Course Catalog

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.

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.

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.

This course is designed for students interested in international business or who intend to work or travel for business in French-speaking countries. Students will learn about the present economic questions and climate in France and Europe, learn about practices and traditions that make French business different from its counterparts in the United States or elsewhere (according to students' interests). Taught in French.