2024-2025 Academic Year
FREN 1101
Basic Practical French I 0.5 unit
An introduction to the basic elements of the French language for those with little background in French. Emphasis is put on the development of competence in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Note: This course is designed for students with less than grade XI core French. Students with a higher level of French cannot take this course for credit. Students who have previously received a transfer credit for any FREN 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 level course cannot subsequently take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory required
FREN 1102
Basic Practical French II 0.5 unit
A continuation of FREN 1101. Emphasis is put on the development of competence in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Note: Students who have successfully completed FREN 1101 or grade XI core French or summer immersion or who were granted permission of the department based on their French Placement Test result may take this course for credit. Students who have previously received a transfer credit for any FREN 2000, 3000 or 4000 level course cannot subsequently take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory required
FREN 2201
Practical French I 0.5 unit
This course presents oral and written material to consolidate previous language acquisition, improve comprehension and communication skills, and provide a background for further study of the French language. Note: Students who have successfully completed FREN 1102 or grade XII core French or summer immersion or who were granted permission of the department based on their French Placement Test result may take this course for credit. Students who have previously received credit for FREN 1105, 1106, 1114, 1115, 2202, 2205, 2206, 2214, 2215, or any FREN 3000 or 4000 level course cannot subsequently take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory required
FREN 2202
Practical French II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2201 or 1105 or placement test or permission of the department
A continuation of the practice of oral and written French to further develop competence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in French. Note: Students who have previously received credit for FREN 1106, 1115, 2205, 2206, 2214, 2215, or any FREN 3000 or 4000 level course cannot subsequently take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory required
FREN 2205
Practical French III 0.5 unit
In this course, reading skills and speaking facility are stressed through exercises based on news articles, films and texts relating to contemporary issues. Note: Students who have successfully completed FREN 2202 or 1106 or grade XII high school French immersion or Francophone school or who were granted permission of the department based on their French Placement Test result may take this course for credit. Those students who have successfully completed FREN courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 levels may not take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory or workshop required
FREN 2206
Practical French IV 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2205 or placement test or permission of the department
A continuation of FREN 2205. This course stresses improvement of spoken and written French through reading, writing and discussion assignments based on texts and/or films relating to contemporary issues. Grammar review and exercises will reinforce all language skills. Note: Those students who have successfully completed FREN courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 levels may not take this course for credit.
Monitored laboratory or workshop required
FREN 2214
Intermediate Grammar and Composition I 0.5 unit
Systematic review of grammar, written expression as a means of communication, study of the techniques of written expression (sentence structure, writing a paragraph, an essay). Note: Students who have successfully completed FREN 2202 or 1106 or grade XII high school French immersion or Francophone school or who were granted permission of the department based on their French Placement Test result may take this course for credit.
FREN 2215
Intermediate Grammar and Composition II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2214 or placement test or permission of the department
Continuation of grammar review, emphasis on how grammatical content affects the expression of ideas. Introduction to various types of writing (summary, book report, letter, narration, story-telling).
FREN 2253
Introduction to French Literature I 0.5 unit
This course is a survey of the main literary movements, principal genres and major authors from the Middle Ages to the end of the eighteenth century, through selected passages from works pertaining to this period. Attention is paid to the development of both oral and written expression of ideas. Note: Students who have successfully completed FREN 2202 or 1106 or grade XII high school French immersion or Francophone school or who were granted permission of the department based on their French Placement Test result may take this course for credit. Students who have received credit for FREN 2203 may not take this course for credit.
FREN 2254
Introduction to French Literature II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2253 or placement test or permission of the department
In this course the main literary movements, principal genres and major authors of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are considered through selected passages from works pertaining to this period. Works from Quebec and Acadia may be presented on a comparative basis. Attention is paid to the development of oral and written expression of ideas. Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 2204 may not take this course for credit.
FREN 3307
Poetry of France and French Canada 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
Selections of poems and songs of Acadia, French Canada and France are analysed as examples of the poetic genre. Poetry is examined as a reflection of society. Assignments include essays, creative expression and exercises in literary criticism. Oral discussions and presentations emphasize appreciation of poetry and include consideration of oral poetry (songs). (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 3310
Francophone Women’s Writing 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
Selected works by women are studied as literature and as expressions of women’s experience. Assignments include essays, oral presentations and discussion. (Also listed under Canadian Studies and Women’s Studies)
FREN 3312
Acadian Language and Literature 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
The French language of Acadia is briefly surveyed. The literature of Acadia is considered as distinct from other French Canadian literature and examined as a reflection of its own unique society and expectations. The works selected include essays, poetry, plays and novels. Assignments include “exposés”, discussion, essays and creative expression. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 3313
Literature for Children and Young Adults 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
The development of a literature written in French, specifically for children, from its beginnings to the present day. Selected texts (stories, poetry, novels) are analysed both for form and content with special attention given to myths, symbols and the socio-cultural values and role models transmitted by this literature. Assignments include literary criticism, essays, oral presentations and discussion.
