BA FRENCH At University Of Ghana
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
CORE
FREN 121 Oral Skills and Informal Written Expression
This course aims at developing three of the four competency areas in language learning (listening,
writing and speaking) in an interactive and communicative way. It will have three components: a)
Listening Comprehension and Dictation; b) Oral Expression in Conversation; c) Informal Written
Expression & Grammar.
FREN 122 Oral Skills and Formal Written Expression
This is the continuation of FREN 121. It aims at deepening students’ competence and skills in a)
Reading Comprehension and Dictation; b) Oral Expression in Narrative Speech; c) Formal
Written Expression & Grammar.
CORE
FREN 231 Reading Skills
The course has two components: a) Intermediate Reading Comprehension and Summary and b)
Text Analysis and Vocabulary Acquisition. The first component aims at further enhancing the
reading skills of students as well as their ability to understand and use vocabulary and expressions
related to specific situations of communication. The second component focuses on the study of
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contemporary non-literary texts in their general and detailed presentation, highlighting elements of
interest that bring out the full meaning of the text.
FREN 232 Oral Expression
This course comprises two sections: (a) Intermediate Oral Expression in Conversation and (b)
Intermediate Oral Expression in Narrative Speech. Students will be taught the French International
Phonetic Alphabet which will enable them transcribe simple and short texts in French. They will
also be introduced to conversational skills through listening to CDs, engaging in conversation and
presenting short reports orally.
FREN 233 Listening Comprehension and Grammar
This course is divided into two sections: (a) Intermediate Listening Comprehension and Dictation;
(b) Grammar and Sentence Analysis. Students will be trained to understand and use more complex
vocabulary and expressions related to basic personal, family and professional life. Various aspects
of French grammar will also be taught.
FREN 234 Written Expression and Grammar
This course is made up of two sections: (a) Essay Writing; (b) Grammar and Translation. Students
will learn to appropriately introduce, develop and conclude a topic. They will also learn various
aspects of French Grammar, and they will translate varied texts involving the major registers:
simple, literary, social, political, etc.
CORE
FREN 371 French Grammar & Intermediate Translation I
This course is meant to enhance students’ understanding of grammar and morphology. Students
will be exposed to the right usage of tenses, moods, aspects and their applications in grammatical
and textual analysis. Principal word formation mechanisms in French will be discussed and
applied in context. Students will also be taught to translate idiomatic expressions. They will be
introduced to translation techniques and be encouraged to identify translation problems in nontechnical
texts and apply them in the translation of texts rich in idiomatic expressions.
FREN 372 French Grammar & Intermediate Translation II
This course seeks to consolidate grammar and morphology. It will focus on the reasons for errors
that are commonly made by Ghanaian students. These errors shall be identified and discussed.
Exercises based on such errors will be done in class.
The translation component of this course is designed to build upon the skills acquired in the first
semester. Students will learn to translate more challenging texts and thereby broaden their general
knowledge base and learn to compile and upgrade glossaries.
FREN 373 French and Francophone Literature I
This course will give students an overview of Modern French Literature from the 17th century
onwards. The main characteristics of a novel, a play and a poem will be highlighted. A selection of
texts from the works of some major writers will be analysed. Students will also be introduced to
post-independence Francophone African Literature from 1960 to 1999, with a focus on the
analysis of at least two major representative works. Emphasis will be placed on narrative
structure, analytical grid of characters, narrative perspective, setting, temporality, style and
functions of the narrator as well as on the relevance of such works to the socio-political African
landscape.
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FREN 374 Text-Based Oral Expression
In this course, the basic principles of oral text analysis will be taught. These principles will be
used in analysing newspaper articles on current, topical and debatable issues.
ELECTIVES
FREN 351 Gender In Francophone African Fiction
A survey of the marginalisation and valorisation of women in literary works (the novel, drama,
poetry, short story, film) of both male and female Francophone African artists will precede the
study of contemporary women-centred Francophone African literature. Two representative works,
one each by a man and a woman, will be analysed.
