French and Francophone Studies - The Major
The prerequisite to the French and Francophone Studies major is proficiency in French at the elementary level (French 120 or 126 or equivalent).
The major requires a total of 36 credits. A maximum of six credits of courses at the intermediate level (230, 240, 250) may be counted in these 36 credits; all others must be in courses at the 300-level or higher.
Intermediate Proficiency
Students must demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate level by achieving a grade of B+ in FREN 240. Students who do not do this must complete FREN 250.
Advanced Language Proficiency
371 Advanced Grammar
473 Composition
Introduction to Literature and Culture
384 Themes in French Intellectual and Literary History
386 French Civilization to 1945
Literature and Culture
At least one course in three of the following five areas of French literature and culture: Medieval and Renaissance; 17th and 18th centuries; the Revolutionary period through the late 19th century; the 20th century; the Francophone world.
Additional courses at the 300-level or above to complete the 36 credit major are electives.
491 Senior Seminar
Junior Year Writing: 303 Writing on Language (fulfills the University requirements only).
The Major With Concentration in Teaching
Students planning to teach French at levels 5-12 should contact the Foreign Language Teacher Training Program director, Professor Jean-Pierre Berwald, and apply formally through the STEP program at the School of Education, Furcolo Hall. The application should be submitted as early as possible in order to plan the program, which includes both the foreign language major and the necessary courses in professional education.
Required Courses
Students are normally required to complete a major in French which includes courses in language, literature, civilization and linguistics. In addition, they are required to complete 23 to 26 credits in courses in professional education and related practica. Study abroad in a francophone setting is strongly advised. French teaching candidates should also plan on beginning a second foreign language. Post-baccalaureate certification students should consult Professor Berwald. The requirement for linguistics may be satisfied by one of the following: LING 101, People and their Language, or LING 401, Introduction to Linguistic Theory, or LING 411 Introduction to Psycholinguistics or EDUC 670, Language and Language Learning.
Admission to Program
In addition to meeting other University, Colleges of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, and individual program admission criteria, undergraduate students must achieve a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test of the Massachusetts Educator Certification Tests (MECT) before admission to professional preparation programs for educators.
Admission to Practicum
In addition to meeting other preparation program requirements, all students in a program for which there is an MECT Subject Test must pass the appropriate Subject Test as a prerequisite for enrolling in their practicum.
The following are the education-related courses:
EDUC 524 The Work of the Middle and High School Teacher
PSYCH 305 Educational Psychology
EDUC 497I Multicultural Education or EDUC 597R T.E.A.M.S. (Tutoring in the Schools)
FREN 572 Basic Methods Teaching Foreign Languages
EDUC 592S Microteaching
FREN 500U Student Teaching
EDUC 510 The Teacher in the Middle and High School Classroom
EDUC 615J Education Law
Students completing this program receive the Provisional Certificate with Advanced Standing which enables them to find a teaching post. They then have five years in which to complete coursework for the Standard Certificate which generally entails the completion of the Master's degree.
Those seeking the Standard Certificate should complete the following courses:
FREN 573 Advanced Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages
FREN 774 Research Studies in Foreign Language Education or EDUC 691G Action Research in the Schools
EDUC 560 Methods and Materials in Special Education
EDUC 591M Education for Cultural Understanding
EDUC 681 Teaching Reading and Writing at the Secondary and Adult levels
EDUC 691G Action Research in the Schools
EDUC 698A Clinical Site Experience
Other Optional Concentrations
Students are encouraged to develop concentrations and programs for certificates in other areas. Each generally requires the completion of additional credits. A great variety of programs is available at the University and in the Five Colleges. Among these are the concentrations in Journalism, Social Thought, Modern European Studies, Canadian Studies, African Studies, Film Studies, and the certificate in General Language Interpretation.
Restrictions
All prospective majors must make an appointment to see an Undergraduate Advisor. Majors must secure an advisor's signature of approval when registering for courses.
It is the student's responsibility to check with an Undergraduate advisor in advance of the last semester of the senior year in order to be sure that all program requirements for graduation have been fulfilled.
The grade of D in a French course or in a related course required for the major is not acceptable and will not be counted toward the number of major credits. These D credits may be made up either by repeating the course for no credit or by successfully passing an equivalency exam to be given by the French and Francophone Studies Program. This second option is possible only in language courses taken in the senior year. Grades of Pass/Fail for major courses taken here or elsewhere are not accepted. At least 12 of the 36 major required credits must be taken on the University of Massachusetts' Amherst campus.
Study Abroad
An academic year or semester program in Paris, France is sponsored by the French and Francophone Studies program and is recommended for all students interested in French language and culture. Depending upon interests and abilities, students enroll in programs offered by the Université de Paris VII; the Course in French Civilization of the Sorbonne; or the Business Management curriculum at the Universitè de Paris-Dauphine. Students may also take semester or year-long programs of study in Quebec universities, with favorable tuition rates offered through the Quebec-New England Student Exchange program.
Honors
Graduation cum laude is determined by residency and GPA alone. To graduate with higher honors in French and Francophone Studies , students may pursue the program's Honors track, and are advised to consult both the Honors Program and the Undergraduate Advisor in French and Italian Studies. A minimum of 6 academic Honors courses are required. At least 4 of these, including 499Y (Honors Research) and 499T (Honors Thesis), must be in the French and Francophone Studies at the 386 level or higher; no more than one may be Honors Independent Study. Only 4 courses in French and Francophone Studies are needed for Junior Year Transfers. For more detailed, up-to-date information on graduating with Honors, consult the Commonwealth College.
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