Our curriculum is designed to offer rich opportunities to all students, from the elementary level to the most advanced courses. The expertise of the French group includes language pedagogy, literature, intercultural studies, critical theory, French politics and society, gender and queer studies, Modern French history, film studies, visual culture, Francophone African Studies, and cultural anthropology.
The diversity of our course offerings and the personal attention in small group classes create engaging and rewarding experiences for each student. Our classes are an excellent preparation for participation in programs such as MISTI France, Belgium and Switzerland, and January Scholars in France (a unique award for our most deserving students).
French
The subjects below are taught in French and include offerings in language, literature, and cultural studies.
The indication of prerequisites for specific French offerings does not apply to students who have already completed equivalent work. For further placement advice, consult one of the field advisors in French.
Fundamental Language Subjects
21G.301 French I
(
, 
, 
) 
(Subject meets with 21G.351)
Prereq: None
Units: 3-1-8
Lecture: MWF9 (16-644) or MWF10 (16-644)
Introduction to the French language and culture with emphasis on the acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical concepts through active communication. Conducted entirely in French. Exposure to the language via a variety of authentic sources such as the Internet, audio, video and printed materials which help develop cultural awareness as well as linguistic proficiency. Coordinated language lab program. For graduate credit see 21G.351. Limited to 18 per section.
C. O'Connor
21G.302 French II
(, )
(Subject meets with 21G.352)
Prereq: 21G.301 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-1-8
Lecture: MWF9 (14E-310) or MWF12 (14N-313)
Continuation of introductory course to the French language and culture with emphasis on acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical concepts through active communication. Conducted entirely in French. Exposure to the language via a variety of authentic sources such as the Internet, audio, video and printed materials which help develop cultural awareness as well as linguistic proficiency. Coordinated language lab. For graduate credit see 21G.352. Limited to 18 per section.
L. Rezvani
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.303 French III
(, )
Prereq: 21G.302 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-1-8
Lecture: MWF11 (14N-217) or MWF12 (14N-217)
Third subject in the French language sequence. Systematic work on grammar and vocabulary expands skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in French. Intercultural exploration through a variety of authentic materials, such as music, videos, films, newspapers, and excerpts from literary texts. Limited to 18 per section.
A. Culot
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.304 French IV
(, )
Prereq: 21G.303 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-1-8
Lecture: MWF10 (16-676) or MWF11 (16-676)
Fourth subject in the French language sequence. Focuses on language and intercultural understanding. Students work with a variety of materials such as surveys, newspapers, commercials, films and music. Systematic work on grammar and vocabulary expands students' skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing. Limited to 18 per section.
S. Levet
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.306 French: Communication Intensive I
(, )
Prereq: None. Coreq: 21G.308, 21G.310, 21G.311, 21G.312, 21G.315, 21G.320, 21G.321, or 21G.322; permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-0
TBA.
Intensive tutorial in writing and speaking for majors. Provides students with enhanced linguistic and cultural fluency for academic or real-world purposes. 21G.307 builds on writing and speaking skills acquired in 21G.306. Conducted entirely in French. Preference to French majors.
B. Perreau
No required or recommended textbooks
21G.307 French: Communication Intensive II
(, )
Prereq: None. Coreq: 21G.308, 21G.310, 21G.311, 21G.312, 21G.315, 21G.320, 21G.321, or 21G.322; permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-0
TBA.
Intensive tutorial in writing and speaking for majors. Provides students with enhanced linguistic and cultural fluency for academic or real-world purposes. 21G.307 builds on writing and speaking skills acquired in 21G.306. Conducted entirely in French. Preference to French majors.
B. Perreau
No required or recommended textbooks
Intermediate Subjects in Language, Literature, and Culture
These subjects (21G.308-21G.315) are designed for students who have completed French IV or its equivalent. They serve as a transition between language study and more advanced subjects in literature and culture. Although each subject has a different emphasis, all provide students with additional practice in reading, speaking, and writing.
Native speakers of French who have studied French literature at a high-school level must obtain permission of the instructor to enroll in any of these subjects.
