Spring 2023 upper-level French course descriptions

FRH 216: Literature & Culture:  “Animalité et Humanité”

MWF 11-11:50 / Prof. Murphy / Prerequisite: FRH 212, 213, or 214

In this class we will explore the literary status of animals and chart the frontiers between humans and non-human animals.  Students will discover various literary forms from medieval beast fables to La Fontaine’s Fables to modern fiction, and cultural contexts from France to the non-European world.  Animals will figure as characters and even as narrators; we will be interested in themes like the relationship between society and nature and changing attitudes towards the non-human world. Students will participate actively in class discussions and write several short papers; midterm and final exams.  The skills you develop in this course will prepare you for more advanced classes in the department.

*Did you know? You can repeat FRH 216 once for credit when topics vary.

FRH 319: Grammar & Composition

MWF 11-11:50 (Section B) 2-2:50 (Section A) / Prof. McNelly / Prerequisite: FRH 200-level or equivalent

This course solidifies your foundation of grammar and supports your integration of rules and structures in your writing. You will gain deeper knowledge of grammar by focusing on topics on a detailed level which, in turn, will afford you greater control over writing skills. At the same time, the writing component in this course is designed to reinforce your control of grammar: putting your ideas into words and creating your own sentences is the best way to memorize and master grammar rules. Whether you are moving towards upper-division courses, preparing for study abroad, or returning from abroad, this course will increase your accuracy in French.

FRH 321: Introduction to Translation

TR 11-12:15 / Prof. Witcher / Prerequisite: FRH 319 or POI

« Traduire, c’est trahir! » To translate is to betray! While perhaps overstated, this paronomastic expression often attributed to the 16^th century French poet Joachim du Bellay signals the difficulty and complexity of translating faithfully from one language to another. Indeed, translation requires a considered study of how, among many other factors, grammar, culture, and genre inflect expression in a given language. In this course, we will continue our perennial study of French grammar and culture, while giving equal attention to theories and methodologies of translation. As we practice translation from French to English and English to French, we will also reflect upon how various genres – such as film, literature, bande dessinée, news, etc. – make unique sets of demands on the translator. By the end of this course, you will (1) be conversant in certain translation methodologies; (2) have a deeper knowledge of French grammar, vocabulary, and culture; and (3) have the tools to analyze language in general. 

FRH 329: French for Business Communication

WF 12:30-1:45 / Prof. Vincent / Prerequisite: FRH 200-level or equivalent*

This course will prepare you to work in an international, French-speaking context by introducing you to French business language, practices, and cultural concepts. Course objectives include developing skills for the job search and everyday business interactions and communication, through roleplaying, projects, case studies, authentic documents, and study of current events. Through these course elements, you will develop your ability to identify and critically analyze cultural differences among national and regional business climates. You will acquire a better understanding of the role culture plays in the production and circulation of discourses and representations of the business world.
This course will also prepare you to take the Diplôme de Français Professionnel – Affaires, a language exam administered by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris-Île-de-France. Successful completion of this exam will certify your competency in Business French according to internationally recognized European Union standards.

*Exclusively for second language learners

FRH 343: Modern French

TR 12:30-1:45 / Prof. Pellet / Prerequisite: FRH 319 or POI

Consider the differences between message-equivalent “Qu’en pensez-vous?”and “Et toi, t’en penses quoi?”: in this course, we will analyze how language users find socially appropriate language for the contexts they encounter beyond shifts in register. We’ll study how these unwritten rules of language use are driven by speaker intention, in particular with respect to context, power, social relationships for interpersonal and cross-cultural communication. The course is hands-on: we will investigate how French speakers use language in real contexts through print and tv ads, songs, radio segments, online forums and chat rooms, tv shows – in short, all authentic forms of interactions. The objective is to equip you with language tools that fall out of the scope of (traditional) grammar.

FRH 370:  Seminar: The Transformative Power of the Arts

TR 2-3:15 / Prof. Anthony / Prerequisite: FRH 216 or 315 or POI

A poet ponders Picasso pondering a “pomme.” A mythical statue bewitches a village in the south of France.  A young Algerian navigates a barrage of caricatural images as he travels to Europe.  A valise of forbidden books transforms three lives in a remote village in China.  These are some of the storylines we will encounter in our study of French and Francophone authors who explore the transformative power of the arts.  We will also analyze cinematic representations of female artists who navigate and transgress social mores through their painting, sculpture, and musical composition.  Finally, we will go into the wings and behind the scenes of several institutions of the art world including L’Opéra national de Paris, la Philharmonie de Paris, and Le Musée de l’Orangerie as we reflect upon the life of the artist and the power of art to bring about change in an individual and society. 

*Did you know? You can repeat FRH 370 once for credit when topics vary.