Nancy Study Center: Course Descriptions

Course offerings at the University of Nancy change from year to year, and many classes are posted just weeks before the start of the semester. The following is a guide to the most frequently offered courses. University course catalogues can be consulted after arrival in France. Some information about courses can also be found at the university web sites.  This guide is divided into sections according to the five types of courses available to LCCF students: LCCF sponsored courses, courses for foreign students at the FLE, and regular university courses at the Faculté de Lettres et Sciences Humaines, academic internships, and sports classes.

LCCF students can take classes throughout the university if they have an adequate command of French and can stay for semester examinations. Fall semester students who cannot stay until the end of the normal university examination period in January can enroll in the Nancy Stream 6, Set Program of Study (see above).

FLE Département de français langue étrangère (the foreigners’ institute for French studies, administered by the College of Language Science at l’Université de Nancy)

UFR Unité de Formation et de Recherche (university department)

I. LCCF Courses at Nancy

LCCF Tutorial (required of all participants)
French Writing Workshop and Village Field Project. This seminar course focuses on honing French writing skills while organizing and undertaking a Village Field Project in the Lorraine region, which is rich in history, art, and nature.  Keeping in mind the local cultural specificity, students choose a village for a visit, interviews and interaction.

Arts & Ideas: Exploring the Performing Arts (offering contingent upon requisite enrollment)
This course initiates students to the performing arts, studying the genre of orchestral music, dance, opera, and theater.  Each genre is then linked to a specific work for which students prepare before attending performances in the host city.  Students will also make presentations and write several papers in order to progress in their written and oral French skills.

LCCF Honors Tutorial (2-3 sem. hrs.)
Advanced students may choose to undertake a directed study of a topic of interest with a French professor. Examples of past projects include but are not limited to topics in French history and literature: La Révolution Française et les Livres Bleus; Les Misérables de Victor Hugo, The French and the Holocaust: a study of one family’s trials; and the French Health System as Seen at the University Hospital in Nancy.

LCCF Cycle-Court (4 sem. hrs. fall, 2 sem. hrs. spring)
All LCCF students participate in this course of orientation to the history, economic environment, culture and artistic life of Nancy and the region of Lorraine at the beginning of their first semester in France. The course includes lectures from faculty at the Université de Nancy and LCCF, visits to sites of cultural and historical interest in Nancy, and excursions or field trips.

II. University Classes for Foreign Students (FLE)

Students take a placement test on site to determine their language section at the FLE.  While students may choose option courses in subject matter offerings in levels 4, 5 and 6, they must remain in their language block (see ” language block courses” below) for all language classes on writing, oral-written expression or comprehension. However, any combination is possible of subject matter courses, some listed here,  that best  fits student need and their schedule.

20th century French Literature (1 sem. hr.)
Beckers / FLE levels 6, 7
A survey course of the general movements in the period, with support of readings from the major authors. Emphasis is on the style and important characteristics of each author. Readings include novels and/or plays. A recent semester studied Les Mains Sales by Sartre, La Sauvage by Anouilh, and L’Etranger by Camus. In class, passages are read aloud and discussed. Usually offered second semester.

19th century French Literature (1 sem. hr.)
Beckers / FLE levels 6, 7
Emphasis is on trends within the 19th century, as selected major authors illustrate key movements and styles. Class time is spent reading texts aloud and analyzing them. A recent semester studied Bel Ami by Maupassant. Usually offered second semester.

18th century French Literature (1 sem. hr.)
Beckers / FLE levels 6, 7
Readings include excerpts from literary works of the period or short stories by eighteenth-century authors. A recent semester examined works by Fontenelle, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau. Texts are read aloud, discussed along with the author’s biography and the history of the time period. Usually offered first semester.

17th century French Literature (1 sem. hr.)
Beckers/FLE  levels 6, 7
A survey course of the general movements in this period, with support of readings from the major authors. The style and important characteristics of each author are highlighted. Class time is devoted to reading and checking understanding of assigned texts. A recent semester studied Le Cid by Corneille. Usually offered first semester.

French Literature: Selected Author (1 sem. hr.)
Bertaud and Beckers / FLE levels 6, 7
This course is typically French in approach, with the course consisting of the professor reading the play or novel and giving a running commentary on each passage. Traditionally, the information is complete and the course allows you to discover a great French writer. Recent semesters have studied works by Ionesco, Sartre, and Mauriac. Offered both semesters.

Themes in French Poetry (2 sem hrs.)
Beckers / FLE levels 6, 7
A survey of works by the great French poets. The class proceeds by examining works dealing with specific themes.

