2020-2021 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts in French
- Requirements for a Major in French
- Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in French
- Requirements for a Certificate in Secondary Education
Requirements for a Major in French
Students majoring in French are required to complete 36 hours beyond the FRE 202 course, including the following.
Core Courses
There are 12 credits required, including:
- FRE 315 - French Conversation (3 credits)
- FRE 316 - Advanced French Grammar (3 credits)
- FRE 317 - Writing in French (3 credits)
- FRE 318 - Introduction to French Literature (3 credits)
- One course in each of the following areas: literature, linguistics civilization, and global competence as follows (12 credits)
- Three elective courses at the 300- and 400-level, at least one of which must be at the 400-level (9 credits)
- FRE 495 - Advanced Topics in French (Capstone) (3 credits)
Capstone must be taken in the last year preceding graduation.
Students should take careful note of the prerequisites for their chosen courses.
Students seeking to pursue a graduate degree in French are advised to complete a minor or major in another foreign language. All secondary education majors and minors must complete a study abroad program (as follows).
Areas
Literature
Students must choose one course from the following:
- FRE 321 - Survey of French Literature I (3 credits)
- FRE 322 - Survey of French Literature II (3 credits)
- FRE 323 - Survey of French Literature III (3 credits)
Linguistics
Students must choose one course from the following:
AND EITHER
- FRE 341 - French History and Civilization (3 credits) OR FRE 342 - Contemporary French Culture and Society (3 credits)
Civilization
Students must choose one course from the following:
- FRE 341 - French History and Civilization (3 credits)
- FRE 342 - Contemporary French Culture and Society (3 credits)
- FRE 343 - Francophone Civilization (3 credits)
Global Competence
Students must choose one course from the following:
- FRE 351 - Business French (3 credits)
- FRE 386 - French Culture Abroad (3 credits)
- FRE 395 - Advanced Speaking Strategies and Skills (3 credits)
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in French
Suggested order of coursework for students without prior language background:
- FRE 101 - Beginning French I: Language and Culture (4 credits) followed by FRE 102 - Beginning French II: Language and Culture (4 credits)
- FRE 201 - Intermediate French I: Language and Culture (4 credits) followed by FRE 202 - Intermediate French II: Language and Culture (4 credits)
Core curriculum:
- FRE 315 - French Conversation (3 credits)
- FRE 316 - Advanced French Grammar (3 credits)
- FRE 317 - Writing in French (3 credits)
- FRE 318 - Introduction to French Literature (3 credits)
- One course in each of the following areas: literature, linguistics civilization, and global competence
- Three electives (one at 400-level, not including FRE 495)
- FRE 495 - Advanced Topics in French (Capstone) (3 credits)
Students entering GVSU with previous experience in French may start French courses at the 200- or 300-level, based on a placement exam, CLEP or AP credits, or consultation with an advisor from the French section.
Students who wish to review beginning material before taking 200-level courses can take FRE 150 - Intensive Elementary French.
Requirements for a Certificate in Secondary Education
Students majoring in French secondary education are required to complete 39 hours beyond the FRE 202 course, including the following.
Core Courses
There are 12 credits required, including:
- FRE 315 - French Conversation (3 credits)
- FRE 316 - Advanced French Grammar (3 credits)
- FRE 317 - Writing in French (3 credits)
- FRE 318 - Introduction to French Literature (3 credits)
PLUS the following:
- FRE 331 - French Phonetics (3 credits) AND FRE 332 - Introduction to French Linguistics (3 credits)
- FRE 334 - Foreign Language Acquisition and Pedagogy (3 credits)
- One course in each of the following areas: literature, civilization, global competence, see preceding information (9 credits).
- Two elective courses, at least one of which must be at the 400-level, not including FRE 495 (6 credits).
- FRE 495 - Advanced Topics in French (Capstone) (3 credits) Capstone must be taken in the last year preceding graduation.
Oral Proficiency Requirement
It is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley's College of Education that teacher candidates achieve the Advanced-Low level on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in French before student teaching. The OPI should be taken right away after returning from a study abroad program. Information sessions on the OPI and other requirements for certification are provided each semester.
Study Abroad Requirement
Students with a French secondary education major or minor must study abroad in a French-speaking country for a minimum of one semester (12 to 15 credits in French at the 300- or 400-level) in a departmentally approved program. Courses taken during the study abroad semester normally fulfill some of the courses required for the major, but these need to be determined ahead of time by a French advisor. Advising is critical. Students interested in pursuing a teaching degree in French are urged to meet with a French advisor as early as possible in their program.
Students are advised to complete at least two courses (six credits) of French at the 300-level prior to studying abroad in order to maximize proficiency gains abroad.
Students who cannot meet the study abroad requirement will need to complete an alternative plan approved by a French advisor.