Course Schedule and Catalog

Department: French Studies

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group I

Credit Hours: 3

Description: STRUCTURE OF FRENCH ***** DISTRIBUTION COURSE GROUP 1 ***** The primary objective of this course is to present contemporary French as a dynamic linguistic system shaped by historical, cognitive and sociological developments. The historical section presents the diachronic evolution of French as a crucial factor in the current use of the standard and regional dialects. The linguistic section analyzes the language as a system of mental representation, and presents the tools necessary to describe the system. Linguistic forms are shown to be motivated by cognitive principles, which are identified and carefully examined. The last part of the course is devoted to the socio-economic conditions which preside over language use. Beyond the specific consideration of French, this course is concerned with the historical, psychological, and sociological dimensions that enter into the description of any language. ***** Also offered as LING 318.