42 NORTHFIELD MOUNT HERMON the American educational system and by speaking English at designated times with the SIAS students. Finally, you will have the opportunity to observe the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节). CHI 416 Chinese Conversation Immersion Program Half credit. Prerequisite: CHI 211, CHI 221, or equivalent and departmental approval. Seniors and PGs not eligible.
FRE 221 Honors French II One credit. Prerequisite: FRE 111 or equivalent. Placement based on screening process. If you have demonstrated a keen interest and ability in the French language, this enriched course is the appropriate level for you. The content is similar to French 211, but you will explore topics in greater detail.
You will study China’s traditions and modernity in the classroom and on-site. You will travel to Beijing, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Jiyuan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, visiting historical sites and witnessing the results of China’s rapid economic growth (cities visited may vary depending on the year). This half-credit course has a special focus on conversational Chinese, and you are required to speak Chinese at all times. Highlights of the trip include observing the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), visiting a local Chinese school, and participating in a home-stay program.
FRE 311 French III One credit. Prerequisite: FRE 211 or equivalent. Placement based on screening process.
FRENCH
FRE 321 Honors French III One credit. Prerequisite: FRE 211, FRE 221, or equivalent. Placement based on screening process.
FRE 111 French I One credit. Prerequisite: None. If you have never studied French, or if your skills are not strong enough for French 211, this is the appropriate level for you. This introductory course introduces you to the elementary structures and basic vocabulary of the language in culturally appropriate ways. It emphasizes development of speaking- and listening-comprehension skills with a secondary focus on reading and writing. The acquisition of language is intertwined with developing cultural competency in the Francophone world. You will develop language skills through the use of projects, dialogues, and communicative activities that have a real-world context. FRE 211 French II One credit. Prerequisite: FRE 111 or equivalent. Placement based on screening process. This course will further enhance the language skills introduced in French I and will promote your broader understanding of Francophone culture. There is a continued emphasis on developing your conversational skills and practical vocabulary, with the additional focus on learning to narrate a story in various time frames. Short reading selections, including the use of authentic documents in French, foster your improved comprehension of the written word. Your writing will focus on personal experiences and other high-interest, familiar topics.
This course is designed to complete your study of all the basic structures of the language, to strengthen your active command of the spoken and written language, and to develop the skill of reading through a variety of materials and genres. The focus is not only on your personal experiences and other familiar, high-interest topics, but also on issues and events relating to the Francophone world.
If you have demonstrated a keen interest and ability in the French language, this enriched course is the appropriate level for you. The content is similar to French 311; however, a greater sophistication in your linguistic ability will be expected. FRE 411 French IV: Contemporary Issues in the French-Speaking World One credit. Prerequisite: FRE 311, FRE 321, or equivalent. Placement based on screening process. With your intermediate or advanced competencies in French, this course will allow you to explore a wide range of themes such as human rights and political systems, science and ethics, and other contemporary issues in the French-speaking world. You will work with a wide range of authentic materials, including but not limited to films, news, and literature from various regions of the Francophone world. You will read the novel Alexis d’Haïti, research and present on issues relating to a chosen Francophone country, and follow current events in French. FRE 414 French IV Service-Learning Project One credit. Prerequisite: FRE 311, FRE 321, or equivalent. Placement based on teacher’s recommendation. Open to juniors, seniors, and PGs. This advanced language course follows the same syllabus as French 411 with an additional component. You will work with your classmates to teach French to students at a local elementary school one day a week. This course also counts as the work program assignment for that semester.