Courses

FREN 101 , FREN 102, FREN 103 Elementary French

Development of language skills: listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Essentials of grammar complemented by readings in literature and culture, with extensive practice in speaking. Students must complete the sequence FREN 101, 102, 103 to fulfill the language requirement. Prerequisite(s): for 102, completion of 101; for 103, completion of 102; MUST FOLLOW SEQUENCE; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 101A , FREN 103A Intensive Elementary French

Equivalent to elementary French, but designed for students who have taken French previously and who are not true beginners. Development of aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Prerequisite(s): For FREN 101A, prior language study and/or placement by examination. Prerequisite for 103A is completion of 101A. MUST FOLLOW SEQUENCE; FREN 103A is SL; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 110E Poodles and Boodles: French Identities and Individualities

(Taught in English) Beret, baguette, Marcel Marceau, Edith Piaf are images and icons that one associates with the French identity. But what does it mean to be French? What does it mean to be Francophone? What is this French "je ne sais quoi?" This course will focus on the multi-faceted question of French identity in France and in the Francophone world, but also in America. French is intrinsically linked to the history of America and its people, but how? Why is there such an important French presence in the US and what does it mean from an identity standpoint? This course is taught in English and is specifically designed for first year students or students interested in French and Francophone civilization with no prior knowledge of the language. Does not satisfy Second Language Element. PI, IC; Staff

FREN 201 Intermediate French

This course seeks to consolidate students' skills in grammar and reinforce their listening, reading and writing abilities through a variety of formats including: written compositions, readings, and oral presentations. Readings will be taken from news articles, fiction and non-fiction, and poetry. Prerequisite(s): equivalent of FREN 103 or permission of the instructor; SL; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 210 Conversation

This course is designed to develop proficiency in the four basic communicative skills of speaking, writing, listening, and reading French, and competence in the French and Francophone cultures of the world. The development of oral communication skills will be stressed throughout the course, and written competency in a variety of communicative functions will be emphasized as well. Prerequisite(s): FREN 201; or permission of the instructor; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 214 French-English Translation (1/2 or 1)

An introduction to the art of translation, from French to English as well as English to French. Students will all work on several short texts, both literary and non-literary, then each one will work on an individual project. Prerequisite(s): FREN 201 or FREN 210; may be repeated once for credit; C. Akuetey

FREN 215 Introduction to French Literature

An introduction to the different literary genres - poetry, theatre, novel - and to approaches to a literary work. Focus on close reading and discussion of texts across the centuries. Examples of authors studied: Ronsard, Moliere, Baudelaire, Zola. Prerequisite(s): FREN 201 AND FREN 210; IC; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 220 Francophone African Literature

An introduction to African authors who write in French. The texts exist in an underlying conflict between two cultures: African and European. The course emphasizes the relationship between the texts and the socio-economic and political structures. Prerequisite(s): FREN 201 or FREN 210; Cross Listing: AFST 220;AFST 220; C. Akuetey

FREN 230 Introduction to French Culture

What is culture? Using a multifaceted approach - anthropological, semiotic, sociological - students will begin to define what it means to be French. Readings will address some of the symbols and icons of French life, such as the Tour de France, the Marseillaise, etc. Films will also be used to understand daily life. Prerequisite(s): FREN 201 and FREN 210; Staff

FREN 240 , FREN 240E Introduction to French Cinema

The French often assert that in the domain of international cinema French films represent the only serious challenge to Hollywood's hegemony. Regardless of the truth of this assertion, it is true that film as an art form occupies a privileged position in France. The purpose of this course is to examine the evolution of filmmaking in France by studying a number of the most important periods, movements, styles and artists in the history of French cinema. Prerequisite(s): FREN 210 or FREN 211 for FREN 240; Cross Listing: FILM 240; IC; Course may be offered for .5 or 1 credit in a given term. Not repeatable in either case; Staff

FREN 240E

Cross Listing: FILM 240;

FREN 248 Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor; May be graded S/U at instructor's discretion; Staff

FREN 295 Special Topics (1/2 or 1)

Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of French not covered in the usual curriculum. Staff

