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Undergraduate Courses in French
SPRING 2004
(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 120
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 134
Intermediate French: Accelerated
Staff
MWF 9-10 AM, TR 9-10:30 AM
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 209-301
Sex. Love, and Laughter in French Renaissance Literature
Prof. Sterritt
TR 4:30-6
In this course, we will examine the ways in which 16th-century French writers make use of humor, from the sublime to the bawdy, in their treatment of relationships between the sexes and in their social commentaries.
Readings will include works by François Rabelais, Louise Labé, and Marguerite de Navarre. As background, we will also read brief selections from classical and Italian authors. The class will be conducted in English, and all the readings will be in English translation. No prior knowledge of Greek, Latin, Italian or French is needed. (Distribution)
French 211-301
French for the Professions I
Prof. Slowinski
MW 4:30-6:30
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 test on the basis of which the Certificat Pratique de Francais Commercial et Economique is awarded. This test is administered by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
French 212
Advanced French Grammar & Composition
Staff
(See Timetables for times)
Intensive review of grammar through 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 214-301
Advanced Composition & Conversation
Prof. Philippon-Daniel
MWF 10-11
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.) used as models for writing and as a base 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 improve students' comprehension of contemporary spoken French.
French 217-301
French Phonetics
Prof. Edelstein
MW 3-4:30
This course is 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 222
Perspectives in French Literature
Prof. Furlong
MWF 10-11
Prof. Prince
MWF 11-12
This basic course in literature provides an overview of French literature and
acquaints students with major literary trends and forms through the study of
representative works from the Middle Ages to the present. French 222 has as its
theme "The Individual and Society." Readings and class discussion are in
French.
Prof. Weber
TR 10:30-12
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 223-301
French Youth Since 1945
Prof. Richman
TR 10:30-12
Among the many dramatic transformations that have marked French culture and society since World War II, the emergence of la jeunesse will be our reference point to examine the major trends of the period. By means of films, short novels, documents, and a basic historical text, we will consider the shifts in lifestyle, values, and identity among youth at critical moments in the history over the last 50 years.
French 313-301
French for Professions II
Prof. Slowinski
MW 3-4:30
The course, conducted entirely in French, emphasizes verbal communication in professional situations through four components. First, a series of in-class debates on the following socio-economic issues affecting French society:
· Influence of the European Stability and Growth Plan (euro) on the French economy
· Capitalism French style
· Future of social protection (health policy and pension reform)
· Notion of Public Service a la Francaise
· Women in the workplace
· Impact of the 35-hour workweek.
Second, students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of authentic professional situations through the use of a video method based on interviews, meetings, strategy and negotiation sessions of businessmen and women in a variety of French companies. Third, as effective communication is based not only on linguistic proficiency but also on cultural proficiency, cultural differences mostly between Americans and French will be explored. Finally, throughout the semester, students will work in groups on the creation of their own business, association, or other organization and will be invited to present their project to the class at the end of the semester. Prerequisites: An intermediate high to advanced level of French. French for the Professions I (211) highly advisable. No business background necessary.
French 322-301
France & the European Union
Prof. Slowinski
TR 3-4:30
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 325-301
Advanced French Translation
Prof. Philippon-Daniel
MWF 12-1
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 to take the course.
French 330-301
Identity, Heroism, Love and Gender in Medieval French Literature
Prof. Brownlee
TR 10:30-12
An introduction to Medieval French literature by close readings of key representative works from a variety of different genres: epic, romance, lyric, theater, autobiography. The course will consider how these different texts treat questions of identity, and how they represent heroism, love, and gender. Texts to be studied include La Chanson de Roland, Chrétien de Troyes's Lancelot, Aucassin et Nicolette, and Christine de Pizan's Cité des Dames.
All readings and discussion in French
French 350-301
17th Century French Literature
Prof. DeJean
TR 1:30-3
We will read a number of the masterpieces of the Golden Age of French
literature, including works by Moliere, Racine, Lafayette, and La Fontaine. We will place special emphasis on the social and political context of their creation (the court of Versailles and the most brilliant years of Louis XIV's
reign).
French 379-301
Short Narratives in Fantastic Fiction
Prof. Met
TR 12:00-1:30
This course will explore fantasy and the fantastic in short tales of 19th and 20th century French literature. A variety of approaches (thematic, psychoanalytic, cultural, narratological) will be used in an attempt to define the subversive force of a literary mode that contributes to shedding light on the dark side of the human psyche by interrogating the "real", making visible the unseen and articulating the unsaid. Such broad categories as distorsions of space and time, reason and madness, order and disorder, sexual transgressions, self and other will be considered.
Readings will include narratives by Mérimée, Gautier, Maupassant, Maurice Renard, Jean Ray and others.
French 380-401
French Film Noir
Prof. Met
T 3-6, R 3-4:30
If the term film noir was originally coined by French critics during the 40s to describe what was then perceived as a predominantly American genre (Hollywood adaptations of hard-boiled detective fiction), France is also the only country outside the US to have built up a large and consistent body of crime films or polars which more often than not manage to combine critical status with popular appeal. This course will provide students with an overview of the evolution and scope of French film noir, emphasizing key historical phases and subgenres: psychological thrillers (Clouzot's Les Diaboliques) or gangster flicks in the 50s (Becker's Grisbi, Dassin's Rififi); the stylized man's world of Melville and the social comments of Corneau's or Chabrol's films in the 60s and 70s; the auteur films (Pialat, Tavernier, Godard) and various forms of neo-noir (Miller, Sluizer, Audiard…) in the 80s-90s. In addition to the study of the socio-political, psychoanalytical or gender implications of the policier, we shall look for/at the cultural and esthetic specificities of noir à la française.
Entirely conducted in English. All films will be screened with English subtitles.
French 389-301
French Modernism: From Gauguin to Genet
Prof. Richman
TR 1:30-3
More than any other European modernism, French artistic and literary movements derived inspiration from contact ---whether real or imaginary---with other cultures. The purpose of this course is to examine how this ethnographic impulse informed a variety of hybrid works in art, drama/film, and literature. Drawing our examples from an array of innovative figures from Paul Gauguin to Jean Genêt, we will consider the critiques of colonialism they provide. Indeed, the anthropological work of Claude Lévi-Strauss will demonstrate his continuity in the modern period with a distinctively French tradition of judging one's own culture by the example of another.
Readings will include texts by Paul Gauguin, Pierre Loti, Victor Segalen, Antonin Artaud, Michel Leiris, Claude Lévi-Strauss and Jean Genêt.
Conducted entirely in French.
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