French Language & Literature

Overview

The French Language and Literature program at New College offers courses at all levels of French language and courses and tutorials on French and Francophone literature, both in English translation and in the original. Literature course offerings change each year and include surveys and studies of a particular author, genre, or theme, from medieval romance through twenty-first-century fiction. Our program prepares students to use French in academic, professional, and personal contexts, including research, study abroad, leisure reading, and travel. Recently offered courses include The Twentieth-Century French Novel; Colette; Literary Movements of the Nineteenth Century; Giving Voice to Identity: Francophone Literatures from the Americas; On Stage in Paris and Montreal: 20-21st Century Theatre; and Women Writing of/from Africa: Feminist Truths, Feminist Fictions.

Course of Study

French language is taught in a six-semester sequence after which students can enroll in courses and tutorials on literary and cultural topics. Elementary French I & II and Intermediate French I & II focus on oral and written communication to navigate everyday situations and discuss contemporary issues. Advanced French I & II provide both a systematic review of grammar and an introduction to the study of literature in French; students read, discuss, and analyze works from a variety of genres, historical periods, and regions of the Francophone world. French language courses are listed under Languages: LANG in the course schedule.

A placement test is offered so that students who have previously studied French can be placed at the appropriate level. Students are encouraged to begin the placement process as soon as possible, including during the summer before their first semester at NCF. Contact French faculty for the link needed to begin the placement process.

After completing Advanced French, students are prepared to enroll in literature courses, ISPs, and tutorials in which they will read, discuss, and write in French. One bilingual seminar in French and Francophone Literature is offered each semester; these seminars are open both to students who can read French as well as to those who read in English translation. Seminar topics vary from year to year, but are designed to expose students to significant works of French and Francophone literature and to diverse critical and theoretical approaches to literary studies. Students who are beginning to study the French language, and those with no study of French, are able to enroll in the English sections of our French literature seminars. These seminars are listed under Literature: LITR in the course schedule.

Students may complete an Area of Concentration (AOC) in French Literature and Culture or a Joint-Disciplinary AOC that combines French with another discipline. In both cases, students will have a high level of proficiency in spoken and written French, as demonstrated by the completion of Advanced French I & II (or the equivalent), as well as solidly satisfactory evaluations in all coursework in French language and literature.

For students whose primary goal is developing their command of the French language, we also offer Secondary Fields in French Language and in French Language and Culture. For both Secondary Field tracks, students complete the French language sequence through Advanced French II (between 4 and 6 courses, depending on initial placement); the secondary field in French Language and Culture requires the additional completion of 2 courses in French literature.

All students, whether in the AOC or secondary field or taking French as an elective, are strongly encouraged to arrange an Independent Study Project or off-campus semester in a French-speaking country or region; the Off-Campus Study Office can assist students in enrolling in programs that fit their academic interests and budget. Students have recently studied in France, Belgium, Quebec, Morocco, and Senegal.

Area of Concentration (AOC) in French Literature and Culture, or a Joint-Disciplinary AOC in French

To complete the AOC or joint-disciplinary AOC in French, students:

demonstrate a high level of proficiency in French language skills (the ability to understand spoken and written French; the ability to express themselves effectively in French when speaking and writing), by completion of Advanced French I & II.
demonstrate, in their coursework and thesis project, the ability to read, discuss, and analyze literature in French. Students should be familiar with works of different genres, historical periods, and regions of the Francophone world. If considering graduate study in French or a related field, students should work with faculty in tutorials and ISPs to ensure broad coverage of different genres and historical periods;
demonstrate in their thesis the ability to engage with literary criticism and/or theory. Students are strongly encouraged to complete one course or tutorial in literary theory;
are encouraged to undertake relevant coursework in related fields, such as history, art history, music, philosophy, or political science.

For the full French AOC, students are expected to complete 8-10 semester-long courses, tutorials, or ISPs (including Advanced French I & II), plus a senior thesis project that substantially focuses on French/Francophone literature and culture. For the Joint-Disciplinary AOC, students complete 6-8 semester-long activities (including Advanced French I & II); and are strongly encouraged to include a French component in their senior thesis project. Only courses at the level of Advanced French or beyond count toward the AOC. See the links to AOC checklists below.

Students may, upon consultation with faculty, include up to 2 courses taught in English as part of their AOC, whether the English sections of French literature seminars or relevant courses in other disciplines, including history, art history, music, philosophy, and political science. For courses taught in English in other disciplines to count toward the AOC, students should focus their projects and written work on topics related to France and/or the Francophone world, and use source materials (criticism, theory, secondary sources) written in French where possible.

Secondary Fields

To recognize student achievement in the study of the French language, we offer two secondary field tracks: French Language and French Language and Culture. Students who begin studying French at NCF are able to complete a secondary field in French language after 6 semesters of study. Secondary fields in French are particularly good options for students who transfer to NCF with some prior study of French.

Students who begin the French sequence at NCF in Elementary or Intermediate French can complete a secondary field in French Language by completing the six-semester language sequence: Elementary French I & II; and/or Intermediate French I & II; and Advanced French I & II. (Students who start in Elementary will need 6 semesters of study; students who start in Intermediate will need 4.)

