Modern Foreign Language B.A. French Course Descriptions

Acquisition of cultural awareness and basic communicative skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Designed to provide the student with the tools necessary to develop a level of competency sufficient to meet survival needs and limited social demands. On-line workbook required. Four credits.

French 1020 begins with a review of the material covered in French 1010. Further study of French with emphasis on the development of the communicative skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Enhancement of cultural awareness. On-line workbook required. Four credits. Prerequisites: FRE-1010.

Review and expansion of skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Culturally based readings, videos and audio materials will be included. Audio component required. Four credits. Prerequisites: FRE 1020 or equivalent.

Expansion and reinforcement of listening, reading, writing and speaking skills acquired from “FRE-2010. Culturally based readings, videos and audio materials will be included. Audio component required. Four credits. Prerequisites: FRE-2010 or equivalent.

A course designed to help students develop a more authentic pronunciation of French through phonetic exercises and some use of song, poetry and humoristic short passages. One credit. Prerequisite: FRE-2020 or permission of the instructor. Not open to native speakers of French.

A course focusing on further development of the skill of reading, using a selection of short stories and other brief readings. Some in-class writing. Some review of selected grammatical structures. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in order to continue the study of French at the 3000 level. Four credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2020 or equivalent.

A review of high intermediate grammatical structures and concepts with emphasis on tense usage and verb conjugation. Attention to enhancing sophistication in sentence structure. Two credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2130 or permission of the instructor.

Students will explore the cultural meaning and the persuasive power of a number of texts, while considering the different cultural ways in which we give meaning to images as we consume and circulate them. Students will also design, create and present to each other a number of “visual texts” that represent their personal understanding and/or their opinion about the cultural theme under study. Two credits. Prerequisites: FRE-2130 or equivalent with a grade of C or better or permission of the instructor.

Speaking and listening practice, accompanied by acquisition of the vocabulary required to engage in casual conversation related to everyday situations, and to express opinions in concrete situations. Some work on pronunciation. Two credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor. Native speakers of French may not receive credit for this course.

Course may be repeated.

Expansion of listening and speaking skills and acquisition of a broader and more sophisticated range of vocabulary. Emphasis on the development of oral communication skills sufficient to discuss complex issues and express abstract notions. Some work on pronunciation as needed. Two credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2130 and FRE-2500 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor. Native speakers of French will not be allowed credit for FRE-3000.

Overview of the culture and civilization of France, accompanied by discussion of the relevant historical background. Some attention to artistic contributions, colonization and present-day issues. Four credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.

A course focusing on current events and issues in France and the French-speaking world today. Work with selected materials from the Internet, including televised news broadcasts and other programs in French, articles from French newspapers and from French publications online, and an audio magazine in French. Culture, conversation, composition. Four credits. Prerequisite: FRE 2130 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.

A course focusing on the cultures of French-speaking areas (other than France) in Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Pacific and Asia. Four credits. Prerequisites: FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.

Study of the vocabulary, customs and practices of the French-speaking business/ professional world. Cultural differences, organizational patterns, marketing strategies, advertising, business documents and correspondence. Practice of speaking skills in a business/professional context, including job interviews, discussion of personnel and management issues, analysis of advertising. Four credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.

A study of selected works of French literature from the Middle Ages to the end of the 17th century, with particular attention to the themes of love and honor. Four credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better or permission of the instructor.

A study of selected works of French literature from the Enlightenment to the first world war, with particular attention to the themes of freedom and identity. Four credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better or permission of the instructor.

A study of selected works of French literature from the first world war to the present, with particular attention to the themes of Revolution and Metissage. Four credits. Prerequisite: FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

A study of selected works from Francophone literatures from independence in the 1960′s to the present. Particular attention to the themes of identity, tradition, modernity and metissage. Four credits. Prerequisites: “FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better or permission of the instructor.

Course may be repeated.

Study and practice of advanced grammatical structures and continued development of more advanced types of writing such as literary analysis, expository writing, analytical writing, etc. Four credits. Prerequisites: FRE-2130 with a grade of C or better and a “FRE-3000-level course, or permission of instructor.

Individual study and research under the guidance of a member of the department. One to four credits each semester. “FRE-4810-4815. Student Internship. Three, four, six, eight, ten or twelve credits.

Course may be repeated.

Individual study and research under the guidance of a member of the “MFL-faculty. Periodic discussion of research with faculty and students in a formal seminar setting. Paper must be written in French. Seminar students are required to take the exit competency exam in French and to present the final research in French to French-speaking faculty in the Modern Foreign Language Department. Four credits. Prerequisites: Senior standing, major in French.

Instruction and practice in the use of the English language, with primary emphasis on writing. Four credits. Required of all non-native speakers of English, unless exempted by the placement exam in English as a Second Language. Only non-native speakers of English may enroll in this course.

Instruction and practice in the use of the English language, with primary emphasis on writing. Four credits. Prerequisite: MFL-1010 or permission of the instructor. Required of all non-native speakers of English, unless exempted by the placement exam in English as a Second Language. Only non-native speakers of English may enroll in this course.

A course designed to help non-native speakers of English develop the practical skills necessary for academic success. Intensive work in speaking and in listening comprehension, with attention to improving pronunciation . Work with a tutor outside of class is required. Four credits. Required of all non-native speakers of English, unless exempted by the placement exam in English as a Second Language. Restricted to non-native speakers of English. Placement or permission of instructor.

Course may be repeated.

A course designed to enhance skills in international business communication. Students will be introduced to a theoretical model for analysis of cultural variables which affect international business/professional interaction. One credit. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

Course may be repeated.

Individual study and research under the guidance of a member of the department. One to four credits each semester.

Course may be repeated.