French, French Studies Concentration (M.A.) - Graduate - 2015 University Catalog

The graduate program in French is designed to prepare students for both teaching and research in language and literature. A Master of Arts degree opens opportunities to teach in both community colleges and high schools, and provides a solid foundation for students interested in continuing their studies toward a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Graduate training in French is also increasingly useful for positions in government and industries concerned with French-speaking areas of the world.

ADMISSIONS

Admission is open to students who hold a bachelor's degree and have completed at least 24 semester hours of undergraduate French or its equivalent. Students applying for admission must satisfy the standard University requirements for admission to graduate study.

After acceptance, the candidates will consult the Graduate Program Coordinator to plan their programs. The course program must be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator each semester before registration. Courses will be offered on a rotating basis to allow diversity of offerings. Please consult department chairperson for details.

Individuals holding the bachelor's degree and showing an adequate proficiency in French may enroll in graduate courses, even though they do not wish to enter the Master of Arts program.


FRENCH w/CONC: French Studies

Complete 33 semester hours including the following 2 requirement(s):

  1. CORE and ELECTIVES

    Complete the following 3 requirement(s):

    1. CORE COURSES

      Complete 2 requirement(s) for 6 semester hours:

      1. Complete for 3 semester hours.

        FREN 603 Research Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
      2. Complete 1 course from the following for 3 semester hours:

        FREN 548 Contemporary French Civilization-Selected Topics (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 549 Contemporary Francophone Civilization Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
    2. CORE ELECTIVES

      Complete 3 requirement(s) for 18 semester hours:

      1. French Language Today

        Complete 2 courses from the following:

        FREN 501 Graduate Study Abroad 3-6
        FREN 502 Theories and Approaches to Teaching French as a Second Language 3
        FREN 504 Politics of the French Language (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 505 History of the French Language (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 506 Advanced French Phonetics (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 507 Practicum in Translation and Interpreting 3
        FREN 508 Explication de Texte and Stylistic Analysis (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 510 Topics in French Linguistics (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 519 Teaching French in P-12: Practice 3
      2. Approaches to Francophone Societies

        Complete 2 courses from the following list

        FREN 514 Medieval French Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
        FREN 518 16th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
        FREN 525 Moralists of the 17th Century (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 529 Seminar in Enlightenment and Revolutionary France (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 530 Philosophy and Politics in 18th Century France (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 533 Eighteenth-Century French Civilization Seminar (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 536 The Romantic Movement (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 541 19th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
        FREN 546 20th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
        FREN 548 Contemporary French Civilization-Selected Topics (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 549 Contemporary Francophone Civilization Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
        FREN 550 Introduction to French Colonialism (3 hours lecture) 3
      3. Expressions of Francophone Culture

        Complete 2 courses from the following list

        FREN 509 Critical Approaches to Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 511 Medieval French Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 513 Medieval French Theatre (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 516 French Humanism in 16th Century (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 517 Poetry of the Renaissance (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 526 Corneille, Racine and Moliere (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 527 Selected Topics in 17th Century French Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 531 The Development of the Novel in 18th Century France (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 532 18th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
        FREN 535 Nineteenth-Century French Literature Seminar (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 537 19th Century French Theatre (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 538 French Novel of 19th Century I (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 539 French Novel of 19th Century II (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 540 19th Century French Poetry (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 542 20th Century French Theatre (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 544 20th Century French Novel I (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 545 20th Century French Novel II (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 547 Francophone Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
        FREN 551 Women Writers from North Africa (3 hours lecture) 3
    3. ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES

      Complete 6 semester hours (with Thesis option) - 9 semester hours (with Comp Exam option) from the following list.

