BA in French
The Department offers a major in French with two different tracks: Literary Studies and French Studies.
The Department also offers three different options for a French Minor: French Minor, French Language Minor and a French Studies Minor.
Policies
Beginning courses (101-102) are both for true beginners who have never studied French before as well as students with a background in French who are not sure of their exact proficiency level. These students are advised to take the Placement Test offered in the Department before the beginning of classes each semester. The Office of Prior Learning Assessment in conjunction with the French Section helps to evaluate students with varied language backgrounds, such as foreign or Franco-American students to determine their level of competency and whether it is appropriate to waive specific requirements or grant credit. FRE 470 Independent Study is offered only under exceptional and extraordinary circumstances. It cannot replace a regularly offered course. All French majors must achieve grades of B or better for at least 12 credits in their major. No grade of D will count toward fulfillment of the major. Concerning graduation requirements, all students need 120 credits, which include 45 credits for the French major and successful completion of the Core requirements. Students should be aware of the Core requirements as detailed in the undergraduate catalog and should note that a number of the courses for the French major count for the Core requirements as well.
The Department grants credit in French to an enrolled student who presents evidence of competency in the language by receiving a score of 3 or above on the appropriate Advanced Placement Examination Board. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams are used for either course-equivalency or elective credits. For more details, contact the chair of the Department.
Students are also urged to get extra practice in French by participating in informal conversation tables sponsored by the Department. Tutoring is available, often at no cost to the student. For information, see the Department assistant.
State of Maine certification for foreign language teachers requires 30 credits at the level 300 and above for the first language and 18 credits at the level 300 and above for the second language.
All major programs in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures require that the student fulfill the requirements of the Core curriculum.
Courses & Requirements
The minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core curriculum) required for the major: 39 credits.
Track 1 Literary Studies
Requirements
A. Language Classes (21 credits)
7 Language courses among the following:
FRE 201-202 2nd year French (8)
FRE 301-302 3rd year French (6)
FRE 303 Thème et Version (3)
FRE 305 French Phonetics (3)
FRE 330 The Art of Writing (3)
B. French Civilization (6 credits)
2 courses in French or Francophone civilization, among the following:
FRE 291I French Civilization I (3)
FRE 292I French Civilization II (3)
FRE 293 Topics in French/Francophone Cinema (3)
FRE 294 Topics and Themes in Francophone Studies (3)
C. French Literature (12 credits)
3 300-level French courses, including FRE 331 and 2 courses in literature (FRE 367, FRE 369, FRE 399) (9 credits)
1 400-level French course, including FRE 475 (3 credits)
FRE 331 Workshop in French Literary Analysis (3)
FRE 367 Genres and Periods in French Literature (3)
FRE 369 Topics and Themes in French Literature (3)
FRE 467 Genres and Periods in French Literature (3)
FRE 469 Topics and Themes in French Literature (3)
FRE 475 Capstone in French (3)
*FRE 399 may be substituted for FRE 367 or FRE 369 when offered.
Subsitutions or alternatives to these curricular offerings may be considered by the French Section as appropriate.
Track 2 French Studies
Requirements
A. Language Courses (15 credits)
5 courses among the following:
FRE 201-202 2nd year French (8)
FRE 301-302 3rd year French (6)
FRE 303 Thème et Variation (3)
FRE 305 French Phonetics (3)
FRE 330 The Art of Writing (3)
B. Civilization (6 credits)
2 courses in French or Francophone civilization or electives, among the following:
FRE 291 French Civilization I (3)
FRE 292 French Civilization II (3)
FRE 293 Topics in French/Francophone Cinema (3)
FRE 294 Topics and Themes in Francophone Studies (3)
C. Electives (9 credits)
3 courses of electives, among the following:
ARH 322 Medieval Art (3)
ARH 323 Renaissance Art (3)
ARH 324 17th and 18th Art (3)
ARH 326 19th European Art (3)
ARH 327 Modern Art (3)
ARH 328 Contemporary Art (3)
ENG 354 Studies in Medieval Literature and Culture (3)
(when topic deals with France and England)
HTY 311 Medieval Civilization (3)
HTY 312 Renaissance and Reformation (3)
HTY 313 French Revolution and Napoleon (3)
HUM 301I French North America (3)
HUM 310I French Settlement in the Northeast (3)
POS 205 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3)
POS 245 French Politics (3)
POS 380 Issues Before the United Nations (3)
POS 335 Politics in Western Europe (3)
POS 405 The European Union (3)
POS 406 Research in the European Union (3)
D. Literature (6 credits)
2 300-level French courses in literature, FRE 331 (required) and 1 of the following: FRE 367, FRE 369 or FRE 399 when offered:
FRE 331 Workshop in Literary Analysis (3)
FRE 367 Genres and Periods in French Literature (3)
FRE 369 Topics and Themes in French Literature (3)
E. Capstone (3 credits)
FRE 475 Capstone in French (3)
Strongly Recommended courses for both Tracks 1 and 2;
LIN 185J Language, Mind, and Society (3)
Full-year or semester-abroad program
Subsitutions or alternatives to these curricular offerings may be considered by the French Section as appropriate.
French Minors
French Minor
Fifteen credits total, including FRE 301, 302; 1-2 courses in civilization (FRE 291I, 292I, 293 or 294) and 1-2 courses in literature (FRE 331, 367, 369, 467, 469)
FRE 301 Practical French I (3 credits)
FRE 302 Practical French II (3 credits)
FRE 291I French Civilization I (3 credits)
FRE 292I French Civilization II (3 credits)
FRE 293 Topics in French/Francophone Cinema (3 credits)
FRE 294 Topics & Themes in Francophone Cultural Studies (3 credits)
FRE 331 Workshop in Literary Analysis (3 credits)
FRE 367 Genres and Periods in French Literature (3 credits)
FRE 369 Topics & Themes in French Literature (3 credits)
FRE 467 Seminar in Genres and Periods in French Literature (3 credits)
FRE 469 Seminar in Topics & Themes in French Literature (3 credits)
French Language Minor
Fifteen credits total, including FRE 201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 305
FRE 201 Intermediate French I (4 credits)
FRE 202 Intermediate French II (4 credits)
FRE 301 Practical French I (3 credits)
FRE 302 Practical French II (3 credits)
FRE 303 Theme et variation (3 credits)
FRE 305 Phonetics (3 credits)
French Studies Minor
Fifteen credits total, including 2 of the following courses (FRE 291, 292, 293, 294) and 3 of the following:
ARH 322 Medieval Art (3 credits)
ARH 323 Renaissance Art (3 credits)
ARH 324 17th & 18th Century Art (3 credits)
ARH 326 19th Century European Art (3 credits)
ARH 327 Modern Art (3 credits)
ARH 328 Contemporary Art (3 credits)
ENG 354 Studies in Medieval Literature & Culture (when topic deals with France and England) (3 credits)
HTY 311 Medieval Civilization (3 credits)
HTY 312 Renaissance and Reformation (3 credits)
HTY 313 French Revolution and Napolean (3 credits)
HUM 301I French North America (3 credits)
HUM 310I French Settlement in the Northeast (3 credits)
POS 205 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)
POS 245 French Politics (3 credits)
POS 380 Issues Before the United Nations (3 credits)
POS 335 Politics in Western Europe (3 credits)
POS 405 The European Union (3 credits)
POS 406 Research in the European Union (3 credits)
USM Social Dashboard »
Check out our new Social Dashboard to see other ways to stay connected across the USM community.