French and Italian Studies

French and Italian Studies | Courses | Faculty

Co-Directors of Program: Associate Professor Patrick Mensah, Assistant Professor Michael Papio. Professors Maddox, Mazzocco; Associate Professor Sears; Assistant Professors Lamb, Ludovico; Lecturers Baillargeon, Bouvier, Figliola, LoRusso-Dillon, Small, Tarr; Adjunct Faculty Berkovitz, Gordon, Moebius, Portuges, Rearick.

French and Francophone Studies

314 Herter Hall

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Director: Patrick Mensah
Contact: Luke Bouvier
Office: 321 Herter
Phone: (413) 545-6545
Email: lbouvier@frital.umass.edu

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. 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 Francophone Studies major is proficiency in French at the elementary level (FRENCHST 120 or 126 or equivalent).

The major requires a total of 36 credits. A maximum of six credits of courses at the intermediate level (240, 246, 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 A- in FRENCHST 240. Students who do not do this must complete FRENCHST 250.

Advanced Language Proficiency
371 Advanced Grammar and
473 Composition
(371 must be taken before 473)
or 497T Intensive Grammar and Composition (6 cr)

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.

Note: 345 Introduction to Medieval Studies will not satisfy the Literature and Culture requirement.

Additional courses at the 300 level or above to complete the 36 credit major are electives.

493A 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 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. The requirement for linguistics may be satisfied by one of the following: LINGUIST 101 People and their Language, or LINGUIST 401 Introduction to Linguisitic Theory, or LINGUIST 411 Introduction to Psycholinguistics or EDUC 670, Language and Language Learning.

Admission to Program
In addition to meeting other university, school or college, 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 Tests for Teacher Licensure (MTEL) 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 MTEL 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)
FRENCHED 572 Basic Methods Teaching Foreign Languages
EDUC 592S Microteaching
FRENCHED 500U Student Teaching
EDUC 510 The Teacher in the Middle and High School Classroom
EDUC 615J Education Law

Students completing this program receive the Initial License, which enables them to find a teaching post. They then have five years in which to complete coursework for the Professional License, which often entails the completion of a master’s degree or other advanced graduate work.

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, 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 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.

Education Abroad

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. Depending upon interests and abilities, students enroll in programs offered by the Université de Paris VII, the Université de Paris IV-Sorbonne, and the Université 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.

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. FRENCHST 240 (with a grade of A- or better) or FRENCHST 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 FRENCHST 371 Advanced Grammar, FRENCHST 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.


Italian Studies

312 Herter

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Director: Michael Papio
Contact: Nicolina LoRusso-Dillon
Office: 304 Herter
Phone: (413) 545-6707/2314
Email: nicolina@frital.umass.edu
Website: www.umass.edu/italian

The Field

The major in Italian Studies provides opportunities to study the field of Italian culture from several interdisciplinary perspectives and across several centuries. Students gain knowledge of Italian language and literature together with aspects of Italy’s art, culture, cinema, architecture and design, economy, geography, history, institutions, politics, and thought; Italian-American studies are a component. The program offers both scholarly and career orientations.

The Major

Students may pursue a broad curriculum in general Italian Studies, or combine Italian Studies with a particular emphasis. Courses focusing on Italian Studies offered in other departments may be included with the approval of the Undergraduate Adviser.

The prerequisite to the Italian Studies major is proficiency in Italian at the intermediate level (ITALIAN 240 or 246 or equivalent).

Majors complete 36 credits above 246.

Two core courses (6 credits): 371 Advanced Grammar and Composition; and one introductory course in the selected emphasis (e.g., 324 Introduction to Italian Literary Studies I or 325 Introduction to Italian Literary Studies II.
Ten emphasis courses (30 credits).

Education Abroad Siena Program
Students are encouraged to attend the Univer-sity’s Italian Studies Program in Siena or Forlì, Italy during the spring semester. Courses offered apply to areas of emphasis in the major.

Five Colleges
Students may also participate in the offerings pertinent to Italian Studies in the Five Colleges. (Courses followed in Siena or Forlì and in the Five Colleges may serve as credit toward the major, after consultation with the Undergraduate Adviser.)

The Minor

The minor in Italian Studies requires completion of 21 credits beyond 246.

324 Introduction to Italian Literary Studies I, or
325 Introduction to Italian Literary Studies II
371 Advanced Grammar and Composition
Five electives (15 credits) in Italian Studies.

Minors may also be able to take further electives from any one emphasis area. However, no more than one may be conducted in English without special permission.

French and Italian Studies | Courses | Faculty