Course Schedule

FREN 101 – Elementary French I

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; an introduction to the basic structures and vocabulary of French. Does not count toward French major or minor.

FREN 102 – Elementary French II

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; an introduction to the basic structures and vocabulary of French, continuation.

FREN 196 – Introductory Career Readiness Seminar for French Students

Students will develop a plan that will help them maximize their educational experience at the UA and delineate the next steps in their trajectory as French majors/minors. Students will prepare for and integrate in their studies leadership/internship/study abroad opportunities (depending on their personal and career goals), learn how to show and tell their professional story and use it for specific purposes (such as scholarship/internship applications, club funding, etc.). They will learn about the transferable skills they will hone in pursuing a French major/minor for the jobs of the future, develop a plan for skill-building experiences, and explore career opportunities.

FREN 201 – Intermediate French I

Continued skill development; further development of the four language skills.

FREN 202 – Intermediate French II

Continued skill development; reinforcement of basic language skills.

FREN 231 – Fashion and Culture in France and Italy

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Individuals and Societies · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Building Connections

The study of fashion is an important conduit for the expression of social identity, political ideas, and aesthetic taste. This course considers the history of style, fashion and dress in France and Italy from a cultural and fashion studies perspective. After a general introduction to models of interpretation and conceptual terms, FREN/ITAL 231 surveys topics in French and Italian fashion design and history from the 1300s to the present day

FREN 249 – Images of Africa

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities · Gen Ed Attribute: Writing · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Building Connections

This course investigates how audiovisual media including feature films, documentaries, music videos, visual albums represent Africa. The emergence of digital technologies with widespread access transformed Africa's media landscape. Through this exploration of African audiovisual media, the course builds connections across the arts, social sciences, and humanities. Upon completing "Images of Africa," students will have an enhanced understanding of contemporary Africa from a variety of social positions as well as the skills to interpret audiovisual media and evaluate their significance in cultural and historical contexts by drawing on a critical repertoire across disciplines.

FREN 285 – Secrets of the Past: Myths, Theater, and Popular Culture (France, USA and the Black Atlantic)

Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives, Artist

How do theatre and cinema inform the quest for social justice? Can artistic practices, actors, and products become catalysts for social change? Secrets of the Past: Myths, Theater, and Popular Culture (France, USA, and the Black Atlantic) explores how filmmakers and playwrights in France, the United States, and the Black Atlantic have used myths and/or mythological figures (Oedipus, Don Juan, the Noble Savage, etc.) to convey human experiences, question notions of power, privilege, and social (in)justice(s), and impact the world we live in. This course will introduce students to canonical works of French theatre, American cinema, and Black Atlantic theatre and cinema. Students will learn elements of storytelling, identify filmmakers' and playwrights' strategies and approaches, and consider the role of theatre and cinema in finding solutions to local and global challenges. Taught in English.

FREN 301 – Pronunciation and Conversation

This course focuses on oral communication and is designed to enhance listening comprehension and fluency in French.

FREN 302 – Grammar, Usage and Composition

This course stresses written communication. In addition, conversation and reading are targeted as means to inform writing.

FREN 310 – Spoken French in Cultural Context

This course is focused almost exclusively on oral communication. The course fosters open-mindedness through informed discussion of commonalities and differences between American and French/Francophone cultures. It enables students to sharpen their oral communication skills.

FREN 314 – Caribbean Literature and Culture (West Indies)

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities

The course examines how literature captures the multifaceted social, cultural, and political life of the Caribbean region.

FREN 320 – Written French in Cultural Context

This course stimulates intellectual openness and interest in other cultures. It enables students to gain familiarity, experience and confidence in reading and writing French.

FREN 374 – Dynamics of Protest in Africa and the Diaspora

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities · Gen Ed Attribute: Writing · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Building Connections

This course investigates how the dynamics of resistance and repression have shaped protest in Africa and the diaspora since the slave revolt in Saint-Domingue that produced modern-day Haiti (1791-1804). In the years since, uprisings have occurred that actively renegotiated freedoms, rights, and ideas of citizenship for peoples of African descent with a grounding in the French-speaking world. This course looks at a range of materials from historical documents, poetry, song, films, and fiction to deepen our understanding of how historical progress has been shaped by the dynamic interplay between resistance and repression.

