French Courses

FR 110/120. ELEMENTS OF FRENCH I, II (4 CREDITS EACH)
This two-semester sequence is an introduction to the French language. At the completion of the series, students will have achieved basic proficiency in the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and oral comprehension. Four contact hours with the instructor. Prerequisite: placement. A minimum grade of C- must be attained to advance from one course to the next.

FR 130. INTERMEDIATE FRENCH (4) (GEN. ED. #2)
A continuation of FR 110 and FR 120, this course focuses on the further acquisition of linguistic skills (understanding oral and written French, speaking, and writing) taught in cultural context. Includes close reading of short pieces by Francophone authors, close viewing of audiovisual materials, and discussion of particular cultural elements in the target language. Four contact hours with an instructor. Prerequisite: placement test or FR 120 with a minimum grade of C-.

FR 230. CONVERSATION AND COMPREHENSION (4)
Development of comprehension and conversation skills through the study of French films, television programs, readings of contemporary texts, followed by discussions. Special attention given to the acquisition and active use of pertinent vocabulary and language structures. Four contact hours with the instructor. Prerequisite: FR 130 with a minimum grade of C-.

FR 231. L-T-L SPECIAL TOPICS IN AFRICAN LITERATURE AND FILM (1)
This Linkage-Through-Language course is an option for students proficient in French and concurrently enrolled inWL 230. Students meet and discuss (in French) various francophone texts related to the general syllabus ofWL 230.Written assignments are also in French. Corequisite withWL 230 and approval of the instructor.

FR 235. WRITTEN EXPRESSION (3)
A review of the basic sentence patterns of French, with emphasis on the problems they raise for users of the English language.Writing of exercises, compositions, and translations. Prerequisite: FR 130 with a minimum grade of C-.

FR 245. BOUILLON DE CULTURE-INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH STUDIES (4) (GEN. ED. #9)
This course traces significant themes in the evolution of French culture from the Middle Ages to the post-WorldWar II era. It prepares students to integrate concepts and methods drawn from the social sciences and the humanities in the study of French and Francophone culture. Special attention is given to building a cogent argument in French (oral and written), cinematic and textual analysis, and to the critical reading of sources in French history. Prerequisite: one 200-level French course.

FR 256. EXPLORING LITERATURE (19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES) (4) (GEN. ED. #9)
A survey course in French literature of the 19th and 20th centuries, this course includes readings from the Romantic poets to present-day novelists and experimental writing. Special attention is given to reading strategy, textual analysis, and concepts in literary theory. Prerequisite: one 200- level French course. Offered 2011-12 and alternate years.

FR 258. CURRENT EVENTS IN FIFTH-REPUBLIC FRANCE (4) (GEN. ED. #10)
This course examines contemporary French society in the context of the major social and cultural changes of the Fifth Republic era. Students gain an understanding of singularity of recent issues of culture and identity in France by situating them with respect to their historical antecedents. A key focus of the course is the distinctive French democratic tradition and its recent evolution. Prerequisite: one 200-level French course.

FR 272G. INTENSIVE COURSE ABROAD (3)
This is a three-week intensive course abroad during the summer or winter intersession.

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN AVIGNON (3) (GEN. ED. #3, #9)
This course integrates the study of language and culture through a three-week immersion experience in Avignon. The course includes a general introduction to the history, politics, and contemporary culture of Avignon and the Provence region. Students examine French/American cultural difference through independent projects, excursions, guest lecturers and/or performers. Group activities include cooking classes, plays and films, and a three-day trip to the small town of Taulignan. The program includes intensive language exposure and placement with home-stay families. Prerequisite: FRE 130 (or equivalent proficiency) and permission of instructor.

FR 272Y. INTENSIVE COURSE ABROAD
Courses include a pre-departure or post-departure discussion (or both) in the fall or spring term and a three-week intensive course abroad in the winter intersession or summer.

FRENCH THEATRE IN PARIS AND MARSEILLE: LANGUAGES OF PERFORMANCE (6 OR 8) (THE 272Y) (GEN. ED. #3, #8)
This course is an experiential introduction to the dynamic world of the contemporary French theatre in Avignon, Marseille, and Paris. Students get to know each area through French theatre artists (amateurs, students, and professionals). Building on longstanding exchanges between these artists and Goucher students and faculty, the course furthers language skills in immersion environments such as homestay families, theatre workshops, and cooking classes. Experienced theatre students profit from direct engagement with French traditions of acting and staging, while beginners discover and develop skills such as vocal projection, stage presence, and characterization. For all students, theatre offers tools for developing conversational ease in French while plays and performances provide a window into contemporary French culture. The capstone project is a Goucher Theatre Department production presented as part of the Department's fall program. Each student's participation is based on the individual's skills and interests. Students may choose to perform an acting role, contribute to visual elements such as costumes or scenery, perform dance or music, participate as a producer/administrator, or pursue research relevant to the production. This 8-credit course (4 in French, 4 in theatre) includes a sevenweek component in the spring, a three-week program abroad in May/June, and a seven-week component in the fall. Seniors and others unable to participate in the fall may take only the Spring and May/June components for 6 credits.

