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Division of Humanities
Ken Keffer (chair), Karin
Ciholas, Werner Klimke, Marie Manheim, Patrice Mothion; students: Nathan
Henceroth, Jody Pearcy, Sherri Rose, Lauren Van Horn
When the Medici family sought a motto to express their optimism and humanism, they chose "Le Temps Revient," a French expression meaning "The Great Age Returns." Their choice of French was not accidental, for the study of this language offers a royal path to discovering the complexity of human experience from the Oaths of Strasbourg in the ninth century to the present. The French major and minor programs at Centre help students discover the will to be scholar-citizens informed about the literature, art, music, and history of France, curious about international affairs relating to Francophone countries, and desirous of communicating with French-speaking people here and abroad.
Recommended Freshman-Sophomore Preparation
Students considering a major in French are encouraged to plan their academic program to include as wide a distribution of courses as possible regardless of their professional or vocational objectives. Prospective majors should consider taking courses in literature, history, philosophy, and the fine arts.
Requirements for the Major
FRE 210, 220, 260, 270 or
equivalent;
Any six FRE courses numbered 300 or higher;
FRE 500.
Note: It is strongly recommended that majors and minors participate in
a term abroad in our Centre-in-Europe program in Strasbourg, France, as
an integral component of their French studies.
Requirements for the Minor
FRE 210, 220, 260, 270 or
equivalent;
Any three FRE courses numbered above 300. One course numbered 240-259
taken at Strasbourg may be substituted for one of the junior-senior courses.
French Courses
FRE 110, 120 Introduction
to French Language and Culture-I, II (four credit hours each)
An introduction to French language and culture. FRE 110 references
our abroad program in Strasbourg; FRE 120 references the Tour de France
bicycle race. Prerequisite: 110 for 120.
FRE 150 Fundamentals-IV
This course is designed for students in Strasbourg who have met the
minimum proficiency level in French but have not studied French since
entering Centre. The course uses materials comparable to FRE 110 but students
are given additional assignments dependent on their individual capabilities.
FRE 210, 220 Intermediate Workshop
A course in simple French emphasizing conversation and treating one
or more of the following topics: painting, history, cinema, song, or current
events. Prerequisite: FRE 120 or placement.
FRE 260 Joan of Arc
A course tracing the history and civilization of France from its medieval
beginnings through the life and legend of Joan of Arc; primary sources
from her trials and her portayal in literature, art, music and film; emphasis
on French language skills including composition and debate. Prerequisite:
FRE 220 or placement.
FRE 270 Napoleon Bonaparte
The life and times of this military figure and statesman introduces
students to the upper-level study of France after the Revolution; primary
source material and portrayal in literature, art, music and film; emphasis
on French language skills including composition and debate. Prerequisite:
FRE 220 or placement.
FRE 230-249/330-349 Special Topics
Immersion experience, travel to Francophone regions, or topical courses.
Prerequisite: FRE 120 or placement for 200-level; FRE 210 or placement
for 300-level. 2001-2002 Topic:
FRE 250/450 Balzac and Brittany
A study of Balzac's love-hate relationship with Brittany, the Celtic
province located in the western part of France. Students are introduced
to the history of Brittany as well as the Celtic revival that France is
now experiencing (in music, art and food) while studying Balzac's first
novel, Les Chouans. Prerequisites: FRE 260 for 450; FRE 210 for 250.
FRE 320 Writing Workshop
Students explore ways of writing in French--from quill pen to internet,
from poem to offial letter--in order to explore style and grammar at an
advanced level. Prerequisite: FRE 210 or placement.
FRE 350 Contemporary French Culture
A systematic study of Modern France and its social institutions. Offered
in Strasbourg. Prerequisite: FRE 210 or placement.
FRE 410 Food for Thought
A study of the different aspects of the French culinary tradition in literature,
from Renart's hunger in the Middle Ages to Astérix's banquets.
Prerequisite: FRE 260 or 270.
FRE 420 The Art of Love
Great love stories of the French literary tradition from early Troubadour
love songs to New Wave cinema. Prerequisite: FRE 260 or 270.
FRE 430 The Molière Stage
A course using the rehearsal, design and staging of a major play by
Molière (Tartuffe, Le Misanthrope, Le Bourgeois gentilhomme...)
as the chief means of exploring classicism in 17th-century France. Prerequisite:
FRE 260 or 270.
FRE 440 Paris in French Literature
Study of the growth and development of the French capital from Lutetia
to the City of Lights as reflected in French literature; course includes
study of the representation of Paris in art and study of its architecture.
Prerequisite: FRE 260 or 270.
FRE 450 Utopia and the Self
A study of the ways in which French essayists and novelists, from
the Renaissance to the early 20th century, have described the relationship
between the individual and society; emphasis on the "moralist"
writings of Montaigne, Pascal, Rousseau, Chateaubriand, and Proust. Prerequisite:
FRE 260 or 270.
FRE 460 Existential Choices
An exploration of spiritual dilemmas from Pascal to Sartre; an application
of these questions to the life of students. Prerequisite: FRE 260 or 270.
FRE 500 Senior Seminar (one credit hour)
Weekly meetings with French program faculty for discussion of topics
of mutual interest between faculty and senios. Offered on a pass/unsatisfactory
basis only. Prerequisite: Senior French major.