French Course Descriptions

FREN-101 Intro to French Language & Culture

The beginning course is intended to give training in the basic patterns and structures of French. Conversation and reading related to the cultures of French-speaking areas. Classroom work is supplemented by laboratory experience. 4 credits each semester.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-102 Intro French Language & Culture

Continuation of FREN 101. The beginning course is intended to give training in the basic patterns and structures of French. Conversation and reading related to the cultures of French-speaking areas. Classroom work is supplemented by laboratory experience. Prerequisite: FREN 101 or equivalent proficiency. 4 credits each semester.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-195 Independent Study


Credits: 1.00

FREN-201 Intermediate French

Focus on conversational skills, and comprehension French and francophone cultures, reading, and grammar. Prerequisite: FREN 102 or an equivalent proficiency. 4 credits each semester.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-202 Intermediate French

A continuation of FREN 201. Focus on conversational skills, comprehension, French and francophone cultures, reading, and grammar. Prerequisite: FREN 201 or equivalent proficiency. 4 credits each semester.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-215 Conversation Laboratory

This course is designed to compliment 200-level and upper-division French language courses and provide additional opportunity for improving speaking and writing skills, although students who have completed at least 102 in French are eligible to enroll. Students will participate in weekly discussions and oral activities and produce presentations and written work in French. Course taught entirely in French. Does not count towards the French major or minor. May be repeated once for credit. Offered spring semester. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: FREN-102 or equivalent. 2 credits.
Credits: 2.00

FREN-255 Special Topics

See department for course description.
Credits: 1.00

FREN-265 French in the Elementary School

This course is an introduction to the principles of second language acquisition and instruction in elementary school programs. Students will plan and implement lessons for after-school French program involving first through sixth graders. Class includes weekly trips to local elementary schools. Does NOT meet the upper-division major requirement for French, International Studies, or Modern Languages with an emphasis in French. Prerequisite: FREN 102. May be repeated once for credit. 2-4 credits.
Credits: 2.00

FREN-275 Internship

See department for details.
Credits: 1.00

FREN-304 French & Francophone Theatre

Analysis of representative plays by French and Francophone authors including Jarry, Sartre, Anouilh, Genet, Beckett, Ionesco, Schwarz-Bart, and others. Introduction of theoretical texts relevant to the plays studied. Taught in French. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or an equivalent competency. Meets Humanities core requirement. Offered intermittently. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-308 France Today

Reading and discussion of selected articles from French newspapers and magazines. Course work would be supplemented by relevant video and audio -visual materials. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent proficiency. Taught in French. Offered intermittently. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-311 Composition & Conversation

Practice in conversational idiom through reading and discussion of contemporary short stories, periodical literature and oral interviews. Extensive practice in composition with an aim toward improving students' communicative skills in written and oral French. Taught in French. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent competency. Offered alternate years. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-312 French Pronunciation/Intonation

This course offers students studying French the opportunity to improve their pronunciation skills, as well as listening comprehension through the study of phonetics and practice of intonation and pronunciation patterns. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent proficiency. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-315 Discovery of France

Culminating in a travel experience to Paris and one or two other regions from France, this course explores contemporary France and French culture through the lenses of a specific discipline, such as media arts, photography, and history, among other possibilities. Part of the course will be taught in French by a French professor, and the other part, in English, by a professor who specializes in the elected discipline. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent proficiency. May be repeated one time for credit with instructor permission. Meets comparative cultural core requirement. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-320 Women's Writing in Francophone World

Survey of women's writing in the Francophone world throughout the 20th century. Special focus on the novel and the development of alternative prose forms. Authors from France, Switzerland, Belgium, Quebec, the French Caribbean, Senegal, and Algeria may be included. Taught in French. Meets Humanities core requirement or comparative cultural core requirement. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent proficiency. Offered intermittently. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-355 Special Topics

