French

Stephane Dennery, Instructor

Julien Ekiaka Oblazamengo, Assistant Professor

Salut et bienvenue au programme de français! 

Learning a language always broadens individual perspectives. By doing so, individuals not only learn the language structure and skills, but also engage in an intercultural dialogue with other speakers and people they meet. In other words, they learn to see the world through other lenses and embark in a multi-centric vision of reality.

French is one of the only two global languages in the world, along with English, spoken on all continents in over 40 countries across the world.

Students can major in French Language or elect a minor in either French Language or Francophone Studies. 

For the French Language major, students must complete at least twelve courses for a minimum of 31 semester hours. One advisor-approved course taught in English with relevant content supporting cultural, historical, political, or religious knowledge of French-speaking countries may be used to fulfill a course requirement for this major. It is encouraged and highly recommended that students participate in an immersion or abroad experience during their French language study. Credit by Examination requires prior approval from the Languages and Cultures Department Chair and is available for students participating in well-established French language institutes or schools. Courses at the appropriate level offered abroad by accredited institutions may be substituted for required or elective courses by approval of the French faculty, provided they have been officially transferred in for credit through the Registrar's Office. 

Upon request, the French program faculty may waive the major requirement for FREN 204 for students placing directly into FREN 205 or 216, thus reducing the required number of semester hours for the major from a minimum of 31 to a minimum of 28 semester hours. In cases where a student places out of FREN 205, the student will take an advisor-approved replacement course for 205 to complete a total of 11 required courses. 

French Language majors are strongly encouraged to participate at least in one immersive French study abroad experience before completing their coursework. This is a golden opportunity for them to live in the culture as well as to practice the language they are learning with host parents. They are also encouraged to include an internship for the purpose of exploring career opportunities or service-learning. Additional Francophone content-related courses in global studies, political science, religious studies, gender studies, and other socio-cultural courses are also recommended. 

Minors in French Language and Francophone Studies require six three-semester hour courses. No more than two transfer courses may be counted towards either concentration of the French minor. Only courses taught in French may be applied to a minor in French Language, whereas one course taught in English may be applied to a minor in Francophone Studies.

Alors, “ici on parle français et on travaille!”

Departmental Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to actively and effectively communicate in the target language in a variety of situations
    1. ​Demonstrate effective communicative skill in speaking in the target language.
    2. Demonstrate effective communicative skill in writing the target language.
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend a variety of situations in the target language
    1. Demonstrate skill in listening in the target language.
    2. Demonstrate skill in reading the target language.
  3. Students will demonstrate intercultural competence.
     

College Wide Student Learning Outcomes of Principia College: Defining a Liberal Arts Education

The curricular and co-curricular programs at Principia College are designed for students to be lifelong learners, thinkers, and problem-solvers. To accomplish this, the College has established the following outcomes for its graduates.

Guided by Principle, Principia College students will demonstrate:

  1. Depth and breadth of knowledge
  2. Critical and creative thinking
  3. Effective communication
  4. Intellectual inquiry and engagement
  5. Active commitment to community and global citizenship

Majors

​* This major will be discontinued at the conclusion of a teach-out plan. Please contact the academic department for more information. 

Minors

Certificate

FREN 101 Introductory French I 3.0 SH [  ]

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in French. Students will learn basic communication skills and cultural practices across the French-speaking (Francophone) world.

FREN 102 Introductory French II 3.0 SH [GE2L]

This course continues instruction in the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in French. Students will learn additional communication skills and cultural practices across the Francophone world.
Prerequisite: FREN 101.

FREN 110 Intensive Elementary Review 3.0 SH [GE2L]

A one-course intensive review of first year French with emphasis on basic grammatical structure, development of ability to speak French, and intercultural competence. Fulfills the general education second language requirement for students needing only one semester of review. (A student may receive credit for only one of the courses FREN 102, FREN 110, or FREN 136.)
Prerequisite: FREN 101 or placement.

FREN 136 Lang & Culture Wrkshp Abroad I 3.0-6.0 SH [GE2L]

Immersive elementary language and cultural studies at an academic institution or language learning center in a French-speaking country. Offered only for study abroad but may include on-campus study in the case of shorter stays abroad. (A student may receive credit for only one of the courses FREN 102, FREN 110, or FREN 136.)
Prerequisite: FREN 101 or placement into FREN 110.

FREN 204 Intermediate French I 3.0 SH [  ]

Conversation, vocabulary and idiom building, grammar review.
Prerequisite: FREN 102 or FREN 110 or FREN 136 or placement.

FREN 205 Intermediate French II 3.0 SH [  ]

Development of fluency and accuracy in oral and written expression, through reading and listening comprehension.
Prerequisite: FREN 204 or placement.

FREN 206 Read, Listen, & Comprehend 2.0-3.0 SH [  ]

Reading for understanding and listening comprehension are the main activities in this course. Building vocabulary, writing through dictations, and pronunciation practice will also be used to reinforce language skills.
Prerequisite: FREN 102 or FREN 110 or placement.

FREN 211 Practical French 3.0 SH [  ]

After the first-year language requirement, students have the opportunity to further develop their French skills in a practical way. This includes working on internet sites for reading skills, the use of film and broadcasts for listening comprehension and cultural learning, and a major project on a subject of personal interest in a French/francophone cultural context.
Prerequisite: FREN 204 or placement.

FREN 216 Oral Expression & Conversation 3.0 SH [  ]

Emphasis on a variety of activities developing oral expression, as well as listening comprehension.
Prerequisite: FREN 205 or placement.

