The major in French is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to communicate effectively in French both orally and in writing. The French program further seeks to familiarize students with the most influential literary, philosophical, critical, and cinematographic works in French, properly understood within their cultural and historical context; to introduce them to the major social and political developments that have shaped the Francophone world, including North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean; and to provide them with an understanding of the structure of the French language, attitudes towards its use, and the variation it displays across time, geographical space, and social groups.
Students may also explore Creole and Cajun languages in linguistics classes and fieldwork. The junior year and semester abroad programs are integral to the majors in French and are also encouraged for non-majors.
Placement
Entering freshmen are placed at the appropriate level by assessment of their high school records and their performance on a placement test. Successful completion of French 2030, a passing score on the French proficiency test, a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination, or a score of 640 or better on the College Board examination fulfills the language requirement for graduation.
THE FRENCH MAJOR
10 courses (for double majors) or 11 courses (for single majors), 32 or 35 credit hours, is required.
I. Required courses:
- FREN 2030 Intermediate French (4)
- FREN 2040 Advanced French (3)
- FREN 3210 Introduction to Literary Analysis (3)
- FREN 4010 French Short Story (4): writing intensive course
- FREN 5950 Senior Seminar (3): this is a Capstone course (offered only in the Spring)
Notes:
- Students who are placed beyond FREN2030 and FREN2040 are expected to take other FREN courses at the advanced level to reach the required number of credit hours.
- The Senior Seminar is required of all French majors, even those who are double majors.
II. Two electives from the list below**:
- FREN 3060 Business French (3)
- FREN 3140 Phonetics (3)
- FREN 3170 French Pop Culture (3)
- FREN 3180 French for World Affaires (3)
- FREN 3250 French Society and Institutions (3)
- FREN 3350 Secrets of French Grammar (3)
- FREN 3710 Revitalizing French in Louisiana (3)
- FREN 4400 / PSDV 4400 Sustainable Development in the Francophone World (3)
** Please note that some of these courses will be offered in the Spring, others in the Fall
III. Electives at the 4000/6000 level (3 credit hours):
Four electives at the 4000 or 6000 level (12 credit hours) are required for single majors.
Three electives at the 4000 or 6000 level (9 credit hours) are required for double majors.
Notes:
- Two of the advanced electives must be literature courses.
- For one of the advanced electives, students may substitute a 3000-level course taught in English by the Department (e.g. FREN 3110 French Cinema or FREN 3330 (3CR) OR an advanced course in a related field (e.g. a course in French Art, French History, French Politics).
- A senior thesis written for Honors in French can count as one of these electives.
- 5000-level courses taken abroad that have been approved as counting toward the FREN major are generally included among the Group III electives.
Nota Bene:
- FREN 4560/4570 (Internship Studies) does not count toward the major. The typical Internship involves 60 hours of work, carries 1 credit hour, and is graded on an S/U basis.
- To complete the major, the student must have taken at least five French courses taught on this campus.
THE FRENCH MINOR
6 courses, 20 credit hours
I. Required courses:
- FREN 2030 Intermediate French (4)
- FREN 2040 Advanced French (3)
- FREN 3210 Introduction to Literary Analysis (3)
- FREN 4010 French Short Story (4): this is a Writing course
Notes:
- Students who are placed beyond FREN2030 and FREN2040 are expected to take advanced FREN courses to reach the required number of credit hours
II. One elective from the list below**:
- FREN 3060 Business French (3)
- FREN 3140 Phonetics (3)
- FREN 3170 French Pop Culture (3)
- FREN 3180 French for World Affaires (3)
- FREN 3250 French Society and Institutions (3)
- FREN 3350 Secrets of French Grammar (3)
- FREN 3710 Revitalizing French in Louisiana (3)
- FREN 4400 /PSDV 4400 Sustainable Development in the Francophone World (3)
** Please note that some of these courses will be offered in the Spring, others in the Fall
III. One elective (3 credit hours):
One course at the 4000/6000 level OR one literature course in translation course or a cinema at the 3000-level course (FREN 3110)