Undergraduate Courses in French

FALL 2003

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

French 110 
Elementary French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

French 110 is a first-semester elementary language course for students who have never studied French before or who have had very little exposure to the language. Most students with previous French should be in French 121 (elementary French for "false beginners"). All students who have already studied French elsewhere are required to take the placement test to determine which elementary course is appropriate for them. Students with a score of less than 380 on the SAT II or below 18 on the computer placement test should enroll in French 110.

As in other French courses, class will be conducted entirely in French. You will be guided through a variety of communicative activities in class which will expose you to a rich input of spoken French and lead you from structured practice to free expression. You will be given frequent opportunity to practice your newly acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures in small group and pair work activities which simulate real-life situations. The course will introduce you to French and Francophone culture through authentic materials including written documents, simple articles, songs, films, videos, and taped conversations between native speakers. Out-of-class homework will require practice with audio and video material, and will include regular writing practice. The course will also invite you to explore the Francophone world on the Internet.

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

French 112 is an intensive elementary language course covering the equivalent of French 110 and 120 in one semester. Students must have departmental permit to register. The course is normally open only to students who have no previous knowledge of French, and who have already fulfilled the language requirement in another language.

French 120
Elementary French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

French 120 is the second-semester continuation of the elementary sequence and is open to students who have completed French 110 at Penn (see the description of 110). Students who place into the second-semester level should normally enroll in French 121. In those semesters when French 121 is not offered, students with an SATII score between 380 - 440 or a placement score between 18 - 29 are allowed to enroll in French 120.

French 121
Elementary French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

French 121 is an intensive one-semester language course for students who have had some French before but who can benefit from a complete review of elementary French. Students with an SATII score between 380 - 440 or a placement score between 18 - 29 should enroll in French 121. This course will provide a re-introduction of the basic structures of French with intensive work on speaking and listening designed to prepare students to take Intermediate French. Due to the nature of the course, the first half will progress rapidly with much more difficult material being presented after the midterm period.

As in other French courses, class will be conducted entirely in French. You will be guided through a variety of communicative activities in class which will expose you to rich input of spoken French and lead you from structured practice to free expression. You will be given frequent opportunity to practice your newly acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures in small group and pair work activities which simulate real-life situations. The course will introduce you to French and Francophone culture through authentic materials including written documents, simple articles, songs, films, videos, and taped conversations between native speakers. Out-of-class homework will require frequent practice with audio and video material, and will include daily written assignments. The course will also invite you to explore the Francophone world on the Internet.

French 130
Intermediate French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

French 130 is the first half of a two-semester intermediate sequence designed to help you attain a level of proficiency that should allow you to function comfortably in a French-speaking environment. You are expected to have already learned the most basic grammatical structures in elementary French and you will review these on your own in the course workbook. This course will build on your existing skills in French, increase your confidence and ability to read, write, speak, and understand French, and introduce you to more refined lexical items, more complex grammatical structures, and more challenging cultural material. Students having completed French 120, or with an SATII score of 450 - 540 or a placement score between 30 and 35 should enroll in this course.

As in other French courses at Penn, class will be conducted entirely in French. In addition to structured oral practice, work in class will include frequent communicative activities such as role-plays, problem-solving tasks, discussions, and debates, often carried out in pairs or small groups. Through the study of authentic materials such as articles, poems, songs, films, videos, and taped conversations between native speakers you will deepen your knowledge of the French-speaking world. The course explores the customs and values prevailing in France, Senegal, Cameroun, Martinique, and other cultures, with a focus on living standards, family traditions, cuisine, and leisure activities. Daily homework will require listening practice with audio and video material, in addition to regular written exercises in the workbook and frequent composition practice. The course will also invite you to explore the Francophone world on the Internet.

French 140
Intermediate French
Staff
(See Timetables for times)

French 140 is the second half of a two-semester intermediate sequence designed to help you attain a level of proficiency that should allow you to function comfortably in a French-speaking environment. Students having completed French 130, or with an SATII score of 550 - 640 or a placement score above 35 should enroll in this course. See the course description for French 130.

Through the study of authentic materials such as articles, poems, songs, films, video-clips, and taped conversations between native speakers, you will deepen your knowledge of France as well as North Africa and other French-speaking areas. The content areas you will explore include the world of work and contemporary social issues, such as the environment, poverty, homelessness, crime, and racism.

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. It is designed to prepare students for subsequent study in upper level FLAC Courses (Foreign Language Across the Curriculum) in French and francophone literature, linguistics, civilization, cinema, etc. 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 three thematic units dealing with a wide variety of magazine articles, literary texts, historical documents, films, TV, songs, comedy sketches and "bandes dessinées". The thematic units include: youth-related issues (such as upbringing and education, unemployment, AIDS, racism, etc. ). The class will touch upon issues of identity in France as well as in the Francophone world, in the context of immigration and colonization. Students will also get a chance to expand their knowledge of French history, with one major focus on World War II and the German occupation of France. Students will use Louis Malle's movie Au revoir les enfants as well as its CD-ROM version to help them understand a comprehensive historical dossier. Finally, students will study the history and current status of the French-speaking Caribbean, with a focus on Martinique and the movie Rue cases-nègres. Within each unit, work will be done on all four skills. Student work will be evaluated both in terms of progress in language skills and of 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 Français 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
TR 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. DeJean
MWF 12:00-1:00
Prof. Met
TR 12:00-1:30

This course is designed to provide students with a thorough overview of the French literary traditon from the Middle Ages until the present. It will be centered on an exploration of the various ways in which love has been portrayed in the history of French literature. It will adress the question of why it is that France, and French literature, have always been perceived as having a particular affinity with love, romance and eroticism. Major works from the principal periods of French literature will be read and 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 relationship between the amorous individual, the amorous couple, and society. All readings and class discussions will be in French (General Requirement- Arts and Letters).

