Course Catalog

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Course Catalog

TOPICS IN FRENCH (FR2091)

Topics vary by semester

FRENCH FICTION NOW: TRADUIRE LE ROMAN FRANCAIS CONTEMP. (FR2094)

Ce cours introduira les étudiants aux techniques et aux problématiques de la traduction littéraire par le cas particulier des traductions en anglais de romans contemporains écrits en français. La traduction sera discutée comme un transfert culturel : en observant comment des écrivains représentatifs (Houellebecq, Djebar, Gavalda…) ont été reçus aux USA, et en GB, et en faisant le commentaire de trois traductions récentes. L’essentiel du cours sera consacré à l’expérience collective et individuelle de la traduction d’un livre non encore traduit.

FRENCH AND CULTURE IV (FR2100)

This course reviews basic and complex sentence patterns in greater depth through discussions on students experience in Paris. Cultural and historical aspects of the French life are introduced. Students will learn additional vocabulary to express opinions, beliefs, doubts and emotions, and are shown various language registers (formal/informal vocabulary and structures) and intonations. Examples are taken from real life situations, film, television, newspaper articles, etc.The four language skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing) will be reinforced.

CRIMES AND SOCIETY: THE MAJOR CASES THAT CHANGED FRANCE (FR2101)

Patrick Henry, Marie-Claire Chevalier, the Outreau Trial, Omar Raddad, Guy George... These names are all associated to criminal cases that have
deeply marked French society, sparked numerous societal debates, and ultimately, have shaped attitudes and laws. This course will facilitate organizing debates, improving opinion expression, acquiring the necessary vocabulary to qualify statements and address more complex themes, both
in writing and orally.

1954 IN PARIS: A ROLE-PLAYING SIMULATION (FR2102)

Imagine you are a Parisian student in the 1950s and learn intermediate French through a role-playing simulation. You will express opinions, beliefs, doubts, and emotions about then-current films, newspaper articles, short texts, or political and social issues. You will explore the city of Paris from the perspective of your role-play character and discuss your "real" and "surreal" experiences with your classmates.

FRANCOPHONE IDENTITIES AND CULTURES ON SCREEN (FR2103)

This upper-intermediate French language and cultures course has been designed to strengthen your French language skills through film study, emphasizing content, culture, and communication. Through a curated selection of films in diverse French-speaking contexts (with English subtitles available), you will explore the complex theme of identity across the global Francophone community. Delving into the varied cinematic landscapes of the Caribbean, Africa, Canada, and France, this course provides a dynamic platform for enhancing your knowledge of Francophone societies and cultures. The films tackle different themes such as (but not limited to) regionalism, gender, colonialism, and immigration, offering useful insights into the complexities of Francophone identities and experiences worldwide. In enhancing your French language skills, special emphasis will be put on listening comprehension, as well as oral and written expression. From reviewing advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures to analyzing films and cultures, every aspect of the course aims to deepen your linguistic and cultural competencies. No previous familiarity with film study is assumed or necessary.

Warning on Class Content: In order to pass this class, you must complete all of the readings & assignments and view all of the films. The works we explore in this class reflect contemporary life, including graphic and occasionally disturbing depictions of human bodily functions, violence, and sexuality. Because critical consideration and discussion of these works is required in order to pass this course, students uncomfortable with such content may want to consider an alternative class.

FRENCH AND CULTURE V (FR2200)

This high intermediate course will allow students to reach the B1+ CEFR (DELF) competencies by reinforcing and expanding their ability to express themselves, defend an opinion, and debate with others. Special attention is paid to increasing students' ability to form complex sentences to express attitudes, wishes, necessity, doubt, emotions, to link ideas and to speculate. A B1.1 level in French or a passing grade in a French and Culture IV class (FR 2100) is required.

Spontaneously and through active workshops and discussion, they will react and express their point of view on contemporary subjects and questions, such as access to knowledge (university or other) for all, the gaze on information at a time of “fake news” and the over-multiplication of distribution channels (Internet, social networks, etc.), the representation of so-called “visible” minorities in the media sphere, or the consequences of global warming on countries and their inhabitants...

Through learning that is both individual and collective, debates on ideas based on their past and current experiences in and out of class, but also a constant questioning of their representations, students will thus be encouraged to develop, in addition to their linguistic and cultural skills, their critical thinking and to better understand contemporary issues.

WRITING IN FRENCH (FR2400)

In this composition course, you will build upon your existing knowledge of genre, style, and French grammar to improve the accuracy and content of your written expression in French, and engage with sample texts of different genres (description, narration, essai, dissertation, and commentaire composé) that will help you write better in la langue de Molière. Prerequisite: FR2100 or equivalent.

PHOTOGRAPHIE ET LE CINEMA (FR2450)

This course will explore the bridges between photographic imagery and cinematographic imagery. This course will focus on contemporary artists (Cindy Sherman, Sophie Calle, Jeff Wall, Gregory Crewdson, etc.) whose hybrid works deconstruct the real and dissolve identity. We will also focus on how the cinematographic eye converges with and complements the photographic eye. Conducted in French, this course combines critical analysis and practice (production of films and photographs). Prerequisites: 1000-level course (preferably in Film Studies, French Studies, Communications, or Art History). Satisfies FrenchBridge requirement.

FRENCH CONVERSATION & COMPOSITION (FR2500)

Using authentic material from various media, the students will be given systematic exercises to improve their comprehension of a large variety of francophone voices and accents recorded in different contexts daily lives, media interviews or professional presentations). The students will summarize the main points of these short oral texts and therefore improve on their logical and oral argumentative skills. The students will also concentrate on the writing of these different documents and will try to rewrite them in the “French style”. Taught in French.