French

Major and Minor

Caesar Akuetey
Francophone African literature, 19th century French literature, linguistics
Bruce Davis
17th and 18th century French literature, French civilization (Third Republic, Vichy), French cinema
Schahrazede Longou
Francophone literature (Maghreb), post-colonial Algeria, cultural identity and diaspora

The program in French reflects Knox’s approach to foreign language study by emphasizing language as a gateway to another culture, another mode of thought and expression. The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers a full program of courses both for pursuing a French major or for complementing a major in another area with the study of French. After establishing a foundation in basic language skills, French majors can pursue the study of French literature and culture in depth. The program in French began offering in Fall 1997 intensive introductory courses through the Quick-Start language program (see course descriptions below).

Students interested in overseas study are strongly encouraged to participate in Knox’s program in Besançon, France.

For a full description of the programs in contemporary languages, see the listings for Modern Languages, Chinese, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

The departmental curriculum contributes to the College's Key Competency Requirements as follows:

• Writing Key Competency - FREN 211 and 399 serve as writing-intensive courses for majors
• Speaking Key Competency - FREN 210 serves as a speaking-intensive course for majors
• Information Literacy and Informed Use of Technology - All 300-level courses in the French program require the informed use of technology, including information retrieval, MLA and WorldCat database use, and the critical evaluation of Internet resources.

Departmental Learning Goals

Students completing a major in French will:

1. Demonstrate a level of proficiency in French that will allow them to pursue advanced study in that language whether in the United States or in other countries
2. Acquire advanced critical/analytical skills that allow them to assess, interpret and assign meaning to numerous types of cultural production including: literary texts; film; political, sociological and historical documents; rituals and folkways
3. Be able to design and carry out an original research project in which French is the major investigatory tool and vehicle of expression

Requirements for the Major and Minor

French Course Descriptions