Students may also opt to complete a more substantial secondary field in French Language and Culture by completing the language sequence through Advanced French I & II plus 2 additional courses in French Literature. (Students who place into Advanced French will complete this in 4 semesters, those who begin in Elementary or Intermediate will need 8 and 6 semesters, respectively). See the links to Secondary Field checklists below.

Requirements for the AOC in French

Students complete Advanced French I & II plus 6–8 additional academic activities (including Courses, Tutorials, Independent Reading Projects, and Independent Study Projects) for the Full AOC

Course List
Code	Title
French Courses
LANG 3210	Intermediate French*
LANG 3220	Intermediate French II
Additional Course Requirements
The following classes are representative of recent offerings, but actual offerings vary from year to year. Our courses and seminars have both French and English sections and can be used to fulfill the additional course requirements for the AOC. (Up to two courses may be those conducted in English on French/Francophone topics, e.g., literature in translation, literary theory, history, art history, and music.)
Examples:
LITR 2310	Colette*
LITR 2320	Molière*
LITR 2330	Introduction to Literary Studies: To the Revolution!*
LITR 3135	Voice of Haiti and the French Antilles: Poetry, Fiction, Manifestos
LITR 3325	World War II France in Film and Fiction
LITR 3365	Literary Movements of 19th-Century France/Écoles littéraires du 19e siècle*
LITR 3370	20th-C French Novel*
LITR 3477	Women Writing of/from Africa: Feminist Truths, Feminist Fictions
LITR 4550	On Stage in Paris and Montreal: French/Francophone Theatre Since 1944
LITR 4555	Proust’s In Search of Lost Time
Additional Requirements
An Independent Study Project or off-campus semester in a French-speaking country or region is strongly encouraged
Senior Project in French/Francophone Literature and Culture and Baccalaureate Exam

Requirements for the Joint AOC in French

Students complete Advanced French I & II plus 4–6 additional academic activities (including Courses, Tutorials, Independent Reading Projects, and Independent Study Projects) for the Joint AOC

Course List
Code	Title
French Courses
LANG 3210	Intermediate French*
LANG 3220	Intermediate French II
Additional Course Requirements
The following classes are representative of recent offerings, but actual offerings vary from year to year. Our courses and seminars have both French and English sections and can be used to fulfill the additional course requirements for the AOC. (Up to two courses may be those conducted in English on French/Francophone topics, e.g., literature in translation, literary theory, history, art history, and music.)
Examples:
LITR 2310	Colette*
LITR 2320	Molière*
LITR 2330	Introduction to Literary Studies: To the Revolution!*
LITR 3135	Voice of Haiti and the French Antilles: Poetry, Fiction, Manifestos
LITR 3325	World War II France in Film and Fiction
LITR 3365	Literary Movements of 19th-Century France/Écoles littéraires du 19e siècle*
LITR 3370	20th-C French Novel*
LITR 3477	Women Writing of/from Africa: Feminist Truths, Feminist Fictions
LITR 4550	On Stage in Paris and Montreal: French/Francophone Theatre Since 1944
LITR 4555	Proust’s In Search of Lost Time
Additional Requirements
An Independent Study Project or off-campus semester in a French-speaking country or region is strongly encouraged
Senior Project with a French component and Baccalaureate Exam

Requirements for a Secondary Field in French

We offer Secondary Fields in both French Language and French Language and Culture. When combined with an AOC in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences or Interdisciplinary Program, the secondary field documents the study of French language, literature, and culture.

Course List
Code	Title
Students who begin the French sequence at New College in Elementary or Intermediate French can complete a Secondary Field in French Language after six semesters of study (a particularly good option for students who transfer to NCF with some prior study of French):
LANG 2210	Elementary French I
LANG 2220	Elementary French II
LANG 3210	Intermediate French*
LANG 3220	Intermediate French II
LANG 4210	Advanced French I
LANG 4220	Advanced French II
Students who are placed at the intermediate level at New College can complete a Secondary Field in Spanish Language by completing the following four courses (also a good option for Transfer Students aiming to complete their degree in two years):
LANG 3210	Intermediate French*
LANG 3220	Intermediate French II
LANG 4210	Advanced French I
LANG 4220	Advanced French II
Students who opt to complete a more substantial Secondary Field in French Language and Culture will need to complete the language sequence through Advanced French I & II in addition to 2 additional courses in French Literature:
LANG 4210	Advanced French I
LANG 4220	Advanced French II
The following classes are representative of recent offerings, but actual offerings vary from year to year. Our courses and seminars have both French and English sections and can be used to fulfill the additional course requirements for the AOC. (Up to two courses may be those conducted in English on French/Francophone topics, e.g., literature in translation, literary theory, history, art history, and music.)
Examples:
LITR 2310	Colette*
LITR 2320	Molière*
LITR 3325	World War II France in Film and Fiction
LITR 2330	Introduction to Literary Studies: To the Revolution!*
LITR 3135	Voice of Haiti and the French Antilles: Poetry, Fiction, Manifestos
LITR 3365	Literary Movements of 19th-Century France/Écoles littéraires du 19e siècle*
LITR 3370	20th-C French Novel*
LITR 3477	Women Writing of/from Africa: Feminist Truths, Feminist Fictions
LITR 4550	On Stage in Paris and Montreal: French/Francophone Theatre Since 1944

