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French

The Department of Modern Languages and Literature offers a major and minor in French.

B.A. Major in French: 35 Credits
Lower Division
FREN 101 Elementary French I 4 credits
FREN 102 Elementary French II 4 credits
FREN 201 Intermediate French I 4 credits
FREN 202 Intermediate French II 4 credits
Upper Division
Choose one course in literature: 3 credits
FREN 323 Le Paris des contrastes
FREN 327 Introduction to Existentialism
Choose one course in cinema:  3 credits
FREN 331 Contemporary French Cinema
Choose one course in culture/civilization: 3 credits
FREN 340 La France d'aujourd'hui
FREN 350 French Civilization and Culture
FREN 300/400 level electives 6 credits
FREN 499 French Comprehensive 1 credit
FREN 495 Senior Seminar 3 credits
 
In order to reach the level of linguistic and cultural proficiency required for the French major, most students should expect to study abroad. They may do so through participation either in the programs in Paris or Aix-en-Provence or in another approved study abroad program. French minors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a year, a semester, or in an approved summer program.

 

Minor in French: 28 Credits
(or 12 credits at the 300 level and above)
Lower Division
Elementary Level (6 credits for Italian minors) 6-8 credits
Intermediate Level 8 credits
Upper Division
FREN Electives 12 credits
 
Special Topics in Language Courses

With approval of the Departmental Chair, students may study a language abroad (in a university approved program) not offered at Gonzaga and transfer these credits to Gonzaga.

Lower Division
FREN 101 Elementary French I
4.00 credits
Introduction to French for students with no previous study of the language. Students learn basic tasks such as introducing themselves and meeting others, giving personal information, describing their schedule. Practice in the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. The focus is on language acquisition, with some exposure to aspects of French and Francophone cultures. Fall.
FREN 102 Elementary French II
4.00 credits
For students who have completed French 101 or the equivalent. The goal of the course is to enable students to progress from novice to intermediate level proficiency in the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students learn to provide more information about themselves and to accomplish more daily tasks. The focus is on language acquisition, and students also are introduced to some basics of French and Francophone cultures. Spring.
FREN 190 Directed Study
1.00- 4.00 credits
Topic to be determined by faculty.
FREN 201 Intermediate French I
4.00 credits
For students who have completed French 102 or the equivalent. The goal of the course is to reinforce the fundamentals of grammar and syntax and to build proficiency in the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Students will be able to perform many communicative tasks by the end of the semester. A further goal of the course is to increase awareness of French and Francophone cultures. Fall.
FREN 202 Intermediate French II
4.00 credits
For students who have completed French 201 or the equivalent. The goal of the course is to strengthen the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in order to enable students to perform a larger number of communicative tasks. Lessons are conducted entirely in French for better immersion in the language. Additional goals of the course are to increase awareness of French and Francophone cultures, and to initiate students into the reading and interpretation of more challenging texts (short pieces of literature). Spring.
FREN 280 Special Topics
1.00- 3.00 credits
By arrangement.
FREN 290 Directed Study
1.00- 4.00 credits
Topic to be determined by faculty.
Upper Division
FREN 300 Advanced Grammar Review
3.00 credits
