Undergraduate Courses in French

FALL 2002

(Course information subject to change)
(Cross-reference with Department Roster)

French 110 
Elementary French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

A first-semester elementary language course for students who have never studied French before or who have taken the placement test and received a score that places them in the 110 level.  All students who have previously studied French are required to take the placement test.  Class work emphasizes the development of speaking and listening comprehension with training in reading and writing.  Work outside of class with audio and video cassettes required for additional practice and preparation.

French 112
Elementary French: Accelerated
Staff
MWF 9:00-10:00; TR 9:00-10:30

French 121
Elementary French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

The continuation of the elementary level sequence (French 110) designed to develop functional proficiency in the four skills.  The primary emphasis is on the development of the oral/aural skills, speaking and listening.  Reading on topics in French culture as well as frequent writing practice are also included in the course.

French 130
Intermediate French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

The first part of intermediate level sequence designed to develop functional proficiency in the four skills.  For students who have completed French 120 or 121 or have a placement score within the range set for the 130 level.  The primary emphasis is on the development of the oral/aural skills, speaking and listening.  Review of the basic structures learned in elementary French.  Regular readings on topics in French culture as well as frequent writing practice are also included in the course.

French 140
Intermediate French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

The continuation of French 130.  Designed to enable students to attain a functional level of proficiency in French.  Considerable emphasis is placed on developing listening and speaking skills.  There will be a review of the basic grammatical structures learned in elementary French; other structures will be introduced systematically.  Regular readings on topics in French culture as well as frequent writing practice are also included in the course.

French 180
Advanced French in Residence
Staff

Open only to residents in La Maison Francaise

French 202
Advanced French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

French 202 is a one-semester third-year level French course designed to prepare students for subsequent study in upper level courses in literature, language, or civilization.  It is also the appropriate course for those students who have time for only one more French course and wish to solidify their knowledge of the language by continuing to work on all four skills--speaking, listening, reading, and writing-- together with a selective review of grammar.

The class will study a series of thematic units dealing with a wide variety of literary texts, films, TV shows, songs, comedy sketches, and "bandes dessinées."  Each unit takes as its theme a particular aspect of French culture, and within this context work will be done on all four skills.  Student work will be evaluated both in terms of progress in language skills and ability to handle and engage in the content areas.

French 211
French for Professions I
Slowinski
MW 3:00-4:30
MW 4:30-6:00

Prerequisite:  Intermediate-high advanced level French.
This content-based language course, taught in French, introduces economic, business, and professional terminology through the study of the following topics: the French economy and monetary policy (transition to the Euro); financial institutions (banking and postal services, stock market and insurance); specificity of the French fiscal system; business practices (business letters and resumes); advertising and the internal structure and legal forms of French companies.  France's atypical system of industrial relations as well as cultural differences and their impact on the business world will also be explored.

On completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to take the Certificat Pratique de Francais Commercial et Economique, administered by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

French 212
Advanced French Grammar and Composition
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

Intensive review of grammar integrated into writing practice.  A good knowledge of basic French grammar is a prerequisite (French 202 or equivalent is recommended).  Conducted entirely in French, the course will study selected grammatical difficulties of the French verbal and nominal systems including colloquial usage.  Frequent oral and written assignments with opportunity for rewrites.  There will also be a reading component (magazine and newspaper articles as well as selections from Camus's L'Etranger).

French 214
Advanced French Composition and Conversation
Staff
MWF 10:00-11:00

This is a course aimed at improving writing and conversational skills.  It is based on the study and discussion of short extracts from a variety of texts (literary, journalistic, advertising, etc.) which are used as models for writing and as a basis for oral discussion.  Students will write frequent short compositions based on these extracts and will be asked to present a series of short oral  reports.  After the presentation of their oral reports, students will then lead a discussion on the report.  Videos of French news broadcasts and films will be used to stimulate discussion and to aid in improving students' comprehension of contemporary spoken French.

French 217
French Phonetics
Prof. Edelstein
MW 3:00-4:30

Designed to provide students with a solid foundation in French phonetics and phonology. Part of the course will be devoted to learning how to produce discourse with native-like French pronunciation, rhythm and intonation. The second half of the course will be devoted to improving aural comprehension by examining stylistic and dialectical differences in spoken French.

