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> Courses > College of Humanities & Fine Arts > French & Italian Studies > French & Francophone Studies

French & Francophone Studies
French & Francophone Studies | Courses | French & Italian Faculty


316 or 309 Herter Hall

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Contact: Christian Garaud

Office: 316 or 309 Herter

Phone: 545-2314/6702

The Field

The field of French and Francophone Studies encompasses not only the mastery of language skills but also the study of the literature and thought, culture, history, and institutions of France, French Canada, and other Francophone countries in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Along with a high level of competence in an important world language, majors acquire a broad knowledge of one of the world's most dynamic cultural traditions and its complex relations with other countries around the world in colonial and postcolonial times. Requirements are flexible enough to allow students to combine the liberal arts and skill oriented components of their major with other related programs of study, including majors and minors in other fields and certification programs. An academic-year or semester program in Paris, France, is sponsored by the department and is recommended for all students interested in French language and culture. Students are also encouraged to pursue double majors.

The Major

The prerequisite to the French and Franco-phone 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 AB in FREN 240. Students who do not do this must complete FREN 250.

Advanced Language Proficiency

371 Advanced Grammar

372 Advanced Conversation

473 Composition (Students who can demonstrate oral competence by study abroad may be exempted from 372.)

Introduction to Literature and Culture

324 Introduction to French Literature, Poetry, Novel and Theater

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.

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 Linguis-itic Theory, or LING 411 Introduction to Psy-cholinguistics or EDUC 670, Language and Language Learning.

The following are the education-related courses:

EDUC 524 The Work of the Middle and High School Teacher

PSYCH 305 Educational Psychology or EDUC 594I Psychology in the Schools

EDUC 377 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 Student Teaching Seminar

EDUC 615J Educational 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 Adviser. Majors must secure an adviser's signature of approval when registering for courses.

It is the student's responsibility to check with an Undergraduate Adviser in advance of the last semester of the senior year in order to be sure that all departmental 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 Department. 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.

Career Opportunities

French majors are encouraged to combine their major in French with courses of study that may prepare them for graduate school in different fields or for careers in international business and management, journalism, travel, and government service. French majors may also complete the department's teacher training program, which prepares students for certification in Massachusetts.

The Minor

Prerequisite: Same as prerequisite for the major. A total of 15 credits are required for the French minor. French 240 (with a grade of AB or better) or French 250 will count for three credits towards the minor. A total of 12 credits must be earned at the 300 level or above (with a grade of C or better in each course). This shall include FREN 371 Advanced Grammar, FREN 473 Composition, and at least one 300-level course in literature or culture. Some transfer credit from other institutions or foreign programs may be applicable.

French & Francophone Studies | Courses | French & Italian Faculty

 

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