Bienvenue sur le site du département de français à l'Université de Niagara. Notre programme se base sur l'enseignement de la langue française, avec une emphase particulière sur l'expression orale et écrite, ainsi que la littérature et la culture francophones. Nos étudiants ont aussi la possibilité d'enrichir leur expérience linguistique à travers plusieurs activités extracurriculaires, y compris la table de conversation, le cercle français, et le ciné-club. Nous encourageons aussi à tous nos étudiants de perfectionner leurs connaissances en s'inscrivant à un des nos programmes d'études à l'étranger, comme le Centre International d'Études Françaises à Angers, l'Université Catholique de Lille, l'Institut Français d'Annecy, en France; l'École de Langue Française et de Culture Québécoise à Chicoutimi, Québec; ou l'Université d'Al Akhawayn à Ifrane au Maroc.

Click here for a list of useful links for French

Click here to see the Major Requirements for French

COURSE LISTING

French 101    Elementary French I  (AS)  Basic course in French emphasizing skills in oral and written communication with an introduction to the culture and civilization of the francophone world. Open to students with no previous study of French.

French 102    Elementary French II (AS)    Course continues to develop the four basic functions of language begun in French 101: speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading, while stressing vocabulary acquisition, grammar structures, and pronunciation. The culture of the francophone world forms much of the content area of the course. Prerequisite:  French 101 or permission of the instructor.

French 103-104    Intermediate French (AS)    Review and expansion of communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) through materials reflecting the history, literature, and culture of the francophone world.  Prerequisite:  French 102 or permission of the instructor. This course is required for the major for students enrolled in the College of Education.

French 110    Business French (AS)  An introduction to the vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical constructions appropriate to a francophone business setting. In addition to building basic communications skills, the course covers various aspects of French business etiquette, commercial jargon, and correspondence. Taught partly in English, this course is open to students with basic skills in French language. Prerequisite: French 102 or permission of the instructor.

French 200    Francophone Women Writers in Translation (H/CD)    A survey of various themes and social question regarding the position that women have held in French society from the 12th century to the present, as these are treated in poetry, prose fiction, cinema and drama by and about women. Conducted in English, with all texts read in translation, this course is open to all students, regardless of their background in French.  This course cannot be used to satisfy a language or analytical skills requirement for non-majors. It may count as a culture course for the French minor or major.  This course is taught in English.

French 204    Intensive French Grammar Review (AS) Review and expansion of French grammar, as well the development of reading techniques, critical thinking, and writing skills through the study of short literary texts. (3 credit hours)

French 205-206    Advanced Conversational French and Composition (AS)     Development of fluency in the language as well as of the ability to write original compositions and to conduct improvised conversations in French. A large portion of the course content includes literary readings, film screenings, and cultural texts. Prerequisite: French 104 or permission of the instructor. This course is taught in French.  This course is required for the major.

French 305    Literature and Civilization of Quebec (H/AS) A survey of political, social, intellectual and artistic history of Quebec as reflected in its literature, cinema, and cultural texts. This course is taught in French. 

French 306    Literature and Culture of Francophone Africa (H/AS/CD)    A survey of political, social, and aesthetic trends in Francophone Africa and in the Francophone Caribbean, through a close examination of North and West African, as well as Caribbean literature, theatre, art, and film. This course is taught in French. 

French 307    Contemporary Issues in the Francophone World (H/AS)    Through a close examination current French-language media, students explore topical issues in international politics, social structures, and culture within the contemporary francophone world. This course is taught in French. 

French 308    Cultural History of France (H/AS) A survey of the history of France from the Middle Ages to World War II, through thematic studies of the artistic and literary developments, social and political movements, philosophical trends, and historic personalities that helped to shape France of the twenty-first century. This course is taught in French.  This course is required for the major.

French 310    Translation Laboratory (AS)    Introduction to the techniques and problems of translation. Includes written, consecutive and simultaneous translation as well as subtitling. This course is usually taken abroad. This course is taught in French

French 319    Special Topics in Francophone Cinema (H/AS)    A variable topics course which means to introduce students to particular cultural aspects of the francophone world through a close study and examination of its films.  This course is taught in French.

French 401    Independent Research Project (WI)  Each student pursues a topic independently under the direction of a faculty advisor. The student must have a written report of his/her findings approved. The approved written report is to be filed with the department chairperson.

French 404-405    Honors Thesis I and II (WI)    Individual research of a substantive nature pursued in the student's major field of study. The research will conclude in a written thesis or original project, and an oral defense. All appropriate paperwork must be filed with the department of modern and classical languages, as well as with the university honors program.

French 406    Phonetics (AS)    Intensive study of the sound system, intonation, and accent in French. This course is usually taken abroad. This course is taught in French.

French 410    History of French Theatre (H/AS/WI)  A survey of the major trends in the development of theatre literature, theory, and performance in France from the Middle Ages to the present.This course is taught in French

French 412    Twentieth Century French Literature (H/AS/WI)    An examination of selected major works of prose, theatre, and poetry of the twentieth-century, within the context of social and political change. This course is taught in French.

French 414    Romanticism (H/AS/WI)    Analysis of the ideas, techniques, and major contributions of the literary leaders of the Romantic movement in France (1815-1848). This course is taught in French.

French 415    Realism and Symbolism (H/AS/WI)    Studies in post-Romantic prose and poetry, with special emphasis on Baudelaire, Flaubert, Verlaine, Mallarme, and Zola. This course is taught in French.

French 418-419    Advanced Grammar and Stylistics (AS)    Course designed to develop the personal writing style of the student by means of grammatical and stylistic exercises as well as creative and technical writing. These courses are usually taken abroad. This course is taught in French.

French 425    Senior Seminar (AS/WI)    Research work manifested in oral and written projects in keeping with the area of specialization of individual students. This course is taught in French.  This course is required for the major for students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.

French 426    Teaching Assistantship    A student having attained advanced proficiency in French will lead weekly lab sessions as a supplement to French 205-206. These sessions consist of grammar exercises, vocabulary drills, conversational activities, and cultural modules. With a pedagogical supervisor, the student will examine various language acquisition strategies while preparing a cumulative teaching portfolio. This course is taught in French and in English.

French 428    Stage de Perfectionnement (AS)    Course designed to provide students who have already attained a level of fluency with opportunity to perfect their skills by means of group work, a teaching assistantship, or individualized project. This course is taught in French.