French
Department Representative
Christine Cano, Assistant Professor of French
Guilford 205
216-368-4888
For French and Francophone Studies, click HERE
Discover the Francophone community and discover the world!
The French language is represented on all five continents and is spoken by more than 90 million people world-wide. This is known as the Francophone Community. French is the working language or second language of numerous international organizations including the United Nations, the International Red Cross, and the European Union. A command of the French language and a knowledge of French culture are increasingly indispensable to those interested in European culture and history; science and technology; literature and the arts; and Middle Eastern, West African, and North American Studies.
Why Study French?
The French program at Case takes a global approach to French in its broadest context, and our curriculum reflects the diversity of the Francophone cultures of Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, and elsewhere. Students who wish to major in French choose between the French and Francophone Studies majors. Both options stress proficiency in the French language and encourage students to strive for some mastery of oral and written language skills throughout the program of study. The French major is designed for students who wish to focus primarily on literature and culture (film and the arts), while the Francophone Studies major is interdisciplinary in nature and allows students to pursue additional areas of interest. All students are strongly encouraged to study abroad in order to experience Francophone culture first hand. The Department has its own summer study abroad program in Paris, offered in alternate years (last offered summer 2004) and we are planning a summer study abroad program in Cameroon . We now offer a spring break trip to Montreal (FRCH 208).
Bachelor of Arts in French
Academic Representative:
Christine Cano, Assistant Professor of French
216-368-4888
MAJOR (for B.A.) HOURS 30-32
Students who begin the major at the 200 level:
FRCH 201 and 202; eight 300 level courses in French; two of these may be related courses.
Students who begin the major at the 300 level:
Ten 300 level courses in French; two of these may be related courses.
Related courses are those outside the French offerings that are closely related to French culture: Art History, Classics, History, Philosophy, etc. See the list of French Studies approved courses, available from the academic representative. Study abroad is highly recommended.
Multi-Age Licensure, French
Completion of required French and Education courses. For information, contact Professor Marie Lathers, the French academic representative.
MINOR HOURS 15-19
Students beginning study in French at the introductory level:
FRCH 101, 102, 201, 202, and one 300 level course (19 hours)
Students beginning study in French at 200 level or higher:
Five FRCH courses at the 200 or 300 level, as approved by the adviser.
HUMANITIES SEQUENCE (for B.S. based on Engineering Core) HOURS 9-12
A. Students with no high school preparation in French: FRCH 101, 102, 201
B. Students with the equivalent of one year of college French: FRCH 201, 202, and one 300 level course
C. Students with the equivalent of two years of college French: Three 300 level courses
INTEGRATED GRADUATE STUDIES PROGRAM
The Program in French participates in the Integrated Graduate Studies Program, which makes it possible to complete both a B.A. and an M.A. in French within about five years of full-time study. The department particularly recommends the program to qualified students who are interested in seeking admission to highly-competitive professional schools or Ph.D. programs. Interested students should note the general requirements and the admission procedures of Case.
Click here for:
Masters in French
FRENCH COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Undergraduate
FRCH 101. Elementary French I (4)
(Credit for FRCH 101 only upon completion of
FRCH 102.) Emphasizes conversational skills.
Students expected to achieve control of sound system
and basic sentence structures of French. Students
must attend Language Resource Center in addition to
scheduled class meetings.
FRCH 102. Elementary French II (4)
Continuation of FRCH 101. Prereq: FRCH 101.
FRCH 201. Intermediate French I (4)
Intensive review of grammar and usage through readings,
discussions and other activities that emphasize
contemporary French life. Students must attend Language
Resource Center in addition to scheduled class
meetings. Prereq: FRCH 102 or equivalent.
FRCH 202. Intermediate French II (4)
A continuation of FRCH 201, the course focuses on
the acquisition of intermediate-level skills in language
and culture. Participation in multi-media activities in
Language Resource Center is a requirement. Prereq:
FRCH 201 or equivalent.
FRCH 295. The Francophone World (3)
Introduction to the Francophone communities of
Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Emphasis
on colonial and post-colonial periods through
the study of history, literature, and film. Specific emphases
will depend on faculty expertise. Counts toward
French major only as related course. No knowledge of
French required. Cross-listed as WLIT 295.