FREN 393 – Internship

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

FREN 410 – Film and Fiction

Enhances skills to process information that promotes the understanding and interpretation of the target culture.

FREN 420 – Cultural History

A content-based course designed to help students gain advanced knowledge about French and Francophone cultures.

FREN 432 – French Translation

Advanced course in translation and stylistics designed to expand students' range and appreciation of written styles in a variety of texts and registers with grammar reviews and vocabulary work. Written translations to and from French.

FREN 444 – Topics in French Culture

This content-based course is designed to help students gain a better sense of French history, culture, and society through the focused examination of a particular issue or topic. The specific focus of each course varies according to the faculty's expertise.

FREN 498 – Senior Capstone

The senior capstone is designed to offer majors the opportunity to synthesize learning accumulated in the major and to demonstrate that they have met the Major program's stated learning outcomes in Communications, Cultures, Comparisons, Connections, and Communities. Students will learn how to show and tell their story for professional advancement. In addition, students will participate in workshops that are intended to create a bridge between your senior year and life post-college, such as CV/Resume work, graduate application review, gap year planning, panel of past majors, networking, etc).

FREN 500 – French for Reading

A one-semester course that permits rapid acquisition of reading skills. Even with no prior study of French, students by the end of a semester are able to read and understand materials written in French in the standard literature and professional journals of their field of interest.

FREN 532 – French Translation

Advanced course in translation and stylistics designed to expand students' range and appreciation of written styles in a variety of texts and registers with grammar reviews and vocabulary work. Written translations to and from French. Graduate-level requirements include two-page translations. The grading criteria will be stricter for the graduate students in that no more than three minor errors in all the categories combined (i.e., agreement, tense/aspect, vocabulary, register/style) will be allowed for an A, no more than four for a B, no more than five for a C and so on. Undergraduate students will be allowed up to five minor errors for an A, etc.

FREN 544 – Topics in French Culture

This content-based course is designed to help students gain a better sense of French history, culture, and society through the focused examination of a particular issue or topic. The specific focus of each course varies according to the faculty's expertise. Graduate-level requirements include more emphasis on research, theory, and criticism, and more substantial assignments in terms of length and quality.

FREN 553 – Literature in Context: Focus on a Historical Period

This is a French literature course focusing on a specific historical period. It provides a strong foundation in the literary, cultural, and historical knowledge required for French Studies. The topic of the course varies according to the instructor's area of expertise.

FREN 587 – Assessment in Second/Foreign Language Learning

The primary objective of this course is the development of language teachers' assessment literacy, which includes knowledge of key assessment principles and skill in creating or adopting assessment tools and procedures for the language classroom. Participants in this course will develop their knowledge and skills related to assessing all skill areas in the language classroom, including productive skills (writing, speaking), receptive skills (reading, listening), and assessing grammar and vocabulary. Grading and student evaluation will also be important topics of consideration and exploration in this course. Designed specifically for in-service (and pre-service) language teachers, the course combines theory with practice by covering essential principles of effective classroom assessment and the development of effective assessment tools for classroom use. Participants completing this course will become more assessment literate and better able to evaluate student performance in their classrooms fairly and effectively.

FREN 593 – Internship

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

FREN 101 – Elementary French I

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; an introduction to the basic structures and vocabulary of French. Does not count toward French major or minor.

FREN 102 – Elementary French II

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; an introduction to the basic structures and vocabulary of French, continuation.

FREN 201 – Intermediate French I

Continued skill development; further development of the four language skills.

FREN 202 – Intermediate French II

Continued skill development; reinforcement of basic language skills.

FREN 231 – Fashion and Culture in France and Italy

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Individuals and Societies · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Building Connections

The study of fashion is an important conduit for the expression of social identity, political ideas, and aesthetic taste. This course considers the history of style, fashion and dress in France and Italy from a cultural and fashion studies perspective. After a general introduction to models of interpretation and conceptual terms, FREN/ITAL 231 surveys topics in French and Italian fashion design and history from the 1300s to the present day

FREN 245 – African Literature Matters

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives, Artist

Introduction to African literature coming from the African continent and the diaspora, which explores the representation of Black experience in a variety of geographical and cultural settings. Select themes (such as liberation, oppression, identity) will invite students to reflect on current debates in historical perspective. Taught in English.