French 221
Perspectives in French Literature
Gen Req III: Arts & Letters
Prof. Met
TR 12:00-1:30
Prof. Weber
TR 10:30-12:00
Prof. Richman
TR 3:00-4:30

This undergraduate survey course is designed to provide students with a thorough overview of the French literary tradition, from the twelfth to the twentieth centuries, and at the same time to unify a broadway variety of works under the rubric of textual eroticism and romance. Drawing on major plays, poems and prose narratives, students will be asked to explore such issues as: evolving conceptions of "love" in literature; the play between sexuality, religion and socio-economic systems; the constitution of subjectivity through desire; narcissism, incest, donjuanism and the family romance; the rhetoric of seduction as opposed to that of idealization, virtue and sacrifice; the relationship between the individual, the amorous couple, and the public sphere. All readings and class discussions will be in French.

Texts:
- Tristant et Iseut.
- Racine, Phèdre.
- Prévost, Manon Lescaut.
- Stendhal, Armance.
- Duras, L'Amant.

French 226
French Civilization from Beginning to 1789
Distribution II: History & Tradition
Prof. Donaldson-Evans
MWF 10:00-11:00

An introduction to the social, political and historical institutions of France from the Gallo-Roman period until the Revolution of 1789. Weekly audio-visual component concerning each period. Weekly papers and three quizzes. Required for majors in French and also of particular interest to majors in history, international relations, Wharton students, etc.

French 231
Cinema Africain Francophone
Prof. Moudileno
T 3:00-4:30; R 3:00-5:00

This course will introduce students to recent films by Francophone Africa's major directors. While attention will be given to aesthetic aspects and individual creativity, the screening and discussions will be organized around a variety of overlapping issues: colonial history; the tradition/modernity opposition; urban life; gender and sexuality; politics; exile and migration.

Films will be screened on Tuesdays and discussed on Thursdays. Class and discussions in English. All films are subtitled.

French 290
The French Short Story
Prof. Prince
MWF 11:00-12:00

A study of major forms and major achievements from Voltaire to the present.

French 322 
France and the European Union
Slowinski
TR 3:00-4:30

Foreign Language Across the Curriculum
The following topics will be addressed:
1) A brief history of European integration:  The Franco-German couple-The hesitations of Great Britain;  Debate:  neutrality, sovereignty and identity
2) The Community's institutions: Necessity for reform before enlargement.  Debate:  intergovernmental cooperation vs. federation (a European constitution?)
3) The European single market:  Europe becomes the biggest market in the world (the beef and banana war with the United States)
4) Economic and monetary union:  Introduction of the EURO; Debate:  From an economic community to a political community?
5) Political union and defense-Relations between France, Europe and NATO; Debate:  Eurocentrism vs. Atlanticism
6) Is there a social Europe?  Analysis of the cultural and social European model;  Debate:  its future vs. American or Japanese liberalism (the unemployment problem)
7) A people's Europe:  Education and training;  Debate:  Is there a European civilization?
8) Common programs (agriculture, fishing and environment); Debate:  Impact of the common agricultural policy on France
9) The Community and its neighbors:  Debate:  a wider vs. a deeper Community
10) Europe and its relations with the rest of the world (US, Asia and the developing countries);  Debate:  Euro vs. dollar and yen
Presence and participation in class are important.  Three short papers during the semester and one final paper of the students' choice are required.

French 325
Andvanced French Translation
Prof. Donaldson-Evans
MWF 12:00-1:00

This is a course on the theory and practice of translation from French into English and vice versa. Students will learn techniques of translation and will have the opportunity of translating a variety of texts: literary, historical, journal and review articles, and publicity. Students should have a good knowledge of French grammar and should have taken French 211, 212 or the equivalent in order to be well prepared for 325.

French 385
Modern French Theater
Prof. Prince
MWF 2:00-3:00

A study of major movements and major dramatists from Giraudoux and Sartre to the theater of the absurd and its aftermath.

French 389
Anthropolgy & French Modernism
Prof. Richman
TR 1:30-3:00

From Gauguin to Genet, some of the most innovative French literary and artistic forms in the modern period derive from contact ---whether real or imaginary---with other cultures. The purpose of this course is to examine how this ethnographic impulse influenced the development of a variety of hybrid works in art, film, and literature. We will also consider the roles played by artists and writers in relation to colonial and postcolonial movements. Conversely, the work of Claude Lévi-Strauss will demonstrate the importance of esthetic movements in the formation of a distinctively French approach to other cultures.