FRE-0100 French for Beginners I
An introduction to a practical beginning language experience, enriched with extensive cultural materials. Designed for students preparing degrees in art history, European history, business, international affairs, and the traveler. Offered fall semester. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Global Awareness/Foreign Language requirement in the Undergraduate College’s general education program.
FRE-0101 French for Beginners II
A continuing emphasis on the practical use of language focusing on current events, short newspaper readings, and guided letter writing. Enriched with varied video materials keyed to travel in France, art history, international business, and cultural development and enjoyment. Prerequisite: FRE-0101 or placement. Offered spring semester. 3 credits. This course partially fulfills the Global Awareness/Foreign Language requirement in the Undergraduate College’s general education program.
FRE-0200 Intermediate French
Development of listening and speaking skills, enrichment of vocabulary, and improvement of grammar control in proficiency based course. Emphasis on narration, description, interviews, and conversation. Enriched with video support materials. Prerequisite: FRE-0101 or placement. Offered fall semester. 3 credits. This course fulfills the Global Awareness/Foreign Language requirement in the Undergraduate College’s general education program.
FRE-0201 French Reading and Composition
Development of reading proficiency through analysis of short literary and journal selections. Development of writing skills through guided exercises. French grammar presented as needed for reading and writing assignments. Prerequisite: FRE-0200 or placement. Offered spring semester. 3 credits. This course fulfills the Global Awareness/Foreign Language requirement in the Undergraduate College’s general education program.
FRE-0300 Introduction to French Literary Studies
An introduction to the study of French literature. Students will read two plays, a short novel, and a selection of essays and poetry in order to learn the vocabulary and techniques of literary criticism in French including etude de style and explication de texte. Proper use of library resources will be reflected in the development of an annotated bibliography for the author of their choice. This course is writing intensive. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or placement. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0302 Allons en France
Academic credit option for immersion experience in France through a short travel and study program with a special theme such as French art or political structure. Includes pre-trip preparation, on-site study and research, and a post-trip paper. Taken in French, it earns major credits. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. 1 or 3 credits.
FRE-0304 Castles and Courts: Francois I to Napoleon III
An introduction via video film to the great French courts of the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries, their architects and designers, and the national leaders who dwelt within them. Special emphasis on the political and cultural life which evolved in these centers. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered spring semester. 1 credit.
FRE-0305 History and Civilization of France: Middle Ages to the Revolution
An exploration of the evolution and development of the French nation from its beginnings to the era of the Revolution. Special attention to the most important historical movements and events which influenced the writers of the times. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered every other year, fall semester. 3 credits.
FRE-0306 Contemporary France
A study of historical, cultural, and political developments in France from the Revolution to the present. Emphasis on the Fifth Republic. The major units of study include history, heritage, and present life of the provinces, educational reforms, political structures, and social trends and problems. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered every year, spring semester. 3 credits.
FRE-0307 French Civilization through the Arts I
A study of the great movements in French history and civilization from the beginnings to the era of the Revolution. This course is presented entirely through the art masterpieces of the periods. This is a bilingual course. Taken in French, it earns major credits and/or fulfills the core curriculum requirement. Will require museum visits. (Students wishing to take the course in English should register for Language and Literature Int. FLL-0311). Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0308 French Civilization through the Arts II
A study of the major trends in the development of the arts in France during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, relating them to the political, economic, and social evolution of the nation. This is a bilingual course. Taken in French, it earns major credit and/or fulfills the core curriculum requirement. Will require museum visits. (Students wishing to take the course in English should register for Language and Literature Int. FLL-0312). Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0309 French Society through Song
An historical view of French society, its people, and their attitudes reflected in their song: music of the Troubadours and songs of medieval people, workers and peasants, courtly music, wartime songs, music of the Empire, and La Belle Epoque to the present day. In French. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered as needed. 1 credit.
FRE-0310 French Grammar and Composition
Guided compositions to help students develop strong writing skills and enhance their vocabulary. Careful analysis of French grammar needed for articulate communication both oral and written. This course is writing intensive. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or placement. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.
FRE-0315 French Conversation
Intensive practice in acquiring relative fluency in the spoken language with emphasis on correct articulation, intonation, and self-expression. Phonetics and class discussions are utilized. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or placement. Offered fall semester. 3 credits.
FRE-0325 French Communication Styles
An advanced language course integrating oral and written experiences to lead the student to greater fluency in communication. Oral styles observed in radio tapes and films will be practiced in debates, discussions, and dramatic skits. Various writing styles will be practiced in narratives, scripts, journal entries, and advertising copy. Topics will be chosen in student’s interests. It is expected that students will offer presentations on French culture to the academic community. Prerequisites: advanced placement in French language or FRE-0310 or FRE-0315. Offered every other year. 3 credits.