      FREN 501 Graduate Study Abroad 3-6
      FREN 502 Theories and Approaches to Teaching French as a Second Language 3
      FREN 504 Politics of the French Language (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 505 History of the French Language (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 506 Advanced French Phonetics (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 507 Practicum in Translation and Interpreting 3
      FREN 509 Critical Approaches to Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 510 Topics in French Linguistics (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 511 Medieval French Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 513 Medieval French Theatre (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 514 Medieval French Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
      FREN 516 French Humanism in 16th Century (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 517 Poetry of the Renaissance (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 518 16th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
      FREN 519 Teaching French in P-12: Practice 3
      FREN 525 Moralists of the 17th Century (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 526 Corneille, Racine and Moliere (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 527 Selected Topics in 17th Century French Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 529 Seminar in Enlightenment and Revolutionary France (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 530 Philosophy and Politics in 18th Century France (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 531 The Development of the Novel in 18th Century France (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 532 18th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
      FREN 533 Eighteenth-Century French Civilization Seminar (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 535 Nineteenth-Century French Literature Seminar (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 536 The Romantic Movement (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 537 19th Century French Theatre (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 538 French Novel of 19th Century I (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 539 French Novel of 19th Century II (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 540 19th Century French Poetry (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 541 19th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
      FREN 542 20th Century French Theatre (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 544 20th Century French Novel I (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 545 20th Century French Novel II (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 546 20th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
      FREN 547 Francophone Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 548 Contemporary French Civilization-Selected Topics (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 549 Contemporary Francophone Civilization Seminar (3 hours seminar) 3
      FREN 550 Introduction to French Colonialism (3 hours lecture) 3
      FREN 551 Women Writers from North Africa (3 hours lecture) 3
  2. CULMINATING EXPERIENCE

    Complete 1 of the following options:

    1. Thesis Option

      1. Complete for 4 semester hours.

        FREN 698 Master's Thesis 4
      2. Submit the completed Thesis original and one copy to the Graduate Office. See Thesis Guidelines for details.

    2. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

      In the term that you will sit for exam, register for - which matches your major & advisor. Successfully pass exam.

      GRAD CMP Comprehensive Examination 0

Course Descriptions:

FREN501: Graduate Study Abroad

Study at a university in a French-speaking country to gain first-hand knowledge of the historical, social, economic, and cultural life of the country. Credit by evaluation. May be taken twice for a total of 6 credits. 3 - 6 sh.

Prerequisites: Permission of graduate program coordinator.

FREN502: Theories and Approaches to Teaching French as a Second Language

The first half of a two-semester sequential course conducted entirely in French. It provides an analysis of various second language theories, and a survey of instructional methods and the principles underlying them. It also offers an overview of research findings in the area of French as a second language. 3 sh.

FREN504: Politics of the French Language (3 hours lecture)

Presenting an overview of the social history and politics of France and Francophone societies, this course provides a context in which to analyze the particular relationship that exists between French language and national identity. It will examine issues such as the status and role of the French language outside France, language policy and planning measures, and ideologies connected to issues such as gender, race, identity, and class. 3 sh.

FREN505: History of the French Language (3 hours lecture)

Structures of modern French as outcome of linguistic and cultural processes over 2,000 years. 3 sh.

FREN506: Advanced French Phonetics (3 hours lecture)

Principles of general and experimental phonetics. Previous knowledge of phonetics desirable. 3 sh.

FREN507: Practicum in Translation and Interpreting

Basic principles of translation and interpreting theory, practice and research, with special emphasis on conference interpreting: such as international conferences, as well as comtnunity interpreting such as legal or medical. Includes training in the mastery in in the techniques and technologies of the translators booth. 3 sh.

FREN508: Explication de Texte and Stylistic Analysis (3 hours lecture)

Techniques of "explication de texte and stylistic analysis" as an instrument for development of critical reading ability, and as pedagogical tool for teaching literature as well as language through literature. 3 sh.

FREN509: Critical Approaches to Literature (3 hours lecture)

Fundamental notions of contemporary French literary criticism; theory and practice. 3 sh.

FREN510: Topics in French Linguistics (3 hours lecture)

Changing topics to include in-depth studies of subjects in French sociolinguistics, syntax, pragmatics, and applied linguistics. May be repeated without limit as long as the topic is different. 3 sh.

