The University of La Verne offers a broad variety of French classes, both on the La Verne campus and through Brethren Colleges Abroad (BCA) programs in Strasbourg, France; CIEE in Paris; and other international institutions.
At the La Verne campus, students are placed into the appropriate level through a placement test. Elementary French I and II are for true beginners or students needing basic review.
These classes stress the acquisition of communicative competence in French. Learners acquire basic skills in speaking, reading, writing and reading French as well as knowledge of French culture. In Intermediate French I and II students build on skills developed in Elementary French or in high school and gain further knowledge of French and francophone culture through regular readings in francophone literature and the French press.
For advanced students, there is a variety of courses taught in French on the La Verne campus which introduce students to the cultural diversity of the French speaking world. French Civilization I presents a general view of French society and literature from its origins to the present day. French Civilization II is an investigation of the history and literature of French speaking nations other than France.
It includes analysis of works by writers and film makers from such areas as Quebec, North Africa, West Africa and the Caribbean. Designed for students interested in employment in the business sector, Commercial French provides a practical introduction to French as it is currently used in the business world. As part of that class, students research the history of successful French businesses operating internationally.
Advanced literature classes in French are available as well and may be taken at one of our study abroad centers in France. In their final year at La Verne, students enroll in the French Senior Project in which they devise a culminating project representing the sum of their work in a particular area of their choosing from within the curriculum.
Offered periodically, a unique course, Paris: The Modern City, is a presentation of the art, literature and history of modern Paris and includes a study trip to the city. Students unable to spend a year or semester abroad but who are interested in visiting France may find this class especially appealing.
Students developing their skills in French who have not yet attained the intermediate level and who would like an overview of French culture may take French Literature in English translation. In this course they will explore some of the masterpieces of French literature in film and come to understand them in context. All readings and discussions in this class are entirely in English.
The French curriculum is constantly evolving with new courses to meet students’ needs, and a variety of courses can be made available through study abroad opportunities.