French Course Descriptions: 2022-2023

**TENTATIVE COURSE OFFERINGS, SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

FR 101: First-Year French- Various

Introduction to French stressing the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through a communicative approach. Sequence. Conducted in French. 

FR 111: Intensive Beginning French- Various

Intensive study for experienced language learners (ex: took French during High School). Introduction to French culture. Prereq for 111: previous study of French or competence in another Romance language.

FR 201: Second-Year French- Various

Development of reading, writing, and speaking skills; study of short literary and cultural texts; considerable attention paid to oral use of the language. Prereq for 201: first-year language competence.  

FR 301: Culture and Language - 4 credits - Géraldine Poizat-Newcomb

This course explores French society and culture in the 21st century. It investigates current social issues, cultural traits, tradition and change through a variety of documents (articles, cartoons, videos, websites and a movie). A comparative book on French and American culture is read and summarized at home, chapter by chapter, and discussed in class. Grammar topics include a review of the subjunctive mode, personal pronouns, comparative and superlative, the negation, the imperative mode, the passive voice and numbers in French. Readings, writing and discussion in French.  

FR 318: Monarchie, Liberté, Révolution - 4 credits - Alexandre Albert-Galtier

Introduction to major themes and ideas in French literature from the 17th and 18th centuries through the reading of representative texts. Prereq: FR 301 or FR 302.

FR 319: Survey of 19th and 20th Century French Literature - 4 Credits - Andre Djiffack 

Introduction to major themes and ideas in French literature from the 19th and 20th Centuries through the reading of representative texts. 

Prescribed Books Guy de Maupassant, Pierre et Jean and André Gide, La Symphonie pastorale.

FR 425 French/English translation - 4 credits - Géraldine Poizat-Newcomb 

Think you’d like working as a translator? Come and find out! FR 425 focuses on the acquisition of practical translation skills, from English to French and from French to English. We study registers, linguistic and cultural differences, the types of translation used in literature, but also in commercials, comic books, poetry, recipes, and instruction manuals. The class is lively and relies on group work. We also practice interpretation (simultaneous oral translation) and learn the basics of translation theory. Weekly quizzes on false cognates.   

Readings in French and English, discussions in French. 

FR 460/560 Liberté & Égalité – 4 Credits - Fabienne Moore 

Nous travaillerons dans ce séminaire sur la liberté et l’égalité comme idées, idéaux et droits tels que les deux termes évoluent au cours du dix-huitième siècle. Nos sources primaires seront des pièces de théâtre (Marivaux, Beaumarchais, de Gouge) et des romans (Manon Lescaut, Ourika) qui permettent de mettre en scène de façon plus ou moins subversive, et plus ou moins utopique la liberté et l’égalité. Nous étudierons aussi les essais de Jean-Jacques Rousseau puis la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme au miroir de la Déclaration universelle des droits de la femme d’Olympe de Gouge. Bien que liberté et égalité soient souvent aujourd’hui invoquées comme des vérités évidentes, nous chercherons ce que signifient ces deux mots avant et après les Révolutions française et haïtienne. MA Period 2 

RL 407-507 Women talk to Women – Leah Middlebrook

This course examines scenes of women in conversation in literary, visual, and cinematic texts from the Hispanic, Anglophone, Francophone and Italophone worlds (the concepts of “world” and “worlding” will be discussed in our class). We will explore tensions between “woman” as a biological category and the construction of ideologies and tropes of womanhood and femininity over the course of social, political, and economic modernity by considering how select narratives, circulated, and elaborated in the sixteenth-, seventeenth-, eighteenth- and nineteenth centuries, shape conventions about women and womanhood we encounter today. Writers, artists, and theorists considered include Ovid, Fernando de Rojas, Christine De Pizan, Francesco Petrarca, Louise Labé, Marguerite de Navarre, Miguel de Cervantes, María de Zayas, Moderata Fonte, Veronica Franco, Louise Bourgeois, Cheri Moraga, María Lugones. The language of instruction in this course is English; however, students are encouraged to read and write in the language of their choosing. In order to receive MA or Major credit in FR, ITAL, or SPAN, it is necessary to complete all written assignments in the target language. Students seeking credit toward the Minor in those languages should confirm with their advisor and the instructor. Please note that as this is a 400/500 level course, students should be prepared to take on the extensive reading and class preparation necessary for a solid, vigorous seminar J.

