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University Catalog

FRENCH

College of Arts and Letters

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The French program is a cultural resource to Sacramento State and the Sacramento community in general; it represents the French language, literature, and civilization of Europe and North America as well as other areas of the world where French is the common language.

The French program helps prepare its majors and minors for careers not only in teaching but in many other fields as well, such as business, journalism, and government service. To that end it offers courses that enable students to grow intellectually and to live and work successfully in areas where the French language is spoken.

The program reaches out to both the local and international communities. Students have the opportunity to study abroad as well as to tutor and teach in local schools. The French faculty pride themselves on being accessible to students and taking a keen interest in the students' individual achievements.

The Bachelor of Arts in French offers an exploration of the vast contribution that French language and culture have made to the world. The program gives courses in literature, culture, and language (there are also courses in translating and interpreting).

Students majoring in business often find a French minor to be an asset to their careers. Students majoring in other fields may minor in French if a large part of their professional literature is in French or because they may work in a location where French is widely spoken; for others a French minor may meet graduate-degree requirements.

Special Features

  • An active French Club offers students the opportunity to participate in French-oriented cultural and social events and a chance to meet French people on an informal basis.
  • A chapter of Pi Delta Phi, the French Honor Society, recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of students of French.
  • Students are encouraged to spend part of their undergraduate careers in study abroad. Sacramento State sponsors exchanges with various universities in Quebec and a consortium of campuses of the University of Paris. The CSU has a Junior Year Abroad program in France at Aix-en-Provence. In addition, each year a Sacramento State graduate with a major in French is awarded a teaching assistantship in France with a salary from the French government. CSU students, with any major, may enroll for one year at a Canadian university. French majors, particularly, will find this program gives them a unique opportunity to become acquainted with French-Canadian culture and language. Summer language programs are available in Canada; students who achieve sufficient proficiency in French may attend a French-language university (information available from the Sacramento State Office of International Programs, Library 1001).

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Requirements - Bachelor of Arts Degree

Units required for Major: 36
Minimum total units required for BA: 120
A GPA of 2.75 is required in courses applied to the major.

Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Lower Division Courses

There are no specific lower division course requirements. However, students must demonstrate competency equivalent to successful completion of FREN 1A, FREN 1B, FREN 2A and FREN 2B before beginning upper division work.

B. Required Upper Division Courses (36 units)

Language (15 units)

(3)

FREN 100

Phonetics and Pronunciation (Four semesters of French or equivalent)

(3)

FREN 101

Advanced Grammar (FREN 2B or equivalent)

(3)

FREN 102

Advanced Conversation (Four semesters of French or equivalent)

(3)

FREN 103

Advanced Composition (FREN 101 or instructor permission)

(3)

LING 130

Introduction to Language and Linguistics

Literature (9 units)

(3)

FREN 110

Survey of French Literature (FREN 101, FREN 103, FREN 109, or instructor permission)

(3)

FREN 111

Topics in Francophone Literature (FREN 110 or equivalent; or instructor permission)

(3)

FREN 170

Seminar Conducted in French (FREN 110)

Culture (3 units)

(3)

FREN 120

French Civilization

Electives (9 units)

(3) Select three of the following:

 

FREN 104A

French-English Translation (Upper division standing in French)

 

FREN 104B

English-French Translation (FREN 101 and upper division standing in French)

 

FREN 107

Business French (Second year college level proficiency or equivalent; or instructor permission)

 

FREN 109

French Language Practice (FREN 2B)

 

FREN 125

Quebec and French North America

 

FREN 196

Experimental Offerings

Note: Students majoring in French are encouraged to minor in another field of their choice.

Requirements - Subject Matter Program (Pre-Credential Preparation)

The requirements for a teaching credential in French are the same as those for the major. Candidates must contact the French Credential Program Coordinator, in the Department of Foreign Languages, to have their transcripts reviewed, to schedule an oral interview in French and to assess their subject matter competency. The Foreign Language Proficiency Examination in French may also be required.

Teaching credential candidates must also complete the Professional Education Program in addition to other requirements for a teaching credential. You may obtain information about the Professional Education Program from the Teacher Preparation Program Office, Eureka Hall 216, (916) 278-6403.

A minor in another subject which can lead to a Supplementary Teaching Credential is strongly recommended.

Additional Information

  • Credit by Exam: A maximum of 16 units in foreign language studies may be challenged, only 12 of which may be in French.
  • Junior Year in France: Students planning to apply for admission to the overseas program should consult the department for information.
  • Foreign Language for Advanced Degree Requirements: Many graduate degree programs require competence in one or more foreign languages, and French is often recommended or required. Students planning advanced degree study in areas having foreign language requirements should give careful consideration to completing two or more years of a foreign language as part of their baccalaureate degree.

Requirements - Minor

Units required for Minor: 12 units all upper division courses taught in French

Note: Students are required to meet with a Minor Advisor for course selection.

Career Possibilities

International Business Personnel · Trade and Commerce · Export/Import · Interpreter/Translator · Banking Representative · Buyer/Sales Representative · Foreign/Diplomatic Service · Airlines Personnel · Travel Industry · Media Personnel/Foreign Correspondent · Public Relations · US Immigration/Customs · US Information Agency · Peace Corps · Language Teacher · Bilingual/Foreign Secretary · Foreign Publications/Textbook Editor · Research Assistant

Faculty

Nicole Buffard, Kevin Elstob, Beatrice Russell

Contact Information

Curtis Smith, Department Chair
Erika Mendoza, Administrative Support Coordinator
Mariposa Hall 2051
(916) 278-6333
http://www.csus.edu/wll

 



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