FREN420S

FREN420S

[A Student Directed Seminar]

Questions contemporaines sur l’identité / Current Issues on Identity

Enseigné en français et en anglais, ce cours se penchera sur l’influence des problèmes d’identité dans notre monde contemporain dans un séminaire étudiant coordonné par Maximilien Azorin et sponsorisé par le professeur Ralph Sarkonak.

In an increasingly globalized world, our shared identities – ethnic, political, religious, social – are not innate, immutable, invulnerable to outside influences.  What becomes of our identity, for example, if we emigrate from the land in which it has been rooted?  Or if others who share our identity, or even we ourselves, are caught up in identity-based conflict?  What leads certain individuals to feel stripped of any meaningful identity at all and to fill the void with some form of radical ideology or even fanaticism? This Student Directed Seminar (SDS) will address some of these questions, which have a serious impact on how individuals behave today, and which are widely debated in political and academic circles.

A second major focus of this seminar will be language, which is inseparable from identity. A language cannot be understood without its associated identities, and identities cannot be fully expressed without their mother tongue. So not only will the relationship of language to identity be discussed and debated, but the seminar itself – background reading, discussion, presentations, written assignments and the feedback that they inspire – will be conducted bilingually, in French and in English.

Working bilingually, we will explore the political and social impact of bilingualism and multilingualism on, for example, post-colonial societies where native languages have displaced the once dominant language of a colonial power, or on the European Union with its twenty-four official languages. It is our hope that, by learning together in a bilingual environment where they are asked to formulate their own ideas and opinions and to understand one another in two languages, the seminar’s participants – anglophones and francophones, students of French and students of Political Science – will enjoy a unique experience and will gain insight into the phenomenon of human identity and into the forces that produce it, transform it or threaten it.

Textes:
Michèle Maillet, L’étoile noire (Oh! Editions)
Articles de sciences politiques en français et en anglais.

Prerequisites:
At least a good 300-level student’s command of French, interest in political science and francophone literature, and the curiosity to learn in a fully bilingual environment.

Langues d’enseignement: français et anglais.

Course Registration

FREN220

Course type: Hybrid

A hybrid course may involve a combination of synchronous activities (done in “real time”) and asynchronous activities (done in one’s own time). The course will be delivered online.

L’individu face aux normes sociales

This year’s FREN 220 focuses on pariahs and outcasts, loners and wanderers, individuals who pit themselves against social norms or who question them in order to imagine a better society. The protagonist of Marie de France’s Lai de Lanval must hide the existence of his otherworldly lover, and is subsequently shunned by the court. Christine de Pizan’s poetry sings of despair and resilience in the face of insurmountable loss. Joachim Du Bellay writes about nostalgia and yearns for a place to belong to. Rabelais and Montaigne dream of an educational system that could teach freedom and self-discovery. Phèdre, the eponymous heroin of Racine’s tragedy, rages against the norms that pit passion against duty.

FREN 220 offers a survey of medieval and early modern French literature, from 12th century courtly aesthetics to 17th century classicism, while offering an introduction to several fundamental genres: narrative fiction, poetry, non-fiction and theatre. By focusing on a variety of exercises, including close reading and essay writing, this course (conjointly with FREN 221) offers the perfect introduction to literary studies and textual analysis.

Required readings:

  • Marie de France, Le Lai de Lanval, Paris, Le Livre de Poche, 1995, ISBN 978-2-253-13813-6
  • Anthologie de la poésie française de Villon à Verlaine, Paris, Le Livre de Poche, 1998, ISBN 978-2-253-14501-1
  • Jean Racine, Phèdre, Paris, Le Livre de Poche, 2016, ISBN 978-2-253-18315-0

Prerequisite: FREN 123 or assignment based on placement test.

Language of Instruction: French

Note: To be taken by all students intending to proceed to the Minor, Major or Honours program in French.

Course Registration

FREN215

Oral French Practice

NOTICE: FREN 224 is replacing FREN 215 – register in FREN 224 instead!

