serve for vocabulary building and discussion.
French 1: Introductory French
This course is open to true beginners, students with one or two years of high school French or students with a score of 0-530 on the SAT II Subject Test. Emphasis will be on speaking and dialogue with your peers. You will learn to introduce your family and friends, share what your daily life looks like, talk about what you do for leisure. Your final assignment will be to do an oral presentation in French describing your hometown. Does not serve to satisfy Distributive or World Culture Requirements.
French 2: Introductory French II
This course is open to students who have completed French 1 on campus, those with three or four years of high school French, or those with a score of 540-600 on the SAT II Subject Test. You will expand your possibilities of expression by learning how to use the past and future tenses, to say where you've been and where you're going. You will share childhood memories and exchange ideas about plans for your education and career. While building your vocabulary, you will deepen your cultural knowledge with introductions to multiple francophone countries around the world. Your final assignment will be to choose a francophone country and do an oral presentation for your peers on its history, geography, architecture, art or traditions. Does not serve to satisfy Distributive or World Culture Requirements.
Prerequisites: French 1 or qualifying placement through the placement exam. Please contact Professor Oliveira for more information.
French 3: Introductory French III
This course is open to students who have completed French 2 or French 11 on campus, those with a score of 610-710 on the SAT II Subject Test or a score of 4 on the AP. You will explore several themes of contemporary life and learn to discuss travel, technology and its influence, wellness and healthcare, and social relationships. Your final assignment will be to seek out information on acurrent issue facing a francophone country—the environment, racism, poverty, freedom of speech, immigration, the colonial past, religious conflicts—and present it to your peers through a medium of your choice: film, interview, blog, skit, music or poster. Does not serve to satisfy Distributive or World Culture Requirements.
Prerequisite: French 2, French 11, or placement qualifying from the placement exam. Please contact Professor Oliveira for more information.
French 11: Intensive French
This 1-credit course is designed for students with little or no knowledge of the French language, but who have a strong background in another Romance language (i.e. Spanish, Italian, Romanian, Portuguese, Catalan, Latin). It might also be suitable for students who have been exposed to French through family ties or have spent some time in a francophone environment. French 11 is an accelerated course that combines French 1 and 2 in one term, offering an exciting and fast-paced atmosphere in which to learn French. The course will have a web-based component, which, through cultural, grammar and multimedia learning activities, will complement face-to-face work and prepare students for in-class work. Students will learn to talk about familiar events in the present and the past, as well as formulate plans for the future. Weekly cultural videos will situate in context the grammatical content of the course, making it relevant and meaningful. Students will be actively engaged in a variety of creative written and oral activities that will help them develop their language skills. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to sign up for French 3 (remember that after French 3, you are eligible to apply for the French LSA+ in Toulouse). With the goal of facilitating the acquisition of the target language, this course will be conducted entirely in French.
Prerequisite: One year or equivalent of university level instruction in a Romance Language or Latin; or three high school years of instruction in a Romance Language or Latin; or native speaking proficiency in a Romance Language; or permission of instructor.
French Intermediate and Upper-Level Courses
Fren 5 (formerly French 8)
Conversations and Styles: A bridge course between the elementary language sequence and FREN 6, Texts and Contexts. You'll build your cultural knowledge by studying historical and contemporary French and francophone societies. Focus topics include evolving political and regional identities, literature and the expression of identity, gender relations, the role of the media, education, religion and immigration. You'll expand your active use of French, refine reading and writing strategies, and comprehensively review grammar. Course work includes active participation in class discussions, oral presentations, and regular reading/writing assignments in the areas of narrative and poetry, cinema, music, and journalism. Not open to students who have received credit for FREN 008 or FREN 09.01. Prerequisites: FREN 3, or equivalent preparation. W and SOC.
Fren 6 (formerly French 10)
Introduction to French Texts and Contexts: An introduction to French literature, culture, and media across time that provides students with the tools to read and analyze texts critically. Through a selection of literary works, films, and other cultural artifacts, this course examines how ideas, genres, and narratives develop and intersect. Topics and materials vary based on the instructor's focus, allowing for an engaging and dynamic exploration of francophone literary and cultural landscapes. Not open to students who have received credit for FREN 10.01-10.99. Prerequisites: French 5 or French 8 or the permission of the individual instructor. DIST: W and LIT.
Fren 87: Honors Thesis Reading and Research
A program of individual study directed by a faculty member. A proposal signed by the faculty advisor must be submitted to the department for approval by June 1st of the student's junior year. Open only to French Studies and Romance Language majors whose primary language is French.
Fren 88: Independent Reading and Research
Students may arrange a program of study and research with an individual faculty member. A student proposal, signed by the independent study advisor, must be submitted to the chair of the department by the fifth day of classes of the relevant term.
Fren 89: Honors Thesis
Honors students will arrange a program of study and research during the winter or spring term of the senior year with an individual faculty member. A thesis written in French and a public presentation are the standard culmination of this course. A student proposal signed by the faculty advisor must be submitted to the department for approval by the fifth day of classes of the designated term.
Please refer to the website for the upper-level French courses offered.