FRE 101
This course is designed for those who have never studied or who have had only minimal exposure to French. It covers basic grammatical concepts and vocabulary related to daily life and limited aspects of the cultures of the French-speaking world, and emphasizes the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students who successfully complete this course are able to speak and write in very simple ways about familiar and immediate topics and understand the gist of written and spoken French materials on familiar topics. Conducted in French, except for clarification of grammar and culture. Four class meetings per week.
FRE 102
Continuation of FRE 101. This course expands the students' ability to understand and produce written and spoken French, with an emphasis on accuracy in pronunciation and familiar grammatical constructions and acquisition of new structures that enable them to handle more complex tasks. French 102 emphasizes the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and continues the exploration of cultures of the French-speaking world through a variety of materials. Conducted in French, except for clarification of grammar and culture. Four class meetings per week.
Prerequisite: FRE 101
FRE 201
This course refines the skills that students acquired in elementary French by developing precision and nuance in topics and grammar previously studied. It enhances the students' ability to handle communicative tasks necessary for survival in the target culture. Students gain a more acute awareness of cultures of the French-speaking world through the study of a variety of authentic texts, including literary fragments, journalistic pieces, film and other media. French 201 emphasizes the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Conducted in French, except for clarification of grammar and culture. Four class meetings per week.
Prerequisite: French 102, three or four years of high school French, or permission of instructor
FRE 202
Continuation of FRE 201. This course explores more complex communicative strategies, grammar, and vocabulary necessary for advanced study of the language. It focuses on such tasks as narrating in all tenses, advising/persuading, and giving a supported opinion. It continues in-depth analysis of the cultures of the Frenchspeaking world through a variety of materials and emphasizes the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Conducted in French, except for clarification of grammar and culture. Four class meetings per week.
Prerequisite: FRE 201
FRE 221
French Literature in Translation
A one-semester course based on French masterpieces of a given age or style, to be read in English translation. This course will meet the general studies requirement in literature. (European Studies)
FRE 301
This course provides an extensive review of basic language skills studied in lower-level language courses. It also explores language and culture in more sophisticated contexts. Students integrate language skills through extensive written and oral practice. Students analyze a variety of cultural and literary texts in order to have a more critical understanding of Frenchspeaking cultures. Conducted in French. Four class meetings per week.
Prerequisite: FRE 202, four years of high school French, or permission of instructor
FRE 302
Continuation of FRE 301 with more extensive writing and reading assignments, including a literary work by a prominent French-language author. It focuses on solidifying critical thinking skills necessary for advanced language courses as well as courses in other disciplines. Conducted in French. Four class meetings per week.
Prerequisite: FRE 301
FRE 305
Practicum in Conversational French
This intensive conversation experience emphasizes speaking and listening to develop high intermediate/advanced proficiency in French. Extensive use of multimedia programs, small group discussions and collaborative projects.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of FRE 301 or permission
FRE 321
French Culture and Civilization: From the Middle Ages Through the Revolution This course will provide a historical survey of the highlights of French culture and civilization from the Middle Ages through the French Revolution. It examines events, social structures, political institutions, the educational system, everyday life, art and architecture. These will be presented, aside from the basic textbook, through excerpts from original writings from each period, contemporary interpretations, slides and movies. (European Studies)
FRE 322
Modern France: 19th and 20th Centuries
The course examines the highlights of French culture and civilization of the 19th and 20th centuries. It presents, through literary selections, contemporary interpretations, slides, and movies a diverse perspective on the people and events that have shaped the character of France and the Francophone world. (European Studies)
FRE 330
French Drama
A discussion of theatre as a literary genre and a study of the development of drama in France and French-speaking countries. Particular emphasis on plays in the 17th and the 20th centuries. Writers such as Corneille, Racine, Molie`re, Hugo, Anouilh, Giraudoux, Sartre, Dadier, Hébert, Duras, Beckett and Ionesco are studied. (European Studies)
FRE 340
French Fiction
A study of the development of the novel form in France and in other French-speaking countries from the 17th to the 20th centuries. (European Studies)
FRE 342
Francophone Cultures and Literatures
This course introduces students to important issues facing the Francophone world. Topics such as colonization, decolonization, postcolonialism, separatism in Quebec and the French legacy in Africa and the Caribbean are examined through the use of literary texts, political and cultural discourse, music and films.
FRE 350
French Poetry
A study of poetic forms in French literature and of various methods of interpreting poetry. The course deals with selected major poets and poetic movements as well as some traditional and contemporary French songs. (European Studies)
FRE 360
The History of Ideas
This course deals with fiction, essays and letters from the Renaissance through the 20th century whose focus is primarily the communication of ideas. Writers studied include Rabelais, Montaigne, Madame de Sévigné, Pascal, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Madame de Stael, Sartre, Camus, Wittig, Irigaray, Cixous, Kristeva, Derrida and Foucault. (European Studies)
FRE 371
Applied Linguistics
This course provides theoretical background in linguistics and in second language acquisition. The application of linguistic theory to foreign language teaching, with a focus on proficiencybased methodologies, is emphasized. Required of teacher certification candidates in modern foreign languages; open to other students with permission of the instructor. (Not for French concentration)
FRE 375
French Culture and Civilization
This Interim course introduces students to the people and lands of the French-speaking island of Martinique through an intensive and structured visit to the island. After reading and assessing a series of preparatory articles on their own, students will travel to Martinique in early January with accompanying faculty to complete a series if activities that will enlighten them to many aspects of Martinique life. These undertakings include lectures at the university, field trips to various parts of the island and a variety of directed events, which will encourage students to participate in many facets of Martinique culture. Students electing to receive French credit will complete all coursework in French.
FRE 380
Special Topics in French and Francophone Literature and Culture
This course offers special topics of interest in French and Francophone literature and culture. Readings, discussions, reports and examinations are all in French.
FRE 492
Seminar II
This course includes a discussion of anthropological views of culture as well as a study of French social structures and socialization of children. Topics such as the French attitudes toward time, geography and human nature also are studied. Literary texts, essays and video materials are used. (European Studies)