Course Registration

 

 

Postcolonial Counterpoint. Orientalist, France, and the Maghreb

A1JvQfb5hvLFarid Laroussi —

Postcolonial Counterpoint is a critical study of Orientalism and the state of Francophone and postcolonial studies, examined through the lens of the historical and cross-cultural relations between France and North Africa.  Thoroughly questioning the inability of Western academia to shake free of universalism and essentialism and come to grips with the Orientalism within postcolonial discourse, Farid Laroussi offers a cultural tour d’horizon which considers André Gide’s writing on Algeria, literature by French authors of Maghrebi descent, and the conversation surrounding secularism and the headscarf in France. A provocative investigation of the place of Muslims and Islam in Francophone culture, Postcolonial Counterpoint asks how we must proceed if postcolonial studies is to make a difference in reconciling history, identity, citizenship, and Islam in the West.

Farid Laroussi, Postcolonial Counterpoint. Orientalist, France, and the Maghreb, University of Toronto Press, 2016.
ISBN: 1442648910

La mesure des mots. Microscopie du Livre I des fables de La Fontaine

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Hervé Curat —

Cette analyse textuelle des vingt-deux «fables de La Fontaine» qui font le Livre premier des Fables choisies de 1668 suit l’ordre du recueil, préservant le plan de lecture choisi par le fabuliste. L’étude de chacune longe le texte, mais cède à l’occasion le pas à une vue transversale de faits touchant l’ensemble du poème voire de l’ouvrage. Le sous-titre microscopie et les bases de la méthode viennent de R. Jakobson; elle emprunte aussi à C. Lévi-Strauss. L’analyse porte sur les données langagières: étymologie, lexique, morphologie, phonétique, phraséologie, poétique, ponctuation, stylistique, syntaxe et statistique (collocation, récurrence et fréquence des formes). Elle porte aussi sur la mise en page des fables, sur leurs rapports avec les gravures de F. Chauveau, sur les questions de pragmatique qu’elles posent, les références culturelles, littéraires, historiques et personnelles qu’on y trouve, sur leur pertinence ethnographique et zoologique. L’érudition du fabuliste et le méticuleux travail d’écriture qu’il cachait avec soin sont mis en lumière. Le thème dominant qui ressort du Livre premier est celui de la commensalité contrariée.

 

Hervé Curat, La mesure des mots. Microscopie du Livre I des fables de La Fontaine, Genève: Droz, coll.«Langue et Cultures», 2015.
EAN13: 9782600019668

FREN360

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FREN370

Introduction à la linguistique française

Est-ce que vous vous êtes déjà demandé ce que vous savez quand vous connaissez une langue? Si vous parlez français, vous savez qu’on dit “Comment vas-tu?” et non “Vas comment tu?” ou qu’on peut prononcer les sons “s” et “t” ensemble comme dans “stéréo” mais pas les sons “m” et “b” ensemble (comme dans Mbambara, un nom de famille au Zambie). Mais pourquoi? Qu’est-ce qui explique ces règles?

Ce cours familiarise l’étudiant.e avec les concepts de base en linguistique et à leur application à l’étude de la langue française. Il vise à décrire la langue française en tant que système, mais aussi à apprécier la variation linguistique dans le monde francophone. Les principaux domaines de la linguistique seront couverts : linguistique générale, phonétique et phonologie, morphologie, syntaxe et sociolinguistique. Ce cours permet d’acquérir les connaissances nécessaires à l’étude avancée du français et à la comparaison entre le français et d’autres langues connues par les étudiant.e.s.

Language of instruction: French

Prerequisites: Either (a) FREN 223 or (b) all of FREN 352, FREN 401.

Grading Breakdown

Tests: 40 %
Exercices et participation: 25 %
Examen final: 35 %

Readings

Tout le matériel nécessaire sera disponible sur Canvas!

FREN371

Introduction à la théorie et aux méthodes critiques

Qu’est-ce que la littérature ? Pourquoi s’y intéresser ? Comment en parler ?

