Courses

FREN-1010 (5) Beginning French 1

For students with no previous knowledge of French. Presents basic grammar and most commonly used French vocabulary. Introduces students to Francophone culture. Credit not granted for this course and FREN 1050.

ITAL-1010 (5) Beginning Italian 1.

The four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are progressively developed in a predominantly oral presentation. Grammatical concepts are explained and practiced through dialogues, written exercises, and conversations. The cultural focus is on the personal world and life of students.

FREN-1020 (5) Beginning French 2

Continuation of FREN 1010. Completes the presentation of most basic structures and French vocabulary. Prereq., successful completion of one semester of college-level French or two years of high school French. Credit not granted for this course and FREN 1050.

ITAL-1020 (5) Beginning Italian 2

Continuation of ITAL 1010, with more difficult grammatical concepts explored. The cultural focus shifts to social and civic areas. Prereq., ITAL 1010 (min grade C-).

FREN-1050 (5) Beginning French Review

Covers the material of FREN 1010 and 1020 in one accelerated semester. Intended for students who know some French (i.e., four to five semesters in high school) but do not have skills adequate for 2000-level courses. Credit not granted for this course and FREN 1010 or FREN 1020.

FREN-1200 (3) Medieval Epic and Romance

Covers the most important works of medieval literature, in English translation. Among the texts studied are the Nibelungenlied, the Song of Roland, and Arthurian romances, including the stories of Lancelot and Guinevere and Tristan and Isolde. Offers a general introduction for nonmajors to medieval literature and society. Taught in English. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

FREN-1400 (3) Medieval/Renaissance Women Writers in Italy and France

Introduces major literature through close readings of women's writings in their historical context. Offers a general introduction to women's status and roles in Italy and France. Taught in English. Same as ITAL 1400. Approved for GT-AH2. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

ITAL-1400 (3) Medieval/Renaissance Women Writers in Italy and France

Introduces major literature through close readings of women's writings in their historical context. Offers a general introduction to women's status and roles in Italy and France. Taught in English. Same as FREN 1400. Approved for GT-AH2. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

FREN-1500 (3) Literature and Politics in the Age of Enlightenment

Introduces political dimensions of 18th century French literature. Surveys political and social preoccupations that manifest themselves across genres (novels, scientific treatises, dialogues, erotic literature, etc.). Examines contributions made by 18th century French writers to the sociological and political imagination of Western tradition. Taught in English.

ITAL-1500 (3) That's Amore: Introduction to Italian Culture

Introduces students to representations of Italian society that have persisted through the ages. The course readings allow students to better understand how certain stereotypes about Italian society (e.g., Latin lover, Mafia) were born and persist in the present. Taught in English. Approved for GT-AH2. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: contemporary societies.

ITAL-1600 (3) Strategies of Fear: Introduction to Italian Fantastic Literature

Traces the development of the fantastic theme in Italian Literature from its origins (late nineteenth century) to contemporary times. Analyzes the modes of reception and appropriation of non-Italian gothic and fantastic narrative traditions through which Italian writers have subverted the national literary model proposed by realist narrative. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts. Taught in English.

FREN-1610 (3) How to Be French, 1: The Ancien Regime

Explores medieval and early modern French culture in the widest sense, encompassing masterpieces of French literature, architecture, and visual art as a key to the habits, customs, and practices of everyday life. Major themes are "living and dying," "heroes, villains, and kings," "courtliness, civility, and the art of love," and "crafty little guys." Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

FREN-1620 (3) How To Be French? 2: Modernity

Introduces students to French culture in its widest sense and in particular to reflect on major social and cultural contradictions inherited from the French Revolution, which still define "Frenchness" today. Taught in English. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

FREN-1700 (3) Francophone Literature in Translation

Studies the literary expression of French-speaking peoples of Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada. Gives special attention to oral tradition, identity, question, and cultural conflict. Taught in English. Approved for GT-AH2.

FREN-1750 (3) French Colonialism: North Africa and the Middle East

Offers a general introduction to French and Francophone literature and visual arts (painting, photography, film) from the nineteenth century to the present depicting cultures and societies of the Middle East and North Africa. In English with English translations of French texts. Approved for GT-AH2. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

FREN-1800 (3) Contemporary French Literature in Translation

Reviews the major philosophical, political, and aesthetic issues in the 20th century French novel and drama. Beginning with existentialist literature, discussion focuses subsequently on the Theatre of the Absurd, the new novel, World War II and the Holocaust, and recent women writers. Taught in English.

FREN-1900 (3) Modern Paris in Literature, Photographs, Paintings and Movies

Introduces the rise of modern Paris from the French Revolution (1789) to today. Studies the physical and sociological changes of the city in terms of architecture and industrialization through French literature, movies, paintings and photographs. Addresses problems due to the magnitude of the city, the growing fear of urban vices, and the dilemma of controlling massive urban populations. Taught in English. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: literature and the arts.

FREN-1950 (3) French Feminisms

Introduces students to the central problematics that have defined French feminist studies. This course focuses on the various literary and historical contexts in which core concepts such as female subjectivity and agency, feminist writing and political engagement have arisen and developed in Early Modern and Modern France by looking at multiple media (literary text, film, painting). Taught in English. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

FREN-2110 (3) Second-Year French Grammar Review and Reading 1

A film based curriculum will expand the knowledge of francophone culture and will continue the development of communication skills begun in the first year. This third semester course will review essential beginning grammar before introducing intermediate structures, vocabulary, and cultural/literary readings. Prereqs., FREN 1020 and 1050 (min grade C-) or equivalent. Approved for GT-AH4. Meets MAPS requirement for foreign language. Satisfies arts and sciences foreign language requirement.

ITAL-2110 (3) Intermediate Italian Reading, Grammar, and Composition 1

Enhances the skills learned in the first-year course and develops greater fluency in understanding and speaking. More emphasis is placed on reading and writing through the use of activities featuring cultural themes that present a realistic portrait of contemporary Italy. Taught in Italian. Prereq., ITAL 1020 (min grade C-). Approved for GT-AH4. Meets MAPS requirement for foreign language.

FREN-2120 (3) Second-Year French Grammar Review and Reading 2

Completes the film-based study of intermediate grammar begun in FREN 2110. Continued reading in French literature and culture, with considerable practice in writing and speaking French. Prereq., FREN 2110 (min grade C-). Fulfills the Graduate School language requirement for the Ph.D.

ITAL-2120 (3) Intermediate Italian Reading, Grammar, and Composition 2

Continuation of ITAL 2110. Some reading in Italian literature and culture with considerable practice in writing and speaking Italian. Fulfills the Graduate School language requirement for the Phd. Prereq., ITAL 2110 (min grade C-) or equivalent.

ITAL-2130 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis.

Increases student's ability to read and analyze literary texts by improving vocabulary and terminology. Students read short stories, essays, short plays, and poems to acquire critical skills and improve expression of opinions and arguments in Italian. Taught in Italian. Prereq or coreq., ITAL 2120 (min grade C-) or instructor consent required.

FREN-2500 (3) Conversation in French

Puts into practice all that has been learned in the first four semesters of college French. Builds conversational skills and confidence through acquisition of new vocabulary and a review of grammar essential to discussing different aspects of French culture. All work is in French. Prereq., FREN 2120 or equivalent.

FREN-3010 (3) French Phonetics and Pronunciation

Improves students' ability to pronounce French correctly. Coursework involves the International Phonetic Alphabet, understanding the differences between pairs of sounds, and recognizing the relationship between spelling and pronunciation. Required of all FREN majors. Prereq., FREN 2120 or equivalent.

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