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MAJOR IN FRENCH

The Major in French exposes students to the various expressions of the culture of France so that they may in turn share their knowledge and appreciation with others—as a teacher, scholar, writer, translator, or commercial or governmental representative. The program seeks primarily to have majors: (a) achieve both proficiency and fluency in the oral and written forms of the language; (b) read with understanding and enjoyment representative works of French literature from the Middle Ages to the present day; and (c) acquire the scholarly and critical tools required for further study, whether in graduate school or independently.

Required Courses: 11

A total of 11 major-level courses (those numbered 120* or higher) are required for a major. These must include:

• One course in the written language: (FRE 210, 301, 304)

• One course in the spoken language: (FRE 302, 303)

• FRE 392 Explication de Textes

• A minimum of three courses in French literature studied in the language: it is recommended that these courses include the three basic genres (drama, poetry, and prose). Courses are to be chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor in terms of the student’s needs, interests, and qualification.

• One course for the major may be taken from the Foreign Languages offerings in English which relate to the study of French. These include courses in CLT or LIN. Students are encouraged to take this course early in their program when their language skills may limit them to a sequence of one course per semester. These related courses serve to introduce potential majors to significant intellectual issues in the field. This course should be chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor in order to avoid taking a course in English which would later be offered in the target language. Electives: Courses in a second language; literatures other than French; Linguistics; the history of France; Philosophy of Art.

*Please note that FRE 110 combines FRE 104 and FRE 120. Therefore, three credits of FRE 110 count toward the Major.

MAJOR IN FRENCH WITH CONCENTRATION IN FRANCOPHONE CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION:

The main objective of the French Major with a concentration in culture/civilization is to help develop cultural literacy which involves familiarity with the language and its interaction with culture; appreciation of values and norms that distinguish the other culture; and understanding of the stories another culture tells about itself, not just through literature but also through history, politics, economics, art, and so forth. The study of culture in general terms is concerned with the way other people structure their world. The focus of this concentration is on the culture of France as well as other French-speaking regions of Africa,the Caribbean,Canada,Europe,andSoutheast Asia. This major prepares students for teaching careers, graduate work, community service, and employment in organizations and agencies with international interests.

Required Courses: 12

• Five of the following courses:

FRE 120 French V (or FRE 110, French IV/V)
FRE 140 Introduction to Literature: French Language
FRE 251-252 Main Currents of French Literature (one course)
FRE 392 Explication de Textes
LIN 221 Sociolinguistics

Four courses acceptable for the French Major, including a minimum of one in each of three areas: literature, written expression, and oral expression, plus three courses in culture/ civilization. Electives: Students may complete courses in related areas which may include anthropology, art, history, linguistics, music, or philosophy. Courses should be selected in close consultation with the departmental advisor. All French majors are strongly advised to undertake an immersion experience. Study abroad in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, or Quebec is optimal. Students unable to study abroad will consult with a departmental advisor to develop an alternate experience, such as an appropriate local internship, in which they may apply their language/culture competence.

MINOR IN FRENCH:

A student may complete a Minor in French by taking a total of six one-semester courses (18 credits) which may include FRE 104 and courses acceptable for the French Major. The program must be planned with a Departmental Advisor. All courses for the minor must be in French.

MINOR IN FRENCH STUDIES:

Students who wish to do so may combine courses in French Language and Literature with offerings in related areas (i.e., French or Canadian Culture and Civilization, History, Art, Music). This program must be developed in cooperation with a Departmental Advisor and should include:

• At least one course in French at the level of FRE 104 or higher.

• One course in French or Francophone Literature which may be studied in the original or in translation.

• One course in French or Francophone Culture and Civilization or History (FRE 310, FRE 313, HIS 235, and HIS 257).

• Three other courses in related areas which should be selected in consultation with the student’s departmental advisor.

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Members of the Class of 2006 interned at more than 120 corporations, nonprofit organizations and schools.