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  • French and Francophone Studies

    French is spoken in 44 countries by approximately 200 million people; this represents 12% of the world GDP and 20% of world trade. A major in French and Francophone studies offers the linguistic, cultural and intellectual training students need for an increasingly globalized future. In addition, the major forges links between the present and the past, as it encourages students to explore the exceptionally rich humanistic tradition of France and the Francophone world from the Middle Ages through the modern period.

    About This Major

    Overview

    A major in French and Francophone studies offers an excellent base for diverse careers including banking, business, diplomacy, government, journalism, international relations, political science, European Union issues and translation. Participation in UF study-abroad programs or a UF approved program is highly encouraged.

    The program allows each student the flexibility to explore a variety of disciplines within the major and to design an individual course of study to reflect a particular interest in business, cinema, culture, language, linguistics or literature.

    Coursework for the Major

    The major consists of 32 credits, beginning with FRE 3300 French Grammar and Composition, and features courses in French language, culture (including film) and literary studies.

    Required Coursework

    • Two composition courses: FRE 3300 French Grammar and Composition and
      FRE 3320 French Composition and Stylistics (6 credits)
    • One 3000-level culture course: FRE 3500 France Through the Ages or
      FRE 3502 Francophone Cultures or
      FRE 3564 Contemporary French Culture (3 credits)
    • One 3000-level literature course: FRW 3100 Introduction to French Literature 1 or
      FRW 3101 Introduction to French Literature 2 (3 credits)
    • One 4000-level linguistics course: FRE 4850 Introduction to the Structure of French or
      FRE 4780 French Phonetics or
      FRE 4822 Sociolinguistics of French (3 credits)
    • One Senior Seminar: FRW 4932 Rotating Topics, offered spring only (3 credits)
    • Two or more 4000-level French courses (6 credits)
    • Three or more 3000/4000-level courses (8 credits)

    Students must also satisfactorily complete an assignment in a 4000-level course that includes the written analysis of a text according to its cultural, literary and/or linguistic content (text analyzed and the analysis will be in French) and an oral presentation/discussion conducted in French.

    A maximum of two 3000/4000-level FRT course may apply to the major. Transfer students will normally be expected to take at least four 4000-level French courses at the University of Florida. Graduating seniors must participate in the senior seminar.

    Overseas Studies

    French and Francophone studies majors and minors are encouraged to study abroad for a summer or a semester. Students regularly participate in UF Programs in Paris or UF-approved study-abroad programs in other regions of France or in the francophone world. Students also can consider the opportunities offered with UF's reciprocal exchange agreements with Rennes II and Sciences Po. Students in approved overseas study programs can earn up to 15 credits beyond the 120 credits required for graduation. Refer to UF International Center information and contact a department adviser.

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    Placement

    Students with previous training should take the SAT II language examination before registering. Students with SAT II scores should consult the SAT II charts in this catalog. For more information on placement, refer to testing and evaluation information from Academic Technology.

    • Students with previous study or experience in French should enroll in FRE 1134 or use standardized French examination scores (SAT II, AICE, AP, CLEP or IB) to determine their appropriate placement in a higher-level course. Such students cannot enroll in FRE 1130 or 1131.
    • Any student who has lived in a French-speaking country for more than a year or who is francophone must consult a department adviser before enrolling in any FRE course.

    Research

    Students with an upper-division GPA of 3.5 are encouraged to write a thesis for high or highest honors at graduation. Students planning to major in French and Francophone studies should see a department adviser before registering.

    Critical Tracking

    To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

    Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

    Semester 1

    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 2

    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 3

    • Complete FRE 1130 or higher-level French course
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 4

    • Complete FRE 1131 or maintain higher-level French course with 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 5

    • Complete FRE 2220 or a higher-level French course with 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
    • 2.0 UF GPA required
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    Recommended Semester Plan

    Students are expected to complete the writing requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

    Semester 1 Credits
    FRE 1134 Accelerated French Review or FRE 1130 Beginning French 1* 5
    Biological Science (GE-B) 3
    Composition (GE-C, WR) 3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) 3
    Total 14
    Semester 2 Credits
    FRE 1131 Beginning French 2 or
    FRE 1134 Accelerated French Review
    5
    HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H)​ 3​
    Mathematics (GE-M) 3
    Physical Science (GE-P) 3
    Science laboratory (GE-P or B) 1
    Total 15
    Semester 3 Credits
    FRE 2220 Intermediate French 1 4
    Electives 3
    Mathematics (GE-M) 3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) 6
    Total 16
    Semester 4 Credits
    FRE 2221 Intermediate French 2 4
    Electives 4
    Humanities (GE-H) ** 3
    Physical Science (GE-P) 3
    Total 14
    Semester 5 Credits
    FRE 3300 Grammar and Composition 1 3
    FRW 3100 Introduction to French Literature 1 (GE-H and N) or
    French literature course, 3000 level
    3
    Composition (GE-C, WR) 3
    French courses, 3000 level
    (FRE 3780L recommended to improve pronunciation)
    5-6
    Total 14-15
    Semester 6 Credits
    FRE 3320 Composition and Stylistics 3
    FRE 3500 France Through the Ages (GE-H and N) or
    FRE 3502 Francophone Cultures (GE-H and N) or
    FRE 3564 Contemporary French Culture (GE-H and N)
    3
    FRE/FRW/FRT electives, 3000 level or above 5
    Biological Science (GE-B) 3
    Elective, 3000 level or above, not in major 3
    Total 17
    Semester 7 Credits
    FRE 4780 Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology or
    FRE 4850 Introduction to Structure of French or
    FRE 4822 Sociolinguistics of French
    3
    FRE/FRW French course, 3000 level or above 3
    FRW French course, 4000 level 3
    Electives, 3000 level or above, not in major 6
    Total 15
    Semester 8 Credits
    FRE/FRW French course, 4000 level 3
    FRW 4932 Senior Seminar in French Literature 3
    Electives, 3000 level or above, not in major 9
    Total 15

    * Freshmen entering with previous studies in French will begin at a more advanced level. Refer to the academic advising section for placement information. Students, who by virtue of their placement examinations are enrolled in a course higher than their standing, are exempt from the requirements of that particular plan.

    ** At least two of the French courses chosen should be general education humanities and international (GE-H and N) courses.

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majors: french