French 139: France and the French-Speaking World

The French language is the most direct route to 150,000,000 people in over 40 countries and territories of Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and Latin America.  By studying the history, culture, and geography of France and other French-speaking countries, this class presents the events, people and ideas that have contributed to the French culture throughout the world.

What will I learn in this course?

This is a 3-credit historical, cultural, and geographical overview of France and other selected French-speaking countries.  By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify basic facts about the history, culture, and geography of France and other countries where French is spoken.
  • Describe the cultural diversity that exists within the borders of France’s “hexagon” as well as in the rest of the French-speaking world. 
  • Gain critical insight into the role the French language and culture play throughout the world.

This course meets the General Education Humanities (GH) requirements, the International Cultures (IL) requirements and the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. See your advisor if you have questions about how this course can be used in your program of study.

Are there any prerequisites for this course

There are no specific classes that you must take before taking French 139. This course is taught completely online. Students who are disciplined and motivated will be highly successful in FR 139 because these qualities allow students to better assume a greater degree of responsibility for their own learning. To take this course, you should feel comfortable navigating on the Internet. You must also be a self-starter who feels confident about reading to learn and who is comfortable working independently.

I've never taken an online course before. What is it like?

By taking an online course, you can learn beyond the traditional borders of the classroom, and as part of a wider and more diverse audience. There are no preset meeting times, so this class will help those who are struggling with scheduling issues. We'll use Penn State's ANGEL system for FR 137, and a combination of flash slideshows, audio, and images as our class "lecture." You'll communicate with the professor and your classmates through chat, e-mail, and threaded discussions within ANGEL.

An online course is not easier than a traditional resident course! You must be willing and able to commit the same amount of time as you would for attending class and studying for a traditional course. If you're wondering whether an online course is right for you, take this short survey to find out more about how online learning is different.

What are the technological requirements for this course?

This course is designed to work within the ANGEL technological requirements. You will need to have speakers on your computer to hear the audio lecture files, and will need to have the Flash player installed.

How is the course structured?

FR 139 has 2 units with a total of seventeen lessons. Unit 1 covers France and consists of 9 lessons. Unit 2 covers selected countries in the French-speaking world and consists of 8 lessons. There is an online final essay exam in this course.  There will be an online timed quiz each week (six quizzes in the summer semester).  There are also 3 web exercises and 3 homework activities spread throughout the semester. 

Where can I get more information?

For more information about FR 139 Online, see a recent course syllabus. To register, visit the Office of the University Registrar. At the beginning of each semester, all enrolled students should access FR 137 at the site of Penn State's course management system, ANGEL.

 

 

 


The basic principles that the French Republic must respect are found in the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

 

“Language may have created man, rather than man language.”

Jacques Monod, French biochemist, Nobel Prize winner, 1965

 


Mont Saint Michel, a popular tourist site in France.

 

“Boredom is always counter-revolutionary. Always.”

Guy Debord, Famous French Philosopher

 


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