FR 290. INTERNSHIP IN FRENCH (3-4)
Projects in which students make use of their foreign language skills in a work environment in this country or abroad with a government agency, business, or nonprofit organization. This course is graded pass/no pass only.
Department.

FR 295. L-T-L ANTHROPOLOGY OF FRANCE (1) (GEN. ED. #10)
Students enroll simultaneously in ANT 238/HIS 227 and follow the syllabus of that course while pursuing an additional unit of study in French. This section meets for two hours alternate weeks to discuss readings and films and to hear guest speakers. Final project must be in French. Prerequisite: FR 130 or 200-level proficiency in French. Approval of instructor required before enrollment.

FR 299. INDEPENDENT WORK (1-4)
Department. Variable semesters.

FR 330. SPECIAL TOPICS IN FRENCH LITERATURE (4) (GEN. ED. #8 WHEN TOPIC APPLIES)
Exploration of a theme in French literature. Topic varies from year to year (e.g., French women authors, love in French literature, French cinema, journeys in French literature). Required readings and written essays in French. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Prerequisites: FR 245 or 256.

FR 333. SPECIAL TOPICS IN FRENCH CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION (4) (GEN. ED. #11 WHEN TOPIC APPLIES)
Exploration of a theme in contemporary French society. Conducted in a seminar format, this course encourages the oral participation of students. Topic varies from year to year (e.g., the French through their food, generations and social change since 1945, Marseille: between Europe and the Mediterranean). May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Prerequisite: FR 245, or 258.

FR 351. TOPICS IN FRANCOPHONE AFRICAN LITERATURE & CINEMA (3) (GEN. ED. #9 AND #10)
Topics in Francophone African Literature and Cinema examines cultural texts from the 20th and 21st centuries, produced in French inWestern and North Africa. Topics have included: Women's Francophone Literature;West-African Cinema; Violence and Reconciliation in Sub-Saharan Literature; The Cinema of the Maghreb. Repeatable if topic is different. Prerequisite: FR 235, 245, or 256.

FR 400. INDEPENDENT WORK (1.5-4)
Department.

FR 450. SENIOR THESIS (4 EACH SEMESTER)

PARIS PROGRAM (STUDY-ABROAD IN FRENCH): FALL AND SPRING

In order to qualify for the Paris program, students need to have completed two courses at the 200 level, one of which must be FR 245. Participants in the Goucher College Paris program take required courses and are placed into a half-time internship connected with a semester-long research project. The resulting research essay (written in French) needs to be shared with the faculty of the department upon the student's return from Paris on campus. All courses are taught in French. The following are required: 209 or 210 (depending on individual placement evaluation upon arrival at the Sorbonne), FR 290P and FR 252.
Department.

FR 209. ADVANCED FRENCH LANGUAGE I (8)
This third-year course includes thorough grammar review, vocabulary-building exercises, the study of idiomatic structures, textual exegeses, and written composition. An important component is a phonetics practicum then aims to improve a student's pronunciation through intensive drills in the language laboratory and through individual conferences with the instructor for diagnosis and correction of particular pronunciation problems.

FR 210. ADVANCED FRENCH LANGUAGE II (8)
This fourth-year course emphasizes complex grammatical structures, developing a literary vocabulary, techniques of textual exegesis, and appreciation for the various prose styles of literary expression. An important component is a phonetics practicum that aims to improve a student's pronunciation through intensive drills in the language laboratory and through individual conferences with the instructor for diagnosis and correction of particular pronunciation problems.

FR 252. PARIS-FRANCE (3)
This course centers on Paris as a French cultural center and on the history of Paris and its relationship with France. Themes include: urbanization, cultural geography and understanding the Grand Paris in the French cultural and socio-political nexus. In its focus on the contemporary period, it pays special attention to recent state projects such as L'Institut du Monde Arabe, le Palais de Tokyo, and the Museum of Immigration. On-site visits included.

FR 290P INTERNSHIP IN PARIS RESEARCH PROJECT (6)
Each project is designed by the student in connection with an internship in Paris. Placement in internships to be determined by the Goucher in Paris staff. This semester-long course has three components: (a) a methodology seminar; (b) the internship proper; and (c) a language tutorial designed to help the student in his or her guided independent research project.