Contact Leah Middlebrook with questions (middlebr@uoregon.edu).

RL 636 Teaching and Learning Romance Languages - Robert L Davis 

This course provides specialized, pre-professional training in the teaching of Romance languages (French, Italian, and Spanish) to adults. The class readings, lectures, discussions, and portfolio activities will help you to:  

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of major concepts and the historical context of the field of language learning and teaching in the U.S.; 
• apply general L2 learning research to the particular problems of learning Romance languages; 
• design and implement a complete instructional sequence for new material, with attention to sequencing of activities, learning styles, and modes of communication (presentational, interpretive, interpersonal); 
• personalize instruction for a diverse group of learners, with different motivations and interests in language study; 
• utilize effectively and appropriately a range of technologies for the second language classroom; and  
• reflect on your own professional practice and by analyzing and evaluating your own teaching and that of your peers. 

FR 102: First-Year French- Various

Introduction to French stressing the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through a communicative approach. Sequence. Conducted in French.  

FR 111: Intensive Beginning French- Various

Intensive study for experienced language learners (ex: took French during High School). Introduction to French culture. Prereq for 111: previous study of French or competence in another Romance language.

FR 112: Intensive Beginning French- Various

Intensive study for experienced language learners (ex: took French during High School). Introduction to French culture. Prereq for 112: successful completion of FR 111

FR 202: Second-Year French- Various

Development of reading, writing, and speaking skills; study of short literary and cultural texts; considerable attention paid to oral use of the language. Prereq for 201: first-year language competence.  

FR 203: Second-Year French- Various

Development of reading, writing, and speaking skills; study of short literary and cultural texts; considerable attention paid to oral use of the language. Prereq for 201 and 202: first-year language competence.  

FR 302: Contemporary Francophone World - 4 credits Géraldine Poizat-Newcomb

This course will explore the richness and variety of Francophone cultures in the Caribbean, North America, Africa and Southeast Asia, with a particular emphasis on North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. We will use literary, journalistic, artistic and audiovisual materials to analyze the cultural legacies of colonialism and the complexities of evolving national identities in the French-speaking world today.  

FR 312: French Survey: Francophone Literature - 4 Credits-  André Djiffack 

Introduction to major authors and texts of the French-speaking world outside of France. 

Prescribed Book: Gaasch and Budig-Markin, Diversité 

FR 330 Poésie française - 4 credits - Fabienne Moore

L’objectif du cours est d’étudier la poésie française à travers le temps dans toute sa richesse, sa beauté et sa diversité. A travers de nombreuses analyses textuelles, nous mettrons en lumière les aspects essentiels, formels et thématiques, de la poétique française. Lectures, exercices, exposés et devoirs écrits vous permettront d’améliorer votre français écrit et oral et de vous familiariser avec la tradition poétique française et ses plus grands auteurs. Lectures, discussions et travaux écrits seront tous effectués en français.

FR 407 Guerre dans la BD - 4 credits - Fabienne Moore

Bien que la France, la Belgique et la Suisse aient l’une des plus anciennes et des plus influentes traditions de bande dessinée, l’étude de cette forme artistique narrative est entravée par des préjugés sur sa popularité, sa facilité, sa superficialité et son public de jeunes lecteurs. Pour récuser ces perceptions, ce cours se concentre sur les représentations de la guerre dans la bande dessinée francophone: nous étudierons plusieurs conflits: guerre de Crimée, Commune de Paris, guerres coloniales en Algérie et au Congo; la Première et la Deuxième guerre mondiale; conflits en Amérique du Nord et du Sud. Nous examinerons comment et pourquoi artistes et auteurs les ont représentées “graphiquement.” Nous étudierons l’esthétique d’auteurs/artistes qui ont inventé des icônes telles que Tintin, Astérix et Obélix, et nous lirons des œuvres contemporaines majeures (Ferrandez, Tardi, Comès). L’objectif du cours est d’améliorer votre expression française orale et écrite, de communiquer vos idées critiques grâce à un genre qui défie le canon littéraire tout en étant incroyablement expressif. Nous découvrirons une nouvelle façon de “dire” l’histoire de l’identité francophone et l’histoire de ses forces et faiblesses en temps de guerre.

