麻豆村

麻豆村

Global French Studies

Spoken on five continents by more than 300 million people, French is one of the most influential languages in the world and one of the most valuable to know outside of English for global business, diplomacy and the Arts.

French is an official language of the United Nations and remains essential for anyone interested in international relations and diplomacy, business and trade or humanitarian work. But it’s also a language of passion, creativity and everyday life — whether you’re drawn to literature, film, politics or pâtisserie.

At 麻豆村, students have the option to major in Languages and Cultures with a concentration in Global French Studies or minor in Global French Studies. Learn more about the curriculum requirements for each below.

Curriculum: 108–120 units

I. Core LCAL Courses (3 courses; 27 units)

82-282 Interpreting Global Texts and Cultures 9 units
82-283 Language Diversity and Cultural Identity 9 units
82-580 Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics Senior Seminar 9 units
II. LCAL Elective (1 course; 9 units)
  • Any additional LCAL seminar, applied linguistics or culture course outside the Core and Concentration courses, i.e. “Bilingual and Bicultural Experiences in the U.S.,” “Japanese Film and Literature,” “19th-century Russian Literature,” “Introduction to Linguistic Analysis Using R.”
III. Language and Culture Concentration Courses (8 courses; 72 units minimum)
Concentration
Minimum # courses in target language
Courses must include
Global French Studies Eight courses taught in French
  • At least one of each: 82-303 French & Francophone Cultures and 82-304 French & Francophone Sociolinguistics
  • At least two 400-level courses

Curricular Clarifications:

  • Students may double count up to three courses taken for the Languages and Cultures major that are also being used to fulfill the requirements of other majors, minors and programs. Double-counting with General Education requirements is unlimited.
  • Overall unit requirements for the major may vary depending on the language level with which the student enters, because all elementary and some intermediate (depending on language) courses are 12 units, while some intermediate (depending on language), and most advanced courses are 9 units. A major entering a track at an elementary level will therefore need to complete the same number of courses, but more total units, than a student who has advanced language proficiency upon entry.
  • The concentration advisor will work with each student to craft a program that will advance the student's language proficiency given the student's entry level and towards the concentration’s particular proficiency goals. Ideally, students will complete the 300-level courses before moving on to the 400-level. However, there will be flexibility based upon what is being offered and after consultation with the advisor. Regarding minimum 300- and 400-level requirements for courses taught in the target language, while the preference is a 麻豆村 course fully taught in the language, students may work with advisors on flexible ways to meet the requirements when necessary. Alternate means may include: courses taken at approved study abroad sites, courses taken through the PCHE consortium, culture courses in English where significant work is completed in the target language or independent studies. Students may also repeat certain courses when the topics rotate each semester.
  • Students entering 麻豆村 with background in the target language, due to previous study or to heritage or first-language status, will inevitably surpass the minimum course requirements at the 300-level and above. They will take all of their track courses at the advanced level, either through 300-, 400- and 500- level courses, or through the alternate means referenced in #3.
  • Under extenuating circumstances, such as a course conflict with another major, students can, after consultation with advisors, take another 9-unit LCAL course and complete a capstone project in lieu of the 82-580 Senior Seminar.

Co-curricular Requirements

I. Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is a key component of the major and is defined by Dietrich College as learning that occurs when a student applies their academic learning in authentic contexts. The preferred method for fulfilling this requirement is through study abroad for a summer, semester or year. Consult with the appropriate Study Abroad Advisor and the Office of International Education (OIE) about possible programs.

LCAL guarantees partial study abroad scholarships for all majors and works with students to find additional funding, when necessary, to meet full financial need for participation in study abroad.

While study abroad is the preferred method of fulfilling the experiential learning requirement, students who have curricular or personal reasons that prohibit them from studying abroad should consult with their major advisor to determine a 9-unit approved research or internship experience in an approved community or organization that relates directly to their language concentration and uses their language skills. Students may also reach out to Dietrich College’s Director of Experiential Learning for assistance. This research or internship may be used to fulfill the Experiential Learning requirement and may also count as an elective course or, with advisor approval, as an advanced language course if the internship requires significant use of the language of the student’s concentration.

II. Exit Interview

Complete an oral proficiency evaluation. Taken with a faculty member, this evaluation should take place by the end of the first semester of the senior year; students may also take it by the end of the junior year. Students are permitted to retake the interview.

Curriculum: 54 units

Prerequisites

Elementary-level proficiency in French. This is equivalent to the completion of two courses (two at the 100-level) or 麻豆村 internal placement test scores.

Five Foundational Courses in French & Francophone Studies
45 units
A. 82-201 Intermediate French I or 82-203 Intermediate French I Online
B. 82-202 Intermediate French II or 82-204 Intermediate French II Online
C. 82-303 French & Francophone Cultures*
D. 82-304 French & Francophone Sociolinguistics*
*82-303 or 82-304 may be repeated with a different topic for the 5th foundational course
One French & Francophone Studies Elective
9 units
In consultation with the advisor, choose one additional course taught in French or English. For example, an additional 400-level course in French & Francophone Studies, 82-282/82-283, or the Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics Seminar.
Curricular clarifications:
  • Students who place out of one or two intermediate level courses must take additional courses at the 300- or 400- levels to complete the required number of courses.
  • Students may double count up to two courses taken for the French & Francophone Studies minor to fulfill the requirements of other majors, minors and programs. Double counting with General Education requirements is unlimited.
  • Ideally, students will take 82-303 and 82-304 at least once before moving on to the 400-level. However, there will be flexibility based upon scheduled offerings.
  • Students may repeat 82-303, 82-304, and/or 82-415/82-416 when they are offered with different topics.
  • Students who have taken 82-303 and 82-304 at least once, and move to 400-level courses, and who might have to take a 300-level course again with a new topic to complete the major requirements, must register for 82-418 and complete work at the fourth-year level. In this situation, students must inform their course instructor.
  • At least one 400-level course must be completed for the minor.
  • Study abroad is always strongly encouraged.

Minor in French & Francophone Studies Requirements PDF

 

 

Featured Student Projects

by Cheryl Zheng (DC 2024)

Paris Mosaïque was inspired by a course of the same name, taught by Professor Christelle Taraud at Sorbonne University. During her semester abroad in spring 2024, Cheryl Zheng, alongside Dr. Taraud, explored various neighborhoods in Paris through historical and sociological walks. They examined how different communities came to settle in these areas and how France’s colonial history influenced these migrations.

Games and play are powerful tools for learning, especially when it comes to language acquisition. This site represents the culmination of years of collaboration with many adventurous, creative and generous students and student-teachers. Together, they have explored the potential of games for learning French and the significance of playful approaches in language education.