Ce cours propose de revenir sur les réponses à la fois complexes et variées que les théoriciens de la littérature ont voulu donner à ces questions apparemment simples. À partir d’une sélection d’articles représentatifs de diverses tendances critiques, nous procèderons à un survol des principales approches qui ont marqué l’étude de la littérature depuis la seconde moitié du 19e siècle. Suivant un premier arrêt sur les enjeux de l’histoire littéraire et de la méthode positiviste, nous verrons quelques-unes des approches théoriques issues du formalisme et de la linguistique qui ont contribué au renouveau de la discipline au cours des cinquante dernières années. Nous tenterons de démystifier les principales questions soulevées par le structuralisme, la narratologie, la psychocritique, les théories de la réception, la critique féministe et la critique postcoloniale. Combinant exposés et exercices pratiques, ce cours vise à donner une connaissance essentielle des méthodes et des théories utiles pour poursuivre l’étude de la littérature à un niveau plus avancé. Les étudiants auront l’occasion de mettre en pratique la matière vue en classe et de s’exercer aux différentes étapes de l’élaboration d’un travail de recherche, de la construction de la problématique à la rédaction, en passant par l’enquête bibliographique et l’analyse proprement dite.

Required readings:

Hébert, Anne, Le Torrent.

Maupassant, Guy de, Le Horla et autres nouvelles.

Articles et vidéos complémentaires disponibles sur Canvas

Recommended readings:

Compagnon, Antoine, Le Démon de la théorie, Paris, Seuil, 1998.

Aron, Paul, Saint-Jacques, Denis et Alain Viala, Dictionnaire du littéraire, Paris, PUF, 2002.

Culler, Jonathan, Literary Theory. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2011 [1997].

Prerequisite: One of FREN 220 or FREN 221

Language of instruction: French

Course Registration

 

FREN123

Course type: Hybrid

A hybrid course may involve a combination of synchronous activities (done in “real time”) and asynchronous activities (done in one’s own time). The course will be delivered online.

Intermediate French II

French 123 is a continuation of French 122: a refinement of reading, speaking and listening skills with additional emphasis on techniques of writing through diverse activities:

  • an interactive approach to the review of French grammar, stressing communicative competence;
  • an emphasis on expressing one’s opinion on different topics (work and studies, literature, arts and news):
  • a practical application of strategies for essay-writing in French;
  • a study of contemporary literature and other authentic documents (newspapers, blogs, music, etc.) of the French-Speaking world.

The FREN 123 syllabus follows the Common European Framework of Reference guidelines for the B1.2 level.

Three hours a week will be devoted to providing students with tools for dealing with most situations that they would likely encounter in a French speaking region. Students will be able to produce structured and connected texts on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or related to documents read inside and outside of the classroom (literature, news…); to describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes and ambitions; and to give reasons and explanations for opinions, plans and decisions.

Lectures and class discussions are all conducted in French.

Please note this course will be taught using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning techniques.  This means that students will, at times, interact with the instructor and other classmates at the same time (synchronous learning) and, at other times, work through materials and other learning activities independently (asynchronous).  The course is designed in this way to provide greater flexibility to students, particularly those who are currently living in a different time zone and/or have poor internet connectivity.

If you are unsure whether this is the appropriate level of French course for you, click here.

Course website:
The website for this course is available through Canvas.

Required readings:

Entre nous 3, Éditions Maison des langues
2 options:

  • Print Textbook : Entre nous 3, Paris: Éditions Maison des langues, 2016. ISBN: 9788416273249
    If you buy the printed textbook, you can access the audio files on the free version of the Espace Virtuel or on the provided CD or get Premium access with additional resources and online activities (ISBN: 9788417249755)
  • Digital Textbook (online version) with Premium Access : Entre nous 3 .
    If you purchase premium access directly through the Espace Virtuel website, you have the option to purchase an annual subscription for 24.90 EUR or a one-semester subscription for 18.90 EUR.

Espace Virtuel : https://espacevirtuel.emdl.fr/

This textbook is used for both FREN 122 and FREN 123.

Technical Requirements: Students will need a computer or tablet that has the capacity to view and/or download documents from Microsoft Word (including PPT), video and audio capacity, a keyboard, and headphones if necessary.  Some of the exercises students will complete will require them to record their voices.  Students will also need a quiet environment and a strong and stable Internet connection.