FREN 249 – Images of Africa

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities · Gen Ed Attribute: Writing · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Building Connections

This course investigates how audiovisual media including feature films, documentaries, music videos, visual albums represent Africa. The emergence of digital technologies with widespread access transformed Africa's media landscape. Through this exploration of African audiovisual media, the course builds connections across the arts, social sciences, and humanities. Upon completing "Images of Africa," students will have an enhanced understanding of contemporary Africa from a variety of social positions as well as the skills to interpret audiovisual media and evaluate their significance in cultural and historical contexts by drawing on a critical repertoire across disciplines.

FREN 300 – Pandemics, Politics and Culture in France and Italy

Gen Ed Attribute: Writing · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies

How has humanity responded to and represented pandemics, epidemics and other episodes of contagion in history? What are the roles of race, class and gender in the shaping of disease incidence? How does infectious disease define a life? What is the nature of individual existence when touched by plague? This course considers these questions and others through the study of historical, literary and cultural representations of some of the most influential pandemics and epidemics, covering a wide range of geographical places and time periods in French and Italian history from the Black Death in Tuscany during the Middle Ages to subsequent outbreaks of bubonic plague from Milan to Marseille in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, to the spread of cholera and syphilis in the nineteenth century from Paris to Provence. In addition, the course explores the AIDS epidemic in twentieth-century France and the impact of COVID-19 on Italy in the twenty-first. Students examine a variety of primary and secondary sources, fiction and memoirs from French and Italian writers including Giovanni Boccaccio, Alessandro Manzoni, Albert Camus, and Hervé Guibert among others. Taught in English.

FREN 301 – Pronunciation and Conversation

This course focuses on oral communication and is designed to enhance listening comprehension and fluency in French.

FREN 302 – Grammar, Usage and Composition

This course stresses written communication. In addition, conversation and reading are targeted as means to inform writing.

FREN 310 – Spoken French in Cultural Context

This course is focused almost exclusively on oral communication. The course fosters open-mindedness through informed discussion of commonalities and differences between American and French/Francophone cultures. It enables students to sharpen their oral communication skills.

FREN 314 – Caribbean Literature and Culture (West Indies)

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities

The course examines how literature captures the multifaceted social, cultural, and political life of the Caribbean region.

FREN 320 – Written French in Cultural Context

This course stimulates intellectual openness and interest in other cultures. It enables students to gain familiarity, experience and confidence in reading and writing French.

FREN 373 – US & Francophone Hip-Hop Cultures

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives, Artist

Examination of the historical, ethical, social, and political impacts and perspectives of hip-hop artistic practices and works on communities and societies in the United States and in the French-speaking world. Taught in English.

FREN 393 – Internship

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

FREN 410 – Film and Fiction

Enhances skills to process information that promotes the understanding and interpretation of the target culture.

FREN 420 – Cultural History

A content-based course designed to help students gain advanced knowledge about French and Francophone cultures.

FREN 434 – Business French II

The basic workings of the French economy and the essential vocabulary and style specific to French business.

FREN 443 – Contemporary Francophone Literature and Cinema

Designed to help students gain a better sense of the Francophone world's diverse histories, cultures, and societies. Graduate-level requirements include more emphasis on research, theory, and criticism, and more substantial assignments in terms of length and quality.

FREN 498 – Senior Capstone

The senior capstone is designed to offer majors the opportunity to synthesize learning accumulated in the major and to demonstrate that they have met the Major program's stated learning outcomes in Communications, Cultures, Comparisons, Connections, and Communities. Students will learn how to show and tell their story for professional advancement. In addition, students will participate in workshops that are intended to create a bridge between your senior year and life post-college, such as CV/Resume work, graduate application review, gap year planning, panel of past majors, networking, etc).

FREN 534 – Business French II

The basic workings of the French economy and the essential vocabulary and style specific to French business. Graduate-level requirements include an additional culture-oriented reference book; whole films (not only extracts), complete novels (not only extracts) as well as secondary critiques of French business practices. Papers are also longer.

FREN 543 – Francophone Literature and Cinema

Designed to help students gain a better sense of the Francophone world's diverse histories, cultures, and societies. Graduate-level requirements include more emphasis on research, theory, and criticism, and more substantial assignments in terms of length and quality. Graduate-level requirements include more emphasis on individual research (reading of and reports on secondary sources mandatory). More substantial assignments in terms of length and quality.

