French Catalog Information
– also see Education – also see Global Studies – also see International Business Programs offered • Major in French (32 credits) • Minor in French (20 credits) • Major in French with a minor in International Business (see international business) (32 credits in French) • Major in International Business in French (see international business) (30 to 32 credits in French) • French Education major with a teaching license, grades K-12 (32 to 34 credits plus 36 credits in education) • World Languages Area of Specialization for Elementary Education majors, grades K-8 (see education) (24 to 26 credits) The French department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes: • to develop communication skills in the French language • to gain knowledge and understanding of French and Francophone cultures • to make connections with other disciplines and acquire information in a liberal arts context • to develop insights into the nature of language, literature and culture • to enable students to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world The French department’s on-campus resources for students include the opportunity to live in the Maison Française language residence, the student-run French Club, After-School French teaching, being a counselor at the Concordia Language Villages French weekend programs, and more. Off-campus programs provide opportunities for students to study French language and culture through immersion. These include: FREN 300 – May Seminar in France or the Francophone World, FREN 490 – Practicum in France, study at the University of Rennes in France, internships with companies in France through the international business program, exploration seminars, and the opportunity to compete for a French government assistantship. (See Global Learning at Concordia, Page 23, for details.) Liberal Arts Core Distribution World Languages Requirement Students may satisfy this requirement by either option A or B: A. Successful completion of a French language and culture course taken at Concordia College: FREN 112 – Beginning French II or a higher-numbered course. All students who have studied French prior to coming to Concordia are expected to take a computerized placement test in French to determine which course level is the most appropriate for each individual’s ability. If the transcript shows that the student has not previously studied French, the student is not required to take the placement exam and qualifies to enroll in FREN 111 – Beginning French I. B. Achieving successful scores on the oral proficiency interview and a timed essay that demonstrate the student has mastered the content and scope of the sequence FREN 111 – Beginning French I and FREN 112 – Beginning French II. Prior to taking the oral interview and writing the essay, students must first place beyond FREN 112 on the computerized placement exam in French. Major in French The requirements for a major in French are 32 credits: • FREN 211 – Intermediate French I, 4 credits • FREN 212 – Intermediate French II, 4 credits • FREN 311 – Intensive Oral and Written Communication, 4 credits • FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization, 4 credits • 16 additional credits in French (excluding FREN 220 – The Best of French Literature and FREN 223 – Race, Gender and Power in the Francophone World) Minor in French The requirements for a minor in French are 20 credits: • FREN 211 – Intermediate French I, 4 credits • FREN 212 – Intermediate French II, 4 credits • FREN 311 – Intensive Oral and Written Communication, 4 credits • FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization, 4 credits • 4 additional credits in French (excluding FREN 220 – The Best of French Literature and FREN 223 – Race, Gender and Power in the Francophone World) Major in French with a Minor in International Business The business requirements for a major in French with a minor in international business are listed in the international business pages of the catalog. Major in International Business in French The business requirements for a major in international business in French are listed in the international business pages of the catalog. Qualified international business majors with sufficient French language skills take courses the second semester of their junior or senior year at the Management Institute of the University of Rennes in France and complete an internship with a French company. The normal French requirements for participation in this semester in France include 30 to 32 credits: • FREN 211 – Intermediate French I, 4 credits • FREN 212 – Intermediate French II, 4 credits • FREN 311 – Intensive Oral and Written Communication, 4 credits • FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization, 4 credits • FREN 360 – French in the Business World, 4 credits • FREN 255 – Pre-May Seminar, 2 credits • FREN 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits • FREN 490 – Practicum, 4 credits The department may waive French 255, 300 and/or 490 requirements for those students who are satisfactorily proficient in French language and culture as a result of an extended stay in a French-speaking country. Licensure for Teaching French Under the new Minnesota Board of Teaching rules, world languages have two licenses available, either a K-8 or a K-12 license. In order to receive departmental approval for student teaching, all candidates for K-12 or K-8 certification must pass a screening at the intermediate-high level of language proficiency as described by the Board of Teaching Standards, and a screening of geographical and cultural knowledge of the French-speaking world. The department strongly recommends that all students have a language-immersion experience in a French-speaking culture in order to increase their level of proficiency. French Education Major with a Teaching License, Grades K-12 The requirements for a French education major with a teaching license, grades K-12, are 32 to 34 credits plus 36 credits in education: • FREN 211 – Intermediate French I, 4 credits • FREN 212 – Intermediate French II, 4 credits • FREN 250 – Pre-May Seminar: Francophone World, 4 credits OR FREN 255 – Pre-May Seminar: France, 2 credits • FREN 311 – Intensive Oral and Written Communication, 4 credits • FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization, 4 credits • FREN 340 – French Phonetics and Other Linguistics Issues, 2 credits • 12 additional credits from the following: – FREN 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits – FREN 360 – French in the Business World, 4 credits – FREN 370 – Current French Political, Social and Economics Issues, 4 credits – FREN 410 – Introduction to French Literature through Poetry, 2 credits – FREN 411 – The Development of French Theatre, 4 credits – FREN 412 – The Development of French Prose, 4 credits – FREN 413 – Advanced Composition and Grammar, 2 credits – FREN 490 – The French Practicum, 4 credits • FREN 300 – May Seminar and FREN 490 – Practicum are highly recommended as two of the three above-listed courses. • Successful completion of the secondary/K-12 curriculum requirements. The required methods of teaching courses are: – EDUC 362 – Secondary Methods of Teaching in World Languages, 4 credits – EDUC 363 – FLES Methods of Teaching, 4 credits
French Courses
FREN 111 – Beginning French I, 4 credits. D. Students learn the basics of French communication and are introduced to the cultures of the French-speaking world. Students engage in various individual, class and group activities to develop their ability to speak and understand French. Resources, including the World Wide Web, CD-ROMs, French children’s books, movies and magazines are used to increase students’ understanding of French culture and the French language.
FREN 112 C, W – Beginning French II, 4 credits. E. Students learn the basics of French communication and are introduced to the cultures of the French-speaking world. Students engage in various individual, class and group activities to develop their ability to speak and understand French. Resources, including the World Wide Web, CD-ROMs, French children’s books, movies and magazines are used to increase students’ understanding of French culture and the French language. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with the local community through cultural projects. Prerequisite: FREN 111 – Beginning French I, placement exam, or consent of the department
FREN 211 C, U, W – Intermediate French I, 4 credits. E. This course is an approved U.S. perspectives course and focuses on “French in the Americas” featuring units on Canada, the United States (Louisiana, New England and Native Americans), South America and the Caribbean Islands. After a general introduction to each site, the course examines a different theme such as family life, youth, educational systems and everyday lives. These discussions are not possible without discussing race, ethnicity, gender and social issues such as education, class and religion. This course is also designed to increase students’ ability to speak, write, read and understand French. Students review basic language structures and vocabulary, as well as develop new language skills. In addition to class meetings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, students also work with the French native assistant for small-group discussions and projects, usually on Tuesday and Thursday at an agreed upon time. Prerequisite: FREN 112 – Beginning French II, placement exam, and consent of the department
FREN 212 G, C, W – Intermediate French II, 4 credits. E. This course is an approved global perspectives course and focuses on “French in the Francophone World” featuring various regions in France as well as Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Africa. After a general introduction to each site, the course examines different cultural components. This course is also designed to increase students’ ability to speak, write, read and understand French. Students review basic language structures and vocabulary, as well as develop new language skills. In addition to class meetings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, students also work with the French native assistant for small-group discussions and projects, usually on Tuesday and Thursday at an agreed upon time. Prerequisite: FREN 211 – Intermediate French I, placement exam, and consent of the department
FREN 220 E – The Best of French Literature, 4 credits. D. This course, taught in English, enables students without a background in French language or in French literature to share in this rich heritage. The primary goal of the course is the appreciation and enjoyment of fine literature. The masterpieces selected, beginning with a few legends and farces of the Middles Ages, trace the evolution of social, religious, political and economic aspects of the French civilization.
FREN 223 E – Race, Gender and Power in the Francophone World, 4 credits. D. This course, taught in English, examines literatures of both European and Francophone (primarily African) writers. Students will develop an understanding of the impact of racial, gender and economic relationships on the peoples of the French-speaking world.
FREN 250 – Pre-May Seminar: Francophone World, 4 credits. A2. Designed to prepare the student for a meaningful period of study and travel in the Francophone world, this course is required as preparation for FREN 300 – May Seminar and is required of students preparing for certification by the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Prerequisite: FREN 212 – Intermediate French II (concurrent enrollment acceptable) or consent of department
FREN 255 – Pre-May Seminar: France, 2 credits. A2. Designed to prepare the student for a meaningful period of study and travel in France, this course is required as preparation for FREN 300 – May Seminar and is required of students preparing for certification by the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Prerequisite: FREN 212 – Intermediate French II (concurrent enrollment acceptable) or consent of department
FREN 300 – May Seminar, 4 credits. MS.