FRCH 308. The Paris Experience (3)
Three-week immersion learning experience living
and studying in Paris. The focus of the course is the
literature and culture of the African, Arab, and Asian
communities of Paris. Students spend a minimum of
fifteen hours per week visiting cultural centers and museums
and interviewing authors and students about the
immigrant experience. Assigned readings complement
course activities. Students enrolled in FRCH 308 do
course work in French. WLIT 308 students have the
option of completing course work in English. Prereq:
FRCH 202 for those enrolled in FRCH 308. Crosslisted
as WLIT 308.
FRCH 310. Advanced Composition and Reading
(3)
An initiation to the literature of Francophone expression
with a focus on close reading. Students engage in
the discussion of authentic, unabridged literary texts
of compelling interest and progressive length and learn
how to express their ideas both orally and in written
form. Prereq: FRCH 202 or equivalent.
FRCH 311. Advanced Conversation I (3)
Designed to enhance pronunciation, speaking and
listening-comprehension through the discussion of
French literature and media for children. Required for
Teacher Licensure candidates. Prereq: FRCH 202 or
equivalent.
FRCH 312. Advanced Conversation II (3)
A functional approach to conversation. Students work
to develop fluency in spoken French using current
colloquial vocabulary and focusing on current issues.
Practice in using speech appropriate to a variety of situations,
including public debates. Prereq: FRCH 202 or
equivalent.
FRCH 314. Translation Techniques (3)
Contrastive grammar analysis and stylistics are used to
foster linguistic awareness and to introduce students to
the methods and skills of translation. Prereq: FRCH
202 or equivalent.
FRCH 315. Business French (3)
Business French is an upper-level course with a focus
on the economic life of France and other Francophone
countries. Students gain knowledge of the economic
structures and the business organization of Francophone
countries as they enhance the linguistic skills
used in professional communication. Prereq: FRCH
202.
FRCH 316. Contemporary France (3)
A study of contemporary France, this course features
discussions and lectures on a variety of topics (geography,
political and social life, contemporary culture) to
develop factual knowledge about France and a sound
understanding of current issues as presented in the
media. Prereq: FRCH 202 or equivalent.
FRCH 317. French Cinema (3)
An exploration of contemporary France, its images
and values as presented in French films. French press
reviews are used for discussion. A unique linguistic and
cultural immersion. Prereq: FRCH 202 or equivalent.
FRCH 318. The Origins of France (3)
Examination through texts, films, and other media of
major historical, intellectual, and artistic influences
that have shaped the evolution of French civilization.
Students will attempt to identify the values and myths
that have contributed to the formation of modern
France and continue to influence French actions.
Prereq: FRCH 202 or equivalent.
FRCH 319. Modern France (3)
A study of France’s political, social and cultural history
from the French Revolution to World War II, with
emphasis on the events, movements, and people that
have shaped Modern France. Highly recommended
for students of Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century
French Literature. Prereq: FRCH 202 or equivalent.
FRCH 320. Introduction to French Literature (3)
Major literary movements, principal writers and
outstanding works of French literature. Prereq: FRCH
202 or equivalent.
FRCH 321. French Literature to 1600 (3)
Faith. Honor. Passion. Politics. An exploration of
these issues in French literature from 900 to 1600 in
the context of the development of narrative, lyric and
theater and as an expression of culture and thought.
Prereq: FRCH 320; may be taken concurrently.
FRCH 331. Seventeenth-Century French Literature
(3)
The Age of Classicism, from Descartes to Mme de
Lafayette. Emphasis on Baroque literature and Classical
drama. Authors, works, and topics may vary. One
300-level French course suggested prerequisite. Prereq:
FRCH 320; may be taken concurrently.
FRCH 341. Eighteenth-Century French Literature
(3)
Le siecle des Lumieres in representative texts of the
Enlightenment and pre-Romanticism. Authors, works,
and topics vary. Prereq: FRCH 320; may be taken
concurrently.
FRCH 351. Nineteenth-Century French Literature
(3)
Romanticism, realism, and naturalism in the novel and
the drama. Authors, works, and topics vary. Prereq:
FRCH 320; may be taken concurrently.
FRCH 361. Twentieth-Century French Literature
(3)
Study of representative novelists (e.g., Proust, Gide,
Colette, Sartre, Beauvoir) and playwrights (e.g.,
Claudel, Beckett, Genet) in historical context. Authors,
works, and topics vary. Prereq: FRCH 320; may be
taken concurrently.