FR 416 Advanced Writing in French - 4 credits- Géraldine Poizat-Newcomb

Even if you don't like writing, you should have some fun in this class! With writing tips from a user-friendly textbook, it offers a variety of activities: in-depth text examination, weekly playful creative writing, and the step-by-step creation of a research essay about a topic that is of genuine interest to you. We aim to end the class with a clear, coherent, interesting paper (in some cases, publishable) written with a reader-oriented mind. Throughout the term, we study how to choose a topic, how to present a claim, how to find and use sources, and how to organize and support our ideas in a clear, attractive, convincing manner – all useful skills, in and out of the classroom! Conducted in French. 

FR 490/590 Césaire, Fanon, Glissant - 4 Credits - André Djiffack 

Le décryptage de la littérature postcoloniale repose essentiellement sur la théorie de base formulée par trois intellectuels majeurs du monde noir que sont Césaire, Fanon et Glissant. Dans ce séminaire, nous allons explorer les œuvres canoniques de ces penseurs qui balisent et structurent la réflexion sur le drame de l’humanité africaine depuis l’esclavage jusqu’à la départementalisation, en transitant par la colonisation.  

 Prescribed books :

• Aimé Césaire : Une tempête, Paris, Seuil 
• Aimé Césaire : Discours sur le colonialisme, Présence Africaine 
• Frantz Fanon : Les Damnés de la terre, Paris, La Découverte 
• Frantz Fanon : Peau noire, masques blancs, Paris,  
• Edouard, Glissant, Le Discours antillais, Paris, Seuil,  
• Edouard Glissant, La Case du Commandeur, Paris, Seuil

RL 407/507: Fascism and Neo-Fascism-Diana Garvin

How do you study something ugly? This course teaches argumentation and empathy in tandem to counteract the divisiveness of Fascist rhetoric. Debate labs show how to appeal to your audience’s logos (head), ethos (gut), and pathos (heart). Two in-class debates give you the opportunity to practice these techniques. Annotation exercises deconstruct Fascist propaganda and speeches, revealing how dictators manipulate emotion to maintain control. Critical reading exercises then extend these lessons to Neo-Fascism, teaching you to distinguish between news entertainment and trustworthy sources. Ultimately, this course teaches how to interpret primary sources and to craft compassionate arguments. Together, these two skills will prepare you to deliver a convincing case for ethical actions in real world scenario.

FR 103: First-Year French- Various

Introduction to French stressing the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through a communicative approach. Sequence. Conducted in French.  

FR 112: Intensive Beginning French- Various

Intensive study for experienced language learners (ex: took French during High School). Introduction to French culture. Prereq for 112: successful completion of FR 111

FR 201: Second-Year French- Various

Development of reading, writing, and speaking skills; study of short literary and cultural texts; considerable attention paid to oral use of the language. Prereq for 201: first-year language competence.  

FR 203: Second-Year French- Various

Development of reading, writing, and speaking skills; study of short literary and cultural texts; considerable attention paid to oral use of the language. Prereq for 201: first-year language competence.  

FR 307: Oral Skills - 2 credits - Fabienne MoorePenser le monde qui change. S’exprimer en français sur mes idées, mes rêves, mes projets, mes espoirs et mes sentiments sur le monde qui vient. Le français n’est pas juste une langue utilitaire pour obtenir ou faire quelque chose mais une langue pour aider à penser ce qu’on sent et pour sentir autrement.

