French and Francophone Studies Major
The French and Francophone Studies program is comprised of four levels that follow a logical progression, from elementary (FREN 101 and 102 ), to intermediate (FREN 201 and FREN 202), to transitional (300-level courses) to advanced (400-level courses). The transitional level includes a language component (FREN 301) and preparatory methodology courses designed to bring students’ proficiency to the level of accuracy and clarity required for the 400-level courses.
Prerequisites for each course dictate progression. Students who have reached a certain level may not register for a course at a lower level, and may take a maximum of two 300-level courses beyond FREN 301 to prepare for the 400-level. Majors and minors are encouraged to be well rounded in the discipline by taking a variety of advanced courses in French and Francophone literature, culture, film, and language. If necessary, French courses taken within the Consortium (for example, at Clark University) may count toward the major or minor.
French courses are numbered following a uniform system:
- The first digit of each number refers to the level of instruction: elementary (1), intermediate (2), transitional (3), and advanced (4).
- The second digit indicates the subject matter: language (0), survey (1), literature (2), French culture (3), Francophonie (4), Women Writers (5), African and Caribbean topics (6).
- The last digit indicates the number of courses that exist in a given subject matter. With regard to courses beyond FREN 301, the last digit does not indicate an increasing level of difficulty. For instance, FREN 308 is not more difficult than FREN 302. Similarly, FREN 427 is not more difficult than FREN 421. Note that the digits “99” designate new courses that are offered for the first time in the program. They are neither more advanced nor more difficult than any other course at the same level.
Majors and minors are encouraged to be well rounded in the discipline by taking a variety of advanced courses in literature, culture, film, and language.
Majors and minors should seriously consider spending their junior year at one of Holy Cross’ two sites in France at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon or at the Université de Strasbourg or consult with the Study Abroad Office for opportunities to study in French in West Africa.
Department Advanced Placement Policy
Students with AP credit in French language or literature earn placement in the curriculum but not progress toward the minimum number of courses required by the major. Students who receive a score of 4 or 5 on the French AP exam are not required to complete a language placement exam and can enroll directly in FREN 301, Composition and Conversation. Students with AP credit who take a course below the level of FREN 301 will forfeit the AP credit.
Requirements
A minimum of 10 courses at the intermediate level or above, including the following:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Required language courses or equivalent: | |
| Intermediate French 1 | |
| Intermediate French 2 | |
| Required language course: | |
| French Composition & Conversatn | |
| One required 400-level literature course: | |
| Fiction Writing | |
| One additional 400 level course from the list above or below: | |
| Advanced French | |
| Translation | |
| Masterpieces of French Cinema | |
| Race & Gender in French Cinema | |
| Additional courses from the lists above and below to meet the ten course major requirement: | |
| Approaches To Reading & Writing | |
| Writing Around the Arts | |
| Paris Through the Looking Glass | |
| The Fantastic | |
| Note: At least two French courses must be completed in the fourth year. | |
Courses on French language and linguistics, and/or Francophone literature, film, art, civilization, and history taken in French in Study Abroad programs count toward the major. Courses taken abroad will be transferred (bearing no 300 or 400 level designation) subject to the French coordinator’s approval. Majors who study abroad will be required to take at least six courses at Holy Cross.