French and Francophone Studies

Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures

  • MIRKO M. HALL, chair
  • DOUG P. BUSH
  • RAFAEL E. HERNÁNDEZ
  • CATHERINE JONES
  • STEFANIA LICATA

Mission

The mission of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures is to enable Converse students to embrace diversity and complexity in the world through communication in other languages and knowledge of other cultures. The department will achieve this goal by preparing students in the following areas:

  1. competence in oral comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing of the target language;
  2. knowledge of the culture and literature of the major language;
  3. preparation to enter an advanced degree program, public service, business, or the professions.

The Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with the majors of German Studies and Hispanic Studies. Students majoring in German Studies or Hispanic Studies must complete 30 credit hours in courses numbered 202 and above.

The General Education Program is a requirement for all degrees. The requirements listed below are approved for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts.

ENG 101 3 hours
Language and Culture 9 hours
MTH 108 or higher 3 hours
One course designated as Quantitative Reasoning 3–4 hours
Health and Well-Being Wellness 2 hours
Activity course 1–2 hours
Humanities 6 hours
Literature 3 hours
Fine Arts 6 hours
Natural Science 7–8 hours
Social Science 6 hours
Total 49–52 hours

Graduation requirements but not a separate course:

  • First Year Seminar
  • Writing Intensive course
  • Non-European/non-Anglophone course
  • Capstone experience

Calculation of Major and Minor GPA in Languages, Cultures and Literature

To earn a major or minor in German Studies or Hispanic Studies, or a minor in French and Francophone Studies, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 across all of their required and elective courses on the Degree Completion Form for that specific program.

Elective credits beyond the required number may not be considered in the calculation.

For the major in German Studies, this GPA includes the allowance of two elective courses from other departments with a substantial Germanic component. For the major in Hispanic Studies, this GPA includes the allowance of one elective course, either SPN 400 or HST 477. Transfer credits from other institutions do not figure into the calculation for major or minor GPAs.

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

FRN 101–102 : ELEMENTARY FRENCH

A course for beginners designed to initiate students not only into a foreign language, but also into a new and exciting culture. Up-to-date teaching methods and techniques are employed throughout the program.

Credits

6

FRN 125 : FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR

First-Year Seminars constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse University. All incoming first- year students are required to take a 3-credit hour FYS in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with the common course number (except for designated honors sections). Each FYS course is designed to have no more than 18 students, and counts in some designated category of the General Education Program. Strong writing and speaking components are required elements of the course.

Credits

3

FRN 199H : FRESHMAN HONORS SEMINAR

A study of a selected subject within the discipline that will vary from term to term. The course is designed to encourage student participation in the intellectual processes through class discussion, research and writing, special projects, problem solving, and evaluation and defense of positions. When the subject matter duplicates that of another course, credit toward graduation will be granted for only one of the courses. Offered periodically in rotation with seminars in other disciplines.

Credits

3

FRN 202 : INTERMEDIATE FRENCH

This course will emphasize speaking and listening with progressively increased practice in reading and writing.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

FRN 201 or placement in FRN 202.

FRN 265 : LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND LITERATURE STUDY SEMINAR

Students will study the target language and enroll in a foreign study program or participate in a Converse designed program, studying the language and discussing important topics on culture and contemporary life. Grades in the course will be determined either by the native language teacher or by a Converse professor, based on class participation, tests and graded assignments. Offered during Jan Term or Summer Terms, contingent upon sufficient enrollment. Non-European/non-Anglophone.

Credits

3

FRN 299H : INTERDISCIPLINARY HONORS COURSE

This course is team taught by members in two departments and is open to Honors Program participants and to others who meet Honors Program guidelines. All students registering for these courses must register not only through the Honors Program but also with their adviser and the Registrar’s Office.

FRN 303 : A SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE I

FRN 303/304 are a study of selected themes in French literature from the beginning to the present time. FRN 303, the first term, treats French literature from the beginnings to the revolutionary period.

Writing Intensive.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

Permission of instructor.

FRN 304 : A SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE II

FRN 303/304 are a study of selected themes in French literature from the beginning to the present time.  FRN 304, the second term, covers from the French Revolution to the present.

Writing Intensive.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

Permission of instructor.

FRN 309 : FRANCOPHONE LITERATURE OF AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

This course is a study of African and Caribbean literature. Consideration of social, political and economic dimensions of African and Caribbean cultures. May include an optional travel component. Non-European/non-Anglophone.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

Permission of instructor.

FRN 310 : COMMERCIAL FRENCH

This is an introductory course into the everyday business language used in France. It consists of the study of oral and written texts dealing with such subjects as applications for jobs, interviews, business correspondence, advertising, etc., and includes structural exercise dealing with grammar difficulties and typical commercial terminology.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

FRN 202 or equivalent.

FRN 312 : CONTEMPORARY FRENCH CULTURE

An introduction to present-day France that explores its political, socio-cultural and educational institutions through films, the media and literary works.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

FRN 202 or equivalent.

FRN 314 : SPECIAL TOPICS IN FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES

This course will introduce students to various aspects of the social and cultural realities of the target cultures using historical readings and literary selections supported by films and travel. Topics of consideration may include history, women, the media, immigrants and racism, and colonialism. Non-European/non-Anglophone.

Credits

3

Prerequisites

FRN 202 or approval of department chair.

FRN 365 : LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND LITERATURE STUDY SEMINAR

Students will study the target language and enroll in a foreign study program or participate in a Converse designed program, studying the language and discussing important topics on culture and contemporary life. Grades in the course will be determined either by the native language teacher or by a Converse professor, based on class participation, tests and graded assignments. Offered during Jan Term or Summer Terms, contingent upon sufficient enrollment. Non-European/non-Anglophone.

Credits

3

FRN 490 : DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY

This course allows students to pursue a course of study not covered by regular offerings in French. Both teacher and student will select the topic of study according to the student’s needs and interests. Non-European/non-Anglophone.

Credits

3

FRN 496 : FOREIGN LANGUAGE INTERNSHIP

An internship in business or a public or private agency requiring the use of the student’s foreign language skills. Pass/fail grading.

Prerequisites

One course numbered 300 or above and permission of the instructor.