French
Professor Frances Sikola Chevalier (Department Chair and Program Director).
The French program at Norwich is designed to give students a thorough mastery of speaking, aural comprehension, and reading and writing skills in French and to produce cultural literacy in the fascinating and complex francophone world. Norwich maintains a student exchange program with the renowned French military academy, l'École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr in Coëtquidan, France. Students in the Corps of Cadets with a distinguished GPA and advanced proficiency in French may apply to participate in the program.
French Minor
All courses require a grade of C or higher. The courses required to complete the minor depend on the foreign-language proficiency level of the incoming student. See tracks A and B below:
A. The following is the track to complete the minor for those who enter Norwich at or below the intermediate level:
| FR 205 | Intermediate French I | 3 |
| FR 206 | Intermediate French II | 3 |
| FR Elective (250 or higher) | 3 | |
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
B. Track B is to be completed by students who place above the intermediate level:
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| FR Elective (311 or higher) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Courses
FR 111 Beginning French I 6 Credits
The main purpose of this intensive course is to lead students to communicate in French at a basic level, to appreciate the French-speaking world, and to develop cultural awareness. In a highly interactive environment, students learn to understand, speak, read, and write French. French-language films, videos, and music presented in lab sessions are selected to reinforce the cultural material discussed in class, improve speaking and listening skills, and address differences in nonverbal communication. Not open to students who have successfully completed FR 205 or higher. Classroom 6 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequiste: Appropriate score on placement exam.
FR 112 Beginning French II 6 Credits
A continuation of FR 111 in which language skills are brought to a level enabling students to participate more fully in general conversation, to read more sophisticated passages, and to write with a firmer command of syntactical structures. Cultural competency is further developed. Classroom 6 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: FR 111, NU language placement, or equivalent. Not open to students who have successfully completed FR 205 or higher.
FR 150 Topics Course 3 Credits
Specialized topics relating to French and Francophone culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. This is an introductory-level course. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic differs. May be taught in French or English; see schedule of classes. (When taught in English, this course may not count towards fulfilling the foreign-language requirement.) Classroom: 3 hours; laboratory varies with topic of course.
FR 150EN Topics Course in English 3 Credits
Specialized topics relating to French and Francophone culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Taught in English. This course does not meet the Modern Language requirement.
FR 205 Intermediate French I 3 Credits
A course providing aural-oral practice in French, in which students enter into full discussion of topics that include abstract themes and cultural perspectives; includes the expanded use of syntactical structures, the reading of sophisticated material, composition, the viewing of selected French and Francophone films and documentary materials from French-language television. Taught entirely in French. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. Prerequisite: FR 112, NU language placement, a score of 500 on the CEEB French Reading Test, or permission of the instructor.
FR 206 Intermediate French II 3 Credits
A course providing aural-oral practice in French, in which students enter into full discussion of topics that include abstract themes and cultural perspectives; includes the expanded use of syntactical structures, the reading of sophisticated material, composition, the viewing of selected French films and documentary materials from French television. Taught entirely in French. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. Prerequisite: FR 205 or the equivalent, NU language placement, score of 500 on the CEEB French Reading Test, or permission of the instructor.
FR 250 Topics Course 3 Credits
Specialized topics relating to French and Francophone culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. This is an intermediate-level course. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic differs. May be taught in French or English; see schedule of classes. (When taught in English, this course may not count towards fulfilling the foreign-language requirement.) Classroom: 3 hours; laboratory varies with topic of course.
FR 250EN Topics Course in English 3 Credits
Specialized topics relating to French and Francophone culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Taught in English. Topics in Literature count as a General Education Literature elective and have EN 102 as a prerequisite; others as a General Education Arts & Humanities elective. This course does not meet the Modern Language requirement.