Cinematic Interpretation of French Literature (1 sem. hr.)
Beckers/FLE levels 6,7
A comparative study of a selection of written works by major French authors and the subsequent cinematic interpretation of their writing. Authors selected include Balzac, Maupassant, Pagnol and Zola. Offered both semesters.

French Civilization (3 sem. hr.)
Poret / FLE level 5
The professor lectures on a wide variety of topics under the category of “civilization”: anything from historical themes to current events in French society, culture and politics. Discussions review French customs and attitudes which are often quite different from the culture of the students. Offered both semesters.

Language Block Courses at FLE

Courses in French language for foreign students are offered at the Département de Français Langue Étrangère (FLE). Students may earn up to 6 semester hours of credit for language block classes (oral and written expression, oral and written comprehension, grammar, writing):

• In level 3, three hours of class time per week equals 1 semester hour credit
• In level 4 and 5, two hours of class time per week equals 1 semester hour credit
• In level 6, one hour in class per week equals one semester hour credit

Language block classes at the FLE include the following:

• Oral comprehension
• Oral expression
• Written comprehension
• Written expression
• Synthèse, résumé and compte-rendu writing
• Grammar

III. Upper-level Courses at University Facultés

Literature

Littérature Comparée (3 sem hrs)
Anastopoulos, UFR Lettres

Shakespeare: Journey into the Self (2 sem hrs)
Chardin, UFR Lettres

20th Century French Literature (3 sem hrs)
Gille, UFR Lettres

English literature: Women, a sentimental education(2 sem hrs)
De Guillebon, UFR Lettres

Culture and society: fantasy literature (2 sem hrs)
Pireaux, UFR Lettres

Epic Literature (3 sem hrs)
UFR Lettres

Littérature du Moyen Age: de Lanvan ”¡ Perceval: individu et société (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Littérature du XVIe siècle: Désir et poétique de la dénégation (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Littérature du XVIIe siècle: Cyrano de Bergerac. Le Voyage dans la lune (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Littérature du XVIIIe siècle: Le mariage de Figaro (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Littérature du XIXe siécle: Musset et Balzac (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Littérature du XXe siècle: Giono, Malraux, Mauriac, Sarraute (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Langues et littératures latines: Suétone Vies de Claude et de Néron (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

L’Écriture des passions: fiction/sincérité chez Catulle (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Littérature chrétienne (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Histoire de littérature latine (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Le roman latin (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Langue et littérature grecques: Aristophane, Sophocle, Homère, Platon (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Historiens grecs (2 sem hrs.)
UFR Lettres

Art and Art History

Introduction to Archeology and Art History
UFR Sciences Historiques, Géographiques, et Musicologie, Fall semester This course is intended for students with little or no background in art history and satisfies most schools’ general art history requirements. The course is comprised of 4 separate components. Students may choose to take as many or as few components as they would like. Each component includes a lecture course and a discussion group which each meet for one hour per week. Each component is worth 2 semester hours or credit.

• Aegean civilization in the Bronze Age. Grandjean. Study of the various civilizations in the Aegean basin in the third and second centuries BC.
• Architecture of the 11th and 12th Centuries. Sesmat. Detailed analysis of 10 religious structures of the Romanesque and early Gothic periods.
• Religious and lay iconography of the Renaissance. Pupil. Detailed analysis of paintings and sculptures of the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Painting in the first quarter of the 20th Century. Denizeau

Artistic Initiation 1 (4 sem. hrs.)
UFR Sciences Historiques, Géographiques, et Musicologie
A course that satisfies most schools’ general art history requirements, this class covers the following areas, with study of each area earning the student two semester hours of credit:

• Ancient Greek art. Grandjean
• Monumental works of art in color of the Middle Ages. Sesmat

Artistic Initiation 2 (4 sem. hrs.)
UFR Sciences Historiques, Géographiques, et Musicologie
A course that satisfies most schools’ general art history requirements, this class covers the following areas, with study of each area earning the student two semester hours of credit:

• French art of the early 18th century. Concentration on the works of Watteau and Boucher. Pupil
• Neoclassicism. Study of European art from 1780 to 1820. Denizeau

Initiation to Archeology 1 (4 sem hrs.)
UFR Sciences Historiques, Géographiques, et Musicologie
The student learns the history of medieval archeology and the research methods used. The course is divided in two parts, each earning the student two semester hours of credit:

• Habitation in southern Gaul during the 2nd Stone Age. Bouley. In depth study of the sites of Martigues and Bibracte.
• Medieval archeology. Giuliato

Initiation to Archeology 2 (4 sem hrs.)
UFR Sciences Historiques, Géographiques, et Musicologie
The student learns the history of medieval archeology and the research methods used. The course is divided in two parts, each earning the student two semester hours of credit:

