The first semester consists of a thorough review of beginning grammar and the development of listening and speaking skills. The second semester continues the emphasis in these areas, adding more sophisticated grammatical concepts. Throughout the course we concentrate on vocabulary building, writing, and developing ease and competence in spoken French. Using CD-ROMs, computer applications and films, students will learn the social and historical context of French art and architecture.
Individualized attention is given to idiomatic speech patterns, rhythm, and intonation.
Students will participate in prose and poetry readings and impromptu discussions. French and Francophone assistantes participate in the teaching of the course. Designed especially for majors. For the playwright Marivaux and the painters Watteau, Boucher, and Fragonard, love and sensuality constituted the main avenues to happiness and in their works they represented a kaleidoscope of psychologies and passions. As Chardin's paintings also illustrated, prosperity based on commerce would guarantee that each citizen could live comfortably and even luxuriously.