FREN 311 G, W – Intensive Oral and Written Communication, 4 credits. E1. This course is designed to develop students’ ability to organize clearly and communicate effectively in French their own knowledge and ideas, as well as the meaning of cultural texts dealing with France. Students are assisted in transferring grammatical concepts to practical communication skills through oral and written practice. In addition to class meetings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, students also work with the French native assistant for small-group discussions and projects, usually on Tuesday and Thursday at an agreed upon time. Students will also discover the world of children and adolescent literature. Prerequisite: FREN 212 – Intermediate French II, placement exam or consent of department
FREN 331 D – French Culture and Civilization, 4 credits. E2. This is a survey of the history and development of French civilization and of the Francophone world. The course, and all work, is conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 311 – Intensive Oral and Written Communication or consent of department
FREN 340 – French Phonetics and Other Linguistics Issues, 4 credits. B3 or B4. This course is designed for students interested in understanding the sound system of French. Students will learn the International Phonetic Alphabet and the standard pronunciation of the phonetic symbols in French. Using these symbols, they will learn to improve their own pronunciation and comprehension of spoken French. In addition, students will be introduced to the history and geography of the French language, examine linguistic issues in French that derive from its Latin heritage with Germanic influence, and linguistic issues of the Francophone world today. This course is required in order to meet the Minnesota Board of Teaching standards for K-8 and K-12 licensures. Prerequisite: FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization or consent of department
FREN 360 – French in the Business World, 4 credits. A1 (2009-2010). Intended for students interested in using French in the workplace, the course concentrates on understanding French business culture and practices and economics. Required for international business students. Prerequisite: FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization or consent of department
FREN 370 – Current French Political, Social and Economic Affairs, 4 credits. A1. Through intensive study of articles from French periodicals, the World Wide Web and other sources, students prepare outlines, lead class discussions and produce a major project (such as televised news reports, a newspaper, brochures, etc.) regarding current topics relating to individual areas of interest. Prerequisite: FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization
FREN 380 – Special Topics, 2 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.
FREN 390 – Cooperative Education, 2 to 8 credits. E, S.
FREN 395 – Cooperative Education at the Concordia Language Villages, 2 to 4 credits. D. This course is intended to provide students of modern languages with opportunities to teach and study the language of their choice at the Concordia Language Villages. Prerequisite for acceptance: at least two years of coursework or the equivalent in the language. The final decision on acceptance into this course is based on mutual agreement of both Concordia language department faculty and Concordia Language Villages faculty concerning both the student and the project. A total maximum equivalent of two full courses from 390 and 395 may be counted toward graduation.
FREN 410 – Introduction to French Literature Through Poetry, 2 credits. B3 or B4. This course introduces students to literature through poetry from throughout the French-speaking world. Students will develop analytical skills, an understanding of the development of literature and an appreciation of the impact of culture on literature. Prerequisite: FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization
FREN 411 – Development of French Theatre, 4 credits. A1. This study of the French theatre from its origin in the Middle Ages to the present places emphasis on the classical theatre. Prerequisite: FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization
FREN 412 – Development of French Prose, 4 credits. A1. Students examine the development of prose writing in the French-speaking world in its various forms from the Middle Ages to the present. Prerequisite: FREN 331 – French Culture and Civilization
FREN 413 – Advanced Composition and Grammar, 2 credits. B3 or B4. This course is designed for students who have completed a study abroad experience such as the May Seminar or a practicum or who have completed another upper-division French course. This course will clarify grammar and syntax issues, as well as improve writing skills. Prerequisite: FREN 255 – Pre-May Seminar; FREN 360 – French in the Business World; FREN 370 – Current French Political, Social and Economic Affairs; FREN 411 – Development of French Theatre; FREN 412 – Development of French Prose; or FREN 490 – Practicum; or consent of department
FREN 480 – Independent Study, 1 to 4 credits. D. This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the department or program chair for more information.
FREN 490 – Practicum, 4 credits. E, S. The practicum is a living and learning experience in France generally lasting at least two months, but which may be extended over a longer period of time. The student lives with selected families in France and completes written assignments. The practicum may be arranged for either the summer or a portion of the school year. Prerequisite: FREN 300 – May Seminar and/or consent of department
Course Catalog
