Courses

French I - Year

The aim of the course is to introduce, in an immersion type of classroom, the basis of French language and cultures from the Francophone world. As soon as you enter the classroom you enter another Francophone country. At the end of this first year, the students will be able to interact with Francophone native speakers in almost every situation they could encounter in a trip to France. The emphasis will be on oral comprehension but attention will also be given to reading and writing. Students have different expectations when it comes to speaking a language and this class allows each and every student to find his/her own pace through an extensive use of a communicative approach. Oral participation in class is key in order to succeed in this course.

French II -Year

The main objective for the course is to review and consolidate the basis of French language and culture in an immersion type of classroom. The first few weeks will allow students to receive a complete and extensive review of French I material. Then, the emphasis for the rest of the year will be on authenticity. Authentic documents will be used in order to learn and reproduce an authentic and modern use of the French language. Everyday culture will be reinforced and connections between language and culture will be presented and most importantly assimilated. Once again oral participation will be the key to success in this class.

French III- Year

This course continues and refines the work done in French I and II. Students will practice and improve the four language skills:listening, speaking, reading and writing. During the first weeks there is a thorough review of French grammar. Students are encouraged to use more complex sentences in speaking and writing. They are introduced to authentic texts written for a Franco-phone public. French films and French literature are introduced for cultural content and to encourage discussion. The course is conducted in French. Student participation in French is encouraged and expected. By the end of the year students should be able to converse with a native speaker of French on a variety of subjects.

The History of France (17th through 19th centuries) - Fall

This course will focus on French history from Louis XIV’s moving of the French capital to Versailles through the industrial revolution in 19th century France. It will include the French desire for creating an empire and the establishments of colonies in the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. Readings will be in French and there will be review of grammar to help students express themselves in written and oral presentations they will prepare for class. The textbook Trésor du temps contains the historical readings and grammar work. Several films (Vatel, Ridicule, Napoleon and Indochine) will supplement the textbook. The films will be viewed and analyzed. Internet research will be part of the course. This course will be taught in French. (Prerequisite: successful completion of FR30. While not required, it is recommended that students wanting to go into the AP French Language course take FR42 in the Spring. May be taken concurrently with or after any AP French course.)

Contemporary Francophone World (20th and 21st centuries) - Spring

The course will focus on cultural and contemporary issues throughout the French-speaking world, but more specifically North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia), Canada (Quebec), and France. The effects of immigrants shaping the current identity of these countries will be addressed. We will look at how the influx of German pioneers in the1820s to the present day migration of North Africans has changed France’s cultural persona. Students will examine the circumstances surrounding immigrants’ decision to migrate to France as well as Canada.

The curriculum will include excepts of novels written by Assia Djebar, Ying Chen, Sami Namir, news articles by Le Monde and Radio France International, movies such as Inch Allah Dimanche and La Haine and music that will serve as informative tools in the study of this complex cultural and political phenomenon. Students will be expected to play an active role in researching and presenting, as well as participate in classroom discussion. Reading, writing, listening, and speaking components of the language will be stressed and furthered developed throughout the course. (Prerequisite: successful completion of FR30. While not required, it is recommended that students take FR41 in the Fall as the background for this course. May be taken concurrently with or after any AP French course.)

Advanced Placement French Language - Year

This is the first of two advanced courses in French language and literature. The main objective for this course is to develop writing skills in French in order to pass the AP Language Examination, but practical communication skills will continue to be very important. Not only will the students study the specificities of writingan essay in French, but they will also consolidate their grammar and vocabulary through the use of literary works from many Francophone writers and poets. Creativity and discipline should be the two key words for this class. By the end of the year, students will be able to write and communicate in a more meaningful way that will help them for their university studies. (Prerequisites: students must be in good standing in French, receive departmental recommendation, and pass a departmental placement test.)

Contemporary French Literature - Year

The French department will offer an advanced course in French literature for students who have completed French 41/42 or AP French Language. This course will replace the French AP Literature Course. It is for students who enjoy reading French and discussing French literature. We will work on literary analysis, creative and analytical writing, vocabulary development and speaking skills. The selections of French readings will be from 20th century French and francophone (from French speaking countries) literature. The texts will be selected to appeal to student interest. In general we will read short stories, some poetry and some shorter novels. Where possible, texts will be chosen that have been made into films. We will view the films and compare to the written texts. (Prerequisites: completion of French 41/42 or French 50 and recommendation from your French teacher.)

German I - Year

This student-centered course’s primary emphasis is to develop speaking skills. The content of this course is based on the Council of Europe’s Proficiency Levels (A1), the class is conducted primarily in German, and a German-only textbook is used. A high level of student participation is expected as students work with authentic cultural material to develop their vocabulary and their communication skills. The development of reading, writing, and grammar skills is secondary and is designed to support the students’ ability to express themselves in simple, but correct German.

German II -Year

Students continue to work on developing their vocabulary and their speaking skills, and emphasis on developing reading and writing skills is gradually added. The content of this course is based on the Council of Europe’s Proficiency Levels (A2) and a German-only textbook is used. Students will work on becoming more independent speakers of German. Grammar is taught insupport of communication skills and by the end of the second year, all basic grammar has been covered.

German III - Year

Students continue to work on developing their speaking skills and becoming more independent and self-reliant in expressing their opinions and defending them in a variety of situations. Students learn to express themselves with more complex German. A more formal and traditional review of German grammar is introduced. Students work on developing more sophisticated writing skills and they will read texts dealing with contemporary issues. A major play will be read in the spring. Much of the content of this course is based on the Council of Europe’s Proficiency Levels (B1).

German IV - Year

This course, primarily a composition and communication course, stresses practical communication skills. Students will read or hear and then discuss and analyze nonliterary and literary texts. Grammar review is continued. With the recommendation of the teacher, students may take the Advanced Placement Examination and/or the Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache Exam at the Goethe Institute in Boston. (Permission of the department is required.)

