FR-French Courses

FR 101. Introductory French I. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to the language by focusing on the acquisition of essential elements for basic communication and development of the practical language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) for communicating in daily life situations, as well as provides a broader awareness of and appreciation for the cultures of the countries where French is spoken. This course meets Blazer Core Curriculum Communicating in the Modern World with a flag in Global & Multicultural Perspectives and Civic Engagement.

FR 101L. Introductory French I Lab Practice. 1 Hour.

Lab for Introductory French I. This course meets Blazer Core Curriculum Communicating in the Modern World with a flag in Global & Multicultural Perspectives and Civic Engagement.

FR 102. Introductory French II. 3 Hours.

This course continues to develop the language-learning process by focusing on the acquisition of essential elements for basic communication and development of the practical language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) for communicating in daily life situations, as well as provides a broader awareness of and appreciation for the cultures of the countries where French is spoken. This course meets the Blazer Core Curriculum Communicating in the Modern World with a flag in Global & Multicultural Perspectives and Civic Engagement.

FR 102L. Introductory French II Lab Practice. 1 Hour.

Lab for Introductory French II.

FR 105. Accelerated Gamified Introductory French. 3 Hours.

Intensive study of the essentials of language needed for proficient communication where students roleplay as voyagers on a trip around the French-speaking world. This is a high-paced course, which includes practices in listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading, as it combines FR 101 (Introductory French I) and FR 102 (Introductory French II). This voyage is designed for those who have studied French for one to three years prior to their arrival at UAB but want a review starting from the beginning. This course will meet Blazer Core Curriculum Communicating in the Modern World with a flag in Global & Multicultural Perspectives.

FR 105L. Accelerated Gamified Introductory French Workshop. 1 Hour.

As you embark on the voyage of French 105, you will document your travels in the Voyage Workshop (FR 105L). This is a 1-credit hour workhop you are taking simultaneously with FR 105 (for a total of 4 credit hours).

FR 108. Introductory Intensive French. 4 Hours.

Intensive study of the essentials of language needed for proficient communication. This is a high-paced course, which includes basic exercises in listening comprehension, speaking, writing and reading, as it combines FR 101 and 102. Includes a one-hour lab requirement. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirements for Area II: Humanities.

FR 190. Study Abroad. 1-8 Hour.

First-year level of approved study-abroad program in a French-speaking country.

FR 201. Intermediate French I. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to help students make the transition to natural communication and develop the language-learning process by focusing on the expansion of necessary elements for development of the practical language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) by using cultural and literary readings as well as grammatical exercises. It also provides a broader awareness of and appreciation for the cultures of the countries where French is spoken. This course meets the Blazer Core Curriculum Communicating in the Modern World with Flags in Sustainability and Global & Multicultural Perspectives.

FR 202. Intermediate French II. 3 Hours.

Continuation of french 201. Continued review of grammar and composition through written exercises of reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking skills. Conducted in French. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirements for Area II: Humanities.

FR 205. Society through French-Speaking Cinema. 3 Hours.

This course presents socio-historical, cultural issues and perspectives on French and francophone society and culture through film, with an emphasis on contemporary films and the exploration of l'Entre-deux Guerres, la Nouvelle Vague, as well as French-speaking movies from Africa and Canada. Conducted in French.

FR 206. French and Business Culture. 3 Hours.

The overarching goal of this intermediate course is to develop tools to function in a professional francophone setting. Students will closely examine the international job market while developing a personal professional dossier. Upon completion of this course, students may take the exam for the DFP (Diplôme de Français Professionnel), an internationally recognized validation of students’ proficiency in Professional French.

FR 210. Exploring French-speaking Culture. 3 Hours.

Overview of contemporary French cultural identity, in the context of geographical, social and educational dynamics. Conducted in French. May not concurrently enroll in FR 310.

FR 211. Intermediate Survey of French Literature. 3 Hours.

Intermediate-level overview of French literature and civilization from the seventeenth century to the present. Conducted in French. May not concurrently enroll in FR 311.

FR 220. Intermediate French Composition. 3 Hours.

Fundamental composition course focusing on syntactical patterns of French, vocabulary building, correct usage, stylistic control, writing skills, and free composition. Conducted in French. May not concurrently enroll in FR 320. Writing is a significant component of this course.

FR 221. Creative Writing in French. 3 Hours.

