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University of Washington

Courses in French Studies | Courses in Italian Studies

Courses in French Studies (click on course for details)

French 101: Elementary French
French 102: Elementary French
French 103: Elementary French
French 110: Basic French Review
French 201, 202, 203: Intermediate French
French 302, 303: Advanced French
French 304: French Literature: Origins to 1600
French 305: French Literature: 1600-1789
French 413: Topics in 17th Century
French 499: Special Topics
French 499B: Special Topics
French 590 B: Teaching Methodology
French 592 A: Literary Problems: Renaissance

Courses in Italian Studies (click on course for details)

Italian 101: Elementary Italian
Italian 111: Accelerated Elementary Italian
Italian 201: Intermediate Italian
Italian 227: Italian Conversation through Film
Italian 301: Advanced Grammar
Italian 303: Advanced Syntax & Composition
Italian 327: Advanced Conversation
Italian 341: Contemporary Italian Poetry in Translation
Italian 366: From Neorealism to the Present (50 Years in Italian Cinema)
Italian 390: Language Trailer for ITAL 466
Italian 402: Early Modern Italian Readings I
Italian 466: From Neorealism to the Present (50 Years in Italian Cinema)
Italian 502: Early Modern Italian Readings I
Italian 590 A: Special Seminar/Conference
Italian 596 A: Literary Problems: 20th Century

Course Descriptions

FRENCH 101, 102, 103: ELEMENTARY FRENCH
Daily, multiple sections and hours, 5 cr., Staff

A three-quarter introductory-level sequence. The four skills--listening, speaking, reading and writing--are stressed in a primarily oral-aural method of presentation. The course covers all major elements of French grammar. Conducted in French; language laboratory required in addition to daily class sessions. Offered quarterly.
Required texts: TBA

FRENCH 110: BASIC FRENCH REVIEW
Daily, multiple sections and hours, 5 cr., Staff

Basic French Review combines in one quarter the contents of 101 and 102. This intensive course is designed for students who have studied French for at least two years in high school but who do not feel ready for 102. Highly motivated beginners with background in other languages are also encouraged to take the course. After completing 110, students can enroll directly in French 103.
Required texts: TBA

FRENCH 201, 202, 203: INTERMEDIATE FRENCH (VLPA)
Daily, multiple sections and hours, 5 cr., Staff

A three-quarter systematic review and expansion of French grammar, development of conversational skills (listening and speaking), reading literary and cultural materials, and writing compositions. Conducted in French, the intermediate sequence encourages students to use their language skills more actively and at a more sophisticated level than the elementary sequence. French 202 not offered Autumn quarter.
Prerequisites: 103 for 201; 201 for 202; 202 for 203.
Required texts: Dietikeer, En Bonne Forme text and workbook (audio will be available online).

FRENCH 301, 302, 303: ADVANCED FRENCH (VLPA, W courses)
Multiple sections and hours, 5 cr., Staff

French 301 allows students to review French grammar at an advanced level and to acquire the essentials of French composition, through the study of written and audiovisual authentic cultural material . French 302 is a continuation of French 301. French 303 is geared toward students planning to take literature classes and allows them to complete their studies of the techniques of French composition. These courses are conducted exclusively in French. French 302 not offered Autumn quarter.
Prerequisites: 203 for 301; 302 for 303, 302 for 303, or placement.
Required texts: Hoffman, Travaux pratiques (Prentice-Hall); William F. Edmiston, Annie Duménil, La France contemporaine (Harcourt Brace); Debray, La République expliquée à ma fille (Editions du Seuil), Hoffman, L’Essentiel de la grammaire française (Prentice-Hall)- used in Fr 301 and Fr 302, not Fr 303.

