|
Table of Contents Academic Life Academic Regulations The Academic Programs International and Off-Campus Studies Special Programs Admissions and Financial Aid Life Outside the Classroom People Facts and Figures College Calendar |
French (ROMANCE LANGUAGES) http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/french/ Chair, 2000-01: Mary Cisar, Romance Languages, 18th century French literature, feminist criticism, Franco-manitoban studies Faculty, 2000-01: Wendy Allen, Romance Languages,17th century French literature, contemporary France, the Maghreb, second language acquisition; Jolene Barjasteh, Romance Languages, 19th century French literature, autobiography; Scott Homler, Romance Languages, 20th century French literature, Francophone literature, culture, and civilization; Debra Latimer, Romance Languages, French language and culture; M. Clare Mather, Romance Languages, Francophone theater, QuÈbec studies; HervÈ Pensec, Romance Languages, medieval and 16th century French literature, classical theater, Francophone Caribbean literature and culture French holds an important position among the world's languages. More than 200 million people around the world -- in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and Indochina -- speak French. French remains, with English, one of the two languages into which all documents must be translated in the United Nations. Thus, students considering careers in business, diplomacy, the church, or teaching wisely choose to complete a major in French, sometimes along with another major. Studying French and other Francophone culture, civilization and literature, students develop oral and written language skills, analytical thinking, and familiarity with diverse philosophies and perspectives, all of which are central to liberal arts education with a global perspective. The French section of the Department of Romance Languages offers a variety of courses, on campus and abroad, in French language, culture/civilization, and literature for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students, both majors and non-majors.To expand students' exposure to French beyond the formal classroom setting, the department promotes a French conversation table, and St. Olaf provides an honor house (Maison franÁaise) that serves as a focal point for French cultural and social activities (lectures, films, musical groups, celebrations). OVERVIEW OF THE FRENCH MAJOR In courses for the major, students gain understanding of Francophone literature, civilization and contemporary culture as they develop analytical and communication skills in the language. Level II courses are divided into two sequences. In 250-level courses, students practice and refine their emerging language skills while developing the ability to do close textual analysis. In 270-level courses, students explore the diverse cultures and literatures of the Francophone world. Level III courses build upon students' interpretive skills and their knowledge of the Francophone world. Students examine the notions of a particular topic or genre through the analysis of representative works. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJORS All French majors should study in France or in another Francophone country. This is particularly important to French teaching majors and minors. Students who participate in an approved semester St. Olaf study abroad program may count two courses in French, plus one approved course in history toward the major. Students who participate in an approved year-long St. Olaf study abroad program may count three courses in French, plus one approved course in History toward the major. Requirements for a Graduation Major: A student must take eight courses in French above French 232 (one may be 233 ; the major must include two 250-level courses, two 270-level courses, at least one of which must be taken on campus, and two 300-level courses taken on campus), and History 226 or History 235, or an approved history course taken abroad. Independent study or research may not be counted in lieu of any of the courses referred to above. Requirements for a Teaching Major: A student must take: eight courses in French above 232; one approved applied linguistics course (may be taken abroad); History 226 or 235 or an approved history course taken abroad; Education 353 (and other required courses for teacher certification -- see Department of Education) The eight courses in French above 232 must include one immersion course (French 233, 250, 275, or other approved immersion course), two 250-level courses, two 270-level courses, and two 300-level courses. Students not taking an approved course in applied linguistics abroad must take English 274. Students who participate in an approved year-long St. Olaf study abroad program may count three courses in French, plus one approved course in applied linguistics, and one in history toward the major. Independent study or research may not be counted in lieu of any of the courses referred to above. (Consult World Language Licensure Adviser.) Requirements for a Teaching Minor: Students must take four courses in French above 232; one approved applied linguistics course (may be taken abroad), History 226 or 235 or an approved history course taken abroad, and Education 353 (and other required courses for teacher certification -- see Department of Education) The four courses in French above 232 must include at least one immersion course (French 233, 250, 275, or other approved immersion course). Students not taking an approved course in applied linguistics abroad must take English 274. A maximum of one off-campus course in French above French 233, plus one approved course in applied linguistics, and one in history may be counted toward the teaching minor. Independent study or research may not be counted in lieu of any of the courses referred to above. SPECIAL PROGRAMS St. Olaf sponsors January Interims in Paris, QuÈbec, and Martinique and is affiliated closely with semester programs in France (Rennes, Angers and Montpellier) and SÈnÈgal (Dakar), and year-long programs in Rennes and Montpellier. COURSES Students begin to learn French through listening, speaking, reading, and writing about topics that are familiar to them (their personal biographies, family, daily life), and to explore cultural and social notions such as identity and space. Regular work in the language laboratory reinforces class work. Students expand their developing language skills by continuing to listen, speak, read and write on familiar topics such as food, holidays, and school, and explore cultural and social notions such as lifestyle and time. Regular work in the language laboratory reinforces class work. Prerequisite: French 111 or placement. Students develop increasingly complex skills such as communicating in French, understanding French texts, interpreting French and U.S. cultures as they study