FREN 220 Contemp. French Civilization 3.0-5.0 SH [  ]

This course, typically taught on a Principia abroad program to a French-speaking area, requires study and work in French to understand the contemporary civilization of the area, including its historical context. The title will be extended to describe the current area being studied. May be taken more than once provided the area culture studied is different.
Prerequisite: FREN 205 or placement.

FREN 225 Intermediate Grammar 3.0 SH [  ]

Exercise in grammar and style. This course reinforces the student's foundation in written French at the intermediate level, as a preparation for further studies in French or as a refresher course.
Prerequisite: FREN 204 and FREN 205, or placement.

FREN 231 Francophone Culture 3.0 SH [  ]

This course offers backgrounds of cultural aspects of French-speaking world. It aims at developing a sense of global citizenship. Taught in French, with readings in French and sometimes in English, it helps students build their vocabulary as well as develop their reading, oral, listening comprehension and writing skills.
Prerequisite: FREN 205.

FREN 236 Lang &Culture Wrkshp Abroad II 3.0-6.0 SH [  ]

Immersive intermediate language and cultural studies at an academic institution or language learning center in a French-speaking country. Offered only for study abroad but may include on-campus study in the case of shorter stays abroad.
Prerequisite: FREN 102, FREN 110, FREN 136, or placement.

FREN 240 French Composition 3.0 SH [  ]

Writing in French is the main activity of this course. Students will be supported in their writing activity with relevant grammatical explanations as evidenced by the needs shown in their writing. Some specific readings in French will be used to generate ideas for creative writing.
Prerequisite: FREN 205 or placement.

FREN 241 French Pronunciation 1.0 SH [  ]

Introduction to French phonetic theory and practice of pronunciation of modern French.
Prerequisite: FREN 255 and either FREN 231 or FREN 260.

FREN 255 Textual Analysis and Writing 3.0 SH [  ]

Develops style and grammatical correctness; intensive work on creative writing with some reading. Includes practice in textual analysis and analytic writing about literary texts.
Prerequisite: FREN 205 or FREN 225.

FREN 260 Reading French Through Time 3.0 SH [  ]

This course approaches French literary history as a textual journey through time, using excerpts of major French literary texts from the Medieval to the contemporary period. Students develop reading, writing, oral, and analytical skills in French at the intermediate level.
Prerequisite: FREN 205 and FREN 255.

FREN 270 Intro to French Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

This course covers genre studies across the centuries, from the classics to the modern period, with the reading of complete works related to French culture. Students learn to analyze texts and improve their oral and written expression.
Prerequisite: FREN 216 or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

FREN 310 Advanced French 3.0 SH [  ]

Intensive analytical grammar and reading. Develops writing skills.
Prerequisite: three French courses above FREN 205 or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

FREN 315 Advanced Grammar & Composition 3.0 SH [  ]

This course develops writing skills at the advanced level, focusing on translation, idioms, and grammar through exercises.
Prerequisite: FREN 216.

FREN 316 Advanced French Conversation 3.0 SH [  ]

Advanced language study with a focus on developing conversational skills through reading and discussion on topics about French speaking countries. May be offered on Principia abroads.
Prerequisite: FREN 240 or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

FREN 320 Topics in French Literature 1.0-3.0 SH [  ]

Allows students to develop their reading skills and to broaden their knowledge of French literature. The content varies, and the title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be repeated one time up to six semester hours provided the topics differ.
Prerequisite: FREN 270.

FREN 331 Francophone Culture Sem:Topics 3.0 SH [  ]

Advanced readings and discussions of texts from authentic sources that reflect the uniqueness and diversity of the cultures within historical, political, and social contexts. Allows some in-depth research on topics of special interest to students. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be taken twice up to a total of six semester hours.
Prerequisite: FREN 216 and FREN 240 or placement.

FREN 336 Lang&Culture Wrkshp Abroad III 3.0-6.0 SH [  ]

Immersive advanced language and cultural studies at an academic institution or language learning center in a French-speaking country. Offered only for study abroad but may include on-campus study in the case of shorter stays abroad.
Prerequisite: FREN 240 or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

FREN 350 20th Century: Mind Revolutions 3.0 SH [  ]

This course looks at the twentieth century in France as an era of mental revolutions that helped to transform France and the French-speaking world. Reading of major literary authors of the period as well as oral and written textual analysis of the texts in their cultural contexts.
Prerequisite: FREN 316 or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

FREN 355 French Film 3.0 SH [  ]

Combines the viewing and discussion of classic and contemporary French films with the reading of related scripts and literature. In addition to written and oral responses to the films, students present either a brief acting project or a contemporary film from France or Francophone countries. Some background in reading literature in French is needed.
Prerequisite: FREN 205 and any course above FREN 205.

FREN 380 French Literature Seminar 3.0 SH [GEH]

Seminar in a particular topic of French literature. Offered upon sufficient demand. The title will be extended to describe the current topic.
Prerequisite: FREN 270.

FREN 410 Highlights of Francoph.Culture 1.0 SH [  ]

This lecture series sets in context the major achievements of French speaking peoples around the world from an historical, cultural, and literary perspective.
Prerequisite: One French course at the 300-level or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

FREN 470 Capstone 3.0 SH [  ]

Students complete a faculty-approved and self-directed culminating project for the major. The types of projects can be: a research project on the areas of French literature or culture, an internship, a service-learning project, or an experiential project - all relevant to languages and cultures. In all projects, a paper and presentation are required, and French must be the primary language.
Prerequisite: LANG 450.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
Field of Study Restrictions: French Majors only.