Faculty
Link to Profiles of Full-time Department Faculty
Professor: Tama Lea Engelking (Chairperson); Associate Professors: Annie Jouan-Westlund, Lee Wilberschied.
Course Descriptions
Students with native experience of French may not enroll for credit in 100-level courses in French. All students with training or experience in French other than a previous course in that language at Cleveland State must consult a counselor in the Department of Modern Languages for assistance in deciding where to enter the French sequence. Failure to seek counseling may result in schedule shifts during the first week of class.
All language courses have the following divisions and courses numbered from:
100-114 (200-214, etc.) concern the development of performance skills;
115-34 (215-234, etc.), the nature of language;
135-64 (235-264, etc.), culture and civilization;
165-89 (265-289, etc.), literature;
190-99 (290-299, etc.), independent and specialized courses
FRN 100, 200, 300, 400 Practicum in French (1 to 6 Credits). Prerequisites: Permission of instructor, departmental approval. Specially arranged projects or supervised experiences for non-native speakers in French conducted in the university and in the community. Examples: special work in the Instructional Media Laboratory, participation in a French play, tutorial activity in a basic French course, a study, or service project involving fieldwork in one of the French communities. Projects arranged between individual students and instructors; title of the project will appear on the student's transcript. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. S/U only. Return to top
FRN 101, 102 French Language Skills I, II (4-2-5). Prerequisites: for FRN 102: FRN 101 or the equivalent course with C or better or permission of instructor. Development of proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing French. Lab fee. Return to top
FRN 192, 292, 392, 492 Special Topics: Study Abroad (1 to 6 Credits). Prerequisite: FRN 192: No prerequisite; FRN 292: FRN 201; FRN 392: FRN 301; FRN 492: FRN 301 and one literature or civilization course. Study of a particular topic in French language, literature, or civilization as part of the university’s Study Abroad Program. May be repeated with change of topic. Return to top
FRN 196, 296, 396, 496 Independent Study in French (1 to 6 Credits). Prerequisite: Student must have sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Proposed projects must be approved by a full-time department faculty member who will serve as the project adviser, and the department chairperson. Student-initiated supervised projects involving French language or literature. Such as in-depth study of a particular writer, or special readings in linguistics. Independent study may be used to cover the materials of a listed course not offered in a given year. Projects arranged between individual students and instructor; title of the project will appear on the student's transcript. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Return to top
FRN 201 Culture and Civilization (4-0-4). Prerequisite: Completion of FRN 102 or FRN 210 with a C or better. The study of Francophone culture and cross-cultural interactions. Ongoing development of French language skills of hearing, speaking, reading, and writing French using authentic cultural materials. Return to top
FRN 202 Francophone Perspectives on World Affairs (4-0-4). Prerequisite: Completion of FRN 102 with a C or better or permission of instructor. Emphasis on cross-cultural communication and the practical application of French language skills in world affairs, building on the basic skills of speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural acumen. Return to top
FRN 203 Readings in French (4-0-4). Prerequisite: Completion of FRN 201 or FRN 202 with a C or better or permission of instructor. An introduction to the study of literary texts that serves as a bridge between the 200-level (intermediate) and 300-level (advanced) courses. Students develop reading skills and strategies to prepare them for upper-division French literature and civilization courses. A number of genres are studied, and students are introduced to basic critical tools of literary analysis including explication de texte. Course may be organized around a theme. Highly recommended for students preparing to enter graduate school where reading proficiency in a second language is required. Return to top
FRN 207 Intermediate Commercial French (4-0-4). Prerequisite: Completion of FRN 102 with a C or better or permission of instructor. Introduction to the world of business and technology in France. Socio-economic issues that affect business; everyday commercial activities, such as job interviews, on-the-job routines, banking. Continued development of language skills appropriate to the course topic and level. Return to top.