FRCH 371. Topics in French Poetry (3)
Nineteenth- and twentieth-century poetry. Topics include
French romanticism, symbolism, and surrealism.
Prereq: FRCH 320; may be taken concurrently.
FRCH 372. Topics in French Drama (3)
A topical approach to issues and problems specific to
drama. Plays, playwrights, aesthetic theories, and historical
periods studied in this course may vary. Prereq:
FRCH 320; may be taken concurrently.
FRCH 373. The Novel and the Novella (3)
A study of narrative fiction focused on either the analysis
of a particular genre (the novel, the short story) or
a particular type of novel (e.g., psychological novel,
realist novel, detective novel); the tale (the fantastic
tale, the fairytale) or novella. Prereq: FRCH 320; may
be taken concurrently.
FRCH 374. Major Writers and Literary Movements
(3)
In-depth study of the work of a major writer, filmmaker,
or intellectual figure; or of a significant literary,
intellectual, or artistic movement. Approaches, content,
and instructor will vary. Prereq: FRCH 320; may
be taken concurrently.
FRCH 375. Francophone Literature (3)
An examination of Francophone literature focused on
the problematics of identity within the colonial and
post-colonial context. Writers and works may vary.
Prereq: FRCH 320; may be taken concurrently.
FRCH 376. Women Writers (3)
Examination of literary texts by French women writers;
emphasizes women’s important contributions to French
literature. Critical essays are also studied to address
women’s relation to literature and to evaluate its
importance from historical and theoretical perspectives.
Prereq: FRCH 320; may be taken concurrently.
FRCH 377. Special Topics (3)
The special topics course is designed to respond to students’
and faculty’s interest in specific themes or issues
not otherwise covered in the curriculum. Approaches,
content, and instructor will vary. Maximum 6 credits.
Prereq: FRCH 320; may be taken concurrently.
FRCH 395. French Literature in Translation (3)
Topics vary according to student and faculty interest.
May include Francophone literature, literature and cinema,
women writers, contemporary literature. Counts
toward French major only as related course. No knowledge
of French required. Cross-listed as WLIT 395.
FRCH 397. Honors Thesis I (3)
Intensive study of a literary, linguistic, or cultural
topic with a faculty member, leading to the writing of
a research paper in French. Limited to senior majors.
Permit required. Prereq: Consent of department.
FRCH 398. Honors Thesis II (3)
Continuation of FRCH 397. Limited to senior majors.
Permit required. Prereq: FRCH 397 and consent of
department.
FRCH 399. Independent Study (1-3)
For majors and advanced students under special circumstances.
Prereq: Consent of department.
Graduate
FRCH 421. French Literature to 1600 (3)
(See FRCH 321.)
FRCH 431. Seventeenth-Century French Literature
(3)
(See FRCH 331.)
FRCH 441. Eighteenth-Century French Literature
(3)
(See FRCH 341.)
FRCH 451. Nineteenth-Century French Literature
(3)
(See FRCH 351.)
FRCH 461. Twentieth-Century French Literature
(3)
(See FRCH 361.)
FRCH 471. Topics in French Poetry (3)
(See FRCH 371.)
FRCH 472. Topics in French Drama (3)
(See FRCH 372.)
FRCH 473. The Novel and the Novella (3)
(See FRCH 373.)
FRCH 474. Major Writers and Literary Movements
(3)
(See FRCH 374.)
FRCH 475. Francophone Literature (3)
(See FRCH 375.)
FRCH 476. Women Writers (3)
(See FRCH 376.)
FRCH 477. Special Topics (3)
(See FRCH 377.)
FRCH 495. French Literature in Translation (3)
(See FRCH 395.) Cross-listed as WLIT 495.
FRCH 590. Seminar: Topics in Modern Literature
and Culture (3)
French literature and culture since the Revolution of 1789. Topics vary depending on student and instructor
interests; may include realism and naturalism, Proust,
contemporary film, Paris, feminist theory. Maximum 9
credits. Prereq: Graduate standing.
FRCH 595. Independent Research (1-3)
Graded independent work on a literary topic arranged
individually with the instructor. Prereq: Graduate
standing.
FRCH 601. Independent Study (1-18)
For individual students or larger groups with special
interests. Prereq: Consent of department.
For current course catalogue, click HERE