Toward Liberated Expression A course designed to increase and perfect the ability to express oneself in spoken and written French. Emphasis on precision, variety, and vocabulary acquisition. Sections limited to 15 students. (FREN 0201, 0203 or placement) This requirement for the major and the minor may be satisfied by placement at a higher level.

French Feminisms on Screen In this course we will investigate the aesthetics and politics of Francophone feminist media. We will examine critical discourses on women’s oppression, including the ways in which such discourses have shaped gender and sexual politics as well as the frameworks of feminist analysis. After an in-depth exploration of some of the foundational concepts of feminist media studies, we will look at non-normative representations of gender and sexuality in modern Francophone visual culture. In the second half of the semester we will turn our attention to the ways in which Francophone feminist media depicts the intersections of gender with race, migration, social class, and reproductive rights with the aim to problematize liberal feminist articulations of consent, agency, and labor. Training and assessment will focus on visual literacy and media analysis in the form of critical and creative assignments.

Intensive Beginning French For students who have not previously studied French, an introduction to listening, speaking, reading, and writing in French, providing the syntactic and semantic foundation of the French language in a concentrated program of grammar presentation, drills, laboratory work, and discussion. Primary emphasis will be placed on the student's active use of the language, and weekly attendance at the French language table will be required. This course does not fulfill the foreign language distribution requirement. Students are expected to continue with FREN 0102 in the winter term after successfully completing FREN 0101, and with FREN 0201in the spring.

Self and Society: Effective Writing in French In this course, students will deepen their knowledge of the French language and French-speaking cultures while developing their reading and writing skills through examination of a variety of texts and media. This course facilitates the transition from language-oriented courses (FREN 0205) to content-oriented courses  (such as FREN 0220 and FREN 0230)  by introducing students to strategies for interpretation and discussion, with a focus on effective writing. Course materials may include essays/articles, theater, fiction, poetry, videos, and films.

Accelerated Beginning French This intensive course is a condensation of FREN 0101 and 0102 for students who have never before studied French. We will focus on the development of all four communicative skills in an immersion-style environment. Primary emphasis will be placed on increased oral proficiency through audiovisual, conversational, and drill methods. Upon successful completion of this course students will be prepared for second-year French in the fall. Weekly attendance at the French language table will be required.

Dystopian Visions in French and Francophone Culture Contemporary popular culture is captivated by dystopian imagery. From post-apocalyptic worlds and environmental disaster to totalitarian regimes and the rise of malevolent artificial intelligence, dystopian tropes are ubiquitous in many forms of media. In this course, we will explore representations of dystopia in French and Francophone cultures through the study of a diverse archive of film, fiction, video games and visual art. After a brief overview of utopian thought originating in the Renaissance and the Enlightenment period, students will learn about the historical and sociopolitical context of dystopian representation in French from the end of the nineteenth century to the present. In addition, the course will emphasize the development of written and oral expression in French to facilitate the transition between introductory and advanced-level classes.

Beginning French This course is a continuation of FREN 0101, dealing with more complex French. Oral skills are stressed and students participate in the French language table at lunch. This course does not fulfill the foreign language distribution requirement.

Francophone Cinema Across the Mediterranean In this course, we will study Francophone film and media in a trans-Mediterranean context from the late colonial period to the postcolonial present. After an overview of key works from canonical Maghrebi Francophone directors hailing from Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, we will turn our attention to Maghrebi-French diasporic filmmaking, as well as beur and banlieue cinema in an increasingly diverse and multiethnic France. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the aesthetic and political dimensions of Francophone media by examining issues pertaining to colonialism, migration and immigration, exile, multiculturalism, urban space, gender and sexual politics, and the family. Beyond film and television, we will also explore these topics through digital and social media platforms.

Queer Media Cultures This course introduces students to queer media scholarship through the lens of contemporary film and television, social media and popular culture. We will learn about the foundational concepts of queer and feminist theory, transgender studies and biopolitics. In addition, we will consider how popular media has the potential to resist—or sometimes ends up reifying—dominant ideologies of sexuality, gender, race, citizenship and labor. Training and assessment will focus on visual literacy and media analysis (including a review of basic concepts of cinematography and editing) in the form of short critical and creative assignments. (Not open to students who have already take GSFS/FMMC 1010.)  Peter Tarjanyi is a Visiting Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Middlebury College./

Queer Media Cultures This course introduces students to queer media scholarship through the lens of contemporary film and television, social media and popular culture. We will learn about the foundational concepts of queer and feminist theory, transgender studies and biopolitics. In addition, we will consider how popular media has the potential to resist—or sometimes ends up reifying—dominant ideologies of sexuality, gender, race, citizenship and labor. Training and assessment will focus on visual literacy and media analysis (including a review of basic concepts of cinematography and editing) in the form of short critical and creative assignments. (Not open to students who have already taken GSFS/FMMC 1010.)  /Peter Tarjanyi is a Visiting Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Middlebury College./

Intermediate French I Emphasis on increased control and proficiency in the language through audiovisual, conversational, and drill methods. Readings and film enlarge the student's view of French life and culture.

Sexual Dissidence in the Francosphere What is the relationship between sex, power, and subjectivity? Why are certain forms of sexuality worthy of protection while others are subject to political regulation? In this seminar, we will examine non-normative representations of sexuality in contemporary French and Francophone cultures. Through the study of primary sources ranging from fiction and film to social media and graphic novels, students will learn about the ways in which sexuality intersects with gender, race, social class, and citizenship. In addition, we will seek to develop comparative perspectives on sexual politics between the United States and the French-speaking world. The course is taught in English and requires no knowledge of French.

Film, TV & Gender  In this course we will examine unconventional representations of gender and sexuality in current television series and movies, as well as a few earlier films. We will use feminist approaches to think about spectatorship, femininity and masculinity, transgender politics, the family, cult films, and fan cultures. Our goal will be to investigate how popular film and television can inform our understanding of gender and sexuality by following existing models and gesturing toward new possibilities. Students will write short critical and creative pieces in addition to a longer critical essay.

Film, TV & Gender In this course we will examine unconventional representations of gender and sexuality in current television series and movies, as well as a few earlier films. We will use feminist approaches to think about spectatorship, femininity and masculinity, transgender politics, the family, cult films, and fan cultures. Our goal will be to investigate how popular film and television can inform our understanding of gender and sexuality by following existing models and gesturing toward new possibilities. Students will write short critical and creative pieces in addition to a longer critical essay.

Peter Tarjanyi

Reviews and ratings for Peter Tarjanyi at Middlebury College.Peter Tarjanyi teaches Toward Liberated Expression, French Feminisms on Screen, Beginning French Part One and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Peter Tarjanyi good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

The class was relatively enjoyable and pretty useful in terms of expanding my knowledge of French. It was pretty intense, with homework due every day and class every day of the week but it was not the worst in terms of workload. I did have some French experience going into this class which made it, especially the earlier portions significantly easier. I would not necessarily recommend this class if you don't have some formal experience with French or a closely related language.

This course was a highly enjoyable, low-stress, yet broad spectrum sample course of French literature throughout the history of the language. Peter managed to make even the most boring sections somewhat interesting, and his energy really brought the vibe up. If you (or the class in general) tend to be a little too quiet, be prepared to get called on randomly. If you're paying at least a little attention, though, these ambushes are quite easy to maneuver. 

I really enjoyed this class and loved the teacher, Professor Tarjanyi. The pace of the course was relaxed, and the group projects were super engaging and fun. There was also a manageable amount of reading, which was always interesting and not difficult to keep up with. 