Lars O. Erickson (Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1998) is Associate Professor of French and Director of the French International Engineering Program (IEP) at the University of Rhode Island. He is also the past President of the Rhode Island American Association of Teachers of French (RIAATF). Dr. Erickson’s research interests include the relationship between science and literature, eighteenth-century literature and culture, and Breton cultural studies. In his book, Metafact: Essayistic Science in Eighteenth-Century France, he examines how the literary essay influenced methodological change in the sciences. Journals such as Symposium, Romance NotesConfluencia, and Celtic Cultural Studies have published his research.
Dr. Erickson teaches to make a difference in the lives of his students. He says, “Making a difference sometimes means breaking the mold, and my courses change the common way of teaching. My teaching philosophy encourages students to be active learners. I also believe that students are always developing their language skills in addition to their critical thinking skills. And I expand teaching opportunities beyond the classroom.” He is currently writing an article describing the pedagogical innovations related to his FRN 309: French Literature from the Middle Ages to 1789 course.
As Director of the French IEP, Dr. Erickson has developed many unique learning opportunities. “The six-month paid internship is the cornerstone of the IEP experience. Our students have interned with companies such as Rhodia, Bruker Biospin, Renault, Hutchinson, and Saint-Gobain. We prepare our French IEPers so well that they have had incredible learning experiences,” says Dr. Erickson. He has also been instrumental in the creation of exchange programs with the Université de Technologie de Compiègne (one of France’s most innovative engineering schools) and with the Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada.
Dr. Erickson lives in Wakefield, Rhode Island with his wife and three children. When not engaged in his passion for teaching and research he can be found surfing at some of southern Rhode Island’s surf spots.
Office: 131 Swan Hall
Hours (Spring 2010): M 8:30-9:30am & W 3:15-4:15pm
Phone: 401-874-4702
Email: lars@uri.edu
Courses typically taught by Dr. Erickson:
FRN 204 French Composition 1
The emphasis is on writing, but we will also work on speaking, listening, and reading skills. I organize the course around discussions of the concept of liberty. We use the last three chapters of the textbook Quant à moi to develop the skills necessary to discuss and write about the concept of liberty as it manifests itself in the film Bleu, in genetic engineering research, and in the film Rouge. Each of the three units includes a chapter exam as well as a graded discussion, and a 2-and-a-half page paper.
Here’s what some students have said about the course in the past:
“I like the topics we discuss. They are all very current and relevant. Also, it improved my French a great deal.”
“It’s an active course. I like the fact that this is an early morning class and I have never dozed off. Not once. That’s great!”
“I like that we have group discussions that help brainstorm our writing.”
“It’s a good blend of speaking, listening, writing, and grammar. This approach, that enables students to do all, is effective in helping my language skills advance quickly.”
FRN 207-1000 French Oral Expression 1 (Dr. Lars Erickson), MTWR 10-11:45am, Kingston
Students will develop skills needed to communicate successfully in predictable social, academic, and professional situations. Specifically, students will expand their ability to describe in the present by talking about relationships, studies, and everyday objects. Students will also develop the ability to narrate in the past and to effect complicated transactions. Films and short stories will provide the basis for most classroom discussions. In addition, we will use music, video recordings, audio recordings, and some non-fiction works. Students will participate in classroom discussions, organize and lead a classroom discussion, engage in role-play activities, and present information.
FRN 307 Oral Expression 2
Notre investigation des cultures francophones (surtout la France et le Québec) se concentrent sur des réalisateurs, des auteurs, et des institutions représentatifs du monde francophone. Le cours se présente sous la forme de discussions, de conférences, et de travaux en équipe qui demanderont une préparation intense et une pratique intensive.
Nos objectifs incluent :
1. la pratique intensive et perfectionnement de toutes les formes du français parlé: discussion/conversation spontanée (formelle et informelle), discours, commentaires et analyse de documents, prononciation, vocabulaire de tous les jours.
