Doing Things with Grammar - CPS credit (Minimum of 350 hours of French)

590A

This course will help you deepen your knowledge of French and assist you in making a transition into mastering the finer points of French grammar. You will learn how to communicate effectively employing correct grammar. Using book and newspaper articles, we will cover verb tenses, adjectives and articles, etc. In no time, you will feel at home with advanced French grammar.

Forget your English, Think in French! (Minimum of 350 hours of French)

590B

In this course, we will focus on common and recurrent French mistakes by reviewing grammatical structures and by practicing through translation activities. Here are ten examples of common French mistakes we will analyze in this course : "Actuellement, je me suis déjà regardé cet film sur la télé et je sais le caractère principal. J'adore aussi le directeur! C'est bon! J'ai attendu un cours de cinéma dans l'université." This grammar review class will help you perfect your French by analyzing grammatical structures such as “il est/c'est”, reflexive and non-reflexive verbs, adjectives, adverbs, tenses, and vocabulary, such as “les vrais et faux amis, attendre et assister, etc”. Come and acquire new automatisms to think and speak with efficiency en français... Adieu le franglais!!!

Forget your English, Think in French! (Minimum of 350 hours of French)

590C

Same description as 590B.

NEW Autour de la Littérature (Minimum of 350 hours of French)

590D

Vian, Prévert, Colette, Queneau, Camus… We will read together in class excerpts of novels and poetry written by French and Francophone writers. Completion of book-based exercises will be recommended to prepare class activities. Homework will involve self-study to facilitate class discussion. You will enjoy the richness and diversity of twentieth-century French literature.

NEW Autour de la Littérature (Minimum of 350 hours of French)

590E

Vian, Prévert, Colette, Queneau, Camus… We will read together in class excerpts of novels and poetry written by French and Francophone writers. Completion of book-based exercises will be recommended to prepare class activities. Homework will involve self-study to facilitate class discussion. You will enjoy the richness and diversity of twentieth-century French literature.

Hot off the French Press (Minimum of 350 hours of French)

590E

Same description as 590D

NEW Littérature et Cinéma - Deux jours à tuer, François d’Epernoux/Jean Becker (2008) (Minimum of 350 hours of French)

590F

The objective of this course is to make a comparative analysis of the literary work with its cinematographic adaptation. This session, we will analyzed and compare the powerful novel by François d’Epernoux Deux jours à tuer (published in 2008) with its remarkable dark drama adaptation by director Jean Becker (released in 2008). Antoine Méliot is about 40 years old and his life seems perfect: a beautiful wife, adorable children, wonderful friends he can rely on, a very well furnished house in the Parisian suburb and a successful career as an advertising executive. He has everything one could expect in life. However, on his forty-second birthday, a switch seemingly goes off within Antoine decides to ruin everything he owns in just two days. Come and discover the reasons, which lead Antoine to destroy his happy and peaceful existence through this very moving story and impressive film!

NEW Littérature et Cinéma - Deux jours à tuer, François d’Epernoux/Jean Becker (2008) (Minimum of 350 hours of French)

590G

Same description as 590F.

Parlons d'Actualités: Le Journal de TV5! (Minimum of 450 hours of French)

690A

Listen to Le Journal de France 2 and TV5 and discuss up-to-date international news fresh off the French television Channel TV5. You will challenge your comprehension abilities and tackle interesting current events. Come voice your opinions and keep yourself informed of current trends in French culture, politics and society. We will stop and look at grammar specifics on an “as needed” basis. La connaissance et la compétence font la différence !

Parlons d'Actualités: Le Journal de TV5! (Minimum of 450 hours of French)

690B

Same description as 690A.

NEW Vocabulaire : Trouver le Mot Juste! (Minimum of 450 hours of French)

690C

In order to understand the nuances of the vocabulary of a foreign language, memorizing words or lists of vocabulary is not sufficient; it is more important to first understand and assimilate their links and practical use in real life situations. Each class will address a topic and related vocabulary. Terms and expressions will be introduced in a dialogue and then students will have to create their own in order to master and appropriately use the new words. If you are always “struggling” to find the right word, this is the class for you!

NEW Expression Ecrite: les Dictées (Minimum of 450 hours of French)

690D

“Le français est une langue à cédille” a écrit Valère Novarina. Learn how to write French without mistakes. Many French words sound the same but have different meanings and spellings (eg. Je suis: I am, I attend, I follow) and what about ver, vers, vert, verre ? in class, we will use dictations that progress in complexity and conclude with La Grande dictée inspired by the famous TV program hosted by Bernard Pivot. All students will finish the class with the great satisfaction of writing sans faute.

NEW Littérature Contemporaine: Frédéric Beigbeder (Minimum of 450 hours of French)

690E

Beigbeder was born in 1965 in a posh Neuilly-sur-Seine. He went to prestigious lycées and at an early age demonstrated great literary sensibility. He started in those times to lead a life of a partying youth acquiring the reputation of a young Parisian dandy. He graduated from college with a diploma in Marketing and Advertising and began working as a “publicitaire” for many years despite his dislike of this milieu. While writing a prose full of critical tones and acid social analyses he continued to live a very colorful life. His novel dealing with contemporary issues where individuals and the consumer society clash are partly autobiographical, partly fictional. They chronicle psychological and existential turmoil of postmodern French culture and society.