French

Wabash College understands that language is the foremost avenue for understanding and interacting with the world, its peoples, and its histories. Consequently, the study of world languages is fundamental to a liberal arts education and a well-lived life beyond. Serious intellectual work in other languages broadens a Wabash man’s communicative potential; deepens his understanding of his native tongue; refines his expressive abilities; inculcates in him analytical and creative habits of mind; helps him see beyond his own place, time, and circumstance; and is foundational for his further study and appreciation of the literatures, histories, and aesthetic sensibilities of global cultures throughout time.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Wabash College prepares students for citizenship in a multicultural, multilingual global community. The Department promotes facility in languages, expands knowledge of cultures and literatures, and enables students to actively engage in cultural and linguistic exchanges. Our faculty work with students to provide a greater understanding of world affairs in an historical context, an enhanced knowledge of the traditions, achievements, and lifestyles of the international community, and an appreciation of differences and similarities among peoples and nations.

The Wabash College world language requirement sets students on their path to these goals while recognizing that some students bring to campus facility in a second language.

World Language Requirement

The Wabash curriculum requires that all students demonstrate facility in a world language. Students who wish to fulfill this requirement in French usually do one of the following:

Earn a passing grade for the elementary sequence: FRE-101 Elementary French I and FRE-102 Elementary French II or FRE-103 Accelerated Elementary French.
Earn a passing grade for any single course beyond 102 (e.g. FRE-301 Conversation & Composition).
Demonstrate facility in a second language by being admitted to Wabash as an International Student whose native language is one other than English.

Students may also fulfill this requirement by passing a world language exam with written and oral components. Students interested in pursuing this option should contact the department chair prior to mid-semester break in the fall of their freshman year.

Less Commonly Taught Languages

Students who wish to demonstrate facility in a language not offered at Wabash will be responsible for demonstrating their ability by exam. The department will assist the student in finding an institution to administer an exam, but the associated costs and arrangements will be the responsibility of the student.

Placement

Students who wish to continue at Wabash with a language studied in high school must enroll at the level determined by the departmental placement policy. Students who have taken at least two years of a language in high school will begin at the 201 level or higher. Placement beyond the 201 level is determined by the Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam and reference to high school transcripts. Any student may begin at the 101 level in a language that is new to him. For example, a student who is placed in SPA-301 Conversation & Composition can choose to begin a new language and enroll in FRE-101 Elementary French I instead.

Background Credit

A student who starts with the third semester course or higher (201 or 301 level) of a language and completes that course with a B-or better also receives one elective credit for the course immediately preceding the one he has taken. Background credit does not count toward a major or minor in the language.

A student need not earn a grade of B- or better to fulfill the world language requirement. A passing grade in the appropriate courses will satisfy the requirement.

Comprehensive Examinations

Majors in a modern language must successfully complete a two-day written comprehensive examination. In keeping with the goals of the department, the student must demonstrate his ability in the language in which he is majoring, as well as his knowledge of its culture and his critical appreciation of its literature.

Study Abroad

Modern language students are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Students in modern languages and literatures should meet with a member of the department as early as possible to develop an appropriate plan for study abroad.

Student Learning Goals

Language Proficiency: to enable students to negotiate meaning in a language other than their own.

Cultural Proficiency: to understand and appreciate the experiences, values, perceptions, and behaviors of people from diverse cultural communities, and to become self-aware in the presence of other cultures.

Contextualization within Cultural and Intellectual History: to understand the historical development of culture

Literary Interpretation: to interpret and analyze works of literature in the target language

Diachronic and synchronic comparisons and connections

Academic Skills: to develop skills in writing, analysis, research, and critical thinking.

On This Tab

Requirements for a Major
Requirements for a Minor

Requirements for a Major

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
FRE-302	Intro to Literature	1
FRE-401	Senior Seminar in French	1
French Electives		7
Total Credits		9

Requirements for a Minor

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Select five course credits in French ¹		5
Total Credits		5

¹: Minor concentrators are encouraged to take courses beyond FRE-302 Intro to Literature.

Background credit does not count toward a major or minor in the language.