21G.310 French Conversation: Intensive Practice
()
Prereq: 21G.304 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
Lecture: MWF10 (14E-310)
Training in oral expression including communication skills, fluency, idiomatic French and pronunciation. Discussion materials include short literary and sociological texts, recent films, varied audio and digitized video interviews and the Internet. Taught in French. Limited to 16.
L. Rezvani
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.315 A Window onto Contemporary French Society
()
Prereq: 21G.304 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
Lecture: MW1.30-3 (16-644)
Intermediate subject designed to help students gradually build an in-depth understanding of France. Focuses on French attitudes and values regarding education, work, family, and institutions. Deals with the differing notions that underlie interpersonal interactions and communication styles, such as politeness, friendship, and formality. Using a Web comparative, cross-cultural approach, students explore a variety of French and American materials, then analyze and compare using questionnaires, opinion polls, news reports (in different media), as well as a variety of historical, anthropological and literary texts. Students involved in team research projects. Attention given to the development of relevant linguistics skills. Recommended for students planning to study and work in France. Taught in French.
S. Levet
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
Advanced Subjects in Literature and Culture
21G.049[J] French Photography
() 
(Same subject as 4.674[J])
Prereq: None
Units: 3-0-9
Lecture: W3,R2-4 (4-249)
Introduces students to the world of French photography from its invention in the 1820s to the present. Provides exposure to major photographers and images of the French tradition, and encourages students to explore the social and cultural roles and meanings of photographs. Designed to help students navigate their own photo-saturated worlds; provides opportunity to gain practical experience in photography. Taught in English. Enrollment limited.
C. Clark
No required or recommended textbooks
21G.325[J] New Culture of Gender: Queer France
() 
(Same subject as WGS.233[J])
Prereq: One intermediate subject in French
Units: 3-0-9
Lecture: T EVE (7-10 PM) (14N-313)
Addresses the place of contemporary queer identities in French discourse. Discusses the new generation of queer authors and their principal concerns. Introduces students to the main classical references of queer subcultures, from Proust and Vivien to Hocquenghem and Wittig. Examines current debates on post-colonial and globalized queer identities through essays, songs, movies, and novels. Authors include Didier Eribon, Anne Garréta, Abdellah Taïa, Anne Scott, and Nina Bouraoui. Taught in French.
B. Perreau
No required or recommended textbooks
21G.346 Topics in Modern French Literature and Culture
()
Prereq: One intermediate subject in French
Units: 3-0-9
Lecture: TR1-2.30 (16-644)
Close study of history and criticism of French literature, focusing on a specific group of writers, a movement, a theme, a critical or theoretical issue, or an analytic approach. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Taught in French.
M. Edoh
No required or recommended textbooks
Graduate Language Subjects
21G.351 French I
(, , )
(Subject meets with 21G.301)
Prereq: None
Units: 3-1-5
Lecture: MWF9 (16-644) or MWF10 (16-644)
Introduction to the French language and culture with emphasis on acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical concepts through active communication. Conducted entirely in French. Exposure to the language via a variety of authentic sources such as the Internet, audio, video and printed materials which help develop cultural awareness and linguistic proficiency. Coordinated language lab program. Meets with 21G.371 when offered concurrently. Limited to 18 per section.
Staff
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.352 French II
(, )
(Subject meets with 21G.302)
Prereq: 21G.351
Units: 3-1-5
Lecture: MWF9 (14E-310) or MWF12 (14N-313)
Continuation of introductory course to the French language and culture with emphasis on acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical concepts through active communication. Conducted entirely in French. Exposure to the language via a variety of authentic sources such as the Internet, audio, video and printed materials which help develop cultural awareness as well as linguistic proficiency. Coordinated language lab. Same as 21G.302, but for graduate credit. Meets with 21G.372 when offered concurrently. Limited to 18 per section.
Staff
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
For French Literature and Culture subjects offered in English, see 21G.049, 21G.052, 21G.053, 21G.054, and 21G.068.
For the full list of French subjects, please see the MIT catalog.
