An introductory survey of French and Francophone cultural production representing a variety of periods, genres, approaches, and media. Students will read, view, discuss, and practice interpreting.

The social, political, economic, philosophical, and artistic developments in France from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution.

In this course we will read poems in French from a variety of writers and time periods, taking into account their stylistic features, emotional impact, and cultural resonance. Each day will be structured around the study of one key poem.Through in-class readings of related poems, writing workshops and secondary readings, we will explore how poetry brings us closer to words, language, knowledge, sensations, emotion, ourselves, and others.

Examines major works of sixteenth-century French literature situated in the larger historical and cultural context of the Continental Renaissance. Topics vary and may include, for example, humanism and reform, women writers, and urban culture. May be repeated for credit with different topics. Prerequisite: FREN 3032 and at least one FREN course numbered 3041 to 3043 (or instructor permission).

Advanced seminar in French and Francophone literature and culture. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit for different topics. Prerequisite: FREN 3031 and at least one literature or culture course beyond FREN 3040.

This course is about imagining life and sensory experiences of colonized subjects witnessing a changing urban environment. For some cities, imagining its past is naturally inscribed in a continuation meticulously informed. For cities that have been victim of a colonial experience, this haunted past needs to be revived to recreate a perception of historical continuity in the space and a sense of spatial belonging.

Normally, only French majors may enroll in this course and only by written permission from the department chair prior to the end of the first week of classes.

Preliminary research for thesis. Prerequisite: Admission to the Distinguished Majors Program.

Basic introduction to reading Old French, with consideration of its main dialects (Île-de-France, Picard, Anglo-Norman) and paleographical issues. May be taken in conjunction with FREN 5100 or independently. Taught in English.  Prerequisite:  Reading knowledge of modern French.

Topics may include genres (romance, poetry, hagiography, chanson de geste, allegory), themes (love, war, nature), single authors (Chrétien de Troyes, Machaut) and cultural and literary issues (gender, religion, authorship, rewritings).