FREN 3314
Advanced Composition and Stylistics I 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or permission of the department
Exercises in advanced composition and stylistics including consideration of semantic aspects of grammar. The stylistic analysis and exercises are mainly focused on problems of language levels and registers. The course is designed for majors, teachers, future teachers of French and Advanced Certificate of Proficiency students.
FREN 3315
Advanced Composition and Stylistics II 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 3314 or permission of the department
A further study of the elements of stylistics within the framework of genres as expressive resources of the French language. The course is designed for majors, teachers, future teachers of French and Advanced Certificate of Proficiency students.
FREN 3316
French Drama 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
A selection of major plays will be studied as illustrations of a genre and as a mirror of changing society. Assignments include exercises in literary criticism and socio-cultural analysis: oral presentations, reports, short essays.
FREN 3317
The Francophone Song 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
A study of songs in French from throughout the Francophone world, with special emphasis on French Canada. Assignments will have a significant oral and aural component, and will involve the analysis of songs from literary, cultural, socio-political and historical points of view. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 3318
The French Novel 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
Selected French novels are analysed as examples of a genre and illustrations of narrative techniques. Assignments include literary criticism, essays, oral presentations and discussion. Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 4403 may not take this course for credit.
FREN 3319
The French Popular Novel 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
Selected French best-selling novels are analysed in search of the sociological and aesthetic factors responsible for their popularity and that of the genre. Assignments include literary criticism, essays, oral presentations and discussion. Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 4404 may not take this course for credit.
FREN 3321
French Canadian Theatre 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
An examination of the development of Quebec theatre through the study of at least four representative plays. The course will provide students with a critical and theoretical approach to drama as literary, artistic and social expression. Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 4409 may not take this course for credit. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 3322
The Novel of French Canada 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
Selected novels by French Canadian novelists are studied as an art form and as a mirror of society. Assignments include literary criticism, essays, oral presentations and discussion. Note: Students who have received credit for FREN 4408 may not take this course for credit. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 3324
Written French for the Professional World 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
Focus on writing techniques based on a variety of styles appropriate to current affairs and the professional world, readings on current business topics. Assignments include reporting, business writing and translation, with emphasis on clarity and accuracy of written expression.
FREN 3325
Oral French for the Professional World 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
Focus on aural comprehension and techniques of spoken expression appropriate to current affairs and the professional world, with emphasis on clarity and accuracy of oral expression. Assignments include structured discussions, reporting, oral presentations, debates and interviews based on oral and written documents such as media programmes and articles.
FREN 3371
Structure and Variety in Contemporary French I: Phonetics 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or permission of the department
An overview of the basic sound-system of the French language, with particular attention to areas which cause the greatest difficulty to Anglophones learning French. Theory and practice of French pronunciation, phonetic transcription of international French. This course, taught in French, is intended for students wishing to improve their pronunciation.
FREN 3381/EDUC 5581
French Words: Description and Pedagogy 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
Introduction to linguistic analysis of French lexicon is followed by discussions on effective methods of its teaching. Assignments include linguistic analysis of language data, written assignments, and oral presentations.
FREN 3384
The Development of Modern French 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or permission of the department
An overview of the history of the French language from its beginnings as a form of Latin 2000 years ago, to its modern forms. Special attention is given to the historical and social background of the changes to the origins and development of the French Canadian speech varieties, especially in Québec and Acadie. This course is taught in French.
FREN 3397
Civilization of France 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2206 or 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
A panorama of French culture and civilization from the origins to modern days. The course will examine the cultural, social, and political realities that shaped French customs, ideas and minds. Selected works representing the above will be studied. Assignments include essays, oral presentations and discussion.
FREN 3398
Focus on French Canada 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2206 or 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
An examination of French Canada, in its past and present forms, with focus on the arts, politics, social structures, political survival and aspirations of Quebec and other Franco-Canadian regions. (Also listed under Canadian Studies)
FREN 3399
Special Topics in French 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): FREN 2215 or 2254 or permission of the department
An opportunity to explore selected topics in French at an advanced level. Course offerings may vary, dealing for example with particular authors, genres, theoretical approaches or historical periods.
FREN 4451
Directed Studies in French I 0.5 unit
FREN 4452
Directed Studies in French II 0.5 unit
Open courses permitting students with advanced standing to pursue study in a specific area of the French language not accommodated in the course program. The outline is worked out by the student(s) and professor involved. Students intending to take this course must obtain the approval of the Department of Modern Languages.
FREN 4453
Directed Studies in French Linguistics 0.5 unit
Students who have appropriate prerequisites in French and Linguistics may, with permission of the Modern Languages department and in consultation with the relevant professor, pursue in-depth study of a specific area of linguistics taught in French.
FREN 4498
Honours Essay 0.5 unit
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the honours program. See requirements for an honours degree in French.
Honours students are required to write an essay in French of no fewer than 6,000 words, on a subject chosen in consultation with the department.
Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2024-2025 academic year which runs from September 01, 2024 to August 31, 2025.
For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.
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