FRN 210 Basic Oral Skills (3-0-3). Prerequisite: Completion of FRN 102 with a C or better or equivalent. Practice in listening comprehension; exercises designed to improve fluency, pronunciation, and vocabulary. Return to top
FRN 216 Translation and Interpretation (3-0-3). Prerequisites: two intermediate French courses (FRN 201, 202, 203, or 210). Introduction to theory and practice of translation from French to English. Workshop approach involving class discussion of students' work-in-progress. Work required varies according to students' level of preparation. Return to top
FRN 240, 340, 440 Field Study (1 to 6 Credits). Prerequisites: Permission of instructor, departmental approval. The amount of language preparation necessary to participate in any given field experience is to be determined by the department and the instructor. Specially arranged field experience abroad provides intensive exposure to students target countries and languages. May be preceded by a special preparatory course, such as supervised individual or group work-study experience in the target country followed by a period of travel; supervised two- to six-week group travel for students interested in a language- or culture-oriented project in the target country. See semester course schedule. A field study trip to France will be offered periodically. For further information, contact the Department of Modern Languages. Return to top
FRN 293, 393, 493 Special Topics in French (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisites for FRN 293: Completion of FRN 102 with a C or better; for FRN 393: FRN 301 and sophomore standing or permission of instructor; for FRN 493: FRN 301 and one 300-level FRN course. May be repeated with a change in topic. Return to top
FRN 301 Composition and Conversation (4-0-4). Prerequisite: FRN 202 or FRN 203 and sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Practice in speaking and writing on an advanced level, including grammar review. Return to top
FRN 302 Advanced Oral Styles (4-0-4). Prerequisite: FRN 301 (FRN 345 or FRN 402 recommended) and sophomore standing. This course is designed to provide a contemporary proficiency-based format which advanced undergraduate students and teachers can use. The use of authentic recorded materials such as television commercials, telephone messages, radio game shows, and traffic reports work with a variety of language and role models. Sometimes cross-listed with FRN 534. Return to top
FRN 315 French Phonetics and Diction (4-0-4). Prerequisite: FRN 301 and sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Description of the French sound system and study of the phonetic alphabet and its usage. Extensive practice in pronunciation in class and in the Instructional Media Laboratory. Required for majors seeking teaching licensure. Return to top
FRN 316 Translation and Interpretation (3-0-3). Prerequisite: FRN 301 or the equivalent and sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Introduction to theory and practice of translation from French to English. Workshop approach involving class discussion of students' work-in-progress. Work required varies according to students' level of preparation. Return to top
FRN 344 French Civilization from the Middle Ages to the Empire (4-0-4). Prerequisite FRN 301 and sophomore standing or permission of instructor. This course is a study of the social, political, economic and cultural history of France from the Middle Ages through the Napoleonic Empire. Through a chronological study of distinctive historical periods up to 1870, students will trace the origins of French culture as we know it today. Return to top
FRN 345 French Civilization from 1870 to the Present (4-0-4). Prerequisite FRN 301 and sophomore standing or permission of instructor. This course is a study of the social, political, economic and cultural history of France from 1870 to the present. Beginning with the end of the 19th century, focus will be on the major historical and cultural events that shaped the image of modern France. Return to top
FRN 371 Literature Survey I (4-0-4). Prerequisite: FRN 301 and sophomore standing. Introductory sequence surveys the major literary movements and genres from the Middle Ages to the Revolution. Return to top
FRN 372 Literature Survey II (4-0-4). Prerequisite: FRN 301 (FRN 371 or FRN 345 recommended) and sophomore standing. Introductory sequence surveys the major literary movements and genres from the 19th century to the present. Return to top
FRN 374 Readings in French Literature (4 credits). Prerequisite: FRN 301 and sophomore standing. Reading and writing assignments are in the original French. Lectures may be in English if cross-listed with ENF 212/213, 214/215. Return to top
FRN 375 Readings in Francophone Literature (4-0 4). Prerequisite: FRN 301 and sophomore standing. An introduction to literature written in French from Francophone countries outside of France. May be organized as a survey touching on works drawn from a number of French-speaking countries, or around one or two regions such as North Africa and the Caribbean. Texts are situated in their historical context with an emphasis on identity as it relates to language, tradition and the influence and/or rejection of a colonial past. Lectures may be in English if cross-listed with ENF 210. Return to top
FRN 402 Advanced Composition and Conversation (4-0-4). Prerequisites: FRN 301 and one 300-level French literature course and sophomore standing. Continuation of FRN 301 on a more advanced level; development of style and accuracy. Return to top
FRN 416 Studies in French Linguistics (3-0-3). Prerequisites: FRN 402 and one 300-level French course and sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Topics to be announced in semester course schedules. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Return to top
FRN 491 Senior Honors Project (3-0-3). Prerequisite: For MLA Honors Students only. Project must be preapproved by project adviser who is a full-time faculty member, department chair, and department curriculum committee. An independent research project developed in cooperation with faculty adviser. Completed projects will be submitted in written form and presented in a public forum. Return to top
FRN 491H Senior Honors Project (3-0-3). Prerequisite: French major with Honors standing or permission of University Honors Program. Project must be preapproved by project adviser who is a full-time faculty member, department chair, and department curriculum committee. An independent research project developed in cooperation with faculty adviser. Completed projects will be submitted in written form and presented orally in a public forum. Return to top
The following graduate courses are offered in French for candidates of the master of education in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in French (may be repeated with change of topic):
FRN 534 Studies in Language and Linguistics (3-0-3) Return to top
FRN 540 Field Experience Abroad (1 to 6 credits) Return to top
FRN 592 Special Topics: Study Abroad (1 to 6 credits) Return to top
FRN 593 Special Topics in French (4-0-4) Return to top
FRN 594 Special Topics in Literature (1-6) Return to top
FRN 596 Independent Study (1 to 6 credits) Return to top