FREN 550 – French Cultural and Literary History: Early Modern France

FREN 550 is designed to develop intercultural competence and a strong foundation in cultural and literary history. The course focuses on early-modern France, from the 16th century to 1789. Emphasis varies according to the faculty's expertise.

FREN 579 – Second/Foreign Language Teaching and Learning

This class is intended to prepare students to teach a second/foreign language. It will provide students with the essential foundations in language teaching methodology and theory, pedagogical grammar, curriculum and materials development, classroom management, and formal and informal assessment techniques. In addition, students will gain practical knowledge through video practicum components, which allow them to watch and reflect on actual classroom teaching. Students will complete this program with the pedagogical knowledge and practical understanding necessary to be confident and effective language teachers.

FREN 581 – Technology and Foreign Language Learning

This course focuses on the use of technology in foreign language learning. It has three parts: 1) theory, how computers fit within concepts of L2 acquisition; 2) pedagogy, how computers have been used in the classroom & 3) application, the design & implementation a segment of instruction.

FREN 101 – Elementary French I

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; an introduction to the basic structures and vocabulary of French. Does not count toward French major or minor.

FREN 102 – Elementary French II

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing; an introduction to the basic structures and vocabulary of French, continuation.

FREN 201 – Intermediate French I

Continued skill development; further development of the four language skills.

FREN 202 – Intermediate French II

Continued skill development; reinforcement of basic language skills.

FREN 230 – Introduction to French Culture

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Individuals and Societies · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Building Connections

This gateway course introduces students to French thought and culture through multiple perspectives and disciplines including history, philosophy, law, literary traditions and cultures, gender and sexuality, film, art and cultural studies among others. By the end of the course, students will have acquired a broad historical understanding of French culture and a deeper sense of the interdisciplinary perspectives that contribute meaning to individual and collective French identities. Taught in English.

FREN 231 – Fashion and Culture in France and Italy

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Individuals and Societies · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Building Connections

The study of fashion is an important conduit for the expression of social identity, political ideas, and aesthetic taste. This course considers the history of style, fashion and dress in France and Italy from a cultural and fashion studies perspective. After a general introduction to models of interpretation and conceptual terms, FREN/ITAL 231 surveys topics in French and Italian fashion design and history from the 1300s to the present day

FREN 300 – Pandemics, Politics and Culture in France and Italy

Gen Ed Attribute: Writing · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies

How has humanity responded to and represented pandemics, epidemics and other episodes of contagion in history? What are the roles of race, class and gender in the shaping of disease incidence? How does infectious disease define a life? What is the nature of individual existence when touched by plague? This course considers these questions and others through the study of historical, literary and cultural representations of some of the most influential pandemics and epidemics, covering a wide range of geographical places and time periods in French and Italian history from the Black Death in Tuscany during the Middle Ages to subsequent outbreaks of bubonic plague from Milan to Marseille in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, to the spread of cholera and syphilis in the nineteenth century from Paris to Provence. In addition, the course explores the AIDS epidemic in twentieth-century France and the impact of COVID-19 on Italy in the twenty-first. Students examine a variety of primary and secondary sources, fiction and memoirs from French and Italian writers including Giovanni Boccaccio, Alessandro Manzoni, Albert Camus, and Hervé Guibert among others. Taught in English.

FREN 314 – Caribbean Literature and Culture (West Indies)

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities

The course examines how literature captures the multifaceted social, cultural, and political life of the Caribbean region.

FREN 373 – US & Francophone Hip-Hop Cultures

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives, Artist

Examination of the historical, ethical, social, and political impacts and perspectives of hip-hop artistic practices and works on communities and societies in the United States and in the French-speaking world. Taught in English.

FREN 375 – Franco-American Relations

Gen Ed: Tier 2 Humanities · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies

The course's main purpose is to examine Franco-American relations, and more specifically the mutual perspectives on their respective nations offered by French and American citizens throughout the years. This interdisciplinary course addresses Franco-American relations in a global way through assigned interdisciplinary readings and films. The course's ultimate goal is to come up with reasons why such close and at times tumultuous relations exist between the United States and its oldest ally, France. Taught in English.

FREN 593 – Internship

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.