FREN511: Medieval French Literature (3 hours lecture)

French literature from ninth through fifteenth centuries emphasizing the "Chanson de geste" and the "Roman courtois." 3 sh.

FREN513: Medieval French Theatre (3 hours lecture)

Origins and development of theatre in France during the Middle Ages. 3 sh.

FREN514: Medieval French Seminar (3 hours seminar)

Changing topics to include in-depth studies of individual authors, themes, and genres from the Middle Ages as they relate to historical and cultural events. Examples include "Francois Villon and His Time," "Courtly Culture of the Middle Ages," and Knights, Taverns and Romance." This course may be repeated twice for a total of nine credits as long as the seminar topic is different each time. 3 sh.

FREN516: French Humanism in 16th Century (3 hours lecture)

Humanistic ideals as reflected in the works of Rabelais, Montaigne and other authors. 3 sh.

FREN517: Poetry of the Renaissance (3 hours lecture)

Major works of Marot, Ronsard, Du Bellay and other poets of the Pleiade. 3 sh.

FREN518: 16th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar)

Changing topics to include in-depth studies of individual authors, themes, and genres from the 16th century as they relate to historical and cultural events. Examples include "Women Writers of Renaissance France," "Religion and Politics in Sixteenth-Century French Literature," and "Storytelling in its Cultural Context." This course may be repeated twice for a total of nine credits as long as the seminar topic is different each time. 3 sh.

FREN519: Teaching French in P-12: Practice

The second half of a two-semester sequential course conducted entirely in French. Application of various teaching techniques; development of mini lesson plans and a unit plan by integrating state and national standards; and application of appropriate performance-based assessment. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FREN 502.

FREN525: Moralists of the 17th Century (3 hours lecture)

Representative works of Descartes, Pascal, La Rochefoucauld, Saint Simon, La Bruyere, and other authors. 3 sh.

FREN526: Corneille, Racine and Moliere (3 hours lecture)

Dramatic art as reflected in representative plays of the three authors. Taught in French. 3 sh.

FREN527: Selected Topics in 17th Century French Literature (3 hours lecture)

Changing topics to include in-depth studies of individual authors and themes. May be repeated without limit as long as the topic is different. 3 sh.

FREN529: Seminar in Enlightenment and Revolutionary France (3 hours lecture)

Changing topics about the historical period from 1700 to 1871 in france will include in-depth studies of the various philosophical, social, literary as well as political developments and figures that shaped the revolutionary movement from 1700 to 1871. Examples include "Revolutionary Ideals and their Visual Depiction", "The Philosophers of Enlightenment and Revolution", or "Revolutionary Women and their Social Legacy". Course may be repeated one more time for a total of six credits, as long as the seminar topic is different each time. 3 sh.

FREN530: Philosophy and Politics in 18th Century France (3 hours lecture)

Impact of the "philosophes" on religious, political and sociological thought. 3 sh.

FREN531: The Development of the Novel in 18th Century France (3 hours lecture)

Study of the social and historical context of a novel and its particular form (e.g. epistolary, episodic, etc.). 3 sh.

FREN532: 18th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar)

Changing topics to include in-depth studies of individual authors, themes, and genre topics. 3 sh.

FREN533: Eighteenth-Century French Civilization Seminar (3 hours lecture)

Changing topics to include in-depth studies of various 18th-century French civilization such as "Female Deviance and Imprisonment of Women in the 18th-century", "The French Revolution" or "The Age of Enlightenment". The interrelationship of the political and social movements with the philosophical thinking of the Enlightenment will be emphasized. Course may be repeated one more time for a total of six credits, as long as the topic is different each time. 3 sh.

FREN535: Nineteenth-Century French Literature Seminar (3 hours lecture)

Changing topics on nineteenth-century French literature, to include in-depth studies of individual authors, genres, movements, or thematic topics from the nineteenth century. Examples include "Balzac's Comedie Humaine", Romantic Poetry", "Flaubert and the Realist Novel", or "Collectors and Collecting in the Nineteenth-Century Novel". Course may be repeated one more time for a total of six credits, as long as the seminar topic is different each time. 3 sh.

