FREN 308 - French Around the World: An Introduction to the Study of French Language in Society

Why might a Parisian have difficulty understanding Quebecker? Does anyone still speak regional French varieties like Provençal and Alsatian anymore? How might Americans misjudge the manners of French speakers who interrupt them mid-sentence? This course explores how French is used in various contexts, by actual people, in daily life, whether in personal or institutional settings. Among the various topics we will consider are: select aspects of the history of French; its regional variations in sounds, words, and grammar; its political status and efforts to defend it against the ever-encroaching influence of English; different kinds of miscommunications likely to occur between an American English speaker and French in contact with other languages. Students will read primary texts in English and French and the format will be largely seminar-style discussion; an open-ended research project will be required at the end of the semester which students may complete on a topic of their choice. FREN 250 with a grade of B- or better, or the equivalent, is highly recommended prior to this course.

Credits: 3
Terms Offered: As Needed