French and Francophone StudiesFrench 110
Elementary French I
Staff
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
French 110 is the first semester of the elementary level sequence designed to develop functional proficiency in the four skills and gain familiarity with French and Francophone culture. The primary emphasis is on the development of the oral-aural skills, speaking and listening. Readings on topics in French culture as well as frequent writing practice are also included in the course.
As in other French courses, class will be conducted entirely in French. You will be guided through a variety of communicative activities in class which will expose you to a rich input of spoken French and lead you from structured practice to free expression. You will be given frequent opportunity to practice your newly acquired vocabulary and grammatical structures in small group and pair work which simulate real-life situations. The course will introduce you to French and Francophone culture through authentic materials including written documents, simple articles, songs, films, videos, and taped conversations between native speakers. Out-of-class homework will require practice with CDs as well as regular writing practice. The course will also invite you to explore the Francophone world on the Internet.
French 120
Elementary French II
Staff
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
French 120 is the second semester continuation of the elementary level sequence designed to develop functional proficiency in the four skills and gain familiarity with French and Francophone culture. The primary emphasis is on the development of the oral-aural skills, speaking and listening. Readings on topics in French culture as well as frequent writing practice are also included in the course.
As in other French courses, class will be conducted entirely in French. You will be guided through a variety of communicative activities in class which will expose you to rich input of spoken French and lead you from structured practice to free expression. You will be given frequent opportunity to practice your newly acquired vocabulary and
grammatical structures in small group and pair work which simulate real-life situations. The course will introduce you to French and Francophone culture through authentic materials including written documents, simple articles, songs, films, videos, and taped conversations between native speakers. Out-of-class homework will require practice
with CDs as well as regular writing practice. The course will also invite you to explore the Francophone world on the Internet.
French 130
Intermediate French I
Staff
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
French 130 is the first half of a two-semester intermediate sequence designed to help you attain a level of proficiency that should allow you to function comfortably in a French-speaking environment. You are expected to have already learned the most basic grammatical structures in elementary French and you will review these on your own in the course workbook. This course will build on your existing skills in French, increase your confidence and ability to read, write, speak, and understand French, and introduce you to more refined lexical items, more complex grammatical structures, and more challenging cultural material. Students having completed French 120, or with an SATII score of 450 - 540 or a placement score between 30 and 35 should enroll in this course.
As in other French courses at Penn, class will be conducted entirely in French. In addition to structured oral practice, work in class will include frequent communicative activities such as role-plays, problem-solving tasks, discussions, and debates, often carried out in pairs or small groups. Through the study of authentic materials such as articles, poems, songs, films, videos, and taped conversations between native speakers you will deepen your knowledge of the French-speaking world. The course explores the customs and values prevailing in France, Senegal, Cameroun, Martinique, and other cultures, with a focus on living standards, family traditions, cuisine, and leisure activities. Daily homework will require listening practice with audio and video material, in addition to regular written exercises in the workbook and frequent composition practice. The course will also invite you to explore the Francophone world on the Internet.
French 134
Intermediate French: Accelerated
Staff
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
French 140
Intermediate French II
Staff
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
French 140 is the second half of a two-semester intermediate sequence designed to help you attain a level of proficiency that should allow you to function comfortably in a French-speaking environment. You are expected to have already learned the most basic grammatical structures in elementary French and will review these on your own in the course workbook. This course will build on your existing skills in French, increase your confidence and ability to read, write, speak, and understand French, and introduce you to more refined lexical items, more complex grammatical structures, and more challenging cultural material.
This course focuses on the culture of French-speaking countries beyond the borders of France. Along with your classmates, you will explore the cities of Dakar, Fort-de-France and Marrakesh, investigating the diversity of the francophone world through film, literature and music. As in other French courses at Penn, class is conducted entirely in French. In addition to structured oral practice, work in class will include frequent communicative activities such as problem-solving tasks, discussions, and debates, often carried out in pairs or small groups. Daily homework will require researching in the library and on the Internet, listening practice with video-clips, in addition to regular written exercises in the workbook.
French 180
Advanced French In Residence
Staff
Open only to residents in La Maison Francaise
French 202
Advanced French
Staff
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
French 202 is a one-semester third-year level French course. It is designed to prepare students for subsequent study in upper level courses in French and francophone literature, linguistics, civilization, cinema, etc.
It is also the appropriate course for those students who have time for only one more French course and wish to solidify their knowledge of the language by continuing to work on all four skills - speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students’ work will be evaluated both in terms of progress in language skills and of ability to handle and engage in the content areas.
The class studies two thematic units dealing with a wide variety of magazine articles, literary texts, historical documents, movies, songs, etc. In the first dossier, students get a chance to expand their knowledge of French history, with one major focus on World War II and the German occupation of France. In the second dossier, students study youth-related issues (such as upbringing and education, television, unemployment, racism, etc…). While touching upon issues of identity in France, the class engages the students into an intercultural dialogue which enables them to be more aware of the differences and similarities between the two countries.
French 211
French for Professions I
Prof. Ciesco
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
This content-based language course, taught in French, introduces economic, business, and professional terminology through the study of the following topics: financial institutions (banking, stock market and insurance); business practices (business letters and resumes); trade and advertising; the internal structure and legal forms of French companies.
The course also emphasizes verbal communication through three components:
- In-class activities such as problem-solving tasks, discussions and debates.
- The study of authentic materials such as newspapers and magazines’ articles, video clips, and radio shows.
- A series of students’ presentations.
Finally, in order to use and practice the new economic and business terminology studied in this course, and to also further explore the structure, the management, and the operations of the French companies, students will work in pairs on a research project about a major French company of their choice.
One of the other goals of this course is to also prepare the students to take one of the exams offered by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry: the Diplôme de Français Professionnel, Affaires, C1. This exam will be held on campus in April.