FRE-0326 English/French Translation
Since many graduates, with knowledge of French, are asked by employers and others to translate materials, this course will provide guidelines for achieving good translations and the resources available to aid in translations. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered as needed. 1 credit.
FRE-0327 Lire les Actualités
A study of various facets of contemporary French life as mirrored in such periodicals as L’Express and Le Journal Français. Close reading and discussion of the French weekly will emphasize an awareness of current French concerns in areas such as politics, the arts, and fashion, and will enhance a vocabulary appropriate to everyday living. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered as needed. 1 credit.
FRE-0328 Le Journal
A study of contemporary French life through the daily news with programs such as Le Journal, a nightly television program from France, and/or emissions for National French Radio. Discussion of programs and their cultural context provides a deeper cultural understanding and the opportunity for meaningful discussion. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered as needed. 1 credit.
FRE-0329 French Business Communications
This course is particularly for those who hope to use their French in conjunction with a future career in international business. The student will learn the proper way to write business letters, send faxes, etc. Intended primarily for non-majors. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0330 Business French
An introductory course providing essential information for business work and travel in France, the business environment, job applications, appointments, communications, protocol, banking, the European Union, etc. Role playing, video, and cassette support materials. Prerequisite: FRE-0310. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0340 Francophone Cultures
French is a world language spoken on five continents. We will examine the geography, history, and culture of various countries. Concentration on French Canada, Belgium, and French Africa. Required for teacher certification in French. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0410 French Classical Theater
A study of the development of French classical theater from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Emphasis on the plays of Corneille, Racine, and Molière. Prerequisite FRE-0300. 3 credits.
FRE-0425 Penseurs et Essayistes Français
A study of the contributions to French culture and thought by representative French thinkers and essayists from the sixteenth century to present time. Prerequisite: FRE-0300. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0428 Contemporary French Theater
A study of contemporary French theater from 1950 to the present day showing the influence of current French culture on the development of today’s theatrical presentations. Required readings and DVDs of current plays will serve as a basis for student papers dealing with literary trends in their cultural context. Students who are interested can earn an extra credit with a trip to Paris and attendance at two plays during mid-semester break. Prerequisite: FRE-0201 or its equivalent. 3 credits.
FRE-0430 Stendhal, Balzac, Flaubert, Zola
An intensive reading and discussion of the writings of these major novelists of the nineteenth century; individual research on topics of interest, related to this field. Class reports based on outside reading and research. Prerequisite: FRE-0300. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0433 French Theater of the 19th and 20th Centuries
An examination of representative works of the major movements from the romantic theater to the Theater of the Absurd. Prerequisite: FRE-0300. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0434 Women: Their Role in French Literature
A study of key French texts which reveal the influence and inspiration of women (writers, patrons, and critics) across the centuries. Prerequisite: FRE-0300. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0435 French Novels of the 19th and 20th Centuries
A study of the trends and development of the French novel from Hugo to the post-war novelists. Prerequisite: FRE-0300. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0437 Writings of Today
A selection of recent literary works from various genres. A study of these French writings and their reception by the public and the critics. Prerequisite: FRE-0300. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0445 A Survey of Modern French Poetry
A consideration of major authors and movements from Baudelaire to the present. Prerequisite: FRE-0300. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0450 Independent Study
Arranged on an individual basis. Prerequisite: FRE-0300 and Permission of Department Chair. 1 to 3 credits.
FRE-0452 Seminar: Study of an Author
An intensive study of the work of an outstanding author; e.g., Victor Hugo, Proust, Gide, etc. Training in individual investigation of literary problems. Prerequisite: FRE-0300. Offered as needed. 1 credit.
FRE-0455 Senior Seminar
A seminar based on current topics in French followed by discussion. Prerequisite: Senior French Major Status. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.
FRE-0490 Seminar in French Civilization
A mature exploration and discussion of selected societal topics and their impact on late 20th century life. Extensive critical reading and structured discussion. Individual research and oral presentations. Media enrichment. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior French major status or permission of instructor. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0495 Seminar in French Literary Studies
An advanced literary topic treated through close textual analysis, extensive critical reading, and structured discussion. Individual research and oral presentations. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior French major satus or permission of instructor. Offered as needed. 3 credits.
FRE-0498 Internship in French
Practical International experience in a French-American business or agency. Prerequisite: approval of French Department Chair. Credits based on breadth and length of internship. 3 credits.