ABOUT US
- NEW: French and Francophone Studies, Minor
- We offer a BA and a Minor in French
- We are a diverse French program, with courses in francophonie, French literature, culture and language
- We offer study abroad opportunities through the Fresno State study abroad program
French Faculty
French Lecturer
French Major and Minor
Major requirements (30-44 units)
(see Advising Notes 1, 2, and 3 below)
Lower division (14 units)
FREN 1A, 1B; select two from FREN 2A, 2B, 4, 5
(see Advising Notes 3 and 4)
Upper division (30 units)
FREN 103 (6 units), 109 (3 units)
Select three from FREN 110, 111, 112, 113 (9 units)
Select four from FREN 120T (3-6 units), 132 (3-6 units), 149, 150, 160T
(see Advising Notes 4 and 5) (12 units)
General Education requirements (48 units)
(see Advising Notes 2 and 5)
Electives* (25-45 units)
Including other lower- and upper-division French courses, and remaining degree requirements
(see Degree Requirements) may be used toward a double major or a minor.
Total (120 units)
This total indicates that a maximum of two courses (6 units) in G.E. Breadth C2 also
may be applied to the French major: FREN 1B, 2A, and 2B. Consult a French major adviser
for additional details.
Advising Notes
- CR/NC grading is not permitted for courses in the French major.
- Students must receive a minimum grade of C in each upper-division course used toward
the French major.
- French majors who have studied French in high school or who by culture or experience
can speak French at a certain level of proficiency must consult with a French adviser
to determine which required lower-division courses, if any, may be waived. (Also see
Credit Allowance in Foreign Language.) French majors who are eligible to enroll immediately
in FREN 1B, 2A, 2B, 4, 5, or in an upper-division French course are not required to
make up the lower-division units waived. Waiver of required units for the major does
not reduce the total number of units required for the awarding of the bachelor's degree.
- Only 3 units of courses taught in English may be applied to the French major.
- A maximum of two courses from one department may be used simultaneously to satisfy
the General Education requirement and the major requirements. If the French major
is the secondary major in a double major (see double major), this limitation does
not apply. Consult a faculty adviser for additional details.
- Students majoring in French cannot count French courses for G.E. Integration IC.
For more information:
Degree/Program Information in General Catalog
French and Francophone Studies, Minor
Are you interested in French and Francophone history, literature, fashion and cinema?
The new minor is for you. Complemennt your current major with cultural competency
and show that you are open to the world.
Lower-division Courses
FREN 1B. Elementary French (4 units)
FREN 2A. French for Communication (3 units)
FREN 2B. French for Communication (2 units)
FREN 5. Conversation (3 units)
Upper-division courses (9-12 units) taught in English
FREN 109. French Literature, Culture, and Society from the Middle Ages to Today (3
units)
- Intellectual background of major literary movements and representative authors from
the earliest period to present.
FREN 124. The French Esthetic (3 units)
- Analysis of French etiquette, culture, cuisine and fashion through an exploration
of French values, family structores and daily life.
FREN 125. French and Francophone Film (3 units)
- Analysis of French themes and culture through French-language films.
FREN 149. Voices of Africa (3 units)
- Study of representative works by such writers as Achebe, Senghor, and Mphahlele which
reveal the attitues of modern Africans towards their land, traditions, and their encounter
with the 20th century world.
French Courses
French courses are offered to help meet G.E. and can be used toward a Minor or a Major
in French.
Lower Division Courses
FREN 1A. Elementary French (4 units)
Beginning course in conversational and written French. Not open to students with two
or more years of high school French credit.
FREN 1B. Elementary French (4 units)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. FREN 1A or permission of instructor recommended.
Second semester course in conversational and written French. Not open to those with
three or more years of high school French credit. G.E. Breadth C2.
FREN 2A. French for Communication (3 units)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2; FREN 1B or equivalent recommended. Second year course
that emphasizes speaking and reading. Reviews basic French grammar. G.E. Breadth C2.
FREN 2B. French for Communication (3 units)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. FREN 2A or equivalent recommended. Second year course
that emphasizes speaking and reading skills. G.E. Breadth C2.
FREN 4. Reading and Writing (3 units)
Recommended: FREN 2B or equivalent. Opportunity to increase reading and writing skills
in preparation for upper-division coursework in French.
FREN 5. Conversation (3; max total 6 units)
Recommended: FREN 2A or equivalent. May be taken concurrently with FREN 2A or 4. Development
of listening and speaking skills. Exclusive use of French in an in formal class atmosphere.
Conversations on assigned topics, extemporaneous discussions.
Upper Division Courses
*Please note, these courses are not in numeral order, but in Area order. Be sure,
if searching for a particular course number, you are looking in the correct Area of
study.
AREA I. Language and Culture
FREN 103. Advanced Grammar
and Composition (3; max total 6 units)
Recommended: two semesters of Intermediate French. To be taken twice for the major.
Written assignments in French on varied topics with emphasis on composition. Written
exercises in French on specific points of grammar. (Fall semester)
FREN 120T. Topics in French Civilization (3; max total 6 units if no topic repeated)
Recommended: FREN 103 or permission of instructor. Possible topics: French contributions
to Western Civilization (art, music, architecture, history, science). Special emphasis
on contemporary France. The history of Anglo-French and Franco-American relations.
Linguistic, cultural, intellectual, political, commercial, and diplomatic similarities
and differences explored. Taught in French.
FREN 132. French Phonology and
Structural Analysis (3; max total 6 units)
Recommended: completion of one semester of FREN 103. As a progression toward mastery,
an investigation of the French language as a functioning code of verbal communication.
Relationships of oral/written aspects and contrasts with American English. Intensive
drill on individual pronunciation problems.
FREN 150. Advanced Conversation (3 units)
Recommended: two semesters of Intermediate French. Intensive practice in oral expression
in French. Emphasis on current affairs in France.
AREA II. Literature
FREN 109. French Literature, Culture, and Society from the Middle Ages to Today (3
units)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area C. Two semesters of intermediate recommended.
French. Intellectual background of major literary movements and represen-tative authors
from the earliest period to the present. Selected readings. Taught in French. (Fall
semester) G.E. Integration IC.
FREN 110. French Theater (3 units)
Recommended: FREN 109. Drama in France from the Renaissance to the present, with emphasis
on the 17th and 20th centuries. Reading and discussion of representative works.
FREN 111. The French Novel (3 units)
Recommended: FREN 109. The novel as a reflection of French society. Analysis of major
works from various periods.
FREN 112. French Prose: Essay and Short Story (3 units)
Recommended: FREN 109. Analysis of prose works by such authors as Montaigne, Voltaire,
Maupassant, Camus, Sartre.
FREN 113. French Poetry (3 units)
Recommended: FREN 109. Introductory course in poetry as a genre; principles of French
versification. Students will be exposed to major contributions of the French in poetry.
Thematic and/or chronological presentations (movements, "isms").
FREN 149. Voices of Africa (3 units)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area C. Study of representative works by
such writers as Achebe, Senghor, and Mphahlele which reveal the attitudes of modern
Africans toward their land, their traditions, and their encounter with the 20th century
world. Course taught in English. G.E. Integration IC.
FREN 160T. Selected Topics in French Studies
(1-3; max total 6 units if no topic repeated)
Recommended: FREN 103 or permission of instructor. Topics chosen from French literature
(genre, themes, movements), from French linguistics (History of the Language; Contrastive
Analysis: English/French), or French Culture and Civilization.
FREN 190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6 units)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for RP grading.