1a. The attainment of basic
proficiency in the French language
In our lower-division courses,
students learn to speak, read, and write grammatical French through class
instruction, oral laboratory, and reading and writing exercises.
1b. Exposure of undergraduates to
French language and culture
Students with no prior knowledge
of French are given the opportunity to explore French literature and culture
thanks to courses in English, which include a few select examples of
untranslated documents. Additional reading courses bridge the gap between these culture courses in English and
our standard elementary language courses.
2. In our gateway to the minor and major courses students develop fluency in written and spoken expression, and
basic skills in critical thinking and in the analysis and interpretation of
literary texts.
Two advanced-level language
courses (Intensive Advanced Grammar and Conversation and Composition and Stylistics) and
two introductory courses to the early and modern periods of French literature
(Aspects of French Literature, 215 and 216) train students to think and express
themselves critically on topics of culture and literature.
3. In a wide variety of
upper-division courses students acquire advanced proficiency in French; a solid
knowledge of French and Francophone culture and literature; and analytical
skills within the areas of French linguistics, cultural, or literary studies
(reflecting the three options within our major).
4. Senior French majors develop
research skills and readiness for postgraduate study.
All of our majors are required to
take a senior seminar in the cultural, literary studies, or linguistics options.
These courses assign 10- to 15-page research papers that require advanced writing and research and
critical skills. Ten to 15 percent of our graduating majors also choose to
write an honors thesis in French or an interdisciplinary thesis. This 35- to
50-page thesis is expected to attain the level of beginning graduate work in
French studies.
