Course Schedule

FREN 102 – Elementary French II

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

FREN 150B1 – The Holocaust in France and Italy

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 1 Individuals & Societies/150 · Gen Ed Attribute: Writing · Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives, Social Scientist

The course examines the origins, development, and implementation of discriminatory racial policies in France and Italy as well as their impact on Jewish citizens during and after World War II through the study of historical texts, survivor testimonies, war memoirs, memorials, commemorations and film.

FREN 160A1 – The French-Speaking World

Gen Ed: Diversity Emphasis · Gen Ed: Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures/160 · Gen Ed Attribute: World Cultures and Societies · Gen Ed: Building Connections

This course will consider the development of the French-speaking world from the colonial period to current times. The first part of the course will present a historical perspective on the evolution and exportation of French language and culture from 1500 to 1900, during France's colonial expansion. The second part will emphasize the cultural and artistic expressions of some of the contemporary French-speaking countries and speakers from around the world.

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 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 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 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).