See department for course description.
Credits: 1.00

FREN-365 French in the Elementary School

This course is an introduction to the principles of second language acquisition and instruction in elementary school programs. Students will plan and implement lessons for after-school French program involving first through fourth graders. Class includes weekly trips to local elementary schools. Does NOT meet the upper-division major requirement for French, International Studies, or Modern Languages with an emphasis in French. Prerequisite: FREN 102. May be repeated once for credit. 2-4 credits.
Credits: 2.00

FREN-385 Seminar in French

A concentrated study of one of the major movements in French and Francophone literature, art, and culture. Topics include: the rise of Classicism, the French Revolution, the 19th century French novel, writing and resistance:1848-1968, and literature in French-speaking Switzerland. May be taken more than once for credit. Taught in French. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Offered intermittently. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-395 Independent Study

See department for details.
Credits: 1.00

FREN-404 French & Francophone Theatre

Analysis of representative plays by French and Francophone authors including Jarry, Sartre, Anouilh, Genet, Beckett, Ionesco, Schwarz-Bart, and others. Introduction of theoretical texts relevant to the plays studied. Students taking the course at the 400-level will need to complete more elaborate assignments in French that require more expertise in French. Taught in French. Prerequisite: Two 300-level FREN courses or 12 upper-division credits earned overseas in a French-speaking country. Offered intermittently. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-408 France Today

Reading and discussion of selected articles from French newspapers and magazines. Course work would be supplemented by relevant video and audio -visual materials. Students taking the course at the 400-level will need to complete more elaborate assignments in French that require more expertise in French. Taught in French. Prerequisite: Two 300-level FREN courses or 12 upper-division credits earned overseas in a French-speaking country. Offered intermittently. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-411 Composition & Conversation

Practice in conversational idiom through reading and discussion of contemporary short stories, periodical literature and oral interviews. Extensive practice in composition with an aim toward improving students' communicative skills in written and oral French. Students taking this course at the 400-level will need to complete more elaborate assignments in French that will require more expertise in French. Taught in French. Prerequisite: Two 300-level FREN courses or 12 upper-division credits earned overseas in a French-speaking country. Offered alternate years. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-420 Women's Writing in Francophone World

Survey of women's writing in the Francophone world throughout the 20th century. Special focus on the novel and the development of alternative prose forms. Authors from France, Switzerland, Belgium, Quebec, the French Caribbean, Senegal, and Algeria may be included. Students taking the course at the 400-level will need to complete more elaborate assignments in French that require more expertise in French. Taught in French. Prerequisite: Two 300-level FREN courses or 12 upper-division credits earned overseas in a French-speaking country. Meets Humanities core requirement or comparative cultural core requirement. Offered intermittently. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-475 Internship

See department for details.
Credits: 1.00

FREN-485 Seminar in French

A concentrated study of one of the major movements in French and Francophone literature, art, and culture. Topics include: the rise of Classicism, the French Revolution, the 19th century French novel, writing and resistance:1848-1968, and literature in French-speaking Switzerland. Students taking the course at the 400-level will need to complete more elaborate assignments in French that require more expertise in French. May be taken more than once for credit. Taught in French. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Offered intermittently. 4 credits.
Credits: 4.00

FREN-494 Senior Thesis French

This course is designed to assist senior students who are writing a thesis for a major in French. Students will receive direction in completing their research proposal and help in conducting and writing their senior thesis in French. These are student-conducted individual research theses. Students take 494 and 495 in consecutive semesters. Prerequisite: Senior standing and study abroad. Taught in French. 2 credits per semester.
Credits: 2.00

FREN-495 Senior Thesis in French

This course is designed to assist senior students who are writing a thesis for a major in French. Students will receive direction in completing their research proposal and help in conducting and writing their senior thesis in French. These are student-conducted individual research theses. Students take 494 and 495 in consecutive semesters. Prerequisite: Senior standing and study abroad. Taught in French. 2 credits per semester.
Credits: 2.00