FR 311 Advanced French I 3 Credits
A continuation of grammar review at the advanced level; further development of oral expression through discussion and formal presentations. An introduction to the analysis of Francophone literature and film; an overview of major events, including cultural and scientific developments affecting French thought. Students will prepare written work in a workshop atmosphere in which rewriting and collaboration are encouraged in order to teach self-correction. Readings, lectures, discussions, student presentations, written work entirely in French. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. Prerequisites: FR 206, NU language placement, or permission of the instructor.
FR 312 Advanced French II 3 Credits
A continuation of grammar review at the advanced level; further development of oral expression through discussion and formal presentations. An introduction to the analysis of Francophone literature and film; an overview of major events, including cultural and scientific developments affecting French thought. Students will prepare written work in a workshop atmosphere in which rewriting and collaboration are encouraged in order to teach self-correction. Readings, lectures, discussions, student presentations, written work entirely in French. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. Prerequisites: FR 206, NU language placement or permission of the instructor.
FR 321 A Survey of French Literature I 3 Credits
An introduction to French Literature. Lectures, reading, discussion in French. Includes an historical survey of French civilization comprising developments in art, music, philosophy and science. Readings in French literature from the Middle Ages to 1789, from the chivalrous medieval epic to the philosophes of the Enlightenment and expression of the egalitarian ideal of the revolution.. Readings, lectures, discussions, student presentations, written work entirely in French. Prerequisites: FR 206, or a 300-level course (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement, or permission of the instructor.
FR 322 A Survey of French Literature II 3 Credits
An introduction to French Literature. Lectures, reading, discussion in French. Includes an historical survey of French civilization comprising developments in art, music, philosophy, the technology of warfare and the sciences. Readings in French literature from Romanticism to literature of the Absurd and beyond. Readings, lectures, discussions, student presentations, written work entirely in French. Prerequisites: FR 206, or a 300-level course (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement, or permission of the instructor.
FR 327 French Literature since 1900 I 3 Credits
A study of French literature (novel) from the latter part of the 19th century to the present day. Topics of study include concurrent developments in the other art forms and in the sciences; the impact of the World Wars on Francophone authors and artists. Readings, lectures, discussions, student presentations, written work in French. Prerequisites: FR 206, or a 300-level course (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement, or permission of the instructor.
FR 328 French Literatur since 1900 II 3 Credits
A study of French literature (poetry, theater, and film) from the latter part of the 19th century to the present day. Topics of study include concurrent developments in the other art forms and in the sciences; the impact of the World Wars on Francophone authors and artists. Readings, lectures, discussions, student presentations, written work in French. Prerequisites: FR 206, or a 300-level course (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement or permission of the instructor.
FR 331 Advanced French Composition, Conversation, and Translation I 3 Credits
A course in French stylistics, translation, oral reports and discussions in French. Prerequisites: FR 206, or a 300-level course (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement or permission of instructor.
FR 332 Advanced French Composition, Conversation, and Translation II 3 Credits
A course in French stylistics, translation, oral reports, and discussions in French. Prerequisites: FR 206, or a 300-level course (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement or permission of instructor.
FR 350 Topics Course 3 Credits
Specialized topics relating to French and Francophone culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Taught in French. Topics in Literature count as Literature elective; others Humanities elective. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic differs. Prerequisite:FR206 or permission of the instructor.
FR 350EN Topics Course in English 3 Credits
Specialized topics relating to French and Francophone culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Taught in English. Topics in Literature count as a General Education Literature elective and have EN 102 as a prerequisite; others as a General Education Arts & Humanities elective. This course does not meet the Modern Language requirement.
FR 415 Seminar: Topics in French Literature 3 Credits
Study of a particular author, theme, genre, or literary movement, including cultural themes. Offered as occasion demands. Topic varies each year these courses are offered. Prerequisites: FR300-level course or permission of instructor.
FR 421 Reading and Research on a Topic in French Literature and Civilization 3 Credits
A report on an approved project of original research in French literature or civilization under the direction of a department member. Limited to students who have demonstrated aptitude for independent work. May be scheduled either or both semesters. Prerequisites: FR300-level course, permission of the department chair and course instructor.