French
Professor Susan Schneibel, Chair, Division of Languages and Literature
The Minor in French consists of 15 credit hours above the 100-level, including French 201-202, 225 and six semester hours earned in an approved study abroad program. French 201-202, 225 or the equivalents, are prerequisites for students who intend to complete their minor in French by studying at one of the following approved study abroad programs: CIDEF, the summer exchange program at the Centre International d’Etudes Francaises de l’Universite Catholique de l’Ouest (CIDEF) in Angers, France; the exchange program with University of Avignon; or an approved course of study through the International Student Exchange Program.
Course Descriptions
- 110. Elementary French I
- 4 credit hours
- An introduction to French designed to give students the linguistic, cultural, and geographical background necessary to provide for their basic needs when they travel to a French- speaking country. Emphasis is also given to conversing in basic French within well-defined contexts, to reading short passages, and to writing simple sentences in French. Cultural concepts, grammatical structures, and vocabulary introduced in class are reinforced in small-group language practice sessions.
- 120. Elementary French II
- 4 credit hours
- Prerequisite: Placement into the course or French 110
- A sequel to French 110, designed to increase knowledge of the basic language, culture, and geography of the Francophone world. Emphasis is also given to increasing students’ capacity to converse, read, and write in French. Cultural concepts, grammatical structures, and vocabulary introduced in class are reinforced in small-group language practice sessions.
- 201. Intermediate French I
- 3 credit hours
- Prerequisite: Placement into the course or French 120
- A review and expansion of the grammar, culture, and vocabulary studied in elementary French. Linguistic tasks studied include describing, narrating, and giving opinions and information on a variety of topics. Emphasis is also given to strengthening reading and writing skills through a study of authentic Francophone texts, which may be drawn from the following media: film, newspapers, popular music, magazines, television, and literary prose and verse.
- 202. Intermediate French II
- 3 credit hours
- Prerequisite: Placement into the course or French 201
- A sequel to French 201, designed to increase students’ facility to speak and write sentences of greater structural sophistication that are logically connected in paragraph-length discourse. Increased emphasis is placed on communicating in past, future, and hypothetical situations. Study of authentic Francophone texts from various media is continued.
- 225. Intermediate Conversation and Composition 3 credit hours
- Prerequisite: French 201 or the equivalent
- A course designed to help students improve oral and written proficiency in French, building on grammar and idioms studied in previous courses. Basic conversational skills are stressed. This course is required for all students who plan, as part of the Minor in French, to study abroad in a French-speaking country.
- 343. Practicum
- 3 credit hours
- Prerequisite: French 202 or the equivalent
- On- or off-campus experience that provides a linguistic and cultural opportunity for students who wish to acquire practical knowledge of French beyond the intermediate level.
