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.
French Courses
Courses
101 Elementary French (1)
Introduces the French language and the francophone cultures through the study of basic grammatical concepts and vocabulary. Develops the four skills--listening, speaking, reading and writing--necessary for effective interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication. Conducted in French. Tutorials with teaching assistants are integrated into the course. French 101 is recommended for students with two years or less of high school French. Staff.
102 Elementary French, continued (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 101.
Continuation of French 101. Expands vocabulary, grammar and cultural knowledge to enable a more informed interpretation and production of spoken and written communication in French. Conducted in French. Tutorials with teaching assistants integrated into the course. Staff.
187, 188, 189 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
201 Intermediate French (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 102, equivalent or appropriate score on departmental placement test.
Continuation of the study of the French language and culture through the contextualized study of grammatical concepts and vocabulary. Continues the development of the four basic skills necessary for the interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes of communication. Authentic tapes and texts are the foundation of the teaching materials. Conducted in French. Tutorials with native speakers are integrated into the course. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
202 Intermediate French, continued (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 201, equivalent or appropriate score on departmental placement test.
Continuation of French 201. Practice with more sophisticated dialogues, reading of unedited short stories, poems and other authentic materials reflecting the various cultures of the French-speaking world. Conducted in French. Tutorials with native speakers integrated into the course. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
287, 288, 289 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
301 Advanced Oral and Written Expression I (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 202, equivalent or appropriate score on departmental placement test.
Development of communication skills in French relative to grammar, syntax, appropriate registers, necessary vocabulary, non-verbal communication and culturally specific idiomatic usage. Also includes the processes of conversation development, thesis formation and strategies for argumentation within French cultural norms, as well as key contemporary issues of importance in the French-speaking world. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
302 Advanced Oral and Written Expression II (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 301 or equivalent.
Development of communication skills in French relative to grammar, syntax, appropriate registers, necessary vocabulary, non-verbal cues and culturally-specific idiomatic usage, as well as skills in French/English and English/French translation. Also includes the processes of conversation development, thesis formation and strategies for argumentation operating within French cultural norms, especially relating to professional life and the workplace. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
303 French for the Professions (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 301 or equivalent.
Offers insights on the French and other French-speaking countries' work environment and the specialized knowledge necessary to communicate effectively in specific professions. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
314 Multicultural France: Current Issues and Historical Perspectives (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 301 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
Explores French society as a dynamic multicultural construct--France's changing place in the world, the changing role of women in French society and changing demographics, especially North African immigrants to France--through reading recent novels or short stories representing these issues. Studies the historical dimensions of the social phenomena and the historical reasons for the current situation. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
315 Writing/Filming France Inside Out (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 301 or equivalent.
Applies various theories--narratology, explication de texte, and theories of adaptation--to critically inquire into the construction of literary texts and their filmic representations. Stresses oral and written communication in French. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
320 French Women Writers and Feminist Criticism (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 301 or equivalent.
Analysis of works by French women writers from the Middle Ages to the present, as well as works of feminist critical theory. Offered every three years. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle.
330 French Louisiana: The Cajun and Creole Experiences (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 301 or equivalent.
A study of French Louisiana in both Acadiana and New Orleans, through literature, music, history and other avenues. Guenin-Lelle.
351 French Society from Marie de France to Louis XIV (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 303, 314 or 315.
Incorporates literature, art, history and l'histoire des idées, or changing epistemologies, during the French ancien régime (the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the baroque and classical periods of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the Enlightenment in the early eighteenth century). Examines central issues such as the place of "the Divine" and humankind in the universe, the role of classical antiquity relative to traditions, identity and power, the role of women in society and the role of education as a vehicle for change. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
352 Francophone Cultures on the Internet: Fictionalité, Realité, Hypertextualité (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 303, 314 or 315.
A study of the theoretical construction of francophone cultures, their representation on the World Wide Web and the problems associated with Web-based cultural research. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
353 Francophone Africa (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 303, 314 or 315.
A study of texts and contexts of francophone (Central and West) African societies through in-depth analyses of history, politics, music, art, film and literature, and especially, how those elements have shaped the people's contemporary world view. Conducted in French. Yewah.
354 The French Caribbean: Les Antilles créoles (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 303, 314 or 315.
Surveys post-colonialism, la créolisation, le métissage and changing identities. Topics include history and geography of these islands, situating them as part of the New World as well as having enduring cultural, linguistic and political bonds with France; Aimé Césaire and his essentialist quest for identity via Africa and the past; la créolisation, as first proposed by Glissant; and contemporary social issues, represented in literature, art and cinema. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
355 Quebec: A World Apart (1)
Expected level of proficiency: French 303, 314 or 315.
Examines socioeconomic, political, cultural, literary and artistic forces as well as relevant historical situations that have shaped this French-speaking "island" in anglophone North America. Conducted in French. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
387, 388, 389 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
391, 392 Internship (1/2, 1)
Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
398 Practicum (1/2)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Experience in teaching French in the classroom or with individual students under the supervision of an instructor. Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
400 Senior Seminar (1/4)
Prerequisite: Declared French major or minor.
Students will reflect on lessons learned in the French program, identify competencies they have developed in French and in other areas of study, understand the importance of these competencies in today's world, and leave Albion more confident in their preparedness to enter the next stage of their professional development. Guenin-Lelle, Yewah.
401, 402 Seminar (1/2, 1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Special topics in languages, literature or civilization for advanced students. Conducted in French. Staff.
411, 412 Directed Study (1/2, 1)
Staff.