Prof. Prince
MWF 11:00-12:00

This survey course is designed to provide students with a knowledge of major aspects of the French literary tradition, from the Middle Ages to the present and, at the same time, to unify a broad variety of works under the rubric of textual eroticism and romance. Texts will incude prose narratives (Tristan et Iseut, Manon Lescaut, L'Amant), plays (Phedre, On ne badine pas avec l'amour), and poems (Ronsard, Hugo, Baudelaire, Apollinaire). All readings and class discussion in French.

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 dawn of civilization until the Revolution of 1789. The course will be illustrated with visual material of architecture and painting and readings will include literary and non-literary texts. Of interest not only to French majors (for whom it is a requirement) but also to majors in history, international relations, and political science. All readings and class discussion in French. (General Requirement - may be counted as a Distributional course in History and Tradition).

French 228
Le Francais Dans Le Monde I
Prof. McMahon
TR 1:30-3:00

Le Français dans le monde I is the first part of a two-semester survey of the sociolinguistics of the French language in the contemporary world. In French 228 we concentrate on the linguistic situation within France, and in French 229 we expand our consideration to the role of the French language outside of France, in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, etc. French 228 begins with an overview of the development of French as a national language, following its evolution from the Latin vernacular to the standard language we know today. It continues with an examination of linguistic diversity in France, considering the many regional languages (Basque, Breton, Catalan, etc), as well as the range of varieties in spoken and written French. Particular attention will be paid to the perceived threat to French from the English language (franglais). The course will conclude with a look forward: how is the French language changing, and what will its role be in the future, particularly in the context of the European Union. Throughout the course, the focus will be on questions of the relationship between language and political, social, and economic power, between language and ethnic and national identity. All readings and class discussion in French.

French 250
French Literature in Translation
Prof. Weber
TR 10:30-12:00

In this course, we will examine a wide array of plays, novels and films to explore their treatment of the concept of justice. Within this thematic framework, we will investigate such topics as: the relationship between the individual, the family, and the state; the clash between desire and the law; the ethics of sexual difference; the articulation of a moral code from beyond the grave; and the link between perceived injustice and narcissistice rage. Secondary texts will include selections from psychoanalysts such as Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan, and Heinz Kohut. All readings, course assignments, and class discussion in English.

French 322 
France and the European Union
Prof. 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
Advanced French Translation
Staff
MWF 1:00-2:00

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 take this course.

French 360
French Literature of the 18th Century: Myths of Marie Antoinette
Prof. Weber
TR 1:30-3:00

In this course, we will examine a variety of ways in which the identity of
Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, has been conceptualized in exaggerated and even mythical terms, by her contemporaries and subsequent commentators alike. Through a wide range of media--diaries, paintings, letters, pornographic pamphlets, novels, histories, plays, and film--we will consider the manifold and often mutually contradictory perceptions and fantasies inspired by the so-called Wicked Queen in her time and in our own.

French 380
French Literature of the 20th Century
Prof. Prince
MWF 12:00-1:00

A study of major movements and major writers from Proust (Combray), Gide (L'Immoraliste), and Surrealism (Nadja) to Sartre (La Nausee), Camus (L'Etranger), and existentialism, the Theater of the Absurd (En attendant Godot), the New Novel, and postmodernism. All readings and class discussions will be in French.

French 390
Survey of Francophone Literature
Prof. Moudileno
TR 12:00-1:30

Fictions of the Maghreb: This course introduces students to a rich body of literature written in French by authors from the region known as the Maghreb (Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco). Our readings will cover some of the major literary figures from the 1950s to the 1980s. The novels of Kateb Yacine, Albert Memmi, Driss Chraibi, Assia Djebar and Leila Sebbar will allow us to reflect on some of the specificities of the regional and national literary traditions of the Maghreb. Some of the themes that will inform our discussions will be: aesthetic responses to orientalism; bilinguilism and the relation to French as the colonizer's language; the place of islamic culture in the construction of national identity; gender and class differences; and migration and the emergence of hybrid subjects. We will supplement our close examinations of each novel with selected essays which should help us situate each narrative in their respective historical, cultural and literary contexts.

Primary texts :
Albert Memmi La statue de sel (1953)
Kateb Yacine Nedjma (1956)
Driss Chraibi La civilisation, Ma mère! (1972)
Assia Djebar Femmes d'Alger dans leur appartement (1980)
Leila Sebbar Sherazade (1982)
Azouz Begag Le Gone du Chaaba (1984)

French 392
France and its Others: Reflections on America from Tocqueville to the Present
Prof. Richman
TR 10:30-12:00

Do the French really hate us? Or is it the other way around? The purpose of this course is to provide a historical perspective on the current discourse surrounding Franco-American relations. By initiating the readings with Alexis de Tocqueville's classic 1830s investigation into American egalitarianism and its reprise in Jean Baudrillard's voyage to America in the 1980s, we will be alerted to the central themes and concerns that have characterized French perceptions of American culture and society to the present. We will be especially attentive to the ways these studies fostered a self-reflexive critical approach to their own culture. The comparative thrust will inform the second half of the course, since it wlll be devoted to readings that document the two-way nature of alleged French hostility by examining recent anti-Europeanism emanating from a variety of sources in American government and media.

Readings and class discussions in French. Prerequisite: at least one 200 level course -- 227 recommended. Besides an exam and short paper on readings in the first half of the course, students will be engaged in a research project culminating in a 10-15 page paper.