Requirements for Major

A major in French requires nine courses beyond French 103, and must include advanced grammar and composition, phonetics, civilization, and literature. In addition, a senior paper is required and a course in French history. Students are also encouraged to supplement their majors, as scheduling allows, by taking courses in such areas as: religion, philosophy, other literatures, art history, and music history. French majors are required to have a study experience abroad, either in France or another French-speaking country.

Requirements for Minor

A minor in French consists of a minimum of 18 hours beyond 103.

Courses

101 Beginning French I  (4 hours)

        A beginning course to develop skills in listening, speaking , reading, and writing. Supplemental laboratory practice and drill sessions.

102 Beginning French II  (4hours)

        A continuation of French 101. Prerequisite: French 101 or equivalent.

103 Intermediate French I  (4 hours)

        Review and continuing study of grammar. Supplementary reading with conversation and composition. Prerequisite: French 102 or equivalent. French 103 or any course numbered higher than 103 may be used to satisfy a humanities distributive requirement.

104 Intermediate French II  (4 hours)

        Study of aspects of contemporary French and francophone culture. Grammar review with discussion of current topics, vocabulary building, and situational conversation. Prerequisite: French 103 or equivalent. May be used to satisfy a humanities distributive requirement. First course that counts toward the major or minor in French.

203 Composition and Conversation Abroad  (3 hours)

        Offered off campus only. Daily contact with native speakers in normal situations give students the opportunity to work naturally toward greater fluency. The reading and discussion of newspapers and weekly magazines, keeping a personal journal, help students to acquire vocabulary, awareness of current issues, and familiarity with everyday language. Prerequisite: 104 or equivalent.

205 French Phonetics  (3 hours)

        A study of French sounds, intonations, rules of pronunciation. Students will learn and use the international phonetic alphabet in order to correct and improve their accent, dictation, and pronunciation. The course will include intensive group and individual practice. Prerequisite: 104 or equivalent.

215 Advanced Reading  (4 hours)

        Readings  in modern French literature. Representative works from 20th century writers from France and other francophone countries. The purpose of this course is to acquire the ability to read fluently and critically. Prerequisite: 104 or equivalent.

220 Advanced Composition and Conversation  (4 hours)

        Intensive oral and written practice. Advanced grammar and systematic acquisition of vocabulary. A choice of texts on a variety of topics (history, contemporary issues, art, and music) as well as literary readings will be used as a basis for discussion, oral presentations and papers. Prerequisite: 104 or equivalent.

250 History of French Civilization  (4 Hours)

       A study of the important events in the political, cultural, and artistic development of France. Prerequisite: French 104 or Equivalent.

251 Contemporary French Civilization  (4 hours)

        A study of the people of France, their culture and customs. This course will introduce students to French geography, political and social institutions, education, technology, family traditions, and the arts. Prerequisite: French 104 or equivalent.

280 Seminar  (1-4 hours)

281 Independent Study  (1-4 hours)

310 Stylistics and Translation  (4 hours)

        Practice in formal written expression; introduction to stylistics and the art of translation. Translation from English to French and French to English to develop accuracy of expression in both languages. Prerequisite: French 220 or permission.

320 Lyric Poetry  (3 hours)

        Introduction to the rules of versification, and study of lyric poetry from the Renaissance and the 19th and 20th centuries. Prerequisite: French 215 or permission.

330 Studies in the Literature of the 17th Century  (4 hours)

        Classicism: prose, the moralists and theatre. Corneille, Racine, Moliere, LaFontaine, LaFayette, Pascal, LaRochefoucauld, LaBruyere. Prerequisite: French 215 or permission.

340 Studies in the Literature of the 18th Century  (4 hours)

        From the Age of Enlightenment to Pre-Romanticism. The "philosophers": Montesquieu, Diderot, Voltaire, Rousseau. The novel: Prevost, Laclos, Grafigny, Charriere. Theatre: Marivaux, Beaumarchais. Prerequisite: French 215 or permission.

350 Studies in the Literature of the 19th Century  (4 hours)

        Development from the romantic novel to realism and naturalism. Constant, Balzac, Stendhal, Flaubert, Maupassant, Zola. Prerequisite: French 215 or permission.

360 Studies in the Literature of the 20th Century  (4 hours)

        Study of representative authors in prose and theatre: possibilities include Proust, Gide, Mauriac, Malraux, Bernanos, Colette, Giraudoux, Anouilh, Beckett, Ionesco, Claudel, Camus, Sartre, Beauvoir, Duras.

380 Seminar  (3-4 hours)

        This course may study a chosen theme or trace the development of a particular genre, and may include literature of other francophone countries. Possible topics: Romanticism, Women in literature, the novel of Quebec, French-language literature of Africa.

481 Independent Research  (1-4 hours)

490 Senior Presentation  (1 hour)

        Each senior major will research, prepare, and present a paper on an approved topic involving the literature or culture of  France or another French-speaking country.

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