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: FRENCH STUDIES AT VU Program Overview French Major and Minor French Course Descriptions French Class Projects French Faculty Student Exchanges with France VIEP-French for Engineering French Portal

French Course Descriptions

Note the courses offered Spring 2010 •

BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE COURSES (descriptions below)
FLF 101: First Semester French
FLF 102: Second Semester French •
FLF 203: Intermediate French
FLF 204: Composition & Conversation •
FLF 220: Approaches to French Literature •
FLF 240: French Phonetics
FLF 290: Seminar in French

ADVANCED COURSES (descriptions below)
FLF 271: Theater Practium •
FLF 301: Advanced Oral Expression
FLF 302: Advanced Written Expression•
FLF 306: Contemporary French Language & Communication
FLF 307: Professional French
new course: FLF 351: French Texts and Society: From Feudalism to Humanism
new course: FLF 352: French Texts and Society: From Absolutism to Revolution
new course: FLF 353: French Texts and Society: From Romanticism to the Fifth Republic
FLF 390: Seminar in French
FLF 489: The Teaching of Foreign Languages •
FLF 493: Senior Seminar

Tentative Fall 2010 course offerings: FLF 101, 203, 204, 240, 307, 351, 495.

BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE COURSES:

FLF 101 / First Semester French
Introduction to French language and culture with emphasis on understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. (4 credits)

FLF 102 / Second Semester French
A continuation of FLF 101. Prerequisite: FLF 101 or equivalent. (4 credits)

FLF 203 / Intermediate French
A course designed to improve communication and comprehension skills in French, review and refine knowledge of basic grammar, broaden vocabulary and increase familiarity with French and Francophone cultures. Prerequisite: FLF 102 or equivalent. (4 credits)

FLF 204 / Composition and Conversation
A course designed to build communication skills and understanding of French and Francophone culture. Grammar review, composition on varied topics, extensive oral practice, reading of a novel in French. Prerequisite: FLF 203 or equivalent. May be repeated for credit at the Paris Centers or similarly accredited programs. (4 credits)

FLF 220 / Approaches to French Literature
An introduction to the strategies of reading, interpreting, and writing about French literature. Reading and discussion of works from a variety of literary genres with particular attention to textual analysis (explication de texte). Prerequisite: FLF 204. (3 credits)

FLF 240 / French Phonetics
A study of the principles of French phonetics with special emphasis on the difficulties encountered by American students. Much practical training in the laboratory. Prerequisite: FLF 203 or equivalent. (3 credits)

FLF 271 / Theater Practicum
Rehearsal and performance of a play or excerpts of a play in French. No prior acting experience required. Prerequisite: FLF 203 and consent of the Chair of the Department. May be used to fulfill the Humanities: Fine and Performing Arts component of the General Education Requirements. (1 - 3 credits)

FLF 290 / Seminar in French | Fall 2009: Introduction to French Cinema
A study of selected themes or issues in French or Francophone literature, language, or civilization. May be repeated for credit if the topic varies. Prerequisite: FLF 204. (3 credits)

ADVANCED COURSES:

FLF 301 / Advanced Oral Expression
Development of advanced speaking and oral comprehension skills through intensive oral practice. Through discussion, role-play, debate,
and other activities, students improve fluency, increase vocabulary, refine grammatical accuracy, and learn to use appropriate linguistic register. Prerequisite: FLF 204. (4 credits)

FLF 302 / Advanced Written Expression
Development of advanced writing skills in French. Using a variety of source materials including film, fiction, and non-fiction writing, students develop vocabulary, improve grammatical accuracy, and refine their ability to write in a variety of styles and genres for various occasions. Prerequisite: FLF 204. (4 credits)

FLF 306 / Contemporary French Language and Communication
French newspapers, magazines, radio, television, films, and internet are used as a basis to build more advanced language skills and to familiarize the student with modern-day France. Prerequisite: FLF 204. (4 credits)

FLF 307/ Professional French
A study of the French language as it is used in the international business world, including general commercial technology, correspondence, and the basic workings of French business. Prerequisite: FLF 204. (3 credits)

FLF 351: French Texts and Society: From Feudalism to Humanism
An interdisciplinary survey of French literature and cultural history from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Culturally significant texts (literary, historical, philosophical, and artistic) are examined within the context of medieval and early modern French society. Prerequisite: FLF 220. (3 credits)

FLF 352: French Texts and Society: From Absolutism to Revolution
An interdisciplinary survey of French literature and cultural history from the Classical Age through the end of the Ancien régime. Culturally significant texts (literary, historical, philosophical, and artistic) are examined within the context of classicism and enlightenment in pre-revolutionary French society. Prerequisite: FLF 220. (3 credits)

FLF 353: French Texts and Society: From Romanticism to the Fifth Republic
An interdisciplinary survey of French literature and cultural history from the Napoleonic era to present-day France. Culturally significant texts (literary, historical, philosophical, and artistic) are examined within the context of modern French society. Prerequisite: FLF 220. (4 credits)

FLF 390 / Seminar in French
A study of selected themes or issues in French or Francophone literature, language, or civilization. May be repeated for credit if the topic varies. Prerequisite: one course from the following: FLF 221, 222, 231, or 232. (3 credits)

FLF 493 / Senior Seminar
A senior-level capstone course which integrates knowledge and skills from previous French courses. Language skills (speaking, listening, writing, reading) are refined as depth and nuance are added to the understanding of French history, literature, culture and contemporary events. Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of the Chair of the Department. (3 credits)