Dix semaines consacrées à dix valeurs positives: la communication, la collectivité, la localité, la joie, le bien-être, le travail, l’art, la nature, l’amour, le don. Autour de chaque valeur : du vocabulaire concret et abstrait, des expressions idiomatiques, des jeux de rôles, des extraits de journaux télévisés, des chansons, des poèmes, des conversations à plusieurs, des moments d’expression libre. L’objectif est de pratiquer et d’améliorer la compréhension du français oral et l’expression orale. Communiquons en français pour vivre mieux, ici et maintenant, et pour imaginer positivement le monde qui vient et notre contribution. 

FR 312: French Survey: Francophone Literature - 4 Credits - André Djiffack

Introduction to major authors and texts of the French-speaking world outside of France. 

Prescribed Book, Gaasch and Budig-Markin, Diversité 

FR 317 French Survey: Middle Ages and Renaissance - 4 credits - Géraldine Poizat-Newcomb  

This class focuses on French literature and culture during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The first half of the course focuses on classical texts from the Middle Ages (Chanson de Roland, Roman de Renart, fabliaux, folk tales and poetry) while the second half explores the prose works of Marguerite de Navarre, Rabelais and Montaigne. The course combines close readings of those texts with a discussion of the socio-political, cultural, artistic, and historical conditions of their times.  

FR 333. French Narrative - 4 Credits - André Djiffack

In this class, students will analyze critically La Peste, by Albert Camus, a Nobel Prize winner (1957). Studying this novel will help them understand the Covid-19 Pandemic in deeper and more complex manner. 

FR 407: The Tao of Montaigne - 4 credits Géraldine Poizat-Newcomb 

Montaigne lived at the time of Shakespeare, but he asked the same questions we ponder today: What is human nature? Is intelligence a blessing or a curse? How can I calm my fear of death? What religion should I follow? Is empathy a weakness? What is a good life?

We study excerpts from Montaigne’s Essays along with texts and videos by modern-day teachers like Eckhart Tolle, Pema Chodron, Byron Katie and Thich Nhat Hanh, as well as poems from the Tao Te Ching and the Sufi tradition. 

The class has an experiential component, with a different meditation practice every week, and an emphasis on group discussion.  Readings, writing and discussion in modern French. 

RL 407/507 The Idea of Europe - 4 credits - Fabienne Moore  

The Idea of Europe is a multi-disciplinary course that explores the meaning(s) of Europe past and present, and the conundrum that is European identity. Guest faculty from a variety of disciplines on campus (humanities, social sciences and the arts) lecture weekly on the European legacy as we explore cultural, historical, political and social institutions that continue to inform our ideas of Europe today. While the overall framework is historical, the course is a creative investigation into different perspectives, texts, issues, and disciplinary assumptions--often incompatible or competing--that shape “Europe” as an object of study. Each lecture and selected readings open an aspect of Europe from antiquity to the present. While the course is taught in English, it may bear credit for all degree programs in Romance Languages. Individual exploration of original materials in the European languages is encouraged. Students will be required to keep a reaction journal and to complete a term paper or project on some aspect of Europe. Faculty from various disciplines and areas of expertise will offer lectures and selected readings to explore certain aspects of Europe over time. Students are not expected to demonstrate mastery of the different topics presented in these lectures and readings and may reflect on the material from different disciplinary perspectives. But the lectures and readings are designed to challenge students beyond their comfort zone of familiarity and knowledge, opening them up to a variety of perspectives or “ideas” of Europe.  

For students in the master’s program: you are invited to work on the historical period of your choice for your research paper and connect your research topic with your MA exams and/or MA essay. 

RL 620 Preparing a Humanities Article for Publication - Lanie Millar 

In this course, we will learn the steps for preparing an article in the humanities for publication in a professional journal. Topic will include evaluation of mechanics, argument, organization, and secondary literature; getting to know journals in your field and evaluating possible outlets; and soliciting and incorporating peer feedback. Students should arrive with a solid draft of a paper they wish to revise. This course is open to students at any phase of graduate study but is particularly designed for doctoral students preparing a piece for publication in a US-based journal and MA students working on an MA essay.