Requirements for a Major in French
Bachelor of Arts
The program for a major in French consists of a minimum of 31 semester hours and 10 courses of at least 3 semester hours numbered 212 or above, planned in consultation with an adviser in the department. FREN 240 Becoming Better Readers: Reading and Writing in French must be completed as soon as possible since this course is a prerequisite for upper-level literature courses. To major in French, students must have departmental permission. Students must complete at least one upper-level (above 240) class focusing on literature. All majors must take any tests related to departmental assessment activities. French majors are required to have a study abroad experience, in a country where French is the native language, preferably for an entire semester. Substitutions can be made with the approval of the department chair. Students need to consult the chair during the sophomore year to find other arrangements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Must complete one of: | 3-4 | |
| Crossing The French Borders en francais | ||
| Living like the French:Intensive Intermediate French | ||
| Speaking like the French | ||
| FREN 232 | Becoming Better Speakers: Conversing in French | 3 |
| FREN 240 | Becoming Better Readers: Reading and Writing in French | 4 |
| Select two of the following (one course numbered higher than FREN 240 must be in literature): | 6 | |
| French Culture and Society | ||
| Phonetics | ||
| Culture and Society of Martinique | ||
| Civilization | ||
| France and Politics | ||
| Business French | ||
| French Cinema | ||
| Select two of the following (one course numbered higher than FREN 240 must be in literature): | 6 | |
| Advanced Language Development | ||
| Advanced Conversation | ||
| French Theater | ||
| The Representation of Paris in French Literature | ||
| Survey of French Literature I | ||
| Invention of Sociability: Salons & Politics in Early Modern France | ||
| Fairy-Tale Beginnings | ||
| Survey of French Literature II | ||
| Algerian Cinema | ||
| Modern French Civilization | ||
| French Regionalism | ||
| Literature and Culture of Quebec | ||
| Francophone Cinema from Africa | ||
| Special Topics in French | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Select one 400-level French course 1 | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses above FREN 215 2 | 6 | |
| FREN 400 | Cultural Portfolio | 0 |
| Total Hours | 31-32 | |
- 1
Please note that FREN 450 Internship in French does not count as the capstone.
- 2
A maximum of two from FLET/FREN, LANG 345 The Community Interpreter, and LANG 349 Teaching Methodology for Foreign Languages may be applied to the major.
Modifications of these groupings may occur if students elect to complete a portion of their study in courses taken abroad. The department will accept a maximum of one half the major and one half of the minor courses in transfer from other institutions.
The Requirements for Teacher Certification
To meet the Virginia Department of Education’s competency requirements, French-education students must maintain at least a 2.80 major GPA and complete the following courses while completing their degree requirements:
- One of FREN 351, FREN 354, or FREN 356
- One of FREN 261, FREN 273, FREN 275, FREN 366, or FREN 378
- LANG 349
- FREN 400 (requirements may differ to adhere to VDOE standards; consult with French faculty about how best to meet the standards)
- Students must complete either a semester abroad in France or a J-term travel course taught in French
- Must complete ENGL 185.
- Must complete the Education minor.