Course Descriptions By Program
Choose a program from the dropdown below to view course descriptions
FRE101 - Elementary French I
For the student without previous knowledge of French. The development of the fundamentals of correct idiomatic French. Instruction in basic audio-lingual comprehension, sentence structure, reading, writing and speaking. Classroom instruction is supplemented by laboratory study and practice.
FRE102 - Elementary French II
A continuation of French 101.
FRE203 - Intermediate French I
A continuation of French 102.
FRE204 - Intermediate French II
Continuation of French 203. Oral-aural work continues but is accompanied by a development of reading skill through discussion of selected prose and poetry.
FRE341 - 17th Century & Classical Age
This course surveys the evolution of French culture from the early 17th century or the Baroque (1600-1640) to the classical period (1640 to the end of the century). The course seeks to introduce the student to the history of French thought in the Splendid Century. While it follows sociological, political, philosophical and historical developments to a certain degree, its primary emphasis is on the artistic domains of literature, music, architecture and the visual arts of the period. In so doing, this course illustrates the ways in which France has been influenced by its rich cultural heritage.
FRE342 - 18th Century & Enlightenment
This course surveys the evolution of French culture throughout the Age of Enlightenment, when scientific discovery and new historical methods acted as agents of change upon the traditional foundations of belief. We will consider how these changes affected French thought, especially in the artistic domains of literature, music, architecture and the visual arts of the period. The course will introduce the student to this age of criticism and reconstruction, an age viewed as the crisis of the European mind, which gave birth to the philosophe, or philosopher, one who was not only involved with the theories but with social reform as well. These reforms in human institutions and thought will be shown to terminate in the revolution of 1789 and the end of the Ancient Regime.
FRE344 - The Age of French Realism: The Second Empire to the Aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War
This course surveys the evolution of French culture during the Age of Realism, including the Franco-Prussian War, positivism and its aftermath. This period encompasses the dictatorship of Napoleon III, a monarchy marked by material success among the middle class and by disappointment and pessimism among thinkers, writers and artists. This course considers the artistic achievements of the period within the framework of the sociological, political and historical setting. It studies certain schools of art (Realism, Impressionism and Naturalism) and seeks to illustrate how these movements of artistic expression manifested themselves in the principal works of literature, philosophy, music and the visual arts. This course is taught in English.
FRE345 - Birth of Modern French Culture in the Arts 1900-World War II
This course surveys the evolution of French culture from 1900, the time of the Belle Epoque, or Beautiful Period, at the turn of the century, to the advent of the Second World War. While the course follows the sociological, political and historical developments of the period, it puts emphasis on the artistic ramifications of this period of conflict and rapid change. The interwar years are treated in all their artistic output, especially in interwar theater, fiction and the presence of the school of Surrealism in poetry, fiction, theater and art. This course is taught in English. .
FRE347 - Francophone Africa
This course examines Francophone Africa from a literary, socio-political, and artistic perspective. The focus is on representative works illustrating the African traditions and identity embodied in the concept of “Négritude.” It also looks closely at French colonization in Africa and the transition from Pre-Independence to Post Independence.
FRE348 - Francophone Canada
This course examines Francophone Canada from a literary, socio-political, and artistic perspective. The focus is on representative works illustrating the French Canadian language and culture. It also looks closely at the Quebec separatist movement and the Quiet Revolution, a period of intense socio-political and cultural change.