This course allows students to explore and develop their creative voice while developing French language skills at the low advanced level. The class aims at helping students to strengthen their vocabulary and writing style as well as improve nuances in the use of the French language through experiments with different genres and writing techniques, from poetry to short stories, found poem creations, the rewriting of fairy tales, travel writing, memoir vignettes. This is a fundamental writing course which focuses on the syntactical patterns of French, vocabulary building, correct usage, stylistic control, writing skills through the exploration of creative writing. Conducted in French.

FR 230. Practical Conversation. 3 Hours.

Acquisition of conversational and listening skills, vocabulary, and oral automatisms. Conducted in French. May not concurrently enroll in FR 330.

FR 240. French for Health. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the French healthcare system, presenting practical vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, medical terminology, and cultural attitudes of French-speaking patients towards health issues. Current issues related to health, illnesses, and healthcare in France and the French-speaking world will be discussed. This course builds and develops speaking, listening, and reading skills by emphasizing intensive conversation, technical reading, and vocabulary acquisition. Conducted in French.

FR 250. Food for Thought: French Culture through Cuisine. 3 Hours.

French gastronomy is renowned worldwide. This course aims to explore how French cuisine has had such a global culinary impact while analyzing the variety and specificities of French cuisine. Moving beyond France, it also tackles how food embodies different cultures, histories, nations, regions in the French-speaking world. By studying and cooking national or local dishes, students will explore the French food culture in film, literature, and historical texts to explore questions of national and individual identity, immigration, tradition, modernity, global and local markets. Conducted in French.

FR 290. Study Abroad. 1-12 Hour.

Approved program in a French-speaking country. Prerequiste: Permission of Department Chair.

FR 305. French-Speaking Cinema. 3 Hours.

Overview of French-speaking cinema from the end of the nineteenth century to the present. Emphasis on the cinema of l' Entre-deux Guerres, la Nouvelle Vague, and French-speaking movies from Africa. Conducted in French.

FR 306. Parlons affaires! Global Engagement in the French-Speaking World. 3 Hours.

In this task-based course, we will use departments of a company (human resources, production, sales, finance, and administration) to examine business practices. Students will gain real-world practical French experience through company web sites, the business press, case studies, and exchanges with francophone professionals. Upon completion of this course, students may take the exam for the DFP (Diplôme de Français Professionnel), an internationally recognized validation of students’ proficiency in Professional French.

FR 307. Advanced Grammar and Composition I. 3 Hours.

Thorough review of principles of French grammar, vocabulary, and idioms. Also comparative linguistics and phonetics. Conducted in French.

FR 308. Advanced Grammar and Composition II. 3 Hours.

Continuation of FR 307. Continued review of principles of French grammar, Vocabulary, and isioms. Also comparative linguistics and phonetics. Conducted in French.

FR 310. Exploring French-Speaking Culture. 3 Hours.

Overview of contemporary French-speaking cultural identity, in the context of geographical, social and educational dynamics. This course also focuses on building advanced-level French language skills and a stronger vocabulary. Conducted in French. May not take concurrently with FR 210.

FR 311. Greatest Hits of French Literature. 3 Hours.

This course is an overview of French civilization, culture, literature, and the arts from early to contemporary times. Highlights of best selling works of various authors, with emphasis on fundamental literary concepts and distinctive stylistic features of French discourse, will be reviewed. Conducted in French. May not be taken concurrently with FR 211.

FR 315. Bande-dessinée: Reading French Language Comics. 3 Hours.

This course offers an introduction to the vast universe of bandes dessinées in the French-speaking world, considering comics from France, Belgium, Africa, the Middle East, Québec, and the Caribbean. An extremely popular genre in the French-speaking world, bandes dessinées engages with contemporary culture with themes such as national identity, gender, immigration, colonization, and religion. The course also provides students with the appropriated vocabulary as well as the literary styles related to bandes dessinées. Conducted in French.

FR 320. Creative Writing in French. 3 Hours.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the French language around creative writing. Based on workshop activities, students will discuss short readings ranging from autobiographical to experimental in a variety of literary genres (poetry, prose, short story, and essay) and then write their own. Students will also critique and help other classmates in order to perfect their crafts. This is a fundamental writing course which focuses on the syntactical patterns of French, vocabulary building, correct usage, stylistic control, writing skills. Conducted in French.

FR 330. Practical Conversation. 3 Hours.

Acquisition of conversational and listening skills, vocabulary, and oral automatisms. Conducted in French. Preq: 6 hours of French at the minor level (or equivalent) or permission of instructor. May not concurrently enroll in FR 230.

FR 340. Approaches to Translation. 3 Hours.

