Department Overview (Department of French Language and Literature)
FEATURESDepartment Overview
French culture has been at the heart of European civilization since the Middle Ages, and its literature in particular, as a literature of human exploration that beautifully blends elegance and wit, sincere pursuit and generous understanding, has always led European literature and has also had a major influence on modern Japanese literature. The French language, which carries that culture and literature, is known as a beautiful, rational, and eminently human language, and for a long time was the common language of the European world.
Although it lost its position as the world's number one international language to English, it still maintains its position as the second most international language after English today.
Since its founding in 1962, Department of French Language and Literature has sought to hone students' ability to think and sensibly, with a flexible and humane outlook that is not bound by preconceptions, by providing a broad exposure to French culture in general, with a focus on literature. In today's world, where values are becoming increasingly diverse, this philosophy is becoming more and more valuable in nurturing people with balanced and accurate judgment and the ability to act.
With regard to French in particular, we place emphasis on not only the ability to read texts, but also the development of the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary for actual communication. We also aim to nurture talented individuals who can fully utilize their abilities in an increasingly internationalized Japanese society, and ultimately in the international community. We are already producing many talented individuals.
Discover the profound world of French culture through all five senses.
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The first step to mastering French is thorough language training
French culture permeates every aspect of our lives, from music to fashion to cooking. However, there are surprisingly few people who have actually studied French as a language. In fact, most students who enroll in Department of French Language and Literature are beginners in French.
In French literature, where philosophy and thought are also treated as literary works, you cannot advance to deep research unless you can read and write French. Therefore, the curriculum of this department aims to thoroughly acquire the basics of the language during the first and second years. Starting with grammar, close reading and speed reading, conversation with native teachers, and Expressions ?crites I, all kinds of required subjects are available, so you can study French intensively using both your mind and body. -
Develop flexible thinking and sensitivity
In specialized fields, lectures on French culture and society are offered from the first year, and from the second year students can choose to take "Basic Seminars I and II" and "Special Lectures."
In "Basic Seminar I & II," which is divided into three areas: literature, language, and culture, students can deepen their interests through presentation-style classes while learning methods of academic analysis.
In the "Exercises I and II" courses starting from the third year, students will further improve their ability to explore fields such as literature (philosophy), language, and culture, and will develop presentation and communication skills that will be useful in the real Department of French Language and Literature aims to hone students' thinking skills and sensibilities, which are flexible and full of humanity, and are not bound by preconceptions. -
Study abroad to learn living French
Our Department of French Language and Literature also has a distinctive study abroad program. Aoyama Gakuin University has signed an inter-university agreement with Marie-Louis Pasteur University (Besan?on), which has a good reputation for language education, and has an exchange program. Every year, about 10 selected students are sent to Marie-Louis Pasteur University's Center for Applied Linguistics (CLA) to receive high-level language education there. In addition, there is a student support organization (CROUS) that supports daily life, and a system that recognizes credits acquired abroad as graduation credits at our university, so you can enjoy your study abroad life with peace of mind. In addition, there are exchange program agreements with the University of Paris III and Universit? de Gen?ve in Switzerland.
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Experience French culture in your daily life
Although we have only talked about studying, learning French does not only take place in the classroom. It is also important to learn by experiencing French culture close to you, such as tasting French cuisine with professors and fellow students and watching French films. In this department, please use all five senses to master French culture.
EDUCATIONSpecialized education
Educational Features
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One of the most comprehensive full-time teaching staff in the country -
Small class size for intensive lessons
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A tough curriculum that teaches French thoroughly in the first and second years
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A wide variety of seminars and special lectures starting from the second year
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A tense and lively lecture
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Study abroad program at the Centre for Applied Linguistics at the University of Franche-Comté, which is renowned for its language education
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Proven track record in the French Language Proficiency Test
French literature
French literature is the crystallization of French culture, and remains the spiritual pillar of French society and culture to this day. French literature has inherited the diverse heritage of the past, such as Celtic, Greek and Roman culture, and medieval Christianity, while transforming it into its own unique form as it has developed. It may be said that French literature is literature in which the past and the present come face to face, and tradition and the avant-garde compete with each other.
"French literature is a course in human science," said the great scholar Curtius, and at the root of French literature is always the spirit of human exploration. In all genres of work, including novels, poetry, and drama, the question of the human condition is consistently asked. In literature, the question of what it means to be human is also the question of what it means to speak and to write. The reason why French literature continues to fascinate us is this never-ending question.
French Language
First of all, we must be clear about the term "language." We often hear people say things like, "If I learn a foreign language, it might be useful in the future," or, "I'm good (or bad) at languages," but the "language" in these cases does not express the same thing as the "language" in French language studies.
French linguistics is a discipline that specializes in the study of the French language, and is part of linguistics (also called general linguistics), which studies language in general; to make this clear, it is sometimes called "French linguistics". The relationship between general linguistics and French linguistics is mutually complementary, with the results of each being exchanged. The results of French linguistics are incorporated into general linguistics as data, and compared with data obtained from the study of other languages, making them useful for more general language descriptions. Furthermore, the results of general linguistics are used in French linguistics.
French Culture
French culture has always placed emphasis on human freedom and its expression, and this continues to be the case today. French culture manifests itself in a variety of forms. The unique depth of French culture, from the everyday culture of food, clothing and shelter to urban development and cultural policies, makes it an extremely interesting example in today's world where globalization is progressing.
Learning about French culture and society and bringing it into "dialogue" with Japanese culture and society is an extremely effective way to think about the world of the future.
Starting from a curiosity about "differences," recognizing the diverse values of human beings, and cultivating an open mind for mutual understanding will be a great asset to the young people of the future who will inevitably have to play an active role on the international stage, no matter what field they go into.