Courses

A comprehensive introductory course in French through the four basic skills: aural comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Does not count as credit toward a major or minor. Conducted in French.

A continuation in the development of the four basic skills: aural comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Does not count as credit toward a major or minor. Conducted in French.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 111.

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

A completion of an overview of the structure of French. Emphasis placed on developing skills in speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Does not count as credit toward a major or minor. Conducted in French.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 112 or placement.

Training and refining of all skills, with an emphasis on pronunciation and oral communication. Conducted in French. The course topic for the fall 2025 term is "Africa on the Screen". This course surveys the evolution of the visual representations of Africa from colonial depictions to contemporary African perspectives. Through the analysis of a selection of films and music clips, students will engage with themes such as 1/ Constructing the Other, 2/ Reclaiming African Stories, 3/ Migration, Belonging, Cultural Identity in Flux, 4/ Youth, Urban Life & Everyday Realities, 5/ Globalization, Conflict, and Family Bonds, 6/ Gender and Liberation 7/ Environmental Advocacy, and 8/ Afro-futurism. The course emphasizes refining French language skills, with particular attention to pronunciation, listening comprehension, and oral communication. Discussions, debates, and oral presentations will help students develop critical thinking and confidence in expressing complex ideas in French. By the course’s end, students will gain a deeper understanding of Africa’s diverse realities and confidently discuss complex ideas in French.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 211 or placement.

Crosslisting: BLST 281.

The course deals with the question: "What makes the French French?" by examining several aspects of French culture, such as child rearing and the process of socialization, the structure of the family and society, and symbolic behavior. The approach compares American and French cultures. Conducted in French.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 213 or equivalent.

Students will read extensively from Francophone literary works and works of general culture while reviewing French grammar in detail. Conducted in French. May be taken concurrently with FREN 213 or equivalent.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 213.

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

Approaches to comprehension and appreciation of literary texts through analysis and writing. Recommended as preparation for advanced work in French. Conducted in French. This course satisfies the upper level writing requirement.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 215 or equivalent.

Introduction to major literary and cultural movements and figures with readings from representative authors. Conducted in French.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 215 or FREN 305 or equivalent.

Introduction to major literary and cultural movements and figures with readings from representative authors. Conducted in French. This course satisfies the upper-level writing requirement.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 215 or FREN 305 or equivalent.

This course proposes the study of texts of French expression (taken in the broad definition, including the written text, film, music) through a theme such as Childhood Narratives in Francophone Caribbean Literature, Women Voices in Francophone Africa, Literary Children of the French Revolution, French Gastronomy, Maghrebi Immigration to France, Gide, etc. Conducted in French. This course satisfies the upper-level writing requirement.

Prerequisite(s): FREN 305 or FREN 311 or FREN 312.

A student in good standing may work intensively in areas of special interest under the Directed Study plan. A Directed Study is appropriate when, under the guidance of a faculty member, a student wants to explore a subject more fully than is possible in a regular course or to study a subject not covered in the regular curriculum. A Directed Study should not normally duplicate a course that is regularly offered. Directed Studies are normally taken for 3 or 4 credits. A one-semester Directed Study is limited to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Note: Directed Studies may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

A student in good standing may work intensively in areas of special interest under the Directed Study plan. A Directed Study is appropriate when, under the guidance of a faculty member, a student wants to explore a subject more fully than is possible in a regular course or to study a subject not covered in the regular curriculum. A Directed Study should not normally duplicate a course that is regularly offered. Directed Studies are normally taken for 3 or 4 credits. A one-semester Directed Study is limited to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Note: Directed Studies may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

Independent Study engages a student in the pursuit of clearly defined goals. In this effort, a student may employ skills and information developed in previous course experiences or may develop some mastery of new knowledge or skills. A proposal for an Independent Study project must be approved in advance by the faculty member who agrees to serve as the project advisor. Note: Independent Studies may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

Independent Study engages a student in the pursuit of clearly defined goals. In this effort, a student may employ skills and information developed in previous course experiences or may develop some mastery of new knowledge or skills. A proposal for an Independent Study project must be approved in advance by the faculty member who agrees to serve as the project advisor. Note: Independent Studies may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

Advanced study of special topics in language, literature or culture. Conducted in French. This course satisfies the upper-level writing requirement. Must be taken in senior year.

Prerequisite(s): One advanced course beyond FREN 311 - FREN 312.

Students may enroll in Senior Research in their final year at Denison. Normally, Senior Research requires a major thesis, report, or project in the student's field of concentration and carries eight semester-hours of credit for the year. Typically, a final grade for a year-long Senior Research will not be assigned until the completion of the year-long Senior Research at the end of the second semester. Each semester of Senior Research is limited to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Note: Senior Research may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

Students may enroll in Senior Research in their final year at Denison. Normally, Senior Research requires a major thesis, report, or project in the student's field of concentration and carries eight semester-hours of credit for the year. Typically, a final grade for a year-long Senior Research will not be assigned until the completion of the year-long Senior Research at the end of the second semester. Each semester of Senior Research is limited to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Note: Senior Research may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.