French (FRE)

FRENCH (FRE)

The language of a people is the most important component of its culture. We view culture in the broad, sociological sense of the word (not simply in the narrow sense of literature and the fine arts) and attempt, at all levels, to develop in our students an understanding of as many aspects of the foreign culture and civilization as possible in conjunction with training in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. This emphasis on proficiency in the skills is carried into the literature courses, all of which are conducted in French to insure that graduates will be well prepared whatever their career decision may be.

We strongly encourage majors and minors in French to study abroad, and we support the goals of those who are interested in business, government, sociology, etc., where the need for individuals competent in foreign languages is increasing constantly. We believe such students should study a foreign language at least through FRE-251 and then spend a semester abroad taking courses in the area of specialization. French students are encouraged to participate in approved programs in Dijon, Nantes, and Paris.

Students who have studied French prior to enrolling at Gustavus should take the online placement exam to determine the appropriate level for registration.

Any courses presented for transfer credit into the major/minor must be approved by the French section and the department chairperson, who must also approve the study abroad curriculum prior to departure. The department will consider a maximum of three courses for acceptance as part of a student’s major/minor, not to exceed two courses per semester of work done in another institution. At least one course in the major/minor must be completed after returning from study abroad.

Major in French: FRE-251 and seven other courses numbered above it approved by the adviser from French offerings. In addition, majors must present a senior portfolio that serves as evidence of their competency in the following areas: (a) Aural Comprehension; (b) Speaking; (c) Writing; (d) Literature; (e) Culture. Since the portfolio includes a collection of selected papers/exams completed in courses for the major, students in courses numbered 252 and above are strongly advised to save all papers and exams from these courses. Students will be provided with details about the portfolio process upon declaring the major, which should be done no later than the first semester of the junior year.

Minor: FRE-251 and four other courses numbered above it.

Courses

101 Beginning French I (1 course)

102 Beginning French II (1 course) A sequential two-semester program designed for students who have no previous knowledge of the language, will enable them to acquire basic reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in French. Elementary French patterns are based on culturally oriented materials. Offered annually.

201 Intermediate French I (1 course) 

202 Intermediate French II (1 course) This sequential two-semester program is intended for students who have completed the study of beginning level French language. These courses continue to develop reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking skills. Emphasis is placed on using the language. Even the reading assignments and the grammar review serve to help the student to learn to communicate in French. Offered annually.

144, 244 Special Topics in French (1 course, 1 course) Special topics in French studies. Content will vary. Each course will explore a topic or a problem in depth and students will read, discuss, and write. Offered occasionally.

251, 252 Composition and Conversation (1 course, 1 course) These courses are designed to give students the opportunity to further develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing French. In FRE-251, the focus is on intensive practice in writing, and grammatical and compositional principles are reviewed. Students work towards coherent discourse, vocabulary build-up and refinement of style by the process of writing weekly compositions. In FRE-252, active writing practice continues, but the course focus is on intensive practice in speaking. Guided discussions, readings, and viewing of French television broadcasts help students to think in French and to express their thoughts clearly, analytically and creatively. Prerequisite: FRE-202 for both courses (with a minimum grade of C) or placement by exam. WRITI for FRE-251. Fall and Spring semester.

351 Commercial French (1 course) This course focuses on the cultural, social and political dimensions of commercial practices in France as well as between France, other French-speaking countries and the United States. It includes a study of French business vocabulary, French commercial theory, correspondence and marketing. Current readings are drawn from French print media. The structure of the course makes it accessible to students of all majors. Prerequisite: FRE-251 or equivalent. Fall semester, even years.

352 French Cinema (1 course) A study of the styles, themes and narrative structure of French film. Although scenarios, novels and critical articles on cinema are used, the films themselves are the primary material for the course. The course also examines French cinema’s evolution of styles and themes, using a variety of critical approaches. Evening screenings are held weekly. Prerequisite: FRE-251 or equivalent. ARTS, Spring semester, even years.

353 French Stylistics and Translation (1 course) This course involves translating different texts (from French into English and vice-versa) with a focus on grammatical, lexical, and stylistic problems. Texts will be drawn from a number of selections from modern fiction and magazine articles in a cultural context. Students will analyze their effectiveness and manner of expression and focus on style and the various forms of discourse through the language of advertising, politics, fiction, comic, etc. This course is also designed for students to discuss and study how the ideas expressed in these writings have social and psychological effects on self conception, identification and the making of people. Students will explore how values, education and socialization shape the culture(s) and civilization(s) of France. This course is designed for students who have already had a course in French composition and conversation, and it satisfies the required culture component for teaching majors and minors and French majors. Prerequisite: FRE-251 or equivalent. Fall semester, odd years.

354 Advanced Grammar and Phonetics (1 course) This course is designed to provide an in-depth review of the main points of French grammar and an intensive study of French phonetics. Practice in class will provide the opportunity for perfecting pronunciation. This course will also include translations from French into English and English into French as a way to apply newly studied grammatical points. Prerequisite: FRE-251 or equivalent. Fall semester, odd years.

361 French Prose (1 course) A detailed study of French novels and/or essays, with periods and topics varying from year to year. The course examines trends in the particular type of writing and emphasizes their literary importance, as well as the economic, political, philosophical and social factors that they portray. Through essays, discussion and oral presentations, students analyze works in depth with the aim of developing their analytical skills. Prerequisite: FRE-251 or equivalent. Fall semester, even years.

363 Portrait of a Lady (1 course) This course analyzes literary works written by French and Quebecois women writers in the twentieth century. We will read French authors such as Colette, Weil, Duras, Yourcenar, deBeauvoir, Redonnet, and Quebecois authors such as Hebert, Roy, Broussard, Gauvin and Theoret. We will focus on these authors’ portrayals of women in the organized systems of society and family. Through these portraits of women by women, we will come to comprehend what could be called the French feminine singularity and its links to the Quebecois identity as a Francophone entity in historical, cultural and political terms. The feminine poetics and imaginary studied in the course will be complemented by portraits from films directed by French and Quebecois women. Prerequisite: FRE-251 or equivalent. Spring semester, odd years.

364 Francophone African/Caribbean Literatures and Cultures (1 course) A study of selected Francophone African and Caribbean writers of fiction, theatre, and poetry. The course examines their works within the context of the history of colonialism. Emphasis is placed on the ideological motivation behind these works of art and how the issue of contact between cultures is portrayed. Relevant selections from works of history, philosophy, anthropology, and literary schools of thought are used for a better appreciation of the issues raised by these writers. Counts towards the Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean Studies minor. Prerequisite: FRE-251. LARS, WRITD, NWEST, Fall semester, odd years.

391 Independent Study (Course value to be determined) Independent study project and a scholarly paper. Prerequisite: A minimum of three courses in French literature or permission of the instructor. Fall and Spring semesters.