University Catalog 2024-2025

World Languages - French (WLFR)

WLFR 101  Elementary French I  (3 credit hours)  

First in a four-course sequence to develop language skills. Oral and written practice in classroom and language laboratory. Readings in French culture and civilization.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

WLFR 102  Elementary French II  (3 credit hours)  

Continuation of WLFR 101 with intensive practice in spoken French. Readings in French culture and civilization.

Prerequisite: WLFR 101

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

WLFR 201  Intermediate French I  (3 credit hours)  

Third of four consecutive courses to develop skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Readings and discussions of French culture, civilization and literature.

Prerequisite: WLFR 102 or WLFR 110

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

WLFR 202  Intermediate French II  (3 credit hours)  

Last of four sequential language courses. Increased emphasis on reading and writing. Readings in the literature, culture, and civilization of France and the Francophone world.

Prerequisite: WLFR 201 or WLFR 212

GEP Global Knowledge

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

WLFR 212  French: Language, Culture, and Technology  (3 credit hours)  

A study of the language structures and vocabulary necessary for an intermediate level of communication in French together with cultural and technological issues of our global society, in the context of the French-speaking world and the European Union. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation for required field trip. Fulfills the WLFR 201 requirement.

Prerequisite: WLFR 102 or WLFR 110

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Typically offered in Fall only

WLFR 301  Survey of French Literature from the Middle Ages through the Enlightenment  (3 credit hours)  

Reading and discussion of representative works with attention to literary analysis as well as to historical and cultural background.

Prerequisite: An advanced language skills course (WLFR 308 or WLFR 310 or WLFR 315) or WLFR 202 with permission of instructor.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Fall only

WLFR 302  Survey of French Literature from Romanticism to the Contemporary Period  (3 credit hours)  

Reading and discussion of representative works with attention to literary analysis as well as to historical and cultural background.

Prerequisite: An advanced language skills course (WLFR 308, 310, 315) or WLFR 202 with consent of instructor.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Spring only

WLFR 306  French Business Communication  (3 credit hours)  

Study of major forms of written and oral business communication used in the French-speaking world. Extensive work with current, culturally authentic materials. Emphasis on development of practical communicative skills, with special attention to cross-cultural comparisons of French and American business practices and modes of communication.

Prerequisite: WLFR 202

This course is offered alternate even years

WLFR 307  Business French  (3 credit hours)  

Business French vocabulary and concepts with emphasis on cultural differences and their importance in the new global village business world.

Prerequisite: WLFR 202

Typically offered in Fall only

WLFR 308  Advanced Conversation: Contemporary French Cultures  (3 credit hours)  

Conversation and reading emphasizing idiomatic and practical usage with attention to contemporary civilization and cultures of the French speaking world. Emphasis on social structures, political features, events, world views and modes of communication.

Prerequisite: WLFR 202

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

WLFR 309  French Phonetics and Pronunciation  (3 credit hours)  

A study of the oral production of standard French with the aim of improving pronunciation, fluency and skill in communication. Extensive oral practice through conversation and phonetics.

Prerequisite: WLFR 202

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

WLFR 310  Advanced Written Communication  (3 credit hours)  

An in-depth study of French written communication at the advanced level, including the more advanced aspects of the French grammar with extensive writing practice serving a variety of practical communicative needs.

Prerequisite: WLFR 202

Typically offered in Fall only

WLFR 315  French Civilization and Culture  (3 credit hours)  

French civilization and culture from its origins to the modern period. Reading and discussion of the social, cultural, economic and political structures of France, including its geography, history, music, art and national consciousness.

Prerequisite: WLFR 202

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

WLFR 318  The Heritage of French Cinema  (3 credit hours)  

Survey of the major contributions of French cinema from its origins to the present. Attention to film as an artistic medium and to the cinematic representation of French history and culture. Reading, discussion, and viewing of films including Un Chien Andalou, La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc, Le Retour de Martin Guerre, La Marseillaise, Les 400 Coups, and Diva.

Prerequisite: 3 hrs. in French at 300 level

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Spring only

WLFR 321  French Cultures and Contexts  (3 credit hours)  

An approach to important periods in the history of French culture through the reading of texts by several important writers. Films, slides, painting, music, and the Internet will be included to put the readings in a cultural context.

Prerequisites: WLFR 308 and WLFR 310

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

This course is offered alternate years

WLFR 401  French Graduate Reading  (3 credit hours)  

Basic French grammar, with special attention to characteristics of formal expository style, and illustrative readings. Study of extracts from scholarly publications in students' areas of research. Prepares students to take the graduate foreign language certification exam.

