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2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Arts in French

Requirements

Students majoring in French are required to complete 36 hours beyond the FRE 202 course, including:

AND one literature course selected from:

AND one linguistics course selected from:

AND EITHER

AND one civilization course selected from:

AND one global competence course selected from:

Capstone must be taken in the last year preceding graduation. Students should take careful note of the prerequisites for their chosen courses.

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in French

Suggested order of coursework for students without prior language background:

Core curriculum:

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 - Accelerated Beginning French I and II: Language and Culture.

Requirements for a French PK-12 Education Major

Students majoring in French PK-12 education are required to complete 37 credits beyond the FRE 202 course, including:

AND one literature course selected from:

AND one civilization course selected from:

AND one global competence course selected from:

Capstone must be taken in the last year preceding graduation. Students should take careful note of the prerequisites for their chosen courses. All PK-12 education majors and minors must also complete an approved study abroad program (see as follows).

Elective Courses

One courses (3 credits) at the 300-level including any courses not selected from the previously listed and the following:

One course (3 credits) at the 400-level selected from:

Suggested Order of Coursework in French PK-12 Education

Sophomore Year

Semester One:

Semester Two:

Junior Year

Semester One:

Semester Two:

Senior Year

Semester One:

Semester Two:

Oral Proficiency Requirement

It is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley's College of Education and Community Innovation 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 PK-12 education major 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 course requirements 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 to maximize proficiency gains abroad. Students who cannot meet the study abroad requirement will need to propose an alternative plan approved by a French advisor.

Note: Per program accreditation requirements, teacher certification coursework in world languages must be at the 300-level or above. Students may need to take up to 16 additional credits (FRE 101, FRE 102, FRE 201 and FRE 202) before beginning the 300-level coursework, depending on language placement or credits earned by exam.


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