FREN 352 Francophone African Drama and Poetry
The course will involve the analysis of one major work by a leading Francophone (African or
Caribbean) playwright and at least ten selected Negro-African Francophone poems from the
Negritude era to the Third Millennium. The relevant literary and socio-historical background of
chosen works will be studied.
FREN 353 The Age of Enlightenment and African Development
This course proposes to give an overview of the Enlightenment and its relevance in the context of
African development. Extracts and one or two full texts will be used to establish the relevance of
Enlightenment literature for the development of Africa.
FREN 354 Topics in Nineteenth Century French Literature
The focus of this course is not only to study themes in 19th Century Literature but also to bring
them closer to contemporary social issues. Topics such as social mobility, child labour,
industrialisation and social change, the role of women in society, identity, the tyranny of money,
which have been dealt with by French writers of the period, seem to have some contemporary
appeal. A general survey of the historical factors of change should precede the study of the
selected topics in two representative works, especially those of Zola, Stendhal and Balzac.
FREN 355 Teaching French as Foreign Language I
This course is designed for students who have an interest in the teaching of French as a foreign
language and French for specific purposes. It aims at giving students some knowledge in the
various notions of teaching methodology and practices. A historical review of all teaching
methods and a detailed study of the communicative approach and more recent approaches will be
part of the course.
FREN 356 Teaching French as Foreign Language II
This course aims at highlighting key methodologies in the teaching of French (FLE, FOS, FLS,
FLM) with particular emphasis on French as a Foreign Language. The students will be trained to
understand the following notions: public, needs and objectives. They will also be taught how to
design a teaching programme based on these notions.
FREN 357 Business French I: The Bank, Secretarial Services and Companies
This course aims at equipping students with the specific language in contemporary business
practice and helping them consolidate their everyday French. It also reinforces the techniques of
essay writing and pays attention to the acquisition of basic notions in the field of business. Also,
major of interest is the acquisition of practical know-how in secretarial work. Students will be
trained to identify the various types of companies and understand how they operate. Writing an
official letter and opening a bank account are some of the practical skills to acquire.
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FREN 358 Business French II: Purchasing, Sales and Accounting Services
The acquisition of business language, specialised vocabulary, notions and know-how remain the
main focus of this course. Three areas are proposed for study: Purchasing, Sales and Accounts
departments of Business enterprise. They will also be trained to describe and explain activities,
situations, posts and relationships within companies. Students will translate into and from French
texts on the set-up and activities of business concerns.
FREN 361 French for International Relations I: Operations of International Organisations
This course is designed for students who intend to work with international, regional and subregional
bodies, NGOs, Law firms as well as the Foreign Service. The course will equip students
with an acceptable level of knowledge about most contemporary issues in international affairs,
such that they are able to meet the human capital needs of Third World countries in an
increasingly liberal and competitive world. The course will introduce students to the major
international political and financial organisations, regional and sub-regional groupings in terms of
structure, membership, role, challenges, etc.
FREN 362 French for International Relations II: Social Issues
This course introduces students to some of the major social issues that have characterised the last
hundred years. These issues include racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, immigration,
islamophobia; nationalism, resistance, terrorism, etc. The course will also introduce students to the
dynamics of the more topical issues of conflicts and conflict resolution and human rights. Students
will be expected to understand the origin, nature and consequences of these phenomena both in the
immediate environment and on the global stage.
FREN 363 French for the Hospitality Industry I: The Establishment and First Contacts
This course is a general introduction to the Hospitality establishment. Students are familiarised
with its various departments of the industry: travel, hotels, tours, etc. Activities such as booking
accommodation, welcoming and taking care of clients are highlighted. In this course the focus is
on communication skills in the various activities.
FREN 364 French for the Hospitality Industry II: Customer Care
In this course, students acquire the specific languages required in dealing with customers and
situations in the industry: taking an order for a meal and being able to describe the meal, giving
information on the hotel installations, equipment and facilities; dealing with clients’ complaints
and offering solutions.
