French, B.A.

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The purpose of the French major is to enable students to attain an advanced level of competency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and to provide them with a comprehensive knowledge of the historic and contemporary culture and institutions of France and the Francophone world. The French language is studied not as an end in itself, but as a vehicle for students' broader and more informed participation in their chosen fields. Students who study French at SSU also have the option of completing a portion of the course work in France (Paris or Aix-en-Provence) or in Canada, and should visit the International Programs Office for details.

Note: Students should note the prerequisites for upper-division courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

Ability to understand spoken French, read a wide variety of texts written in French, and communicate effectively in French orally and in writing;
Appreciation and knowledge of the French culture;
Appreciation and knowledge of French literature;
Appreciation and knowledge of the francophone world, cultures and literatures (including an understanding of norms, values and beliefs of areas where the target language is used, as well as recognition of key social and cultural traditions);
Ability to respond in culturally appropriate ways in a variety of common situations in the target language;
Ability to use state-of-the-art technology to access realia, that is, authentic documents in the target culture;
Knowledge of phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics of the French language.

Degree Requirements

See the “Degree Requirements ” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (48 units).

See the “General Education Program ” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements. Some major requirements may double count for GE requirements.

Major Requirements

Complete the following 32 units:

FR 202 - Oral French Unit(s): 4
FR 300 - Introduction to Literary Analysis and Critical Writing Unit(s): 4
FR 320 - France Yesterday Unit(s): 4
FR 321 - France Today Unit(s): 4
FR 410 - French Literature Unit(s): 4
FR 411 - French Literature Unit(s): 4
FR 415 - Special Topics in French Culture Unit(s): 4
FR 475 - Senior Seminar Unit(s): 4

Additional Language Requirement

All students obtaining a B.A. degree in French shall take at least one course in a language other than English or French.

Units

Total units in the major: 35

Program Roadmaps

First-Year Advising Guide

Sample Four-Year Program

French, B.A.

Variations are easily accommodated in the sequencing of GE requirements, but should be made in consultation with an advisor. Note that courses designated as “elective or minor” total 38 units and could easily accommodate a second major (depending on the selected double major, which might require one or two additional courses). Careful planning and early identification of a second major make this feasible. A variation would be to complete the junior or senior year in the CSU International Program, meeting some upper-division French requirements in a single year, and completing the second major in the other upper-division year at SSU.

* Either B1 or B3 must have a lab.

** Counts as C3.

*** Important to take World History before upper-division French.

**** Can be an early prerequisite for business majors or minors, and might be taken earlier, or later, for those who decide at a later date on an internationally-oriented career other than business.

§ Advantage of taking D3 and D4 together: understanding the U.S. Constitution in connection with U.S. history.