An intensive one-semester grammar course with extensive oral practice. Fall.
FREN 301 Advanced French I
3.00 credits
Short stories, plays, novels, or essays by modern authors, with grammar and conversation based on the texts studied. Practice in phonetics where needed. Available only through sponsored study abroad programs.
FREN 302 Advanced French II
3.00 credits
Continuation of FREN 301. A greater emphasis on composition and advanced style. Available only through sponsored study abroad programs.
Prerequisite:
FREN 301 Minimum Grade: D
FREN 303 Advanced Language Practice I
3.00 credits
Oral and written comprehension, oral and written expression, grammar, vocabulary. Basics of phonetics. Culture and civilization. Available only through sponsored study abroad programs.
FREN 304 Advanced Language Practice II
3.00 credits
A continuation of FREN 303. Available only through sponsored study abroad programs.
FREN 315 Advanced French Conversation
3.00 credits
Intensive practice in oral French. Study of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation through discussion of cultural topics.
FREN 323 Le Paris des contrastes
3.00 credits
Paris, ville d'amour et d'exclusion sociale. Students will analyze manifestations of social integration and exclusion, through representations of the city of Paris in French literary texts (short stories, novel and poetry), films, songs, photographs, and architecture.
FREN 327 Intro to Existentialism
3.00 credits
Students will analyze existentialist thought and become more acquainted with famous names associated with the area of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Juliette Greco, etc. Existentialism will be approached as a cultural and humanistic movement, a way of life and rebirth in post-war Paris. Taught in French.
Prerequisite:
FREN 300 Minimum Grade: D
FREN 331 Contemporary French Cinema
3.00 credits
A study of French cinema as it has evolved in the last two decades. The films viewed will be used as a means to encourage reflection on the history, ideas and values that have gone into the making of modern France. The course is offered in English and French in separate sections. For students who take the English section of the course through the INST cross-listing, there is no French prerequisite. Spring.
Equivalent:
FILM 342 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
INST 339 - Successful completion
FREN 340 La France d'aujourd'hui
3.00 credits
A culture course that explores the political, social, economic, administrative, and cultural reality of contemporary France. Taught in French.
FREN 350 French Civilization & Culture
3.00 credits
The political, social, intellectual, and artistic development of French culture from the beginning to the present. Available only through sponsored study abroad programs.
FREN 365 French Politics
3.00 credits
A study of the French political system, its parties, elections, and how the system works in the new European order. Available only through sponsored study abroad programs.
FREN 380 Special Topics
1.00- 3.00 credits
Selected topics in French language, literature or civilization.
FREN 390 Directed Study
1.00- 3.00 credits
Topic to be determined by faculty.
FREN 415 Business French
3.00 credits
Offered Abroad.
FREN 491 Directed Reading
1.00- 3.00 credits
Selected readings by arrangement.
FREN 495 Senior Seminar
3.00 credits
The major French writers by genre. Fall.
Prerequisite:
FREN 323 Minimum Grade: D or FREN 327 Minimum Grade: D
FREN 497 Internship
.00- 6.00 credits
Professional experience in a supervised organizational setting allowing for the applied use of skills in French language and/or knowledge of Francophone cultures. An internship plan (description, objectives, learning outcomes) is devised with a French program faculty member before the internship begins.
FREN 499 French Comprehensive
1.00 credit
Required of all French majors in their fourth year.
 