FREN536: The Romantic Movement (3 hours lecture)

The origins and development of Romanticism in England and Germany are compared with the later triumph of the movement in France. Representative works of Chateaubriand, Goethe, Novalis, Kleist, Hoffmann, Heine, Musset, and Nerval are studied, and their themes compared with those of the English romantics. (Taught in English. Recommended to French majors as a free elective.) Cross listed with English, ENLT 536. 3 sh.

FREN537: 19th Century French Theatre (3 hours lecture)

Hugo's dramatic theories and their application in representative plays. 3 sh.

FREN538: French Novel of 19th Century I (3 hours lecture)

Insight into major works of Balzac and Stendhal. 3 sh.

FREN539: French Novel of 19th Century II (3 hours lecture)

Insight into major works of Flaubert and Zola. 3 sh.

FREN540: 19th Century French Poetry (3 hours lecture)

Development of French poetry from Romanticism to Symbolism. 3 sh.

FREN541: 19th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar)

Changing topics to include in-depth studies of individual authors, themes, and genres from the 19th century as they relate to historical and cultural events. Examples include "Victor Hugo's Nineteenth Century," "The Belle Epoch," and "The Creation of National Identity." This course may be repeated twice for a total of nine credits as long as the seminar topic is different each time. 3 sh.

FREN542: 20th Century French Theatre (3 hours lecture)

Major modern currents and trends in drama. 3 sh.

FREN544: 20th Century French Novel I (3 hours lecture)

Evolution of the French novel from Proust to Camus. 3 sh.

FREN545: 20th Century French Novel II (3 hours lecture)

Evolution of the French novel from the "New Novel" of the 50's to contemporary French writing. 3 sh.

FREN546: 20th Century Seminar (3 hours seminar)

Changing topics on twentieth century French literature. 3 sh.

FREN547: Francophone Literature (3 hours lecture)

Major Francophone writings outside continental France. 3 sh.

FREN548: Contemporary French Civilization-Selected Topics (3 hours lecture)

Study of institutions and culture of contemporary France. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

FREN549: Contemporary Francophone Civilization Seminar (3 hours seminar)

Changing topics addressing contemporary issues affecting the Francophone world. Topics might include "Gender, Women and Society," "French Rap and Black Culture in France," "The Scourge of AIDS in Francophone Africa: Causes and Remedies." May be repeated twice for a total of nine credits. 3 sh.

FREN550: Introduction to French Colonialism (3 hours lecture)

This course introduces students to the history of French colonialism in Africa (North and Sub-Saharan), the Americas, the Middle East, and the various islands of Oceania and the Pacific. It offers an overview of the French imperial process from the fifteenth century and studies the various cultural, political, and economic impacts of French civilization on its (former) colonies. 3 sh.

FREN551: Women Writers from North Africa (3 hours lecture)

This course is based on a selection of works by Francophone women writers from North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia) including Assia Djebar, Malika Mokaddem, Nouzha Fassi, Badia Hadj Nasser, Leila Houari, Hele Beji, and Emna Bel Haj Yahia. 3 sh.

FREN603: Research Seminar (3 hours seminar)

Opportunity to apply research techniques to a specific topic of the student's choice. 3 sh.

FREN698: Master's Thesis

Independent research project done under faculty advisement. Students must follow the MSU Thesis Guidelines, which may be obtained from the Graduate School. Students should take FREN 699 if they don't complete FREN 698 within the semester. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

GRADCMP: Comprehensive Examination

This course is a placeholder for matriculated master's students planning to take the departmental Comprehensive Examination. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination will result in a grade of P, unsuccessful students will receive a grade of NC. Students who do not successfully complete the Comprehensive Examination will be required to register for this placeholder course in each term for which they plan to take the examination (limited to three). 0 sh.

Prerequisites: Matriculation in Master's degree program required.

Output generated in 0.00191 seconds.