French Course Descriptions (from the 2005-2006 Sweet Briar College Catalog)
FREN 101 (3) - Elementary French I
A study of the essentials of grammar, the development of a simple, practical vocabulary, and readings based on present-day French life.
FREN 102 (3) - Elementary French II
Prerequisite: FREN 101. A continuation of FREN 101.
FREN 201 (3) - Intermediate French I
Prerequisite: FREN 102 or placement. Formal study and practice in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding French. Regular laboratory attendance is required.
FREN 202 (3) - Intermediate French II
Prerequisite: FREN 201. A continuation of FREN 201. Regular laboratory attendance is required. V.3.
FREN 204 (3) - Thème et Version
Prerequisite: FREN 202 or placement. Thème: translation of selected texts from English into French. Version: translation of selected texts from French into English. Both Thème and Version will be treated. III.W, V.3.
FREN 209 (3) - French Conversation and Composition
Prerequisite: FREN 202. Practice in
oral and written expression based on contemporary topics. III.O, III.W, V.3.
FREN 213 (3) - Studies in French Literature I
Prerequisite: FREN 202. A survey of French Literature from the Middle Ages to the 18th century at the advanced intermediate level. III.W, V.2, V.3.
FREN 214 (3) - Studies in French Literature II
Prerequisite: FREN 213. A survey of French Literature from the 19th century to the present at the advanced intermediate level. This is the continuation of FREN 213. III.W, V.2, V.3.
FREN 216 (3) - France in the 2000s: Society, Government, and Technology
Prerequisite: French 202 for French majors and minors; others by permission. An in-depth examination of contemporary French society and government, with special emphasis on the expanding role of technology within France. In addition to books and articles, official and unofficial World-Wide Web resources will be used to contrast varying views and reactions to events and changes occurring in France. Taught in English. This course will count towards the French major and minor if students do the written assignments and examinations in French. V.7.
FREN 217 (3) - French Cinema
Prerequisite: French 202 for French majors and minors; others by permission. One hundred years of French cinema. Specific topics such as French directors, francophone cinema, women and the movies, will be offered according to students' needs. Taught in English. This course will count towards the French major and minor if students do the written assignments and examinations in French. V.1, V.6a.
FREN 219 (3) - Commercial French
Prerequisite: FREN 202. Development of conversational, reading and writing skills in the language used in business and economics. We will study texts dealing with the specialized vocabulary and the various forms of communication of the French business world. V.3.
FREN 232 (3) - Thematic Survey of Culture and Civilization: Middle Ages-World War I
Prerequisite: FREN 202. French society throughout the ages. Emphasis will be less on political history than on culture and the arts. Required of students minoring or majoring in French. V.1, V.3.
FREN 233 (3) - Contemporary French Culture
Prerequisite: FREN 232. A continuation of FREN 232, this course examines French society in the twentieth century. Emphasis will be on culture and the arts. V.1, V.3.
FREN 250 (3) - Masterpieces of French Literature in Translation
Prerequisite: ENGL 104 or any course in literature. French majors may participate with permission of instructor, preparing papers and examinations in French. Close reading and analysis of major texts in English translation. The course will also explore gender issues in historical context. Offered alternate years. May be counted as a core course toward the minor in women and gender studies. V.2.
FREN 261 (1, 2, or 3) – Directed Study
Prerequisites: One FREN course and
permission of the instructor. The study of introductory level material by an
individual student or by a small group of students under the immediate
supervision of a faculty member.
FREN 311 (3) - Studies in French Culture and Civilization
Prerequisite: FREN 214 or FREN 232. Specific topics to be chosen when offered. Topic for Fall 2005: "French Women Directors." This course will focus on the social, political, economic, and cultural diversity of France through an in-depth examination of French films by French women directors. The women directors whose films will be seen and analyzed include, among others, Agnes Varda, Chantal Akerman, Claire Denis and Agnes Jaoui. May be counted as an adjunct course toward the minor in women and gender studies. III.W, V.5.
FREN 313 (3) - French Literary Genres I
Prerequisite: FREN 214. An in-depth study of major literary works in poetry and theatre, both classical and modern. V.2.
FREN 314 (3) - French Literary Genres II
Prerequisite: FREN 313. An in-depth study of the novel and other narrative forms such as short stories, philosophical tales, autobiography, and essays. V.2.
FREN 315 (3) - The French-Speaking World
Prerequisite: FREN 214. The cultures and literatures of French-speaking countries outside Europe. Readings may include tales, novels and poetry from Africa, the Caribbean, Canada and other areas. Texts will be examined as literary works as well as keys to the understanding of the different cultures. V.2, V.4.
FREN 341 (3) - From Baroque to Classicism
Prerequisite: FREN 214. The image of man in his socio-cultural context as seen in representative works of 17th-century literature. Offered alternate years. V.2.
FREN 355 (3) - Les Philosophes
Prerequisite: FREN 214. Major figures of the 18th-century Enlightenment in France. Readings will include texts by Diderot, Rousseau, Voltaire and others. Offered alternate years. V.2.
FREN 358 (3) - The Evolution of Literary Genres from the Baroque to Pre-Romanticism
Prerequisite: FREN 214. The classical form in poetry, theatre, and the novel, and its evolution to the birth of a new aesthetic and a new ideology in each genre. Typically, readings would include poetry from Malherbe to Chenier, plays from Corneille to Beaumarchais, and novels from Mme de LaFayette to Constant. The genre to be studied will be determined by the needs of the students. Offered alternate years. V.2.
FREN 361 (1, 2, or 3) – Special Study
Prerequisites: 100-level FREN course and permission of the instructor. The study of an intermediate level topic by an individual student or by a small group of students under the immediate supervision of a faculty member.
FREN 371 (3) - Aspects of 19th-Century Literature
Prerequisite: FREN 214. From the romantic self to the symbolist other: different perceptions of reality in representative works of 19th-century literature. Offered alternate years. V.2.
FREN 377 (1, 2, or 3) - Internship
Prerequisites: Three credits in FREN and permission of the instructor, department chair, and the dean. This course is graded P/CR/NC only.
FREN 385 (3) - Aspects of 20th-Century Literature
Prerequisite: FREN 214. Crisis, experiment and transformation in the French novel since 1945. Among the novelists to be studied are Boris Vian, Marguerite Duras and Michel Tournier. Offered alternate years. III.W, V.2.
FREN 388 (3) - From Le Mal du Siècle to La Nausée
Prerequisite: FREN 214. From the self-absorption of romanticism to the engagement of existentialism. Offered alternate years. V.2.
FREN 452 (3) - Senior Seminar: Topical Studies in French Literature
Prerequisite: Required of seniors majoring in French. Open to other qualified students with permission of the department. III.O.
FREN 461 (1, 2, or 3) - Independent Study
Prerequisites: One 100-level FREN course, one 200-level French course, and permission of the instructor. Pursuit of an upper level research project determined in advance by the student in consultation with a faculty member who will act as the sponsor.
Return to The French Department at SBC.
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http://www.french.sbc.edu/FrenchCatalog.html
Last updated: August 25, 2005