Sample 4-Year Pathway for the AOC in French Literature and Culture

First Year
Fall Term	ISP	Spring Term
Intermediate French I (CYC)	Student's choice	Intermediate French II
Other		Other
Other		Other
Other		Other
Second Year
Fall Term	ISP	Spring Term
Advanced French I	Student's choice or French Literature or Culture	Advanced French II
Bilingual Literature Seminar (English Section)		Other
Other		Other
Other		Other
Third Year
Fall Term	ISP	Spring Term
Bilingual Literature Seminar (French Section)	French Literature or Culture or Off-Campus ISP in a French-Speaking Region	Option 1:
Other		Bilingual Literature Seminar (French Section)
Other		Optional Tutorial in French Literature or Culture
Other		Other
		Other
		or
		Option 2:
		Off-Campus Study in a French-Speaking Region
Fourth Year
Fall Term		Spring Term
Thesis Tutorial		Thesis Tutorial
Bilingual Literature Seminar (French Section)		Bilingual Literature Seminar (French Section)
Other		Other
CYC/Other		CYC/Other

Sample 4-Year Pathway for the Joint AOC in French Literature and Culture

First Year
Fall Term	ISP	Spring Term
Elementary French I	Student's choice	Elementary French II
Other		Other
Other		Other
Other		Other
Second Year
Fall Term	ISP	Spring Term
Intermediate French I (CYC)	Student’s choice or French Literature or Culture	Intermediate French II
Other		Other
Other		Other
Other		Other
Third Year
Fall Term	ISP	Spring Term
Advanced French I	French Literature or Culture or Off-Campus ISP in a French-Speaking Region	Option 1:
Bilingual Literature Seminar (English Section)		Advanced French II
Other		Bilingual Literature Seminar (English Section)
Other		Other
Other		Other
		or
		Option 2:
		Off-Campus Study in a French-Speaking Region
Fourth Year
Fall Term		Spring Term
Thesis Tutorial		Thesis Tutorial
Bilingual Literature Seminar (French Section)		Bilingual Literature Seminar (French Section)
Other		Other
CYC/Other		CYC/Other

Sample 2-Year Transfer Pathway for a Secondary Field in French Language

Third Year
Fall Term	ISP	Spring Term
Intermediate French I	Optional ISP French Literature or Culture	Intermediate French II
Other		Other
Other		Other
Other		Other
Fourth Year
Fall Term		Spring Term
Advanced French I		Advanced French II
Other		Other
Other		Other
Other		Other

Sample 2-Year Transfer Pathway for a Secondary Field in French Language and Culture

Third Year
Fall Term	ISP	Spring Term
Advanced French I	Optional ISP in French Literature and Culture	Advanced French II
Optional Bilingual French Literature Seminar (English Section)		Optional Bilingual French Literature Seminar (English Section)
Other		Other
Other		Other
Fourth Year
Fall Term		Spring Term
Bilingual Literature Seminar (French Section)		Bilingual Literature Seminar (French Section)
Other		Other
Other		Other
Thesis Tutorial		Thesis Tutorial

Representative Senior Theses in French

Subversion, Refraction and the Do-It-Yourself Proust: Autobiographical Intertexts of La Recherche
La conservation coloniale au service de l’exploitation: Changing Conceptions of Land and Environmental Policy in French Algeria and Indochina
Guillaume de Machaut's Legacy: Representation and Self-Representation in Medieval France
‘Dèyè Mòn Gen Mòn’: An Examination of Health Disparities Affecting Haitian Communities In Florida
Une Reprise de Parole: Rereading Two Works of Feminist Experimental Theater from 1970's Quebec Over Thirty Years Later
Telling Tales: An Examination of Storytelling in Three North African Francophone Novels
Film-Poetry Synthesis and the Birth of Experimental Cinema in France
Vive la pensée Maotsétoung!: French Intellectual Maoists and Their Readings of China’s Cultural Revolution
Questions de genre: Story and Identity in the Feature Films of Safi Faye
Rethinking Québécois Identity in Three Immigrant Novels
Beyond Rational Choice: The Politics of the French Extreme-Right
La mise-en-scène de la féminité : la figure de l’actrice dans la littérature française du 19^e siècle
Sahara Occidental: Political and Legal Analysis of an Ongoing Conflict
Litt/oral Stories: Strategies of Resistance in Four Novels of the Caribbean

Recently Offered Literature Seminars

World War II France in Film and Fiction
Proust's Remembrance of Things Past
The Twentieth-Century French Novel
Eighteenth-Century French Literature
Colette
Molière
Literary Movements of Nineteenth-Century France
Giving Voice to Identity: Francophone Literatures from the Americas
African Stories: Fiction from Francophone Africa
Women Writing of/from Africa: Feminist Truths, Feminist Fictions
On Stage in Paris and Montréal: 20-21st Century Theater