FRE-101 Elementary French I

The student with little or no previous training in French will become grounded in the language and gain some understanding of the culture. Successful completion of the course means that one will be able to understand and respond to common conversational situations, read straightforward prose, and write simple but correct French. This course is offered in the fall semester. Successful completion of both FRE-101 and FRE-102 satisfies the World Languages distribution requirement.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: FRE-101L
Credit: 1

FRE-102 Elementary French II

The student with little or no previous training in French will continue building in the language and grow in their understanding of the culture. Successful completion of the course means that one will be able to understand and respond to common conversational situations, read straightforward prose, and write simple but correct French. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: FRE-101, or FRE-102 placement
Corequisites: FRE-102L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

FRE-103 Accelerated Elementary French

This is an accelerated introduction to French course that reviews the basic grammar elements and vocabulary for students with a limited background in high school French. The course covers in one semester the material presented in FRE-102 and FRE-102. Successful completion of the course satisfies the Wabash language requirement and prepares students to move on to FRE-201.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: FRE-103L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

FRE-177 Special Topics

These courses treat topics in French literature and culture. Conducted in French. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

FRE-187 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

FRE-188 Independent Study

FRE-201 Intermediate French

A thorough review of the fundamentals of the language. Concentration will be on continued growth in the active use of the language: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will read French texts that will reinforce the study of the language and the observation of the culture. Particular attention will be given to improving self-expression in French beyond the rudimentary level. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: FRE-102, FRE-103 or FRE-201 placement
Corequisites: FRE-201L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

FRE-202 French Language and Francophone Cultures

This course focuses on the active use of French. Its goals are to develop the student's command of French through guided practice in the use of the language and to increase his understanding of Francophone culture as reflected in the French language and life in the Francophone world. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: FRE-201, or FRE-202 placement
Corequisites: FRE-202L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

FRE-277 Special Topics

These courses treat topics in French literature and culture. Conducted in French.Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

FRE-287 Independent Study

FRE-288 Independent Study

FRE-301 Conversation & Composition

This course focuses on the continued development of the student's command of the French language and his understanding of Francophone culture, with an emphasis on speaking and writing. The course may include materials both written and spoken from a variety of sources. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: FRE-202, or FRE-301 placement
Corequisites: Prerequisite: FRE-202, or FRE-301 placement
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

FRE-302 Intro to Literature

This first course in the study of literature examines the workings of literature: style, form, structure, genre, symbolism, allusion, and metaphor. It is an introduction to the lexicon of literary criticism and the principles of literary theory. Required for majors. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: FRE-301
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

FRE-311 Studies in French Language

Studies in French Language offers advanced study in the French language. Topics may vary and include, but not are limited to: linguistics, phonetics, grammar and syntax, and second language acquisition. Students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the study of the French language and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. This course may be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course. This course counts toward Language Studies requirement. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: Take FRE-302.
Credit: 1

FRE-312 Studies in French Culture

Studies in French Culture offers advanced study of francophone culture. Topics may vary and include, but are not limited to: film, popular culture and arts, regional and ethnic identities, gender studies, politics, and religion. As they consider the connections among different disciplines and cultural contexts, students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the interpretation of cultural moments and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: FRE-301 and FRE-302
Credit: 1

FRE-313 Studies in French Literature

Studies in French Literature offers advanced interdisciplinary study of francophone literary genres, periods, and authors. Topics may vary. Students read and analyze texts to better understand the dialog between literature and historical, political, and social realities, as well as the connections between French and other literary traditions. Students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the interpretation of a particular genre and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course. Please refer to the Registrar's page for course description.
Prerequisites: FRE-301 and FRE-302 with a minimum grade of C-
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

FRE-314 Special Topics in French

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: FRE-301
Credit: 1

FRE-377 Special Topics

Conducted in French. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

FRE-387 Independent Study

FRE-388 Independent Study

FRE-401 Senior Seminar in French

Special written and oral work for seniors returning from study in a French-speaking country and for those seniors with a comparable level of preparation. Vocabulary-building and refinement of oral and written expression. This course assumes a background in literary analysis and interpretation, as well as a good command of spoken and written French. Required for majors. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

FRE-477 Special Topics

FRE-487 Independent Study

FRE-488 Independent Study

French Faculty

Karen Quandt