Recommended readings:
Suggestion to practice grammar: Grammaire essentielle du français B1, (Paris: Éditions Didier, 2015)
Suggested for both FREN 122 and FREN 123.

Prerequisite:
FREN 122 or assignment based on placement test.

Note:
Successful completion of French 123 and further courses in French language and/or literature.
French 123 cannot be taken concurrently with 122 or 222 without the permission of an undergraduate advisor in French.

The sequence of French language courses FREN101/102, 111/112, 122/123, 224/225 is designed for non native speakers.
The Department of FHIS reserves the right to refuse enrollment to any of its language courses to a student who has, in the view of the Department, a level of competence unsuited to that course. Enrollment at or below the level the student has already attained is not permitted.

Course Registration

FREN122

Course type: Hybrid

A hybrid course may involve a combination of synchronous activities (done in “real time”) and asynchronous activities (done in one’s own time). The course will be delivered online.

Intermediate French I

With an approach that is communicative and collaborative, inductive and interactive, the course develops understanding of the French language and the Francophone world and refines writing and reading, speaking and listening skills through diverse activities:

  • an interactive approach to the review of French grammar, stressing communicative competence;
  • an emphasis on group work and task-based activities;
  • an introduction to essay-writing in French;
  • an emphasis on the expression one’s opinion on different topics (work and studies, leisure activities, social topics, news);
  • a study of contemporary literature and other authentic documents (newspapers, blogs, music, etc.) of the French-Speaking world.

FREN122 syllabus follows the Common European Framework of Reference guideline for B1 level (first half).

Three hours a week will be devoted to providing students with tools for dealing with situations that they are likely to encounter in a French speaking region. Students will be able to understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar subjects in work, school and leisure activities; to produce a simple and cohesive text on familiar subjects or subjects of personal interest and to narrate an event or an experience.

Lectures and class discussions are all conducted in French.

Please note this course will be taught using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning techniques.  This means that students will, at times, interact with the instructor and other classmates at the same time (synchronous learning) and, at other times, work through materials and other learning activities independently (asynchronous).  The course is designed in this way to provide greater flexibility to students, particularly those who are currently living in a different time zone and/or have poor internet connectivity.

If you are unsure whether this is the appropriate level of French course for you, click here.

Course website:
The website for this course is available through Canvas.

Required readings:

Entre nous 3, Éditions Maison des langues
2 options:

  • Print Textbook : Entre nous 3, Paris: Éditions Maison des langues, 2016. ISBN: 9788416273249
    If you buy the printed textbook, you can access the audio files on the free version of the Espace Virtuel or on the provided CD or get Premium access with additional resources and online activities (ISBN: 9788417249755)
  • Digital Textbook (online version) with Premium Access : Entre nous 3 .
    If you purchase premium access directly through the Espace Virtuel website, you have the option to purchase an annual subscription for 24.90 EUR or a one-semester subscription for 18.90 EUR.

Espace Virtuel : https://espacevirtuel.emdl.fr/

This textbook is used for both FREN 122 and FREN 123.

Technical Requirements: Students will need a computer or tablet that has the capacity to view and/or download documents from Microsoft Word (including PPT), video and audio capacity, a keyboard, and headphones if necessary.  Some of the exercises students will complete will require them to record their voices.  Students will also need a quiet environment and a strong and stable Internet connection.

Recommended readings:
Suggestion to practice grammar: Grammaire essentielle du français B1, (Paris: Éditions Didier, 2015)
Suggested for both FREN 122 and FREN 123.

Language of instruction: French

Prerequisite:
One of French 12, FREN 112, or equivalent.

Note:
Successful completion of French 122 leads to French 123 and further courses in French language and/or literature. French 122 cannot be taken concurrently with 123 without the permission of an undergraduate advisor in French.

The sequence of French language courses FREN101/102, 111/112, 122/123, 224/225 is designed for non native speakers.

The Department of FHIS reserves the right to refuse enrollment to any of its language courses to a student who has, in the view of the Department, a level of competence unsuited to that course. Enrollment at or below the level the student has already attained is not permitted.

Course Registration