• Classical Greek art of the 5th century BC. Grandjean and Courbon
• Italian landscape and garden paintings of the first century AD. Bouley

Political Science and History

History of Religion: Medieval veneration of the Saints and the Virgin (1 sem. hr.)
Corbet / UFR Sciences Historiques

French History pre-1789 (2 sem. hrs.)
M. Martin /UFR Sciences Historiques
The professor treats French political history from the Neolithic period to the French Revolution: political parties, movements, and notable political figures who have influenced French society and government. The final exam is an oral or written exam based on a random question from the semester’s lectures. The course presentation is clear and structured. Little homework. First semester: The reign of Louis XIV and the dawn of modern France in the 16th century. Second semester: European powers and war in the 17th century, and the rise of new ideas in the 18th century.

Modern and contemporary French History (3 sem. hrs.)
M. Martin/UFR Sciences Historiques

French Cultural History 1871-1914 (2 sem. hrs.)
M. El Gammal / UFR Sciences Historiques

Comparative Study of National Revolutions (2 sem. hrs)
M. Martin / UFR Sciences Historiques

Political and Religious Thought of Rousseau (2 sem. hrs.)
M. Bouchilloux / UFR Connaissance de l’Homme

Music

Music history: 17th and 18th centuries (2 sem. hrs.)
Ferraton / UFR Sciences Historiques, Géographiques, et Musicologie
Study of the principal artists and themes of 17th and 18th century music.

Music history: 19th and 20th centuries (2 sem. hrs.) Ferraton / UFR Sciences Historiques, Géographiques, et Musicologie
Study of the principal artists and themes of 19th and 20th century music.

NOTE: Qualified music majors or minors who submit a cassette tape of their playing before their arrival in Nancy may be admitted to courses at the National Conservatory of Lorraine. Studio courses are available for voice and a variety of musical instruments. Students may also study music theory and participate in small ensembles, the university chorale, or the university orchestra.

Language and Linguistics

Initiation to foreign language (German, Italian, Spanish)
UFR Langues et Littératures Étrangères
Beginner courses in a variety of foreign languages. More advanced courses are available for students who have studied a third language in the US. LCCF does not recommend beginning a third language during your stay in Nancy unless you are already advanced in French.

Methodology of teaching French as a foreign language (2 sem. hrs.)
Carton / UFR Langues et Littératures Étrangères
Analysis of the principal methods of teaching French as a foreign language.

Morphological Analysis (2 sem. hrs.)
Knittel / UFR Sciences du Langage
Study of the morphology of language: grammatical structure, lexicons, morphology of words, classification of languages, types of linguistic morphemes, cases.

French Syntax (1 sem hr) Theissen / UFR Sciences du Langage Study of the principal grammatical categories of the French language and their properties. Overview of methods of analyzing syntax. Languages of the World (2 sem hrs) Grègoire / UFR Sciences du Langage A survey of the world’s language families and their relationships. Various theories of the morphology and origin of language or presented.

IV. Academic Internships for Credit

LCCF can help students with adequate language ability to find academic internships for credit in students’ fields of interest. LCCF recommends waiting until the second semester in France to undertake an internship for credit.

A limited number of paid positions for English language assistants are reserved for full-year LCCF students at public primary and high schools. Full-year students should apply early to be considered for one of these positions.

The LCCF directors, American residents of Nancy and Strasbourg, have placed many students over the years in internships or practica.  Here are a few examples:

• Office des Relations Internationales de la Ville de Nancy
• Musée de l’ecole de Nancy (assistant to the curator)
• Lycée Henri Poincaré (English language assistant)
• Lycée Fréderic Chopin (English language assistant)
• Ecole Primaire du Chateau (English language assistant)
• Ecole Privée Saint Léon IX (Primary education assistant)
• Secours Catholique (Tutor to immigrant family, sorting donated clothing)
• Opéra de Nancy: atelier de costume (assistant to costume designer)
• Liasons: journal des Étudiants Étrangers de Nancy (writing, editing, and layout for monthly student journal)

V. Sports

The Service Intra-Universitaire d’Activités Physiques (SIUAP) offers courses in 56 different sports as well as facilities for practicing on one’s own. Students may take as many as they like, but LCCF awards only 1 credit per semester for sports classes. Students must pay a small enrollment fee (about 3 Euros) at the Gymnase Levebvre (on the grounds of the main campus and Faculté de Lettres) to use the university sports facilities for the semester. Some classes require an additional materials fee. The following is a partial list of sports classes available:

• Aerobics
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Boxing
• Dance (Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Ballroom)
• Diving
• Fencing
• Golf
• Handball
• Judo
• Karate
• Kayak
• Lifesaving
• Parachuting
• Rock climbing
• Rugby
• Skiing