Program Offered:  French Minor

The French Minor provides a more intense development of skills and knowledge of the French language, and of French and Francophone cultures and literatures, giving the students an opportunity to follow a course of study that will be supplementary or complementary to their majors. The program seeks to contribute support to and articulate with other areas of study at the University. It aims to serve the needs of globalization while providing students with insights and understanding of the French and Francophone world at large.

The program is designed to develop advanced-high communicative proficiency in all four language skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Advanced grammar and composition courses will provide the level of proficiency mentioned above. The Business French course provides students with high language competency to negotiate meaning in a French business setting. At the same time, it offers students a better appreciation of the French business life and procedures.

Students choosing to pursue a French Minor will be introduced to the French and Francophone world and its cultural, economical, political and social issues of today through readings from the press, French TV news, movies and documentaries. The French minor gives students a comprehensive understanding of the French and francophone culture, literature, and language developing at the same time a sense of awareness, understanding and analysis.

French Minor Requirements

To fulfill the French Minor, students must complete the following curriculum, at minimum (15) units. Students may apply up to six units of transfer credit toward the minor. Students must earn a grade of a C or higher in each course for the minor. 15-21 units total:

• To determine equivalent, consult with French Program advisor. Students must successfully pass the French challenge exam to be granted equivalency on the desired courses. Upper division courses cannot be challenged.

Course Descriptions
FRENCH COURSES (FREN)

College of Arts and Sciences

FREN 010            French for Travelers (2)           

Provides basic instruction in French, with an emphasis on the vocabulary and communication skills needed by the traveler. Cultural aspects of the French-speaking world which might affect communication when traveling will also be covered. Assumes no prior knowledge of French. Note: This course does not fulfill the graduation requirement for a language other than English.

FREN 101            Beginning French I (4)           

Fundamental of French language and culture, designed to develop basic ability in pronunciation, reading, conversation, and grammatical structures.

FREN 101            Beginning French II (4)           

Continuation of French 101. Further development of basic ability in pronunciation, reading, conversation, and grammatical structures. Prerequisite: FREN 101 or equivalent.

FREN 201            Intermediate French I (3)           

Continuation of French language fundamentals. Emphasis on the development of the skills of reading, comprehension, speaking, and writing, and study of French culture. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 102 or equivalent.

FREN 202            Intermediate French II (3)           

Continuation of French 201. Further development of the four skills, with an emphasis on reading, composition, communication, culture, and review of grammatical structures. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 201 or equivalent.

FREN 311            Advanced French (3)                    

Focuses on further development and refinement of the four primary skills in French (speaking, writing, reading, and listening comprehension), in addition to a study of cultural factors which affect communication. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent.

FREN 312            French Composition and Advanced Oral Practice (3)

Advanced-level practice of French through oral and written exercises. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent.

FREN 314            Advanced French for Business (3)        

Intensive oral and written practice at the advanced level. Focuses on vocabulary, simulation, and discourse strategies specific to the needs of the business professional. Conducted in French. Recommended FREN 311. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent.

FREN 315            Reading and Analysis of French and Francophone Literary Texts (3) 

Introduction to the principles of literary analysis, based on readings and discussion of French literature. Literary genres include fiction, theatre, essay, and poetry from France and the Francophone world. Conducted in French. Prerequisites FREN 311.

FREN 350            Civilization and Culture of France and Francophone World (3)

Study of the culture and civilization of the French-speaking world. Analysis of literature, art, history, geography, and contemporary social structures. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent.

FREN 380            Narrative to Film (3)           

Designed to explore similarities and differences between the narrative mode and film. Analyzes a series of novels that have been made into films. Includes theoretical aspects of writing and film. Conducted in French. Recommended FREN 311. Prerequisite: FREN 202 or equivalent.

FREN 395            Independent Study (1-3)           

Students may enroll in this course with the consent of the instructor only. The purpose of this course is to allow students to study their own field of interest within French and Francophone literature and culture. Readings, written papers and oral discussions will be guided by the instructor. A minimum of three analytical papers will be required. Students must meet with the instructor weekly.

French Homepage

World Languages and Hispanic Literatures