FREN 370 Language Immersion I
This is a five-credit long-vacation specially packaged intensive study in a French or Francophone
university. In lieu of that, students can undertake a five-credit language immersion course at the
University of Ghana during the long vacation between Levels 200 and 300
CORE
FREN 481 French Grammar & Semi-Specialised Translation I
In this course, focus will be on more advanced study of French syntax and lexicon for improved
oral and written expression. Students shall be exposed to the study of lexical relationships in
French: synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, etc. Practical examples and exercises of “Connotation”
and “denotation” as well as some usage problems posed by various types of complements shall be
discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the application of modern grammatical trends to the
analysis of French sentence structure.
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For the translation component, emphasis will shift from general translation—translation as another
means of language acquisition—to introducing students to the translation of semi-specialised
texts. The translation of these texts will enable students to start acquiring skills for translating
specialised/technical texts, as well as specialised vocabulary in the areas of the texts.
FREN 482 French Grammar & Semi-Specialised Translation II
In this course, more involved lexical and grammatical drills will be taught, followed by exercises.
Emphasis will be on linguistics applied to the learning and teaching of French in Ghana. Types of
errors: semantic, syntactic, morphological, phonological, etc. will be identified and discussed.
Exercises based on such errors will be done and discussed so as to sensitise students on how to
avoid such errors. Students will also translate slightly more challenging semi-specialised texts in
other areas apart from those covered in the first semester. These exercises will improve students’
translation skills and specialised vocabulary.
FREN 483 French & Francophone Literature II
This course will involve an in-depth study of major works of Modern French and Francophone
Literature. The main features of the works – form, themes, ideas, etc, will be analyzed. Students
will be made to relate the themes and situations to their experiences and the contemporary world.
This course will explore 21st century Francophone African Literature and focus on the analysis of
at least two representative works (novel, drama, film and poetry) not studied in FREN343 that deal
with topical issues. Beyond their thematic and socio-cultural relevance, selected texts will be
studied using tools such as actantial model, analytical grid of characters, narrative structure,
narrative perspective, style, setting and temporality.
FREN 484 Text-based Oral Presentation
In this course, students will be taught the methodology of presenting texts orally to show that they
have an overall understanding of these texts: their surface and deep structures, their message and
tone. After the theoretical approach is taught, there will be the practical aspect of the course in
which students will put into practice the methodology they have learnt. Topics on national and
global issues will discussed in class or presented individually.
ELECTIVES
FREN 450 Long Essay/Creative Writing
A dissertation of about 15,000 words will be written, under supervision, on an approved topic
from French or Francophone Literature or thought. In lieu of a Long Essay, an original piece of
creative writing in French in the form of a novel, short story, play, or a collection of thematically
related poems may be presented.
FREN 460 Study Abroad
This is a two-semester 6-credit course in French language, literature and culture to be undertaken
in a university in France or a Francophone country.
FREN 461 Special Author: French Literature
This course is intended for students who wish to have an in depth knowledge of a major French
author not studied in FREN 483. The course will involve a general survey of the life and works of
the writer. At least two (2) works will be studied in detail.
FREN 462 Special Author: Francophone Literature
A general survey of the life and works of a major author of Francophone literature (not studied
elsewhere in the syllabus). At least two works produced by the author will be studied in detail,
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using tools such as actantial model, analytical grid of characters, narrative structure, narrative
perspective, themes, style, setting and temporality.
FREN 463 Introduction to the Linguistics of French
This course will focus on the main functions of language as a tool for communication, and the
main components of Linguistics as a science. Students will be introduced to the study of language
from the Saussurean perspective; differences between ‘language’ ‘langue’, ‘parole’, systematic
and pragmatic axes, synchronic and diachronic study of language. Linguistic and other signs will
be studied as well as the phonetics and phonology of French. Linguistics applied to the learning
and teaching of French in Ghana.
FREN 464 Semantics and Syntax of French
In this course, various aspects of the semantics and syntax of French will be taught. The part on
semantics will focus on lexicology and lexicography: origins of French vocabulary; Borrowing,
Morphological analysis of French lexicology; derivation, suffixation, prefixation, composition,
abbreviation, siglaison, neology, metonymy, synonymy, polysemy, hyperonymy and hyponymy
etc. The part on syntax will deal with the relevance of parts of speech, impersonal and infinitive
verbs.
FREN 465 Teaching of French as a Foreign Language III
This course is a build-up of the Teaching of French as a Foreign Language I & II. It involves a
more practical, hands-on approach in which students learn how to prepare lesson notes for the
various components for the teaching of French as a Foreign Language. Students will be introduced
to the use of real-life documents in addition to teaching manuals and how to exploit or make the
most out of them for more effective teaching of the language.
FREN 466 Teaching of French as a Foreign Language IV
This final phase of the course takes the practical approach further intotraining students to evaluate,
describe and prescribe teaching methods and outcomes based on the observation of French lessons
in some basic and junior secondary schools. Students will present reports on their observations
based on what they have learnt on best practices. Students will also be given the opportunity to
teach a French class in some basic and secondary schools or handle a tutorial class as part of their
experiential learning.
FREN 467 Business French III: Transport, Insurance, Telecommunication and
Telephony
As in FREN 357 and 358, the general objective of this course remains the acquisition of useful
and specialised vocabulary, basic knowledge and know-how as well as competence in oral and
written expression in Business. The following areas are proposed for study: Transport Services,
Telecommunication and Telephony, Insurance. Students will learn to describe the basic activities
of the services concerned. Additionally, a more rigorous analytical approach to the texts will the
adopted. Preference will be given to the choice of argumentative topics for oral and written
production.
FREN 468 Business French IV: Advertisement and Customer Care
The general objective, as in FREN 357, 358 and 467, continues to be the acquisition of basic
knowledge and know-how in modern business practice. However, there is an attempt at
inculcating advanced analytical and argumentative skills in students. The areas proposed for study
are: Advertisement, Customs, and Globalisation. Students will learn to explain activities in these
areas and also read, analyse and interpret related documents. They will offer definitions and
advance cogent arguments in favour of or against certain choices.
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FREN 470 Language Immersion II
This is a five-credit long-vacation specially packaged intensive study in a French or Francophone
university. In lieu of that, students can undertake a five-credit language immersion course at the
University of Ghana during the long vacation between Levels 300 and 400
FREN 471 French for International Relations III: Economic Issues
This course introduces students to International economic arrangements such as: Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA), New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), African
Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), Millennium Challenge Account, etc. Students will be
encouraged to read widely and be in tune with current world affairs: the debt burden and debt
cancellation, Africa and the Breton Wood Institutions. Students will be expected to make
presentations on topics of their choice.
FREN 472 French for International Relations IV: Political Issues
This course allows students to explore international relations and contemporary issues like
globalisation, bilateralism, multilateralism and unilateralism, from an African perspective.
Students will learn about the place of Africa in the world, history, specificities, problems, and
prospects. Topics to be studied include Colonialism in Africa, the Post-Cold War international
relations: sovereignty, territorial integrity and non interference nationalist struggle and
independence, Africa and the Cold War, the one-party State and military/authoritarian rule,
multiparty democracy, the crisis of the State, civil strife. Students will also learn about Franco-
African relations and French Foreign Policy in Post-Baule Francophone Africa.
FREN 473 French for the Hospitality Industry III: Marketing Tourism Products
In this course, students acquire the vocabulary, the specialised language and know-how in the
designing, write-up and presentation of tourist activities, exposition on cultural events and
preparation of information documents in the characteristic style of tours operators.
FREN 474 French for the Hospitality Industry IV: Tour Guiding
In this course, attention is given to the planning and execution of a guided visit. Ability to present
a cultural object, narrate the story of a monument are inculcated. Group management (adaptation
of attitude and comments to group types) is a component of this course. Priority is given to the
acquisition of both oral and written communication skills in these areas.