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 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 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 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 442 – French Narratives and Film

Examines representative examples of French achievements in literature and/or cinema so as to provide an appreciation and understanding of the aesthetics of literary and/or visual language through the study of narrative structures and forms.

FREN 447 – Topics in Francophone Studies

A content-based course designed to help students gain a better sense of the Francophone world through the focused examination of a particular issue or topic. The topic of each course varies according to the faculty's expertise.

FREN 498 – Senior Capstone

A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.

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 547 – Topics in Francophone Studies

A content-based course designed to help students gain a better sense of the Francophone world through the focused examination of a particular issue or topic. The topic 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 552 – French Cultural & Literary History: Contemporary France (1939-present)

Course is designed to develop intercultural competence and to provide a strong foundation in cultural and literary history. The course focuses on the most important periods and literary texts in the history of contemporary France (1939-present).

FREN 578 – Multiliteracies in L2 Teaching and Learning: Theory, Research, and Practice

In this course, issues in L2 literacy extend beyond pedagogy by examining a wide range of theoretical and research issues. Students discuss how to bridge research and practice, create reading and writing activities grounded in theory and empirical investigations.

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 280 – Introduction to French Language, Linguistics and Culture

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

Introductory course to key concepts in French language, linguistics and culture through a variety of media (textbook, comics, films, Web). This course is taught in English and requires no knowledge of French. Does not count toward fulfillment of language requirement, of the major or minor in French.

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 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 433 – Business French I

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

FREN 445 – Francophone Cultures and Traditions

A survey course that introduces students to major movements and issues relative to the Francophone world. Students will gain a general understanding of key concepts and debates from an overview of dominant historical trends and current preoccupations.

FREN 498 – Senior Capstone

A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.

FREN 545 – Francophone Cultures and Traditions

A survey course that introduces students to major movements and issues relative to the Francophone world. Students will gain a general understanding of key concepts and debates from an overview of dominant historical trends and current preoccupations. Graduate-level requirements include development and demonstration of skills in research, theory, and criticism. Papers are also longer.

FREN 551 – French Cultural and Literary History: Revolution to World War II (1789-1939)

Course is designed to develop intercultural competence and a strong foundation in cultural and literary history. The course focuses on the most important periods and literary texts in the history of modern France from the Revolution to World War II.

FREN 567 – Topics in French Linguistics

Examines in detail current topics in the linguistic analysis of French. May be repeated when topics vary. Taught in French with readings in French and English. Graduate-level requirements include higher level of oral and written work.

FREN 574 – Conceptualizing, Designing, and Directing Foreign Language Programs

The course provides an overview of the major issues facing Language Program Directors (LPDs) in language and literature departments today, from their roles and responsibilities to their position within their units, the professional challenges they face, and the tasks they have to complete. This will be achieved by providing background and research, by engaging future language program directors in reflecting about attitudes and beliefs about leadership and management styles, offering opportunities for dialogue with Language Program Directors working in a variety of language programs, and participating in applied tasks related to a number of issues examined in the course.

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.