
Course Catalog
Academic year 2023-24
MIT students have interests and prospects that span the globe.
The French and francophone program offers undergraduates the opportunity to combine a degree in any STEM-related field with in-depth language and cultural studies.
Fall 2023
21G.301/351/371 French I
21G.302/352/372 French II
21G. 303/373 French III
21G.304/374 French IV
Intermediate
21G.308 Writing (like the) French
21G.310 French Conversation: Intensive Practice
21G.312 Basic Themes in French Literature & Culture: Exploring Francophone Culture through Comics (taught in French)
Advanced
21G.346 Topics in Modern French Literature & Culture: North America through French Eyes (taught in French)
21G.341 Contemporary French Films and Social Issues (taught in French)
IAP Term 2024
21G.301/351 French I
Spring Term 2024
21G.301/351 French I
21G.302/352 French II
21G.303 French III
21G.304 French IV
Intermediate
21G.310 French Conversation: Intensive Practice (cannot be repeated)
21G.315 A Window onto Contemporary French Society (taught in French)
Advanced
21G.320 Introduction to French Literature: Goncourt Prize USA (taught in French)
21G.321 Childhood in French and Francophone Cultures (taught in French)
21G.346 Topics in Modern French Literature & Culture (taught in French)
21M.846 Staging Frenchness (taught in English)
June 2024
June Scholars in Paris (non-credit bearing)
For more information and class description, please consult the MIT catalog
For sample syllabi, please consult the Open Courseware webpages
Placement
If you have no previous experience in French, enroll in 21G.301 French I (21G.351 for graduate students).
If you have taken one year of French in high school, or one semester at the college level, enroll in 21G.302 (21G.352 for graduate students).
Contact Leanna Rezvani with further questions about placement in French I or French II.
If you have taken two years of French in high school, or two semesters at the college level, enroll in 21G.303 French III.
If you have taken three years of French in high school, or three semesters at the college level, enroll in 21G.304 French IV.
If you have scored a 4 or 5 on the French AP exam, consider enrolling in intermediate or advanced classes.
Contact Cathy Culot with further questions about placement in French III or above.

Introduction to the French language and culture with emphasis on the acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical concepts through active communication. Conducted entirely in French. Exposure to the language via a variety of authentic sources such as the Internet, audio, video and printed materials which help develop cultural awareness as well as linguistic proficiency. Coordinated language lab.

Continuation of introductory course to the French language and culture with emphasis on acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical concepts through active communication. Conducted entirely in French. Coordinated language lab.

Third subject in the French language sequence. Systematic work on grammar and vocabulary expands skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in French. Intercultural exploration through a variety of authentic materials, such as music, videos, films, newspapers, and excerpts from literary texts.

Fourth subject in the French language sequence. Focuses on language and intercultural understanding. Students work with a variety of materials such as surveys, newspapers, commercials, films and music. Systematic work on grammar and vocabulary expands students' skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing.

Intensive tutorial in writing and speaking for majors only. Provides students with enhanced linguistic and cultural fluency for academic or real-world purposes. Conducted entirely in French.

Intensive tutorial in writing and speaking for majors only. Provides students with enhanced linguistic and cultural fluency for academic or real-world purposes. 21G.307 builds on writing and speaking skills acquired in 21G.306. Conducted entirely in French.

For students who wish to continue with language study before taking upper-level subjects in literature or culture. Emphasis on development of reading and writing skills, review of the basic concepts of French grammar, and acquisition of precise vocabulary through the use of printed materials, short stories, and poems. Taught in French.

Training in oral expression including communication skills, fluency, idiomatic French and pronunciation. Discussion materials include short literary and sociological texts, recent films, varied audio and digitized video interviews and the Internet. Taught in French.