Prerequites: Intermediate-high / advanced level of French (French 202 highly recommended). No business background necessary.
French 212
Advanced French Grammar & Composition
Staff
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
French 214
Advanced Composition & Conversation
Prof. Philippon-Daniel
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
This course is designed to promote Advanced-level speaking and writing skills.
It offers extensive practice with varied language structures, styles of
expression and textual forms. It will also help students better understand
contemporary French culture, thought and modes of expression. Activities
include the study, analysis and emulation of model texts, discussion and debate
about current events as they are treated in the French news media (television,
print, Internet sources). Students will take part in class discussions, do one
oral presentation based on research and compile a writing portfolio (journal,
essays, blog).
(French 202 and/or 212 recommended.)
French 217
French Phonetics
Prof. Moisset
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
This course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in French phonetics and phonology. Part of the course will be devoted to learning how to produce discourse with native-like French pronunciation, rhythm and intonation. The second half of the course will be devoted to improving aural comprehension by examining stylistic and dialectical differences in spoken French.
French 222
Perspectives in French Literature
Staff
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
This basic course in literature acquaints students with major French literary trends through the study of representative works from each period. Students learn to situate and analyze literary texts. They are expected to take an active part in class discussion in French. French 222 has as its theme the Individual and Society.
French 227
Modern France
Prof. Peron
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
French cultural and social history from the Revolution of 1789 to the liberation of Paris in 1944. Readings in primary and secondary sources. Movies include Danton, Les Fragments d'Antonin, L'Armee des Ombres.
Required for majors, also of particular interest to majors in History, International Relations. The course is taught is French.
French 313
French for Professions II
Prof. Ciesco
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
The course, conducted entirely in French, emphasizes verbal communication in business professional situations through three components. First, a series of student’s presentations, in-class activities (using newspapers’ articles, technical readings, radio shows and films), and debates on the following topics (list not exhaustive) related to France’s economy and society:
The role of the State in France’s economy
The French fiscal system
Labor (impact of the 35-hour workweek, “congés”, women in the workplace, etc…)
Regions of France (production)
Major French industries / companies / brands
France’s major imports / exports
“Green business”
Business of pop culture
Second, as effective communication is based not only on linguistic proficiency but also on cultural proficiency, cultural differences mostly between Americans and French will be explored.
Finally, throughout the semester, students will work in groups on the creation of their own business, association, or other organization and will be invited to present their project to the class at the end of the semester.
On completion of the course, students will also have the opportunity to take the Diplôme de Français Professionnel – DFP Affaires (C1) administered by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Prerequisites: An intermediate high to advanced level of French. French for the Professions I (211) highly advisable. No business background necessary.
French 322
France and the European Union
Prof. Slowinski
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
The European Union (EU) has grown from a Western European entity of six member states to a pan-European organization of 27 countries. The course will first address the process and impact of enlargement and the prospects of future enlargement, particularly to Turkey.
The nature of European integration and its multi-level governance will then be discussed through a variety of topics, including:
- The history (Franco-German couple – hesitations of Great Britain) and institutions of the European Union (policy making in the EU)
- The Economic and Monetary Union (from an economic community to a political union?) including an analysis of the recent euro crisis
- The Foreign, Security, and Defense Policies (with special attention to the relationship with NATO and the United States)
Finally, the European cultural and social model will be assessed particularly in the context of the recent financial crisis.
Two papers will be required: The first will be an analysis of the history and institutions of the EU, through the debate: Europe of States vs. State of Europe, and the second a discussion of the European social model vs. American economic liberalism
French 325
Advanced French Translation
Prof. Philippon-Daniel
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
This course is designed to foster an awareness of the differences between
syntactical and lexical patterns of French and English. It focuses on the
theory and practice of translation. Students will learn techniques to apply to
the translation of literary, journalistic and advertising texts from English
to French and vice versa and to the subtitling of audiovisual materials.
Students should have a good knowledge of French grammar.
(French 212 or equivalent recommended.)
French 370
French Literature of the 19 th Century: Hugo et Balzac
Prof. Goulet
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
“Victor Hugo était un fou qui se croyait Victor Hugo .” Jean Cocteau “La Société française allait être l’historien, je ne devais être le secrétaire.” Balzac
Victor Hugo’s larger-than-life romanticism and Honoré de Balzac’s ambitious realism represent two major strands of French literature that still hold cultural resonance today. Known for their blockbuster classics like Les Misérables and Le Père Goriot, Hugo and Balzac give modern readers a glimpse of the shifting hierarchies and political passions of post-revolutionary Paris, while providing us with enduring characters and philosophical reflections on history, society, and literary representation. In this course, we will closely read three texts by each author, as well as some secondary critical articles on their lives and work. Readings and discussion will be in French. *Note: you may want to get a head start over break on Notre-Dame de Paris, the longest novel in our syllabus.
French 389
Anthropology and French Modernism
Prof. Richman
(See Course Timetable(s) for time(s))
The goal of this course is to explore the French specificity of a critical perspective resulting from the ethnographic detour into other cultures. The results figure among the most daring social, political, literary, and artistic innovations of modern intellectual and cultural history. Following an introduction to the formation of “anthropological thinking” from the Renaissance encounter with the New World in the essays of Montaigne, we focus on its revival at the turn of the nineteenth century in the art of Gauguin and the “ethno-fiction” of Segalen. We then follow the emergence of an “ethnographic surrealism” during the interwar period, the fascination with Spain and Spanish bullfighting, the ethnographic cinema of Jean Rouch, and the polemic between Lévi-Strauss and Derrida regarding the politics of writing. Our survey concludes with a visit to the Penn Anthropology and Archaeology Museum.
Conducted entirely in French.