French Course Descriptions • French • Carthage College

Scroll down to read descriptions of the French courses offered at Carthage, or click on the following links for additional resources.

Elementary French I (MLA)

FRN 1010 / 4 credits
This course teaches listening and speaking skills in French through active participation by the students in communicative situations. By the end of the course, the students are able to comprehend and communicate orally in a culturally acceptable manner, using basic language structures and common vocabulary related to everyday topics and communication needs.
Fall/Spring

Elementary French II (MLA)

FRN 1020 / 4 credits
This course teaches listening, speaking, reading, and some writing skills in French through active participation by the students in a wide variety of communicative contexts. By the end of the course, the students are able to comprehend, communicate orally, read intelligently, and write simply in French, using basic language structures. They also will be able to employ constructively a broad range of vocabulary related to the themes studied and to survival communication and cultural needs.
Prerequisite: FRN 1010 or equivalent
Fall/Spring

Intermediate French I

FRN 2010 / 4 credits
This course teaches listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and basic writing skills in sequential development following 1010/1020, using a variety of original texts in French and exposing students to native French speakers and cultural events.
Prerequisite: FRN 1020 or equivalent
Spring only

Intermediate French II

FRN 2020 / 4 credits
Expanding on French 2010, this course provides original texts, film media, music, and cross-cultural experiences. Students speak and read, using all verb tenses and a broad range of structures and vocabulary. They create original compositions at their level, geared to their interests.
Prerequisite: FRN 2010 or equivalent
Fall only

Advanced French

FRN 3010 / 4 credits
This course continues the linguistic and cultural experiences of 2010/2020. Grammar and phonetics are studied in relation to the language skills the students have acquired. Cultural inquiry and current foreign events are emphasized. Original compositions are linked to course goals as well as student interests. Majors and minors are required to pass a target language competency exam during the term in which they take 3010.
Prerequisite: FRN 2020 or equivalent
Fall/Spring

French Conversation

FRN 3030 / 1 credit
An opportunity for extended use of the target language to improve oral fluency and proficiency. A wide range of communicative opportunities will encourage active exploration of the target culture. (The course can be repeated for up to a total of 4 credits.)
S or U.
Prerequisite: FRN 3010 or consent of department chair
Fall/Spring

French-Speaking World: Social, Political, and Economic Issues (HUM)

FRN 3080 / 4 credits
Students will learn about social, political, and economic issues affecting the French-speaking world, using a variety of media and texts. Issues will be contextualized in the contemporary world, and examination of their historical background will further students’ understanding of these issues in their cultural context.
Prerequisites: FRN 3010 and FRNL 3010 or consent of instructor
Alternate Fall semesters

French-Speaking World: Cultural and Intellectual Life (HUM)

FRN 3090 / 4 credits
Students will study major currents of cultural and intellectual life in French-speaking regions. Topics will range from high culture to daily life. Students will examine the historical background of cultural manifestations. A variety of media including printed texts will guide students’ understanding of both past and present cultural life.
Prerequisites: FRN 3010 and FRNL 3010 or consent of instructor
Alternate Fall semesters

Interpreting Written Texts in French (HUM)

FRN 3110 / 4 credits
Students will learn to read and discuss in French a range of French texts. They will be exposed to the French literary tradition and learn to interpret textual intentions and assumptions.
Prerequisites: FRN 3010 and FRNL 3010
Spring

Senior Seminar in French

FRN 4010 / 4 credits
A capstone experience in which the students will study the theoretical foundations of French studies (cultural as well as literary). They will be introduced to the problems of translation. A major component of the course will be the preparation of an independent research paper, the Senior Thesis, which will culminate in a formal oral presentation of the results of the investigation as well as in a major paper written in French.
Prerequisites: Senior standing or consent of instructor and GNR 3510
Spring

French Theatre (HUM)

FRN 4240 / 4 credits
Students stage a play in French. Students also read and discuss related texts; these include such topics as other plays that contextualize the play being performed or texts expanding on cultural or historical issues raised by it. The course fulfills a topics course requirement of the major.
Prerequisites: FRN 3080 or 3090 and 3110 and GNR 3510 or consent of instructor

French Competency Exam

FRN 3010L / 0 credits
Majors and minors in French are required to pass a target language Competency Exam during the term in which they take FRN 3010. Consisting of an oral, a written, and a cultural reading part, the competency exam assesses students’ ability to incorporate intermediate to advanced linguistic structures in their speaking, writing, and reading. Students will receive a Pass/Fail grade for this zero-credit course.

Immersion Abroad

GNR 3510 / 12-16 credits
Linguistic and cultural immersion abroad for one term in an academic setting in a country speaking the target language. Classroom instruction for all courses, regardless of discipline, will be in the target language. (In exceptional cases, approval may be granted for substituting two summers for the term.) P/ F
Prerequisites for applying study abroad to the major in any modern language: MLA 2200, 3010, 3110, and one of 3080 or 3090

Cultural Awareness

MLA 2200 / 1 credits
Preparation for encountering cultural differences that will be part of the linguistic and cultural immersion experiences (either in the U.S. or abroad). The focus of the course will include values clarification, cultural diversity, multicultural awareness training, and culture shock orientation. Majors who have returned from study abroad will give presentations on their experiences and be contributors to course content and activities.
Prerequisite: 2020 or equivalent in target language