German V - Year

The main focus of this course is a survey of recent German-language literary texts. Through literary analysis, students will work on developing their writing skills. Students will also continue to work on their communication skills.(Will only be offered if there is sufficient enrollment. Permission of the department is required.)

Spanish I - Year

Students learn to express themselves in simple but correct Spanish. The course aims to develop communication skills and an awareness of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. The class is conducted primarily in Spanish. Different kinds of authentic and audiovisual materials are used to enhance the exposure of the students to real-life situational interactions and culture. Although the main focus of the course is oral communication, attention will also be given to reading and writing skills.

Spanish II - Year

The study of basic Spanish is completed in this course. Students will be fully immersed in a Spanish speaking environment. Considerable review of first-year Spanish is accomplished in the early weeks of the course to meet the needs of new and continuing students. Readings and conversational material of increasing sophistication are introduced to prepare the students for the third level. Different kinds of authentic and audiovisual materials are used to enhance the exposure of the students to real-life situational interactions and culture. While great attention will continue to be on oral communication, part of the aim of the course is to improve the writing and reading skills of the students.

Spanish III - Year

This course continues to develop language skills for practical oral communication in Spanish, while strengthening the listening, writing, and reading skills to a reasonable proficiency level. The culture of the Spanish-speaking world is emphasized and supported by an audiovisual program, which also helps students reinforce their listening comprehension skills as well as review their vocabulary and grammar. Spanish continues to be the only language used in the classroom. Different kinds of texts, including literary works, will be used to enhance the students’ language skills and cultural awareness.

The Spanish Civil War - Spring

This semester course will focus on the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). In order to better understand this period, we will start with a brief introduction and overall view of the history of Spain. This will lead us to the Spanish and international context of the war’s outbreak, including the religious, political, and economic causes. For example, we will look into the Spanish-American War and the rise of Communism, as well as the power of the Catholic Church and the decline of the monarchy in Spain. Art and literature, prior to and after the war, will also be part of the course. For example, we will discuss art works such as Picasso’s Guernica and literary works by the Generation of 28.

The course will continue to explore the impact of the war in Spanish and world history, the long-lasting effects of Franco’s dictatorship and the beginning of democracy in Spain and the restoration of the monarchy. We will conclude by looking at the Spain of today, the significant changes in the culture of the country, and its place in the world.The course will be taught completely in Spanish and it will be based on lectures and research. A variety of textbooks and audiovisual materials will be used. (Open to any student who has successfully completed Spanish III. May be taken concurrently with or after any AP Spanish course.)

Pre-Columbian Civilizations - Fall

This semester course will focus on the cultures of Ancient Mexico, Central America, and South America. The course will explore the art, religion, and sociopolitical and economic systems of these cultures. It will address their origin, development and, in some cases, mysterious disappearance.

The course will continue with the discovery of the Americas, more significant explorers, and the impact of conquest. The course will conclude with the legacy and traditions of the pre-Columbian civilizations in the world today.This course attempts to give students a broader knowledge of Latin American history as well as ancient civilizations. The students will have a chance to compare these cultures to others from the same time period, as well as look at events in other parts of the world during the pre-Columbian times.

This course is directed to those students who, besides wantingto improve their Spanish oral, reading and writing skills, areinterested in history, art, and religion. It will be conducted completely in Spanish. Students will be asked to do oral presentations, research projects, and essays. Students will use a series of textbooks and audiovisual materials that will take them to different archaeological sites and introduce them to explorers. When possible, a voluntary but recommended trip to different archaeological sites in Mexico and Guatemala will be offered in March as a hands-on addendum to the course. (Open to any student who has successfully completed Spanish III. May be taken concurrently with or after any AP Spanish course.)

Advanced Placement Spanish Language - Year

This course, comparable to a college-level composition and conversation course, stresses practical communication skills in Spanish while at the same time introducing the student to contemporary Hispanic literature. By the end of this course, the student isprepared for the Advanced Placement Examination in Spanish Language. (Prerequisites: preferably SP41 and SP42, good standing in Spanish, and departmental recommendation. Students must also pass a departmental placement test.)

Advanced Placement Spanish Literature - Year

This course will cover different centuries, a wide variety of authors that represent diverse geographical areas of the Spanish speaking world, and an array of genres and types of discourse. The courseis organized by periods and authors. However, the works won’tbe read chronologically, but rather by themes, genres or similarities that will help students make comparisons and see common themes. This course will culminate with the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature exam. (Prerequisites: a score of 3 or higher onthe Advanced Placement Examination in Spanish Language and departmental recommendation.)

The course covers:la Vega; works by Cervantes, and plays by Tirso de Molina.poems by Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, Ruben Dario, Jose de Espronceda, Jose Maria Heredia, and Jose Marti; articlesby Mariano Jose de Larra; works by Leopoldo Alas (Clarin), Ricardo Palma, and Emilia Pardo Bazan.Nineteenth-Century Literature. Students will readTwentieth-Century Literature. Students will read poems by Julia de Burgos, Rosario Castellanos, Federico Garcia Lorca, Nicolas Guillen, Antonio Machado, Pablo Neruda, and Alfonsina Storni; works by Isabel Allende, Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortazar, Carlos Fuentes, Federico Garcia Lorca, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carmen Martin Gaite, Horacio Quiroga, Juan Rulfo, Sabine Ulibarri, Miguel de Unamuno, and Sergio Vodanovic.Medieval and Golden Age Literature. Students will read romances from the Spanish Reconquest; chronicles from the explorer Cabeza de Viaca; poems from Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Quevedo, Gongora, Juan Manuel, and Garcilaso de