Department: French

CodeNameDescription
FREN 121Accelerated Elementary FrenchIntroduction to French language and culture. Emphasis on oral communication. Development of elementary reading and writing skills.
FREN 221Intensive Intermediate FrenchReinforcement of communicative language skills. Increased emphasis on reading, writing, and culture.
FREN 301French Conversation through CinemaDevelopment of speaking ability in French, with stress upon vocabulary expansion, pronunciation and communicative accuracy, through representations of French culture in film.
FREN 304French Grammar ReviewAn in-depth study of French grammar designed to improve the written expression of more advanced students in preparation for writing.
FREN 305Writing in French through Culture and LiteratureDevelops 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 306French at WorkTask-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 311French and Francophone CultureExploration of significant themes and issues in contemporary French and Francophone cultures set in the context of French history and cultural traditions.
FREN 320The Individual in SocietyIntroduces students to works of literature written in French from a variety of genres (poetry, prose, and theatre) and to critical writing in French.
FREN 324Francophone Cultures and LiteratureExplores contemporary Francophone literatures and cultures through texts by African, Caribbean, Maghrebian, and Canadian writers.
FREN 325The Origins of FranceStudies in French literature, history, and culture from the Medieval period to the Enlightenment.
FREN 326Revolution in FranceStudies in French literature, history, and culture related to the concept of revolution with special emphasis on the Enlightenment and the 19th century.
FREN 327The Question of ModernityStudies in French literature, history, and culture related to modern French society and the French-speaking world.
FREN 328Introduction to Maghrebian Literature and CultureExplores contemporary Francophone literatures and cultures through texts and films by Maghrebian writers and filmmakers (North Africa, Lebanon and France).
FREN 388Individual InternshipInternship 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 389Practice AssistantshipStudents 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 397Selected TopicsNo Description Set
FREN 402Advanced French ConversationDevelopment of advanced speaking skills beyond 301 level.
FREN 412French and Francophone Culture in ConversationFor 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 414Advanced French Grammar and Culture StudiesAn 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 415TraductionTranslation 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 420The French Middle AgesAnalysis 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 421RenaissanceExploration of literature of a France transformed by Reformation and Renaissance: the poetry of love; devotion and play; the prose of wisdom.
FREN 422Le Siecle ClassiqueExploration 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 423EnlightenmentLiterary 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 424From Romanticism to DecadenceIssues 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 430What are the Liberal Arts for? A French PerspectiveExplores 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 461From Modern to PostmodernTrends 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 462Contemporary IdeasReadings and discussion of recent works which have provoked political or intellectual debate in France and the French-speaking world.
FREN 465French FilmSurvey 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 467French Culture in the Making: Conception and Actualization of a French Film FestivalExperience 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 471Francophone StudiesLiterary 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 480Food: French and Italian RitualsExamines 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 486Paris As Visual ClicheExamines a variety of visual clichés related to the city of Paris and analyzes them using literature, cultural studies, cultural theory, and visual analysis.
FREN 491Honors Thesis IResearch 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 492French Honors Thesis IICompletion of a 25-30 page honor thesis and presention of research at the French Studies Symposium.
FREN 495Independent StudySpecial projects individually pursued under supervision of faculty member.
FREN 497Selected TopicsExperimental topics based on student and faculty interests. Recent topics: autobiography, the emergence of drama, the letter in philosophy and literature, women writing in French.