Typically offered in Fall only

WLFR 411  Approaches to French Translation  (3 credit hours)  

Intensive practice of translating to and from French a variety of texts selected from the areas of business, law, technology and science, as well as literature and the arts. Focus on Documentation, Research and Translation techniques and ethics.

Prerequisite: at least two French (WLFR) 300 level courses

This course is offered alternate years

WLFR 425/WLFR 525  Literature, Cinema and Culture of the Francophone World  (3 credit hours)  

A study of a number of literary texts and films from across the spectrum of the Francophone world - West Africa, the Maghreb, and the Caribbean. Through these texts and films we will study the diversity of the French colonial empire as well as the different historical, political and cultural effects of colonialism and postcolonialism. Films, videos, internet sites will be used. Course taught in French.

Prerequisite: Junior Standing and one course in French literature.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Spring only

WLFR 492  Seminar in French Studies  (3 credit hours)  

A small-group study of a topic in literature resulting in either a substantial essay or series of essays by each student. Topics vary each semester.

Prerequisite: Junior standing and 6 hrs in French literature

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

WLFR 502  Variety in Language: French  (3 credit hours)  

Structure and evolution of the French language. A study of language variety in the French-speaking world. Attention to the historical evolution of the language through time, and an analysis of the phonological, morphological and syntactic features of modern French. Use of the World Wide Web will enable students to access material from many parts of the Globe. Course taught in French.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

WLFR 511  Approaches to French Translation  (3 credit hours)  

Intensive practice of translating to and from French a variety of texts selected from the areas of business, law, technology and science, as well as literature and the arts. Focus on Documentation, Research and Translation techniques and ethics.Course taught in French. Credit not allowed for both 411 & 511.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

WLFR 516  Art and Society in France  (3 credit hours)  

An overview of the visual arts in France, defined broadly, and their relationship to French society and culture: painting, architecture, photography, cinema, book production, gardens, fashion, cuisine, television, popular culture, and mass media will be studied.Course taught in French.

Typically offered in Spring only

WLFR 520  Approaches to Literary Theory and Culture  (3 credit hours)  

A survey of literary theory in the 20th century with a particular focus on French thought and culture and French literary history. Examines the virtues and pitfalls of these approaches to the study of culture and literature. A course on issues, concepts, theorists and the social, historical and political context in which the theorists are writing. Taught in French. No formal pre-requisites. However, some advanced literature background is recommended.

Restriction: Graduate Standing

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

WLFR 521  French Cultures and Contexts  (3 credit hours)  

Study of important periods in the history of French culture through the reading of key literary texts. Films, slides, painting, music, and the Internet will be included to put the readings in a cultural context. Topics vary. Students cannot get credit for both 421/521.

Prerequisite: Graduate status required for WLFR 521

Typically offered in Fall only

WLFR 525/WLFR 425  Literature, Cinema and Culture of the Francophone World  (3 credit hours)  

A study of a number of literary texts and films from across the spectrum of the Francophone world - West Africa, the Maghreb, and the Caribbean. Through these texts and films we will study the diversity of the French colonial empire as well as the different historical, political and cultural effects of colonialism and postcolonialism. Films, videos, internet sites will be used. Course taught in French.

Prerequisite: Junior Standing and one course in French literature.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Humanities

Typically offered in Spring only

WLFR 592  Seminar in French Studies  (3 credit hours)  

Seminar on literary, linguistic, or cultural topic in French studies. Research paper and oral presentation required. Conducted entirely in French. Rotating topics. Credit allowed for both 492 and 592 if topics are distinct.

Prerequisite: At least one 400-level French class or Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

WLFR 595  Special Topics in French  (3-6 credit hours)  

In depth exploration of specialized topics in French literature, culture or language. Also used to test and develop new courses. Course taught in French.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

WLFR 630  Independent Study in French  (1-3 credit hours)  

Individualized study in French language or literature at the graduate level. Topic and mode of study to be determined in consultation with the faculty member supervising work.

Typically offered in Spring only

WLFR 675  Special Project in French  (1-3 credit hours)  

Individual project in French language or literature at the graduate level. Topic and mode of study to be determined in consultation with student's project advisory committee within the parameters of specific options.

Prerequisite: Student must be in final semester of his or her program.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

WLFR 688  Non-Thesis Masters Continuous Registration - Half Time Registration  (1 credit hours)  

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall only