The intensive language course and seminars in English and in French are open to all students at the Collège. AIFS students are required to take one intensive language course at the appropriate level plus a maximum of three seminars for a maximum 18 credits. Students who take seminars in French for credit should be in intermediate or upper intermediate level.
The certificate for those in the business program is issued separately. Students can withdraw from or change any course up to one week after the start of the semester without penalty. Equivalent class levels are:
| U.S. | Council of Europe definition |
| French 101 | A1.1, A1.2, A1.3 |
| French 201 | A2.1, A2.2, A2.3, B1.1 |
| French 301 | B1.2, B1.3, B2.1, B2.2 |
| French 401 | B2.3, C1.1, C1.2, C1.3 |
Required French Language Courses
Students are placed in one of these language courses depending on their level of proficiency. French 101 to 401 levels meet 15 hours per week for 16 weeks (240 hours).
| Required language courses | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French 180 (A1) (9) |
| Course Title: | Cours Elémentaire (Intensive French Language: Elementary) |
| Course Description: | |
| The course covers communication used in everyday situations and expressing ideas and notions in French. Students learn how to respond to questions about themselves, where they live, and about other people they know. By the end of the course, students should be able to communicate simply with friends, buy goods at the store, or order a meal at a restaurant.Students enrolled in the 100 level French Language courses (9 credits) will receive 6 credits at the 100 level and 3 credits at the 200 level on the transcript issued by Chapman University. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French 280 (A2 – B1.1) (9) |
| Course Title: | Cours de Survie (Intensive French Language: Intermediate) |
| Course Description: | |
| Students learn more complex grammatical structures and how to express viewpoints or opinions (giving advice, justifying an idea, resolving problems, or making requests) allowing them to take part in real conversations in French, while addressing tangible social issues. By the end of the course, students should feel relative ease when speaking, able to briefly communicate with native speakers.Students enrolled in the 200 level French Language courses (9 credits) will receive 3 credits at the 200 level and 6 credits at the 300 level on the transcript issued by Chapman University. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French 380 (B1.2 – B2.2) (9) |
| Course Title: | Autonome (Intensive French Language: Upper Intermediate) |
| Course Description: | |
| Students learn to express themselves correctly, using clear and structured sentences to address complex subjects. Through following the news, filling out documents, reading newspapers and reacting to radio segments or televised debates, students learn to argue viewpoints as well as establishing cultural relations between their country of origin and France.Students enrolled in the 300 level French Language courses (9 credits) will receive 9 credits at the 300 level on the transcript issued by Chapman University. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French 480 (B2.3 – C1.3) (9) |
| Course Title: | Maîtrise (Intensive French Language: Advanced) |
| Course Description: | |
| Reaching a level of precision with language and evident ease which indicates a level of fluency, not that of a native speaker, but approaching effective fluency. Reproducing written and oral sources, resuming material in a clear and coherent manner, from concrete to more abstract themes. Students enrolled in the 400 level French Language courses (9 credits) will receive 9 credits at the 400 level on the transcript issued by Chapman University. | |
Seminars Taught in English
These seminars meet three and a half hours a week for 12 weeks (42 hours). A minimum of 10 students is required to open a seminar.
| Seminars taught in English | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Art 460 (3) |
| Course Title: | French Art: 19th and 20th Century |
| Course Description: | |
| This strongly recommended course introduces students to the great artists of the 19th and 20th centuries in France, including the Impressionists (Monet, Renoir and Degas) and the post Impressionists (Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin) as well as the 20th century artists such as Picasso, Miro, Giacometti, Chagall and Matisse, many of whom lived in Provence. The course takes a look at contemporary art and the current art market adding a further dimension to the subject. Students visit the great museums in the area including the Fondation Maeght in St Paul de Vence, as well as the Matisse, Picasso and Chagall museums close-by, and Arles where Van Gogh spent his most creative years. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | LEAD 303 (3) |
| Course Title: | Organizational Administration: A European Context |
| Course Description: | |
| This seminar exposes and analyses key issues about Europe and France in a globalized economy. Students will acquire new, crucial knowledge on European and international business strategies and models: monetary policies, social economy, cross-cultural management, lobbying and public decision-making procedures. This is an inspiring course for all future managers and “actors of change” involved in the world they are building and living in! Course number and title provided by Chapman University. Prerequisite: One course in Principles of Leadership or Principles of Management. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Sociology 308 (3) |
| Course Title: | French Civilization |
| Course Description: | |
| What does the French motto “Liberté Egalité Fraternité” signify in France today? This course gives a historical and sociological viewpoint on some of the major issues and trends in contemporary French society: politics, identity upheaval, the European Union, education, gender equality, religion and secularism. Students will be involved in research, exercises and discussions on these topics and others. This course will provide a better understanding of current events, complementing the student’s own personal understanding and experiences during their stay in France. | |
Seminars Taught in French
Students must place into upper intermediate French (Intermédiaire II French level 210) or higher to take seminars taught in French.
| Seminars taught in French | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French/Theater Dance 310 (3) |
| Course Title: | Théâtre: Expression Théâtrale (Acting: Theatrical Expression) |
| Course Description: | |
| Meets four to six hours per week. Emphasizes rhythm and articulation of the French language employing a different, original “script” written by the professor. Dramatic sketches designed with roles suitable for all participants use expressions and themes drawn from daily life and emphasize the sound of French as it is spoken. The number of hours per week is determined by the role assigned. A supplementary fee of approximately 100 euros is paid by the student to the Collège. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French/Art 461 (3) |
| Course Title: | Histoire de l’Art en France au 19ème et 20ème siècles (French Art: 19th and 20th Century) |
| Course Description: | |
| This course is the same as Art 460, but taught in French. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French/Film Television 311 (3) |
| Course Title: | Cinéma Français (French Cinema) |
| Course Description: | |
| (French Cinema) Special focus is given to the Cannes Film Festival which attracts thousands of actors, directors, producers and camera people from all over the world every year. Students are introduced to the basics of filmmaking including the principal ideas of scenario writing, use of a small camera and post production. Cinematographic language is also examined, with an overview of the evolution of French cinema. The courses analyses major themes and movements in key works of the three important modern periods: French Poetic Realism; The New Wave (1960s) and cinema from the 1980s to the present. Enrolment in the course is limited to 30 students. A supplementary fee of 500 euros is paid by the student to the Collège. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French/Political Science 303 (3) |
| Course Title: | La Vie Politique en France (French Political Life) |
| Course Description: | |
| Political institutions of the Fifth Republic, the roles of the president of the republic, the government and parliament, the constitution, administrative functions at various levels of government from national to local and the present political situation. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | French/Sociology 309 (3) |
| Course Title: | La Société Française (French Society) |
| Course Description: | |
| Discover contemporary France: key dates in history, current events and trends, social change, the identity and diversity of its regions, Paris and centralism, education, gender equality and the renewal of family. Student participation in discussions, research and exercises are required. | |
Non-Credit Courses
| Non-credit courses for personal enrichment | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Non-credit course |
| Course Title: | French Cuisine, Gastronomy and Wine (-) |
| Course Description: | |
| This course is taught at “Les apprentis gourmets”, a cooking and catering school. This course teaches students to cook famous local provençal dishes with sauces and desserts. Students are also introduced to French wines and how to choose the right wine to go with a partner dish. They will visit famous local vineyards near Saint Tropez. This is an 8-week course which meets once a week for five hours per week. Students taking this course pay an additional fee of 500 euros to cover the cost of materials and the special instruction in English. Students share the meals they prepare, accompanied by wine introduced for every menu. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Non-credit course |
| Course Title: | Landscape Drawing |
| Course Description: | |
| A local artist instructs basic sketching and painting techniques including work outdoors. Students provide their own materials and are expected to do additional work outside class. The course meets two hours each week for 12 weeks (24 hours). It is taught in French at the Association des Beaux Arts. Students pay a supplementary fee of 210 euros directly to the Association. | |
