French

This course provides further study of the phonological, morphosyntactic and discursive aspects of French. Completion of the course provides the equivalent of level B1.1 and B1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

This course familiarizes students with Medieval French and Medieval Literature through a collection of poetic texts or a novel during the first semester and a collection of short stories in the second semester. This second-year class contains both linguistic and literary content. This course focuses on understanding the language, the construction, and the sense of each text to bridge the gap between medieval and modern French. The syntax, morphology, vocabulary, and translation are studied in order to understand Old French. Students analyze and comment on medieval French texts and are exposed to literary topics in the medieval lyric genres and their various contexts.

This beginning course provides an introduction to basic French grammar and conversation skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. It covers simple phrases, nominal groups, determinants, pronouns, verbs (indicative, conditional, imperative, infinitive, past participle, and introduction to the subjunctive), and basic vocabulary.

This is a graduate level course that is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The first part of the course focuses on the history and development of non-European literature in French, with particular attention to the relationship between literary texts and the historical, artistic, and linguistic context. Special attention is placed on the different methodologies useful for the analysis and interpretation of literary texts. The second part of the course focuses on the issues of diversity and inclusion in French-speaking migrant literatures with particular attention to Quebec, Lebanese, and Senegalese literatures. Special attention is placed on literature written  by migrant authors and literature written by those born in exile. Voluntary or forced mobility generates a literature with a dual focus: towards the country of origin and towards the country of adoption. Migrant writings, in a French-speaking context, give rise to a third space in which identity is renegotiated through writing, a space for the elaboration of diversity in search of similarities. Principal texts by Marco Micone, Antonio D'Alfonso, Fulvio Caccia, Amin Maalouf, and Wajdi Mouawad.

This is an intermediate level French language course for students who have previously completed two or more semesters of French. Building on the basics of the language and utilizing good listening comprehension skills, the course builds students’ confidence in their ability to communicate. It focuses on understanding expressions and common vocabulary relevant to one’s persona life, including family, purchases, surrounding environment, studies, and work. The course builds skills to understand advertisements, announcements, and simple clear messages; read short, simple texts; and find specific predictable information in common documents such as short advertisements, brochures, menus, and timetables; understand short simple personal letters and emails; communicate during simple, habitual tasks that demand only an exchange of simple, direct information on subjects and activities that are familiar; have brief exchanges, using a series of sentences or expressions to describe in simple terms family or other people, living circumstances, education, and current or recent professional or academic activities; write notes and simple, short messages; and write a personal letter or email that is focused and structured, such as a thank you letter.

This tutorial course focuses on Francophone literature. It discusses two novels centered around the idea of laughter and irony, as well as excerpts from critical texts and other short literary works.