FREN 1101
Basic Practical French I
0.5 unit
Prerequisite: This course is designed for students with less than grade XI core French.
An introduction to the basic elements of the French language for those with little background in French. Emphasis is put on the development of competence in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 1100 may not take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory required
FREN 1102
Basic Practical French II0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 1101 or grade XI core French or summer immersion. A continuation of FREN 1101. Emphasis is put on the development of competence in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 1100 may not take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory required
FREN 2201
Practical French I0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 1102 or grade XII core French or permission of the department This course presents oral and written material to consolidate previous language acquisition, improve comprehension and communication skills, and provide a background for further study of the French language.
Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 1105, 1106, 1114 or 1115 may not take this course for credit. Monitored laboratory required.
FREN 2202
Practical French II
0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2201 or 1105 or placement test or permission of the department A continuation of the practice of oral and written French to further develop competence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in French.
Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 1106 or 1115 may not take this course for credit. Monitored laboratory required.
FREN 2203
Introduction to French Literature I0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2202 or 1106 or grade XII high school French immersion or Francophone school or permission of the department This course is a survey of the main literary movements, principal genres and major authors from the middle ages to the end of the eighteenth century, through selected passages from works pertaining to this period. Attention is paid to the development of both oral and written expression of ideas.
FREN 2204
Introduction to French Literature II0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2203 or placement test or permission of the department In this course the main literary movements, principal genres and major authors of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are considered through selected passages from works pertaining to this period. Works from Quebec and Acadia may be presented on a comparative basis. Attention is paid to the development of oral and written expression of ideas.
FREN 2205
Practical French III0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2202 or 1106 or grade XII high school French immersion or Francophone school or permission of the department In this course, reading skills and speaking facility are stressed through exercises based on news articles, films and texts relating to contemporary issues.
Note: Those students who have successfully completed FREN courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 levels cannot take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory or workshop required
FREN 2206
Practical French IV0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2205 or placement test or permission of the department A continuation of FREN 2205. This course stresses improvement of spoken and written French through reading, writing and discussion assignments based on texts and/or films relating to contemporary issues. Grammar review and exercises will reinforce all language skills.
Note: Those students who have successfully completed FREN courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 levels cannot take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory or workshop required
FREN 2214
Intermediate Grammar and Composition I 0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2202 or 1106 or grade XII high school French immersion or Francophone school or permission of the department Systematic review of grammar, written expression as a means of communication, study of the techniques of written expression (sentence structure, writing a paragraph, an essay).
FREN 2215
Intermediate Grammar and Composition II0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2214 or placement test or permission of the department Continuation of grammar review, emphasis on how grammatical content affects the expression of ideas. Introduction to various types of writing (summary, book report, letter, narration, story-telling).
FREN 3307
Poetry of France and French Canada0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department Selections of poems and songs of Acadia, French Canada and France are analysed as examples of the poetic genre. Poetry is examined as a reflection of society. Assignments include essays, creative expression and exercises in literary criticism. Oral discussions and presentations emphasize appreciation of poetry and include consideration of oral poetry (songs).
(Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 3310
Francophone Women’s Writing0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department Selected works by women are studied as literature and as expressions of women’s experience. Assignments include essays, oral presentations and discussion.
(Also listed under Women's Studies)
FREN 3312
Acadian Language and Literature0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department The French language of Acadia is briefly surveyed. The literature of Acadia is considered as distinct from other French Canadian literature and examined as a reflection of its own unique society and expectations. The works selected include essays, poetry, plays and novels. Assignments include “exposés”, discussion, essays and creative expression.
(Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 3313
Literature for Children and Young Adults0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department The development of a literature written in French, specifically for children, from its beginnings to the present day. Selected texts (stories, poetry, novels) are analysed both for form and content with special attention given to myths, symbols and the socio-cultural values and role models transmitted by this literature. Assignments include literary criticism, essays, oral presentations and discussion.
FREN 3314
Advanced Composition and Stylistics I0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2215 or permission of the department Exercises in advanced composition and stylistics including consideration of semantic aspects of grammar. The stylistic analysis and exercises are mainly focussed on problems of language levels and registers. The course is designed for majors, teachers, future teachers of French and Advanced Certificate of Proficiency students.
FREN 3315
Advanced Composition and Stylistics II0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 3314 or permission of the department A further study of the elements of stylistics within the framework of genres as expressive resources of the French language. The course is designed for majors, teachers, future teachers of French and Advanced Certificate of Proficiency students.
FREN 3316
French Drama0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department A selection of major plays will be studied as illustrations of a genre and as a mirror of changing society. Assignments include exercises in literary criticism and socio-cultural analysis: oral presentations, reports, short essays.
FREN 3317
The Francophone Song0.5 unitPrerequisites: FREN 2204 or permission of the department A study of songs in French from throughout the Francophone world, with special emphasis on French Canada. Assignments will have a significant oral and aural component, and will involve the analysis of songs from literary, cultural, socio-political and historical points of view.
