French (FRE) - Courses

FRE 101 Cr.3

French in a Global Society I

Designed for beginners, this course builds foundational skills in French through meaningful communication and cultural exploration. Students learn to understand basic texts and conversations, engage in simple interactions with cultural sensitivity, and present ideas on familiar topics. Emphasizing cultural context, this course guides students to discover perspectives of French-speaking communities and to develop curiosity and openness toward diverse viewpoints. No prior knowledge of French required. Offered Fall, Spring.

FRE 102 Cr.3

French in a Global Society II

The second introductory courses in French emphasizes the development of practical communication skills using an interactive learning approach and integrates cultures from the Francophone world in language learning to provide students with basic survival skills in a French-speaking country. Prerequisite: FRE 101 or an appropriate placement test score. Offered Fall, Spring.

FRE 201 Cr.3

French Language and Cultures in Action I

The first of two intermediate-level French courses which provides a review of basic structures while expanding on grammatical structures and vocabulary to allow students to express themselves in meaningful ways both orally and in writing. Cultural competence is integrated in language learning in an interactive manner. Prerequisite: FRE 102 or an appropriate placement test score. Offered Fall, Spring.

FRE 202 Cr.3

French Language and Cultures in Action II

The second of two intermediate-level French courses which provides a review of basic structures while expanding on grammatical structures and vocabulary to allow students to express viewpoints and opinions on a variety of topics from visual and cultural texts. Prerequisite: FRE 201 or an appropriate placement test score. Offered Fall, Spring.

FRE 227 Cr.3

French for International Relations

A course designed to prepare students to communicate effectively in French and better comprehend the complex interactions of a globalized world. It addresses written and oral conventions, pragmatics, and intercultural competencies required to pursue collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making in the context of international relations. Global issues such as environment, health, education, Human Rights, security, and diversity will be discussed specifically within the realm of French-speaking countries. Prerequisite: FRE 202 or equivalent. Offered Spring, Summer.

FRE 300 Cr.3

Visual Encounters

This course introduces students to a variety of art and technology-related topics that define French-speaking cultures today while practicing grammatical structures required to narrate and describe. Analysis of visual artifacts and development of writing skills take place in contexts such as regional cultures and traditions, culinary arts, cinema, music, art festivals, popular culture, artistic genres, and new technologies. Prerequisite: FRE 202 or equivalent. Offered Fall.

FRE 301 Cr.3

Sound, Speech, and Proficiency

This course first aims to improve students' pronunciation by providing an introduction to the principles of French phonetics and the study of stress, rhythm, and intonation. The course is designed to develop oral interactions through a pragmatic approach to language as students identify and practice different speech acts in their sociocultural contexts, applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational means of communication as defined by the ACTFL guidelines to achieve oral proficiency. Prerequisite: FRE 202 or equivalent. Offered Spring.

FRE 305 Cr.3

Exploring the Story

This course introduces students to a variety of narrative structures in their cultural context. Students will increase their vocabulary, reinforce reading strategies, interpret cultural signifiers, and develop critical thinking skills as they confront the printed word in comics, short stories, fairy-tales, fables, poems, or newspaper articles. Prerequisite: FRE 300 or FRE 301. Offered Fall - Odd Numbered Years.

FRE 307 Cr.3

French for Professional Communication

A course designed to prepare students to communicate effectively in professional contexts. It addresses written and oral conventions in business and other professional settings, determines/compares professional expectations across Francophone and Anglophone cultures, and prepares for all aspects of the job search for a company dealing with Francophone professionals, with a focus on Canadian and European exchanges. Prerequisite: FRE 202 or equivalent. Offered Fall.

FRE 317 Cr.3

Practice in Translation

This course is designed to introduce students to translation techniques, strategies, and theories, which students will apply to a variety of text genres. Focus is on translation from French to English so that students can compare and contrast the structures of French and English as they further their language acquisition. Prerequisite: FRE 300 or FRE 301. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.

FRE 320 Cr.3

Global French Cultures: Past, Present, and Future

A topical approach to French-speaking cultures and civilizations, the course guides students through historical, political, social, philosophical, and artistic perspectives. Students continue to develop language proficiency skills as they gain critical insights into past events and understand how they relate to the present and may inform the future. Repeatable for credit - maximum six credits. Prerequisite: FRE 300 or FRE 301. Offered Fall - Odd Numbered Years.

FRE 337 Cr.3

French 3.0: Focus on Science and Technology

From Pascal's calculator in 17th century France to Arthur Zang's Cardiopad in contemporary Cameroon, the French-speaking world has produced a number of scientific and technological innovations. This course will focus on discovering Francophone cultures through the lens of a variety of scientific topics. Students will continue developing language proficiency while acquiring the specific discourse and vocabulary related to the scientific professions, including health, technology, and technical work specializations they are most interested in. This course will especially be an asset for students desiring to work or intern for international companies, NGOs, Peace Corps, or do mission work in a Francophone country. Prerequisite: FRE 300 or FRE 307. Offered Every Third Semester.

FRE 351 Cr.3

French Cinema

The course introduces students to film analysis and visual literacy while presenting the development of French cinema in its historical and theoretical context. It also includes a study of film adaptations of various literary genres. Prerequisite: FRE 300 or FRE 301. Offered Spring - Odd Numbered Years.

FRE 395 Cr.3

French Literary Voices in English

This course is designed to be an exploration of Francophone literature using a thematic approach. Students will read, discuss, and write about great texts written in French and translated into English. Texts will include short stories and novels by writers from the classical French canon (e.g., Maupassant, Voltaire, Flaubert, Hugo) and those from the Global French world (e.g., Laye, Memmi, Begag, Ba). Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered Fall - Even Numbered Years.

FRE 403 Cr.3

Studies in French/Francophone Literature

A course designed to explore social, political, and cultural issues as related in literary works of authors of French-speaking countries. Specific topics vary by semester but may include "Voices from Quebec" or "Francophone Women Writers". Prerequisite: FRE 305 or FRE 351 or FRE 395. Offered Spring - Odd Numbered Years.

FRE 430 Cr.3

French Connections

This course is designed for students to explore connections between their French studies and other disciplines. Due to its Interdisciplinary nature and its seminar format, the course content is tailored to students' research paper topics, while focusing on the practice of more complex grammatical structures and academic writing conventions in French. Prerequisite: FRE 300, FRE 301, and FRE 307. Offered Spring.

FRE 450 Cr.1-4

National/International Intern Program

A course in French individually tailored to fit career needs: cultural awareness, technical vocabulary in French to prepare students who elect internship credits in other departments. French majors or minors or other students having the equivalency of FRE 202 may elect to take these credits off campus. Repeatable for credit - maximum four. Prerequisite: a declared major in department offering intern programs or a declared major in French. Offered Occasionally.

FRE 495 Cr.2

Honors Seminar in French

An in-depth examination of a topic in French or Francophone literature or civilization concluding with a research paper and presentation to faculty and peers. Prerequisite: FRE 305; one 400-level literature or civilization course; admission to the Alvida Ahlstrom Honors Program. Offered Occasionally.

FRE 498 Cr.1-3

Independent Study

Fieldwork, research, individual projects in a specific area of French language civilization or literature. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: two advanced french courses; junior standing. Consent of department. Offered Occasionally.

FRE 499 Cr.1-3

Independent Study

Fieldwork, research, individual projects in a specific area of French language, civilization or literature. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Prerequisite: two advanced french courses; junior standing. Consent of department. Offered Occasionally.