In addition to their major and minor areas of study, all undergraduate students follow a common program designed to complete their education in those areas that the University considers essential for a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal, and humanistic education. The University Core Curriculum consists of forty-five credits of course work, with additional designation requirements that can be met through core, major, or elective courses.

The University Core Curriculum is a four-year program, organized around one overarching question, which is progressively addressed through yearly themes and questions. Hence, core courses are best taken within the year for which they are designated. First year core courses encourage intellectual engagement and provide a broad foundation of fundamental skills. Second and third year courses examine central issues and questions in philosophy and religious studies. The fourth year course, the Core Integration Seminar, offers a culminating core experience. Taken at any time throughout the four years, broadening courses intersect with the core themes and extend students’ appreciation for the humanities, arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Finally, the designation requirements (writing enriched, global studies, and social justice) reflect important values and reinforce students’ knowledge and competencies.

Overarching Core Question: As students of a Catholic, Jesuit, and Humanistic University, how do we educate ourselves to become women and men for a more just and humane global community?
Year 1 Theme and Question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?

  • The First-Year Seminar (DEPT 193, 3 credits): The First-Year Seminar (FYS), taken in the fall or spring of the first year, is designed to promote an intellectual shift in students as they transition to college academic life. Each small seminar is organized around an engaging topic, which students explore from multiple perspectives. The FYS is offered by many departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of FYS courses).  
  • Writing (ENGL 101, 3 credits) and Reasoning (PHIL 101, 3 credits): The Writing and Reasoning courses are designed to help students develop the foundational skills of critical reading, thinking, analysis, and writing. They may be taken as linked sections. Writing (ENGL 101) carries one of the three required writing-enriched designations (see below).
  • Communication & Speech (COMM 100, 3 credits): This course introduces students to interpersonal and small group communication and requires the application of critical thinking, reasoning, and research skills necessary to organize, write, and present several speeches.
  • Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104/104L, CHEM 104/104L, or PHYS 104/104L, 3 credits): This course explores the scientific process in the natural world through evidence-based logic and includes significant laboratory experience. Students pursuing majors that require science courses will satisfy this requirement through their major.
  • Mathematics (above Math 100, 3 credits): Mathematics courses promote thinking according to the modes of the discipline—abstractly, symbolically, logically, and computationally. One course in mathematics, above Math 100, including any math course required for a major or minor, will fulfill this requirement. MATH 100 (College Algebra) and courses without the MATH prefix do not fulfill this requirement.

Year 2 Theme and Question: Being and Becoming: Who are we and what does it mean to be human?

  • Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 201, 3 credits): This course provides students with a philosophical study of key figures, theories, and intellectual traditions that contribute to understanding the human condition; the meaning and dignity of human life; and the human relationship to ultimate reality.
  • Christianity and Catholic Traditions (RELI, 3 credits). Religious Studies core courses approved for this requirement explore diverse topics including Christian scriptures, history, theology, and practices as well as major contributions from the Catholic intellectual and theological traditions (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses) .

Year 3 Theme and Question: Caring and Doing: What principles characterize a well lived life?

  • Ethics (PHIL 301 or RELI, 3 credits): The Ethics courses are designed to help students develop their moral imagination by exploring and explaining the reasons humans should care about the needs and interests of others. This requirement is satisfied by an approved ethics course in either Philosophy (PHIL 301) or Religious Studies (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • World/Comparative Religion (RELI, 3 credits): Religious Studies courses approved for this core requirement draw attention to the diversity that exists within and among traditions and encourage students to bring critical, analytical thinking to bear on the traditions and questions considered. These courses carries one of the required two global-studies designations (see below) (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Year 4 Theme and Question: Imagining the Possible: What is our role in the world?” 

  • Core Integration Seminar (DEPT 432, 3 credits). The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) offers students a culminating core experience in which they integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the core, and their disciplinary expertise. Some CIS courses may also count toward a student’s major or minor. The CIS is offered by several departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of CIS courses).

The Broadening Courses

  • Fine Arts & Design (VART, MUSC, THEA, 3 credits): Arts courses explore multiple ways the human experience can be expressed through creativity, including across different cultures and societies. One approved course in fine arts, music, theatre, or dance will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • History (HIST, 3 credits): History courses are intended to develop students’ awareness of the historical context of both the individual and the collective human experience. One course in History (HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 112, HIST 201, HIST 202) will fulfill this requirement.
  • Literature (3 credits): Literature courses foster reflection on how literature engages with a range of human experience. One approved course in Literature (offered by English, Classics, or Modern Languages) will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): Courses in the social and behavioral sciences engage students in studying human behavior, social systems, and social issues. One approved course offered by Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

The Designations
Designations are embedded within already existing core, major, minor, and elective courses. Students are encouraged to meet designation requirements within elective courses as their schedule allows; however, with careful planning students should be able to complete most of the designation requirements within other core, major, or minor courses.

  • Writing Enriched (WE; 3 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the WE designation are designed to promote the humanistic and Jesuit pedagogical ideal of clear, effective communication. In addition to the required core course, Writing (ENGL 101), which carries one of the WE designations, students must take two other WE-designated courses (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Global-Studies (GS; 2 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the GS designation are designed to challenge students to perceive and understand human diversity by exploring diversity within a context of constantly changing global systems. In addition to the required core course, World/Comparative Religion (RELI 300-level), which carries one of the GS designations, students must take one other GS-designated course (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social-Justice (SJ; 1 course meeting this designation): Courses carrying the SJ designation are designed to introduce students to one or more social justice concerns. Students must take one course that meets the SJ designation (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Major-specific adaptations to the University Core Curriculum

All Gonzaga students, regardless of their major, will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. However some Gonzaga students will satisfy certain core requirements through major-specific programs or courses. Any major-specific adaptations to the core are described with the requirements for the majors to which they apply.