FRENCH: MAJORS & MINORS
Major and Minor in French | Requirements
Course Descriptions
Faculty
Scholarships
Study Abroad in France
FRENCH COURSES FOR MAJORS AND MINORS
UWEC offers major and minor programs in French leading to both liberal arts and teaching degrees. Students have the opportunity to improve their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and to gain a knowledge of the culture of French speaking countries. A study abroad opportunity is available at the Université de Caen, located in the Normandy region of France.
First and second year French courses are sequential. A student who has never studied French before will enroll in French 101, while a student who has studied the language at a secondary school or at another college will take a placement test to determine what course he or she must take. If students decide to study in France, it is recommended that they do it as soon as possible after 102 and possibly before entering the 300 level.
At the 300 level-courses, all students will start with French 315 (Advanced Grammar and Composition), before they February 28, 2007 325, may be taken concurrently with 315, but cannot be taken before taking French 315. French History (354) and French Civilization (355) may be taken in any order. although it makes more sense to take them sequentially. French minors take only one of the two. Next, majors have to take 361 and 362 (again in any order although a logical sequence is recommended) and an advanced-literature course (463, 480, 482 or 491) offered only in the fall semester. It is recommended that students do not take two literature courses simultaneously because of the amount of reading. Majors must also take 401, Advanced Conversation, at any time after 335.
All French majors must complete an approved course taken in the Department of History (see list in Catalogue). A Capstone Project is required for all majors and is usually initiated during the Study Abroad program in Caen/France and concluded during the fourth year of study (see Catalogue for details, as well as your adviser).
IMPORTANT ADVICE
Evaluate your natural ability and predisposition to learn foreign languages before you decide to start a major in this field, especially a major in Teaching.
Be prepared to practice daily, just as you would with playing an instrument or a sport. In order to perform successfully in any language class, and to progress smoothly in the acquisition of the foreign language, a minimum of two hours a week of individual study per credit hour is needed.
Avoid not taking any French course during one semester. Also avoid taking too many courses at the same time.
Get involved in any extra-curricular activities that will help you with French: join the French Club, join Pi Delta Phi (National French Honor Society), keep apprised of issues dealing with the French-speaking world and the world through media, scholarly publications and presentations, campus events and make every effort to meet with other French students and students from France and French-speaking countries studying at UWEC.
TO MAJOR IN FRENCH:
1. Study the Department of Foreign Languages major program options in the university catalogue and on our website (http://www.uwec.edu/flang/).
2. Obtain your "What-If" Degree Audit for the major.
3. Draft a tentative course plan for the major.
4. Come to the main office of the Department of Foreign Languages (HHH378) and make an appointment with the Department Chair.
5. Meet with the Department Chair (bring along your "What-If" Degree Audit and your tentative course plan).
6. Take the step and declare your major! The program assistant in our department will enter your major online and she will assign you an advisor in the French section. Meet with your advisor as soon as possible.
TO MINOR IN FRENCH:
1. Study the Department of Foreign Languages minor program options in the university catalogue and on our website (http://www.uwec.edu/flang/).
2. Come to the main office of the Department of Foreign Languages (HHH378). The program assistant will provide you advising sheets and will enter your French minor online. She will also assign you an appropriate advisor in the French section. Meet with your advisor as soon as possible, especially to discuss your course plan.
COMBINATION OF A FRENCH MAJOR AND A MINOR ALSO OFFERED IN THE DEPARTMENT
Minors include:
French
German
Spanish
Latin American Studies
Russian and east European Studies Minor
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) *
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) *
* Both are particularly sought after by students who wish to teach English in a French-speaking country.
FRENCH COURSES FOR NON-MAJORS
Fren 101 and Fren 102 fulfill the foreign language/foreign culture university graduation requirement.
For more information contact the
Foreign Languages Department
Office: Hibbard 378
Phone: (715) 836-4287
Judy Ramsey, Program Assistant
ramsey@uwec.edu
Dr. Pat Day, Assistant Professor
daypl@uwec.edu
Dr. Dominique Thévenin, Associate Professor
thevends@uwec.edu