FREN 304 Symbolist Poetry

Primarily a study of Baudelaire and Rimbaud, with supplementary study of Mallarme, Verlaine and Nouveau. Prerequisite(s): FREN 215 or permission of the instructor; C. Akuetey

FREN 305 Topics in Nineteenth Century French Literature

The development of the Romantic movement, realism, naturalism, and symbolism. Prerequisite(s): FREN 215 a 300 level FREN class; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 316 Topics in Eighteenth Century Literature

A century of evolutions and revolutions, the eighteenth century in France saw the emergence of an "Enlightenment" literature, philosophy, and thinkers. Voltaire and Rousseau might be the most famous authors, but writers like Marmontel, Retif de la Bretonne, and Crebillon fils also participated in this intellectual effervescence. From love to manipulation, deceit and hypocrisy to morality and ethics, this course aims at developing an understanding of this century of ideas, focusing on various topics. Prerequisite(s): FREN 215 or permission of the instructor; Staff

FREN 320 Written and Oral French

Advanced practice in written and oral expression. Prerequisite(s): FREN 201 AND FREN 210; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 325 Topics in French Civilization

This course begins with a reflection on the concepts "nation" and "national identity" and then proceeds to identify and analyze the institutions and iconography that constitute the "deep structure" of France. How do the French remember the past? How have they "reconstructed" it? How do they view the world around them and their place in it? How do they view each other? As we attempt to find answers for these and other questions, it is necessary to look at those watershed events in French history that have over time transcended their reality and have been transformed into the myths that underlie and establish French identity. Prerequisite(s): FREN 230; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 330 or FREN 330E Great Themes of French Literature

(In French or English) A socio-historical study of the development of major themes and their adaptation to other literatures or disciplines. Some themes explored: Russian-French comparative literature, French literature and international opera, etc. Prerequisite(s): any literature course at the 300 level or permission of the instructor; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 330C French Food for Thought

"Let them eat cake," "bon appetit," are common expressions used in English to either refer to Marie-Antoinette's faux pas before the hungry revolutionary crowd asking for bread in front of the Versailles palace, or to traditionally tell somebody to enjoy their meal. More than mere food, French cuisine and dishes have become an art and an inspiration throughout the world. But how are food and cuisine at the core of French culture? How is food such a savoir-vivre for the French people? Brillat-Savarin said in the 18th century: "Tell me what you eat: I'll tell you who you are." How did/do French people eat? How did/does that define them? What is the place of food and cuisine in literature? This course aims at better understanding the representations and the symbolic aspects of food and cuisine in French literature as well as in its culture. Providing starters from the Middle-Ages, we will take our culinary discovery through the tasty 17th century to the spicy 18th century, adding a dash of table manners and theory in the 19th century to modern time diets and regimens, mixing a variety of formats and recipes. Prerequisite(s): FREN 215 or any French Literature course at the 300 level; C. Akuetey

FREN 330D Liars & Impostors

From the juvenile "liar, liar pants on fire" to the biblical verse: "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight", the act or the art of lying always appears to be stigmatized. But why lie? What makes a person a liar or an impostor? Are they the same? It is around these questions that philosophers and writers have gravitated and tried to decipher if lying could be justified or has to be punished systematically. Are there any real white lies? Are there any good lies? Does everybody lie? Commonly, French people are viewed to be direct and frank, but does French literature reflect this? How does French literature treat lies? Is it different from English literature? Does literature always lie? Prerequisite(s): For French students - FREN 215 or any literature course; for others - sophomore standing and any literature course, or permission of the instructor; IC; Offered alternate years; C. Akuetey

FREN 348 Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor; May be graded S/U at instructor's discretion; Staff

FREN 395 Special Topics (1/2 or 1)

Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of French not covered in the usual curriculum. Staff

FREN 399 Senior Project (1/2 or 1)

This is a seminar style course with a common framework whose content varies according to the interests of the instructor and students. Possible topics include a specific author, a literary movement, a genre, a major historical event. Students craft a comprehensive term project which is validated by a research paper. May be taken once for 1.0 credit or twice for 0.5 credits; C. Akuetey; staff

FREN 400 Advanced Studies (1/2 or 1)

See College Honors Program. Staff