Department of French & Italian at the University of Minnesota

01/22/2025

Join us for Italian Conversation Hour every Monday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Bordertown Coffee! All levels of language learners are welcome.

11/26/2024

Looking to register for French classes this upcoming semester? Check out these courses for spring 2025!

Alt text available at this google slide presentation link: https://z.umn.edu/FRITSpring2025

10/22/2024

Join us at Folwell Hall on November 7th from 4-5pm for a talk with Associate Professor Kate Paesani on Why Pedagogy Matters. This talk will highlight important themes related to literature and linguistics in academics and give you a chance to hear from one of our very own professors and researchers here at the U of M!

If you aren't able to make it in person, join us on zoom: z.umn.edu/FRITSpeakers

10/17/2024

Join us for French Conversation Hour at Folwell Hall! Get the chance to practice your french and meet new people who share the language!

Contact @ [email protected] with any questions!

10/10/2024

Join us for the French and Italian open house on October 30th from 2pm-4pm at Jones Hall! Connect with professors and french faculty to learn more about study abroad or majoring/ minoring in French or Italian!

10/27/2023

Looking for an upper level French class to add to your schedule this Spring? Professor Jeudy is offering FREN 3101W, Methods in French and Francophone Studies. Take a look to see what former students have to say about the course.

In "Body Knowledge." we read and analyzed French literary texts from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. We discussed how the themes related to the body and mind, individual vs social expectations, gender fluidity and nonconformity etc. can help us gain new perspective on human experiences

When students asked each other to tell one aspect of their learning in the course that had an impact on them, and what they will keep with them in the future, they said...

"Self-perception: learning about writing, practicing my skills provided a way to better examine my own thoughts on things."
Ella K, French '23

"The conversations that we had all semester were thought-provoking and made me consider aspects of my own life as well. I enjoyed analyzing the texts individually, but I loved how they all came together to tell a larger story about humanity and society."
Natalie H, French 24

"The idea of the body is very superficial, but getting a a better understanding of what the themes made writing about the subject progressive.
In the beginning, you start with one notion of writing, which evolved through the end."
Drew A, PREMED '23

"It is not possible to misinterpret anything in this class.
Examining differences in films and paintings, different interpretations of the works (for example film vs book), and what their focus …
Tom B, Business '25

"Everyone can take things from these readings, which helps the idea that society is complex and there is never a right answer."
Peyton T, French '23

"Speaking in French in small group discussions was helpful for gauging my French speaking skills and for sharing my thoughts with others in the class."
Jenna U, French 25

07/12/2023

Did you know Bastille Day, the French National Holiday, is July 14th? Check out the Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul's Bastille Day event this Friday, July 14th, from 5-9pm! For more information on this free event, check out the shared post below!

Alors on danse ! 💃🏼🕺🏼 Gather your friends and family, get on your dancing shoes, and join us for Bastille Day is this Friday, July 14 from 5 to 9 pm at Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul! 🎇🍷🎶🍕 Food, activities for kids and families, cooking demos, drinks, dancing, a car parade, a vendors market, and more are waiting for you! Learn more by clicking the link below. We can't wait to see you to celebrate La Fête Nationale ! https://www.afmsp.org/bastille-day-2023 #/

06/15/2023

Check out seventeenth-century Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio's, or just Caravaggio's, artwork displayed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art! This is the first time his painting, "Judith and Holofernes," has come to the United States, so check it out now through August 20th!

Have you stopped by to see the Caravaggio at Mia yet?

From Star Tribune's article, “Why Caravaggio's 'Judith and Holofernes' at the Minneapolis Institute of Art is a must-see”:

Tucked away on the third floor of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, a gruesome scene is playing out. A depiction of a woman beheading a man is the subject of famous Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio's "Judith and Holofernes," circa 1599. This is the first time the painting has come to the United States. ...

"Caravaggio is an incredible artist and 'Judith and Holofernes' is one of the most celebrated paintings of the 17th century, and even in the history of art," said Mia's curator of European paintings and works on paper, Rachel McGarry. "When you stand before the picture, you can understand why audiences are so enthralled by his work.”

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/42GJdW9 and see this work (plus 14 others from our collection) at Mia through August 20. Free, no tickets required.

06/01/2023

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Check out the Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul's next Club Vélo this Saturday, June 3 at 9 am!

For more information on how to register, check out the link below!
https://www.afmsp.org/events/clubvelo-june32023?fbclid=IwAR35Rq36S1t39YZR5rojHp9yDE1YEUCjUNxCw9SSAexxP9wCwDU1dF689q0 #/

The next Club Vélo ride is coming up on Saturday, June 3 at 9 am! 🚴🏼‍♀️🚴🏾‍♂️ Ride and speak French and then grab a breakfast treat at P'tit déj afterwards! Register to join by clicking below! https://www.afmsp.org/events/clubvelo-june32023 #/

05/23/2023

Check out this music fest next Saturday, June 3rd! Come listen to the Italian tunes of Vittorio and The Bridges at Loring Alley Live!

Check out the shared post or the link below for more information.
https://loringalleylive.com/

Did you mark your calendars for Sat 6/3 the be a part of the coolest (and free)music fest in Loring Park Mpls!

04/24/2023

Check out this event presented by Dr. Irene Salas this Thursday, April 27 at 4pm in 8 Folwell Hall!

While Renaissance physicians were beginning to pay scientific attention to gynaecology and obstetrics, Renaissance humanists were taking an intense interest in the way that human beings are made. Dr. Salas' purpose is to study, in the light of these extraordinary births, what one might term a Renaissance ‘obstetrical paradigm’, which may perhaps give rise to discussion of current techniques as well as transhumanist fantasies.

For more information, check out the link below!
https://cla.umn.edu/french-italian/news-events/events/extraordinary-births-16th-century

04/19/2023

Check out this event held on Monday, April 24 from 4-6pm in Heller Hall 1210!

Professor Jennifer Eun-Jung Row (French & Italian; RIDGS) will appear in conversation with the Gwendolyn Bridges Needham Endowed Chair in English Literature Elizabeth Freeman (UC Davis), celebrating the publication of Professor Row's new book: Q***r Velocities: Time, S*x, and Biopower on the Early Modern Stage. The presentation will be followed by O&A and a reception!

Check out the link below to register!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUOgnhLN6nSWGSRbgoJWAm-dJlLANxR79Kg22Rv5Nqsd6mcw/viewform