French courses

FRCH 101 Elementary French I

F,Su alternate years 3 cr. RCT 3

An elementary level course designed to help students acquire basic proficiency in communicating within culturally significant contexts. An integrated approach to teaching language skills with emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and basic grammatical structures.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Novice High on the ACTFL proficiency scale

FRCH 102D Elementary French II

S, Su alternate years 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 101 or equivalent, or two years of high school French. Offered on a rotating basis with German and Spanish in summer.

This course builds upon the foundation established in 101. Greater emphasis is placed upon oral and written expression. Reading and discussions are designed to increase comprehension of more linguistically complex texts and more conceptually complex cultural issues.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Intermediate Low on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 201D Intermediate French I

F, 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 102 or equivalent, or a minimum three years of high school French or placement interview.

Intensive, methodical review of grammar and syntax combined with the integrated development of proficiency in the four language skills. Expansion of cultural knowledge and functional vocabulary through intermediate readings and discussions. Increased emphasis on written communication.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • High Intermediate Low to Low Intermediate Mid - on the ACTFL proficiency scale.
  • Acquire basic cultural knowledge of the Francophone World.

FRCH 220D French Language and Culture

S, 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 201 or equivalent, or placement interview.

Fourth semester French language course designed to provide basis for advanced level study of French language, literature, and culture. Application of language skills in discussions and explications of selected readings in literature and culture.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Intermediate Mid on the ACTFL proficiency scale.
  • Acquire basic understanding of Francophone culture.
  • Acquire advanced reading and writing skills.

FRCH 305 Histoire Civilisation

On Demand, 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 220

Survey of French culture from the middle ages to modern era; focus on historical, artistic, literary, and social developments. Taught in French.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Know the key events, figures, and architecture of France from 700 BCE through the French Revolution.
  • Know how to identify different styles of architecture, their characteristics, and their relationship to historical periods.
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 306IH French: From Reflection to Revolution

On Demand 3 cr. RCT 3

Reading and discussion of selected major works from the eighteenth century. All reading and discussions are in English. Majors may be required to do some work in French.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Understand key French authors from the Enlightenment.
  • Understand the theoretical underpinnings of the French Revolution.
  • Develop critical thinking, written and oral communication skills.
  • Develop proficiency in analyzing information from different philosophical viewpoints.

FRCH 320D La France Aujourd’hui

On Demand, 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 220

The French personality today in social, cultural, and political settings. Taught in French.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Know France’s physical and human geography.
  • Understand French government.
  • Understand the French education system.
  • Understand French colonization, post-colonization, immigration patterns, immigration and naturalization laws .
  • Identify and discuss a variety of themes that are shaping current social and political debates in 21st-century France.
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 323 French: Advanced Grammar & Composition

F alternate years, to be offered odd years 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 220 or Consent of Instructor.

Intensive review of French grammar to increase proficiency in various forms of written expression including business correspondence, problems of translation, and short essays.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Know how to apply advanced elements of French grammar.
  • Develop translation skills in the business context
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level writing skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 324: Advanced Conversation & Phonetics

F alternate years, to be offered even years 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 201

Intensive conversation coupled with a practical study of French phonetics and contrastive comparison with English for teaching application. Various levels of the spoken language from slang to formal speech.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Proficient in the International Phonetic Alphabet and its transcription
  • Develop awareness of regional and social variation in French pronunciation
  • Know the phonemic inventory, and the physiology of Standard French articulation
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level speaking skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 401 French Text & Cinema

On Demand 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: WRIT 101 or consent of instructor

Study of several fine French films and the literary works upon which they were based. Emphasis is on the transformation of written text into image. Reading and discussions are in English. French majors and minors will be required to do some work in French.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Identify and discuss Francophone literary texts and their cinematic adaptations.
  • Identify and discuss structures and themes in literary texts and films in oral and written form.
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 402 French Literature

On Demand 3 cr. RCT 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 220

Survey of French literature of the 19th and 20th centuries. Taught in French.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Know key literary movements, authors, and works of 19th and 20th-century French literature.
  • Identify and discuss different literary styles.
  • Identify and discuss key themes in literary texts.
  • Know how to compare and analyze literary texts orally and in formal writing.
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 450 SEM: French Literature and Culture

F 3 cr. SEM 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 323

Junior/Senior seminar. The study of Francophone literature and culture. Topic varies with instructor. Reading and discussions are in French.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Know key events, authors, and works of a specific Francophone country.
  • Identify and discuss themes in the readings in oral and written form.
  • Compare and analyze readings.
  • Integrate learned material into short oral presentations and written essays.
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 490R Undergraduate Research

F 3 cr. SEM 3

Prerequisite: FRCH 401 or FRCH 402.

Senior capstone course. Advanced research in the study of Francophone literature and culture. Research paper required.  Taught in French. Course will address responsible conduct of research.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Know key events, authors, and works of a specific Francophone country.
  • Identify and discuss themes in the readings in oral and written form.
  • Compare and analyze readings.
  • Acquire ability to conduct in-depth research.
  • Know how to present research results in oral and written form.
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 497R Education Methods

F,S,Su 1 - 2 cr. RCT May be repeated. Max 4 cr.

Corequisite: FRCH 499.

Classroom instruction associated with directed undergraduate research/creative activity projects.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Develop teaching abilities in the French classroom.
  • Understand how to produce short lesson plans, assessments and activities for the French classroom.
  • Acquire the teaching techniques.
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.

FRCH 499R Senior Thesis/Capstone

F,S,Su 1 - 6 cr. IND May be repeated. Max 12 cr.

Directed undergraduate research/creative activity which may culminate in a research paper, journal article, or undergraduate thesis.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Conduct extensive and in-depth research on a Francophone topic.
  • Acquire ability to present research in the form of a written thesis.
  • Strengthen Intermediate level skills and develop Advanced level skills on the ACTFL proficiency scale.