FRENCH 304: SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE: ORIGINS TO 1600 (VLPA)
MW 10:30-12:20, 5 cr., Delcourt

Students will read and discuss masterpieces of Medieval and Renaissance literature. Medieval texts will be read in modern French translations. The following topics will receive special attention: models of gender and kinship; violence and the social order; the human body in love and death; spirituality and desire. Class will be conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FRENCH 302.
Required Texts: TBA

FRENCH 305: FRENCH LITERATURE: 1600-1789 (VLPA)
TTH 9:30-11:20, 5 cr., Mackenzie

Survey of French literature in the so-called "classical" and "Enlightenment" periods. We will learn the basics of social and political change in France during this time, and read sample texts as products of and as reactions to the processes of history. We will also work on composition skills in French. Discussions, readings, papers all in French, please. I will encourage group work as well as group discussions, and probably establish an online discussion for those who are not comfortable speaking up in class.
Recommended preparation: Willingness to participate orally or in other ways. Know how to listen to others with respect and to disagree with respect. Brushing up some written French skills would be a good idea.
Prequisites: FRENCH 302.
Required texts: TBA

FRENCH 413: TOPICS IN 17TH CENTURY: POLITICS, PASTIMES, AND POETICS OF COURT SOCIETY
MW 12:30-2:20, 5 cr., Turnovsky

This course explores the importance of the court and "court culture" in 17th-century writing. The court was identified as a preeminent site for cultural and literary expression; yet is was also a highly ambivalent one, conducive to both the loftiest virtues and lowest vices. The course is divided into two parts. In the first half, we explore the construct "court culture," most notably in the cult of the King, and in positive and negative images of an elite society
dedicated to luxury and leisure. The second half focuses directly on the importance of the court for writers, though in each part, it is the intersection of "the court" and "17th-century literature" that will interest us. What were the roles of writers and literary writing in the formation of the "Court of Louis XIV," and conversely, what was the importance of the court and the patronage of the monarch for the development of a Classical literature that since the 18th century is celebrated as a high point in French cultural history. Course taught in French.
Prerequisite: French 303, 304, 305 and 306

FRENCH 499: SPECIAL TOPICS
2-5 cr,To be arranged

FRENCH 499B: SPECIAL TOPICS- THE REALITY EFFECT: ILLUSIONS OF PROSE FICTION IN THE OLD REGIME
MW 3:30-5:20, 5 cr., Turnovsky

This course explores prose fiction from the late 17th into the 18th centuries, emphasizing the development of what will be become the novel. While a dominant, easily recognizable genre in the modern period, the status of this literary form was far less certain before the Revolution when it lacked prestige and legitimacy. This uncertainty is partly expressed by the striking investments of early prose fiction works in their own "reality": most novels were offered to readers as found documents, either letters or memoirs. We will study the rise of the genre with particular attention to what Vivienne Mylne has called the "techniques of illusion" by which the texts sought to impose their authenticity on readers, and by considering the ends that these techniques served: satire, critique, thrill of scandal, psychological exploration, etc. We also consider the expectations of Old Regime readers. To what extent did they believe in the "reality" of the documents? What was at stake for them in the conflation of reality and fiction? Course taught in French.
Prerequisite: French 303

FRENCH 590 B: TEACHING METHODOLOGY
TH 1:30-3:20, 3 cr., Hedwige Meyer

This class is for new Teaching Assistants in French only and is required. We will explore various teaching techniques and learn how to apply them in our classes.
Prerequisite: Must be holding teaching assignment or permission of instructor. No text required.
Note: Students should also sign up to take ROLING 518 w/ Prof. Brandl, sln 8407.

FRENCH 592 A: LITERARY PROBLEMS: RENAISSANCE
T 3:30-6:20, 5 cr., Louisa Mackenzie

Note: reading, writing and discussion all in French. This seminar will look at French lyric poetry of the sixteenth century. Lyric comes into its own as a major - perhaps the major – genre of sixteenth-century France: why? For which concerns does it act as a vehicle? How does lyric poetry negotiate classical models and the imperative to be the standard-bearer for a vernacular French literature? Who were the Pléiade, and what was their poetic project? And what happens to lyric as the initial optimism of this project is worn down by the wars of religion? How, as Ronsard asked, can one write of love when witnessing daily atrocities? Why did the epic genre fail in France as lyric took off? These questions, and many more, will be addressed as we learn to read some of the most challenging and erudite poetry ever written in France.

