Valerie Thiers-Thiam
Associate Professor of French
Modern Languages
EMAIL: VThiersThiam@bmcc.cuny.edu
Office: S-601U
Office Hours:
Phone: +1 (212) 220-8334
Expertise
Degrees
Courses Taught
- This course is for students who have had no previous background in French. Grammar is taught inductively and simple texts are read. Speaking, reading, and writing are emphasized.
Prerequisite: Departmental Placement - Students will continue the study of basic French grammar begun in FRN 105. They will also further their skills in listening comprehension, reading and writing in French.
Prerequisite: FRN 105 or Departmental Placement - This course includes a review of grammar plus the study of French civilization and selected readings in French literature.
- While reviewing advanced grammar, students are trained in literary analysis through the works of modern French authors.
Prerequisite: FRN 200 or departmental approval - This course explores literature written in French from countries outside of France. Works from French Canada, the Caribbean islands (Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Haiti) as well as North and West Africa will be included. Themes highlighting cultural and social differences with France will be discussed. Readings, written work, and oral reports will be in French.
Prerequisite: FRN 300, or any FRN 400 level course (except FRN 476), or departmental approval - This course introduces students to literature and cinema from French speaking West African countries. We will study various works from the 1950’s up to the present through five major themes: oral tradition, cultural alienation, social and political criticism, women's condition and the old/new generation conflict. Documents studied will include novels, documentaries, fiction, films and songs. Some of the authors to be considered include: D.T. Niane, Camara Laye, Ahmadou Kourouma, Sembene Ousmane, Djirbril Diop Mambety, Maraima Ba and Safi Faye. This course is taught in French.
Prerequisite: FRN 300, or any FRN 400 level course (except FRN 476), or departmental approval - This is a history survey of the theories of French Theater evolved from the Greek Tragedy through Medieval, Classical, Romantic, Realistic, Symbolist and Surrealist Theater up to Avant-garde Theater and the Theater of the Absurd. Readings are in French, discussion in English.
Prerequisite: FRN 300, or any FRN 400 level course (except FRN 476), or departmental approval
