French (AFRE)

AFRE 101 Beginning French. (4) (Prereq: Open to students who have not studied

French previously or who place into this course) Study of the fundamentals of the

language to develop an ability to read, write, speak, and understand spoken

French at the most basic level as well as to be aware of cultural contexts.

AFRE 102 Continuing French. (4) (Prereq: C or better in AFRE 101 or by

placement) Continuation of Beginning French with more intense practice in reading,

writing, understanding and analyzing spoken French at the ACTFL-recommended

novice high level. Knowledge of culture, traditions, and customs of the regions

where French is spoken will also be included.

AFRE 210 Intermediate French. (4) (Prereq: C or better in AFRE 102 or by

placement) Students will develop proficiency in French at the Intermediate High

level or above through the use and intense practice of multiple linguistic skills.

Among these skills are sustaining and concluding a conversation in French on

controversial topics, debating opinions, writing analytical paragraphs based on a

movie and/or a newspaper article, and understanding native speech articulated at

the normal pace. Emphasis will also be placed on knowledge of the cultural

constructs in which French is spoken as well as on the geographic region in which

this language is spoken.

AFRE 300 Conversation and Composition. (3) (Prereq: AFRE 210 or by placement)

Intensive oral-aural practice in conversational French with emphasis on spontaneous

discourse in French, on pronunciation and fluidity, on critical analysis and

interpretation of short monographic texts in French and on the techniques of writing basic compositions, utilizing diverse tenses and advanced vocabulary.

AFRE 301 Advanced Conversation and Composition. (3) (Prereq: AFRE 210 or by placement) Intensive study of conversations and written French using the multi-skills approach and on the techniques of writing extemporaneous, anecdotal, humorous, descriptive and controversial compositions using expanded vocabulary and advanced tenses and moods in French.

AFRE 302 French Culture and Civilization. (3) (Prereq: AFRE 300 or 301, or permission of instructor) Intensive study of the cultures and civilization of France from the Gauls, Romans, and Gallo-Roman civilization to the varied cultures which have combined to form modern France. Study of France’s economic power, technological achievements, diplomatic presence, art, music, literature, film and cuisine, and its role in the evolving European union. Appreciation of the contemporary international influence of France in the economic, technical, diplomatic and artistic realms.

AFRE 303 Francophone Culture and Civilization. (3) (Prereq: AFRE 300 or 301, or permission of instructor) Intensive study of the cultures and civilizations of the francophone world, concentrating on the evolution of diverse cultures and their impact on present-day France. Exploration and discussion of the hybrid cultures which have evolved in these diverse areas resulting from the contact between the indigenous populations and the French settlers, French education and social structure. A comparison between Haiti, the world’s first Black republic, and other Caribbean islands which have remained part of France with African countries which emerged in the last fifty years. The development in North Africa (e.g. Algeria) of an original culture melding Berber, Roman, Arabic and French influences, with reference to Algerian history, music, art and literature, as well as its contemporary impact on French culture. French communities in Louisiana, New England and Canada with an introduction to the study of Cajun/Creole French and its concomitant influence on the contemporary culture (food, music, art, etc.) of Louisiana and the rest of the U.S.

AFRE 305 Survey of French Literature. (3) (Prereq: AFRE 300 or 301, or permission of instructor) Reading, discussion, study and analysis of selected representative literature from French writers from the Middle Ages up to the present. Special attention will be given to the development of critical skills for literary analysis.

AFRE 306 Survey of Non-Western French Literature. (3) (Prereq: AFRE 300 or 301, or permission of instructor) Reading, discussion, and study of selected representative literature by French-language writers. Focus on the writings and cultures of the French Caribbean, French West Africa, North Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean - countries such as Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Vietnam, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

AFRE 307 Women in France and the Francophone World. (3) (Prereq: AFRE 300 or 301, or permission of instructor) Study of the role of women in France from the Middle Ages to the present and in the Francophone world of independent, mostly third-world French-speaking communities, as reflected in selected writings, films and music, as well as relevant magazine articles and press reports, by and about women. Discussion of the political, economic and social status of women, conflicts between modernization and tradition, empowerment and subservience, autonomy and community, patriarchy and equality.

AFRE 388 Selected Non-Western Topics in Translation. (3) (Prereq: AEGL 102) Intensive study of selected topics of the non-Western French-speaking world (Africa, Asia, the Caribbean), with specific topics announced for each offering of the course. May be repeated with permission of instructor. Cannot be used to satisfy the language requirement. No previous knowledge of French necessary. (Satisfies the non-Western world studies requirement.)

AFRE 397 The French Film Experience. (3) An introduction to the rich and varied French cinema with emphasis on the New Wave, film noir, historical, epic and psychological drama. Will also consider recent experiments in post-modern, absurd or fantasy movies of the last decade. Includes one or more films from Africa. Films will be in French with English subtitles. Taught in English. No prior knowledge of French required.

AFRE 398 Selected Topics in Translation. (1-4) (Prereq: AEGL 102) Intensive studies in selected authors or literary movements of France and the French-speaking world, with specific topics announced for each semester/year. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor.

AFRE 399 Independent Study. (1-6) (Prereq: permission of instructor)