Students will also practice “doing research”. We will look at some tools available to scholars doing independent advanced research. Students will be responsible for a bibliography on one poet, one theme or one approach, and will give a class presentation on the state of scholarship on their chosen topic or writer (e.g. what is the direction of scholarship today on Louise Labé? on exemplarity? What is still to be done?)

ITALIAN 101: ELEMENTARY ITALIAN
Daily, multiple hours and sections, 5 cr., Staff

The first part of a three-quarter introductory-level sequence. The four skills -- listening, speaking, reading and writing -- are stressed in a primarily oral-aural method of presentation. The course covers all major elements of Italian grammar. Conducted in Italian; language laboratory required in addition to daily class sessions. Offered primarily sequentially, Autumn 101, Winter 102, Spring 103.
Required texts: Branciforte & Grassi, Parliamo Italiano! and Parliamo Italiano! Workbook/Lab Manual/Video Manual (Houghton Mifflin Company).

ITALIAN 111: ACCELERATED ELEMENTARY ITALIAN
Daily, multiple hours and sections, 10 cr., Staff

This course combines the contents of Italian 101 and 102 (see above) into a one-quarter accelerated course for 10 credits. Students may then take Italian 103 in the Winter Quarter to complete the language requirement in Italian.
Required texts: Branciforte & Grassi, Parliamo Italiano! and Parliamo Italiano! Workbook/Lab Manual/Video Manual (Houghton Mifflin Company).

ITALIAN 201: INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN (VLPA)
Daily, multiple times, 5 cr., Staff

The first part of a three-quarter, systematic review of Italian grammar and development of conversational skills (comprehension and speaking) as well as reading literary and cultural materials and writing compositions. Conducted in Italian, the intermediate sequence encourages students to use their language skills more actively and at a more sophisticated level than the elementary sequence.
Prerequisite: 103 or college equivalent or placement
Required texts: (for the ITALIAN 201-202-203 sequence): Lazzarino, Da Capo, Italian Dictionary (MacMillan).

ITALIAN 227: ITALIAN CONVERSATION THROUGH FILM
TH 2:30-3:20, 2 cr., Staff

Italian language conservation course for second-year students of Italian. Clips from Italian films will be used to engage students in coversation.
Prerequisite: 103 or college equivalent or placement

ITALIAN 301: ADVANCED ITALIAN (VLPA, W course)
Multiple sections, 5 cr.

The third part of a three-quarter perfection-level sequence of syntax, composition and stylistics.
Offered sequentially Autumn 301, Winter 302, Spring 303.
Prerequisite: 203 or college equivalent or placement
Required texts: TBA

ITALIAN 303: ADVANCED SYNTAX AND COMPOSITION
MW 12:30-2:20, 5 cr.

The last part of a three-quarter perfection-level sequence of syntax, composition and stylistics. Offered sequentially Autumn 301, Winter 302, Spring 303.
Prerequisites: 302 or college equivalent or placement.
Required text: Radicchi, Sandra, Corso di lingua Italiana- livello intermedio; Sciascia, A Ciascuno Il Suo.

ITALIAN 327: ADVANCED CONVERSATION (VLPA)
MW 10:30-11:20, 2 cr., Tatta

Focus on developing advanced conversational skills--listening and speaking--to fluency and increasing vocabulary in varying situations. May be taken up to four different times (2 cr. each time, 8 maximum) for credit. Discussions are based on contemporary Italian current event articles, fiction, and essay. Conducted in Italian. Not open to students whose native language is Italian. Offered quarterly. Materials available in class.
Prerequisite: 203 or college equivalent or placement.

