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.

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.

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

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).

* 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.