This course develops the practice of the art of translation. The class will be devoted to translating a variety of genre of writing in French and in English (poetry, prose, journalism or subtitling) and that tackle various contemporary themes. Through translating – and reflecting on translation - students will acquire vocabulary, grammatical structures and writing styles. Conducted in French.

FR 350. Soccer, History, and Politics in the French-Speaking World. 3 Hours.

This course explores the importance of soccer in the French-speaking world and how the sport has become part of different cultures over the years. By looking at specific players’ stories or larger soccer events, the course specifically reflects on the politics behind the beautiful game. It will particularly examine the sport’s relationship with issues such as colonialism, decolonization, migration, race, gender, and national identity. Conducted in French.

FR 351. Food for Thought: French Culture through Cuisine. 3 Hours.

French gastronomy is renowned worldwide. This advanced level course aims to explore how French cuisine has had such a global culinary impact while analyzing the variety and specificities of French cuisine. Moving beyond France, it also tackles how food embodies different cultures, histories, nations, regions in the French-speaking world. By studying and cooking national or local dishes, students will explore the French food culture in film, literature, and historical texts to explore questions of national and individual identity, immigration, tradition, modernity, global and local markets. Conducted in French.

FR 360. La Chanson Française: French Culture through Songs. 3 Hours.

This course offers students a unique insight into French culture through la chanson française, or “French Song.” This genre of music often termed “la musique populaire” is the music of the French people in which the language and lyrics are more important than the melody itself. Through the study of songs, students trace the Medieval Troubadour tradition of storytelling to the contemporary poetry of songs. Through cross-cultural analysis, students will connect the songs of these performers to French identity. Course themes include national identity, gender, immigration, and religion. Conducted in French.

FR 390. Study Abroad. 1-9 Hour.

Approved program in a French-speaking country.

FR 399. Special Readings in French. 1-3 Hour.

Individualized course of directed readings and activities for students of French. Permission of Department Chair required.

FR 401. Histoires de France: French History Through Stories. 3 Hours.

Literature, culture, and civilization of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century France, reflecting the historical and literary ambience in which Ancient Regime writers, philosophers, and artists worked. Selected works of representative authors. Conducted in French.

FR 402. Aux Armes! Revolutions in the French-speaking World. 3 Hours.

This course reflects on the major revolutions that occurred in the 18th and 19th century, illustrating the impact of the French Revolution on the history and thought of Europe and the Americas. 3 hours. Conducted in French.

FR 403. Fin-de-Siecle France (1895-1940). 3 Hours.

Major literary and artistic movements of fin-de-siecle France, from La Belle Epoque period through World War I. Selected works of representative authors. Selections will vary according to instructor. Conducted in French.

FR 404. French Literature since 1940. 3 Hours.

Cultural trends and literary movements from World War II to the present, including existentialism and the Nouveau Roman. Selected works of representative authors. Selections will vary according to instructor. Conducted in French.

FR 405. Race, Gender, and Transnationalism in Francophone Literature and Thought. 3 Hours.

French-speaking literature outside France that developed through colonization, decolonization, revolution, and emigration. Representative writers from Francophone countries with emphasis on Africa and the Caribbean. Selected works of representative authors. Selections will vary according to instructor. Conducted in French.

FR 410. Special Topics in French. 3 Hours.

Seminar on individual authors, specific genres, important literary movements, or literary discourse/theory. Selected works of representative authors. Selections will vary according to instructor. Conducted in French. May be repeated for credit.

FR 412. French Civilization:before 1789 Pre-Revolutionary. 3 Hours.

Historical and cultural foundation of France, from its conquest by Julius Caesar to the French Revolution. Conducted in French.

FR 413. French Civilization after 1789 Post-Revolutionary. 3 Hours.

The history and myths of France after the French Revolution that produced French civilization. Conducted in French.

FR 421. Literature and the Environment in the French-Speaking World. 3 Hours.

This course examines the poetics of the environment, known as ecopoetics, in the 20th- and 21th-century literary and cultural productions of the Francophone world, notably France, the Caribbean and Africa. It explores how francophone poets, fiction writers and philosophers write and think about the environment in relation to tradition, memory, sexuality, law, poverty and global capitalism. This course pays particular attention to the role of the environment as a space to discuss historical and cultural events, ranging from colonization to the Anthropocene. Conducted in French.

FR 490. Study Abroad: French. 1-9 Hour.

Approved program in a French-speaking country.

FR 499. Directed Studies. 1-3 Hour.

Individualized course of directed readings and activities for students of French. Permission of Department Chair required.