ITALIAN 341: CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN POETRY IN TRANSLATION
TTH 11:30-1:20, 5 cr., Leporace

Introduction to basic concepts and skills required for Italian-to-English translation. Examines the main aspects of contrastive grammar and stylistics used in translation, providing practical opportunities to incorporate and apply the material. Exposure to a variety of translation fields.
Prerequisite: ITAL 302, which may be taken concurrently.

ITALIAN 366: FROM NEOREALISM TO THE PRESENT (50 YEARS OF ITALIAN CINEMA)
MW 3:30-6:20, 5 cr., Mazzola

This course will focus on Italian Cinema after WWII. First we will analyze (mainly thorough clips) some of the movies made in the ’50 that dealt with the reconstruction of Italy after the war and that were labeled as Neorealism for their attention to the struggle of everyday reality. Then we will focus on some of movies made by major directors (Fellini, Antonioni) in the 50’ and 60’ who were greatly influenced by Neorealism. Then we will turn our attention to recent productions and we will try to establish if there is any connection left between Neorealism and the new generation of film-makers.
Required Text: Peter Bondanella, Italian Cinema
Offered jointly with ITAL 466A and C LIT 315A

ITALIAN 390: LANGUAGE TRAILER FOR ITAL 466, FROM NEOREALISM TO THE PRESENT (50 YEARS OF ITALIAN CINEMA)
F 1:30-3:20, 2 cr., Staff

Language trailer section for students enrolled in Italian 466. Only students enrolled in Italian 466 may take Italian 390. Course is taught in Italian.
Prerequisite: Italian 302, concurrent enrollment in ITAL 466A.

ITALIAN 402: EARLY MODERN ITALIAN READINGS I
TTH 12:30-2:20, 5 cr., Gaylard

Readings in Italian Quattro/Cinquecento, covering the period of the Renaissance.
Prerequisite: ITAL 302.
Required texts: TBA

ITALIAN 466: FROM NEOREALISM TO THE PRESENT (50 YEARS OF ITALIAN CINEMA)
MW 3:30-5:20, 5 cr., Mazzola

This course will focus on Italian Cinema after WWII. First we will analyze (mainly thorough clips) some of the movies made in the ’50 that dealt with the reconstruction of Italy after the war and that were labeled as Neorealism for their attention to the struggle of everyday reality. Then we will focus on some of movies made by major directors (Fellini, Antonioni) in the 50’ and 60’ who were greatly influenced by Neorealism. Then we will turn our attention to recent productions and we will try to establish if there is any connection left between Neorealism and the new generation of film-makers.
Required Text: Peter Bondanella, Italian Cinema
Offered jointly with ITAL 366A and C LIT 315A.
Note: Students taking course as Italian 466 must take Italian 390 B--a two-credit attached language trailer section in which films will be discussed in Italian.

ITALIAN 499 A: SPECIAL TOPICS
2-5 cr,To be arranged

ITALIAN 502: EARLY MODERN ITALIAN READINGS I
TTH 3:30-5:20, 5 cr., Gaylard

Readings in Italian Quattro/Cinquecento over the period of the Renaissance. Covers major intellectual, literary, and cultural movements and figures of the period, including humanistic rediscovery of Graeco-Roman models, chivalric poems, comic theater. All classwork and assignments will be conducted in Italian.
Required texts: TBA

ITALIAN 590 A: SPECIAL SEMINAR/CONFERENCE
1-10 cr, ARR

ITALIAN 596 A: LITERARY PROBLEMS: 20TH CENTURY: STORIA DELLA CRITICA LETTERARIA ITALIANA
W 1:30-4:20, 5 cr, Sbragia

This seminar will begin by exploring the thought of some of the major
figures in modern Italian literary historiography, criticism and theory
including Francesco De Sanctis, Benedetto Croce, Antonio Gramsci. The
second part of the course will focus on more contemporary trends in Italian
literary criticism. Course is conducted in Italian.

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