French Minor
The French minor program can enable students to achieve a reasonable proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The program also introduces students to French literature and culture. Graduates have found their foreign-language education particularly useful in a number of professional and business careers including education, health services, and government.
Degree Requirements
The minor in French requires a minimum of five (5) course credits, as follows:
Required Core Course
| FRN 103 | Introduction to French III | 1 Course Credit |
If a student waives
FRN 103 by means of a placement test, the student has to take an additional 200 or 300-level FRN course to complete the five required courses.
Required Distribution Courses
Four (4) additional course credits in FRN above the 103 level, as specified by the Foreign Languages Department, a maximum of one of which may be taken in English.
Exploring the Minor — Students interested in French as a minor should complete or waive FRN 101 and FRN 102 during their first year. Those who have had previous experience with French should contact the faculty who teach French for a waiver interview, which will determine their appropriate entry-level course.
Admission to the Minor — To be admitted to this minor, students must complete FRN 103 or a higher-level course taught in French with a grade of C or higher.
Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms) — Whether starting with FRN 101 or at a higher level, prospective French minors should begin taking FRN courses as soon as possible. Unless waived, all introductory courses (FRN 101, FRN 102, FRN 103) must be taken in sequence. After completion of FRN 103, students may take FRN 300, FRN 310, and courses above FRN 310 in any order.
Proficiency Requirements for the Minor — A grade of C or higher in each required FRN course is required for continuation in the minor. In addition to specified course requirements, each student must satisfy departmental standards for written and oral communication. Minors must meet all departmental requirements, including a B- average (2.8 GPA) in French, in order to receive financial support from the Department to study abroad.
Other Considerations in the Minor —The Department offers financial assistance for French minors who wish to study abroad. Acceptance into the minor neither requires nor guarantees a term abroad. Nevertheless, minors are encouraged strongly to study abroad during a summer term in a French-speaking country. The program must be approved by the foreign-language faculty which advises students in selecting the proper program and in applying for scholarships.