2. l’acquisition des terminologies, des données, et des concepts pour l’interprétation orale de la société contemporaine.
3. l’analyse du thème de l’identité dans le monde francophone (surtout la France et le Québec)
4. l’utilisation et amélioration de la grammaire française
Le corpus comprend les oeuvres suivantes:
Arcand, Denys, réal. Les Invasions barbares. 2003.
Cantet, Laurent, réal. Ressources humaines. 1999.
Crocker, Mary E. Coffman. Schaum’s Outlines: French Grammar. 4th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 1999.
Edmiston, William F. et Annie Duménil. La France contemporaine. 3rd ed. New York: Harcourt, 2005.
Klapisch, Cédric, réal. L’Auberge espagnole. 2002.
Marineau, Michèle. La Route de Chlifa. Montréal: Québec Amérique, 1992.
FRN 309 French Literature and Culture to 1789
We begin by examining how changes in architecture illustrate broad cultural shifts. Next we use historical films (Le Retour de Martin Guerre, La Reine Margot, and Ridicule) along with excerpts of authentic texts to examine intellectual and artistic movements. In the third unit, we analyze representative literary works (excerpts of Rabelais’s Gargantua, Molière’s Les Femmes savantes, and Claire de Duras’s Ourika) to see to what extent they reinforce or contradict what we have learned about French society. In the final unit we’ll look at heroes and discuss how they define a society. The class familiarizes students with France’s historical periods. It also demonstrates the continuing influence of history on French culture. It’s not a literature class. It’s not a culture class. It’s not a writing class.It’s not a speaking class. It’s not a history class. It is all of the above.
In the past, this is what some students have said about the class:
“Relationship between prof and student is relaxed and respectful, this led to deeper class discussions and a feeling of comfort unparalleled in any class I’ve ever had at URI.”
“This class is a good combination of history and language.” “My French has improved so much in this class because I am given so many opportunities to speak...”
FRN 412 Clockworks and Networks
“La Mécanique et le réseau” (Clockworks and Networks)
Description: Des réseaux dominent notre monde actuel. Comment est-ce que nous sommes devenus une société en réseaux et quelles sont les conséquences?
Pour répondre à cette question, nous examinerons l’expression culturelle (littéraire et scientifique) du 17e et 18e siècles. Pour commencer, nous remonterons au 17e siècle pour examiner cette société en mécanique. Ensuite, on analysera dans quelle mesure le 18e siècle représente la fin de la mécanique et le début des réseaux.
Bibliographie:
Le Tartuffe. Molière.
L’Homme et Le Monde. Descartes. (Sélections)
Fables. La Fontaine. (Sélections)
Candide. Voltaire.
Le fils naturel. Diderot.
Filmographie:
Beaumarchais l’insolent. Edouard Molino, réalisateur. 1996.
Vatel. Roland Joffé, réalisateur. 2001.
La Religieuse. Jacques Rivette d’après le roman de Diderot. 1966.
FRN 412 Breton Literature and Culture
FRN 480-001 Business and Professional French
Real French for the real world. Learn what you need to succeed in the French business world. Know key business terms. Learn skills for effective communication. Use strategies for getting ahead.
Goals:
This course aims to teach you how to engage in effective communication in the French business world. It will prepare you to complete successfully the Certificat de Français Professionnel administered by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris.
Description:
Business French encompasses both advanced language skills and specialized skills. It involves specialized knowledge, general language ability, and also communication strategies. Consequently, in class we will work on developing specific abilities relating to the business world, such as understanding invoices, writing a resume, engaging in a job interview, and taking down a phone message. Also, we will develop more general abilities such as understanding newspaper articles, writing emails, talking about the workplace, and making travel plans. Cutting across the specific and the general, we will also work on applying communication strategies such as asking follow-up questions, taking notes, listening actively, and appreciating cultural differences. |