and discuss social and cultural topics (eg. stereotypes, the family, education) and compare them to similar ones from their home culture. Students develop their ability to listen, speak, read and write, while paying particular attention to listening and reading strategies. Prerequisite: French 112 or placement. Students develop their oral and written expression through the exploration of issues important to the Francophone world outside of France (national, cultural and linguistic identities), and through reading, discussing and writing about a wide variety of different texts. They focus on the development of vocabulary, review the French verb system and other key grammatical structures, especially through regular written work. Prerequisite: French 231 or placement. GE: FOL-F, MCS-G. 233 Language and Culture Studies in Martinique (abroad) Students travel to the Caribbean island of Martinique to study French language and French-Caribbean culture at the upper-intermediate level. An immersion experience that includes home stays with local families, the course emphasizes the multicultural aspects of this region. An individual project and language/culture classes by experts on the campus of the UniversitÈ des Antilles encourage student interaction with the local population. Prerequisite: French 231 or higher (or equivalent) or placement in French 232 or higher. Open to first-year students. GE: FOL-F, MCS-G. Offered only in Interim. This course provides an on-campus immersion experience for students interested in improving their oral language proficiency. Students engage in small and large group discussion, give individual and group oral presentations, and review grammar and registers of language. They also explore the notion of communicative competence, learn to assess their oral language proficiency, and improve their effectiveness as oral communicators. Taught in French. Prerequisite: French 232, 233, or equivalent; may be taken at any time during the French major. GE: FOL-F, ORC. This course provides students with intensive practice in various types of writing in French (e.g., summary, description, narration, letter-writing). Topics and model texts, including a selection of non-literary texts, are chosen by instructor. Taught in French, the course involves discussion, writing, revising, and stresses advanced grammar review. Prerequisite: French 232, 233, or equivalent. GE: FOL-F. 252 Topics in French Civilization Students examine specific themes, events, literary or artistic works or movements against the general backdrop of French political, cultural, and social history. Coursework includes the development of critical reading skills, discussion skills, some writing, and library research skills. Sample topics include Love and Marriage in French Literature and Culture, Occupation and Resistance in the French Collective Memory. Taught in French. Prerequisite: French 232, 233, or equivalent. GE: FOL-F, HWC. 253 Introduction to Literary Analysis This course introduces students to reading, discussing, and writing about a variety of French literary texts, selected by the instructor. Taught in French, the course focuses on aspects of literary analysis, terminology, methodology, and on critical thinking and writing. Prerequisite: French 232 or 233, or equivalent. GE: FOL-F, ALS-L. Students study French-speaking regions of the world outside of France (North America, the Caribbean, Africa) through literature and other documents, and a selection of music and/or media. Readings, discussions, viewings, written and oral assignments are organized around the exploration of specific topics or themes chosen by the instructor. Recent courses have considered Manitoba, QuÈbec, and North Africa. Taught in French. Prerequisite: minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended). GE: FOL-F. This course introduces students to contemporary French political, economic and social institutions and/or issues through close textual analysis of articles from the contemporary French press and other media (e.g., Frognet, Scola, World Wide Web, cinema). Students read, analyze, discuss and write in French on a wide variety of non-literary topics, selected by the instructor. Taught in French. Prerequisite: minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended). GE: FOL-F. Students examine a particular period or century through the reading of selected literary and non-literary works within their historical and cultural contexts. Taught in French, the course involves close reading, discussion, analysis and interpretation of works. Sample topics include The Medieval Period, The Renaissance, Classicism and Baroque, The Eighteenth Century, Twentieth-Century Women, The Romantic Period, Contemporary French Literature. Prerequisite: minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended). GE: FOL-F. 275 Interdisciplinary French Studies in Paris (abroad) This course provides advanced language work and on-the-spot investigation of French culture, past and present, including theater, film, visual arts, the French court, the medieval cathedral, etc., through background readings and visits to important monuments. Students read, discuss, see, and critique plays ranging from the classical to the contemporary. Prerequisite: One French 250-level course. GE: FOL-F. Offered only in Interim. 372 Topics in Francophone Studies Students explore a specified topic or theme -- in language, in literature or in culture/civilization -- through the close reading, discussion, analysis and interpretation of selected literary and/or non-literary works. Sample topics include The Courtly Love Tradition, Post-Colonial French Caribbean Literature, Madness and the Romantic Dream. Taught in French. Prerequisite: minimum of one 270-level course. GE: FOL-F. Students study a particular genre or medium (e.g., novel, play, poetry, short story, film) from a variety of periods and authors, with particular emphasis on its literary form. Taught in French, the class involves close reading, discussion, analysis and interpretation of works. Sample topics include The Classical Theatre, Poetry of the Romantic Period, The Short Story, Medieval Romance, Autobiography, New Wave Cinema in France, Modern QuÈbÈcois Theater. Prerequisite: minimum of one 270-level course. GE: FOL-F. 399 Seminar in Francophone Studies This is an integrative seminar, strongly recommended as the final course of the major, that examines issues of current interest central to understanding Francophone language/literature/culture. Coursework includes readings, research (with special attention to bibliographical issues), student reports, and extended projects on subjects of the students' choosing. Sample topics include Colonialism and its Aftermath, Existentialism, Women in the Francophone World. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: minimum of one 300-level course. GE: FOL-F. |