Department: French

Code Name Description
FREN 121 Accelerated Elementary French Introduction to French language and culture. Emphasis on oral communication. Development of elementary reading and writing skills.
FREN 221 Intensive Intermediate French Reinforcement of communicative language skills. Increased emphasis on reading, writing, and culture.
FREN 301 French Conversation through Cinema Development of speaking ability in French, with stress upon vocabulary expansion, pronunciation and communicative accuracy, through representations of French culture in film.
FREN 304 French Grammar Review An in-depth study of French grammar designed to improve the written expression of more advanced students in preparation for writing.
FREN 305 Writing in French through Culture and Literature Develops competent writing skills through topics in French and Francophone literature and culture. Students will engage in writing exercises in a variety of textual genres including essay, review, explication de texte (textual explication), and short...
FREN 306 French at Work Task-based course designed to develop students' ability to interact in French situations specific to the workplace. Acquisition of business terminology and etiquette and exploration of cross-cultural differences, economic and political issues influen...
FREN 311 French and Francophone Culture Exploration of significant themes and issues in contemporary French and Francophone cultures set in the context of French history and cultural traditions.
FREN 320 The Individual in Society Introduces students to works of literature written in French from a variety of genres (poetry, prose, and theatre) and to critical writing in French.
FREN 324 Francophone Cultures and Literature Explores contemporary Francophone literatures and cultures through texts by African, Caribbean, Maghrebian, and Canadian writers.
FREN 325 The Origins of France Studies in French literature, history, and culture from the Medieval period to the Enlightenment.
FREN 326 Revolution in France Studies in French literature, history, and culture related to the concept of revolution with special emphasis on the Enlightenment and the 19th century.
FREN 327 The Question of Modernity Studies in French literature, history, and culture related to modern French society and the French-speaking world.
FREN 328 Introduction to Maghrebian Literature and Culture Explores contemporary Francophone literatures and cultures through texts and films by Maghrebian writers and filmmakers (North Africa, Lebanon and France).
FREN 388 Individual Internship Internship experience outside of the department in fields related to French studies. No more than 1.5 unit of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
FREN 389 Practice Assistantship Students lead practice sessions associated with the elementary and intermediate language sequence in French. The practice assistantship does not count as credit toward the major or minor. Up to one unit can be applied toward graduation credit.
FREN 397 Selected Topics No Description Set
FREN 402 Advanced French Conversation Development of advanced speaking skills beyond 301 level.
FREN 412 French and Francophone Culture in Conversation For advanced students of French. Further refines and enhances oral expression and explores topics in current events in the French and Francophone world and how those events relate to the past. Broaden vocabulary, hone grammatical precision, and expan...
FREN 414 Advanced French Grammar and Culture Studies An in-depth review and focused investigation of French grammar and syntax designed to further refine and enhance the written expression of more advanced students of French. Also explores French grammar in action through personal and creative writing,...
FREN 415 Traduction Translation of literary, journalistic, and technical texts from French to English and English to French. Includes a community-based learning component (involving both linguistic and "cultural" translation), an introduction to interpreting techniques,...
FREN 420 The French Middle Ages Analysis of issues such as morality and literacy, governance, social order, human values and ideals, authorship, gender, and artistic production as manifested in significant texts from the 11th to the 15th centuries.
FREN 421 Renaissance Exploration of literature of a France transformed by Reformation and Renaissance: the poetry of love; devotion and play; the prose of wisdom.
FREN 422 Le Siecle Classique Exploration of both triumphs and powerful tensions within 17th-century culture, with attention to such issues as political patronage of the arts, women intellectuals and salon culture, courtly life at Versailles, social satires of Molire, and place o...
FREN 423 Enlightenment Literary and philosophical texts of 18th century, emphasizing questions on selfhood, social life, gender relations, and power. Topics include the libertine tradition, novel and society, women writers and Enlightenment's others.
FREN 424 From Romanticism to Decadence Issues of gender, subjectivity, and socio-historical contexts in works by poets, novelists and historians in the numerous and varied cultural movements of 19th-century France. Recent topics include visual culture in 19th-century France and literary a...
FREN 430 What are the Liberal Arts for? A French Perspective Explores the connection between education and civic duties within the French context: Can truth not be truth? Do facts have alternative versions? Why do truth and facts matter to our democracy?
FREN 461 From Modern to Postmodern Trends in 20th century and contemporary French poetry, drama, and fiction, set in the context of painting, film and experimental art forms. Recent topics include otherness, gender, creativity, the nature of truth, and the quest for self-expression.
FREN 462 Contemporary Ideas Readings and discussion of recent works which have provoked political or intellectual debate in France and the French-speaking world.
FREN 465 French Film Survey of development of French cinema with emphasis on the contemporary period. Introduction to film aesthetics and film theories. Film topics include French current events and trends, personal and social challenges, ethnicity, women's issues, and h...
FREN 467 French Culture in the Making: Conception and Actualization of a French Film Festival Experience in the creation and preparation of a major cultural event on French cinema leading to significant enhancement of knowledge of French contemporary cinema and culture, substantial improvement of French language skills, and exposure to cultur...
FREN 471 Francophone Studies Literary and cultural studies of modern Francophone texts by African, Caribbean, Qubecois, Maghrebian, and other French-speaking writers. Recent topics include: tradition, postcolonialism and modernity; aesthetics; ngritude; and globalization.
FREN 480 Food: French and Italian Rituals Examines the impact of food on French and Italian culture and society. Through literary texts, philosophy, history, film, and the visual and performing arts, explores the complex relationship between food, culture, and identity.
FREN 486 Paris As Visual Cliche Examines a variety of visual clichés related to the city of Paris and analyzes them using literature, cultural studies, cultural theory, and visual analysis.
FREN 491 Honors Thesis I Research on a topic of interest, design of an original thesis and draft of a first version of the honors thesis under the supervision of a thesis's advisor. Graded Pass/Fail.
FREN 492 French Honors Thesis II Completion of a 25-30 page honor thesis and presention of research at the French Studies Symposium.
FREN 495 Independent Study Special projects individually pursued under supervision of faculty member.
FREN 497 Selected Topics Experimental topics based on student and faculty interests. Recent topics: autobiography, the emergence of drama, the letter in philosophy and literature, women writing in French.