FREN 3324
Written French for the Professional World0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department Focus on writing techniques based on a variety of styles appropriate to current affairs and the professional world; also an introduction to professional translation. Assignments include reporting, business writing and translation, with emphasis on clarity and accuracy of written expression.
FREN 3325
Oral French for the Professional World0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department Focus on aural comprehension and techniques of spoken expression appropriate to current affairs and the professional world, with emphasis on clarity and accuracy of oral expression. Assignments include structured discussions, reporting, oral presentations, debates and interviews based on oral and written documents such as media programmes and articles.
FREN 3371/LING 3371
Structure and Variety in Contemporary French I: Phonetics0.5 unit
Prerequisite: FREN 2215 An overview of the basic sound-system of the French language, with particular attention to areas which cause the greatest difficulty to Anglophones learning French. Among these are the many sources of variation in French pronunciation, within the speech of single individuals as well as between regional and national varieties. Particular attention is given to the speech varieties in Quebec and Acadie. This course is taught in French.
Note: Students who have received credit for FREN/LING 3370 may not take this course for credit.
FREN 3372/LING 3372
Structure and Variety in Contemporary French II: Grammar0.5 unitPrerequisite: FREN 2215 An overview of the basic grammatical structure of the French language, with particular attention to areas which cause the greatest difficulty to Anglophones learning French. Major variations in French syntax according to pragmatic, social and regional criteria, with special attention to Quebec and Acadie. This course is taught in French.
Note: Students who have received credit for FREN/LING 3383 may not take this course for credit.
FREN 3384/LING 3384
The Development of Modern French0.5 unit
Prerequisite: FREN 2215 or equivalent
An overview of the history of the French language from its beginnings as a form of Latin 2000 years ago, to its modern forms. Special attention is given to the historical and social background of the changes to the origins and development of the French Canadian speech varieties, especially in Québec and Acadie. This course is taught in French.
FREN 3397
Civilization of France0.5 unitPrerequisites: FREN 2204 or 2206 or 2215 A panorama of French culture and civilization from the origins to modern days. The course will examine the cultural, social, and political realities that shaped French customs, ideas and minds. Selected works representing the above will be studied. Assignments include essays, oral presentations and discussion.
FREN 3398
Focus on French Canada0.5 unit
Prerequisites: FREN 2204 or 2206 or 2215 or permission of the department
An examination of French Canada, in its past and present forms, with focus on the arts, politics, social structures, political survival and aspirations of Quebec and other Franco-Canadian regions. (Also listed under Canadian Studies).
FREN 3399
Special Topics in French
0.5 unit
Prerequisites: FREN 2204 or 2215, or permission of the department
An opportunity to explore selected topics in French at an advanced level. Course offerings may vary, dealing for example with particular authors, genres, theoretical approaches or historical periods.
FREN 4400
Directed Study0.5 unit
FREN 4401
Directed Study0.5 unit
French majors who have appropriate prerequisites and permission of the department, may, in consultation with a French professor, pursue in-depth study of a specific area of French language, literature or civilization.
Hours to be arranged
FREN 4403
The French Novel0.5 unit
Prerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department
Selected French novels are analysed as examples of a genre and illustrations of narrative techniques. Assignments include literary criticism, essays, oral presentations and discussion.
FREN 4404
The French Popular Novel0.5 unit
Prerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215
Selected French best-selling novels are analysed in search of the sociological and aesthetic factors responsible for their popularity and that of the genre. Assignments include literary criticism, essays, oral presentations and discussion.
FREN 4408
The Novel of French Canada0.5 unit
Prerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department
Selected novels by French Canadian novelists are studied as an art form and as a mirror of society. Assignments include literary criticism, essays, oral presentations and discussion. Note: Students who have received credit for French 406 and 407 may not take this course for credit. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 4409
French Canadian Theatre0.5 unit
Prerequisite: FREN 2204 or 2215 or permission of the department
An examination of the development of Quebec theatre through the study of at least four representative plays. The course will provide students with a critical and theoretical approach to drama as literary, artistic and social expression. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 4451
Directed Studies in French I
0.5 unit
FREN 4452
Directed Studies in French II0.5 unit
Open courses permitting students with advanced standing to pursue study in a specific area of the French language not accommodated in the course program. The outline is worked out by the student(s) and professor involved. Students intending to take this course must obtain the approval of the Department of Modern Languages.
FREN 4453/LING 4453
Directed Studies in French Linguistics0.5 unit
Students who have appropriate prerequisites in French and Linguistics may, with permission of the Modern Languages Department and in consultation with the relevant professor, pursue in-depth study of a specific area of linguistics taught in French.
FREN 4498
Honours Essay0.5 unit
Prerequisite: see requirements for an honours degree in French
Honours students are required to write an essay in French of no fewer than 6,000 words, on a subject chosen in consultation with the department.