French Majors and Minors

Requirements for Major in French

In the French program students learn the language and culture of the French-speaking world. The 100- and 200-level courses focus on how to function within a French-speaking environment, through appropriate language use and cross-cultural understanding. Courses numbered 303-315 are designed to be taken before off-campus study in a French-speaking program and those numbered 351-355 to be taken after return from off-campus study.

The upper-level courses emphasize area studies. Interdisciplinary in scope, they focus on the culture of a particular area or time period and examine the relevant literature as well as social issues, artistic movements, political change, religious influences and film.

The intent is to prepare students for international careers in which they will draw on their communication skills in French, and on their understanding of the history and culture of the French-speaking world.

The specific requirements for the major are:

A minimum of eight units at the 201-level or higher, including: one unit from 303-315; one unit from 351-355; and a Senior Seminar (French 400, 1/4 unit). (See detailed description of requirements for major at beginning of Modern Languages and Cultures section.)
A maximum of one unit of Advanced Placement credit can count toward the major.
All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade.
Residence in language-learning housing for at least one semester and successful completion of Modern Languages and Cultures 110.

Off-campus study in an approved study abroad program is highly recommended for this major. If individual situations prevent this, it is recommended that the student speak with the department chair.

Requirements for Minor in French

A minimum of six units at the 201-level or higher, including at least four units at the 301-level or higher.
A maximum of one unit of Advanced Placement credit can count toward the minor.
All courses for the minor must be taken for a numerical grade.
Residence in language-learning housing for at least one semester and successful completion of Modern Languages and Cultures 110.

Off-campus study in an approved study abroad program is highly recommended for this minor. If individual situations prevent this, it is recommended that the student speak with the department chair.

Requirements for Major in French Language and Culture for the Professions

As the world continues to become increasingly diverse across traditional borders and cultural boundaries, there will be more demand in the workplace and for communities to effectively negotiate otherness--different ways of living lives--which will directly impact professional practices.

Knowledge of a modern language and culture will continue to grow in importance as a foundation for functioning successfully in a global economy across many professions. This track in French is intended for those students who are pursuing preprofessional studies in fields such as economics and management, communication studies, science or public policy, among others, or for those students who are pursuing more traditional liberal arts fields and wish to add a practical component to their education. This track will provide a combination of preprofessional courses in the target language and cultural courses in order to prepare students for working in a culturally diverse world and economy. Students will be expected to attain high linguistic competence.

Qualified students may choose a "fast track" language program at an approved summer institution domestically or a language/internship program abroad during the summer after their freshman year. To qualify for this special program, a student must complete an interview to be conducted by the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures. For information about College policies on transfer credit, see the section of this catalog entitled General Academic Regulations.

The specific requirements for the major are:

A minimum of nine units, including: Modern Languages and Cultures 105; French 201, 202, 301, or equivalent; French 303; a seminar (French 401, 1/2 unit); and the remaining units selected from 300- or 400-level French courses. The seminar must be taken after all other requirements have been met or in the final semester of completion of the major requirements.
An internship abroad or a documented internship-like experience abroad that has been approved by the MLAC Department.
A maximum of one unit of Advanced Placement credit can count toward the major.
All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis.
Residence in language-learning housing for at least one semester and successful completion of Modern Languages and Cultures 110.

Requirements for Minor in French Language and Culture for the Professions

A minimum of six units, including: Modern Languages and Cultures 105 (OR French 303 with permission of the department); French 201, 202, 301, or equivalent; French 303; and the remaining unit selected from 300- or 400-level French courses.
An internship abroad or a documented internship-like experience abroad that has been approved by the MLAC Department.
A maximum of one unit of Advanced Placement credit can count toward the minor.
All courses for the minor must be taken for a numerical grade.
Residence in language-learning housing for at least one semester and successful completion of Modern Languages and Cultures 110.

Requirements for Major in French with Secondary or K-12 Education Certification

A minimum of eight units at the 300-level, including: 301 and 302; one unit focusing on France (French 314, 315, 320); one unit focusing on the French-speaking world (French 352, 353, 354, 355); a Senior Seminar (French 400, 1/4 unit). (See detailed description of requirements for major at beginning of Modern Languages and Cultures section.)
A maximum of one unit of Advanced Placement credit can count toward the major.
Education 338 or 339 (see Education Department), and Education 371 (K-12).
All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade.
Study abroad in an approved off-campus program.
Residence in language-learning housing for at least one semester and successful completion of Modern Languages and Cultures 110.
Completion of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) examination at an "Advanced Low" level of proficiency (or higher). Students should consult closely with the Modern Languages and Cultures Department and consider taking this examination directly after the study abroad experience.
Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Minor in French with Secondary Education Certification

A minimum of six units at the 300-level, including: 301 and 302, one unit focusing on France (French 314, 315, 320), one unit focusing on the French-speaking world (French 352, 353, 354, 355) and a Senior Seminar (French 400, 1/4 unit). (See detailed description of requirements for major at beginning of Modern Languages and Cultures section.)
Education 338 or 339.
A maximum of one unit of Advanced Placement credit can count toward the minor.
All courses for the minor must be taken for a numerical grade.
Residence in language-learning housing for at least one semester and successful completion of Modern Languages and Cultures 110.
Completion of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) examination at an "Advanced Low" level of proficiency (or higher). Students should consult closely with the Modern Languages and Cultures Department and consider taking this examination directly after the study abroad experience.
Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.