French
Today’s interconnected world generates the need to be able to communicate in more than one language. As networks of international cooperation and exchange grow in complexity, particularly among governments and businesses, those who possess foreign language competence become increasingly valuable. Moreover, it has been shown that learning a second language can improve one’s overall writing and speaking ability.
Career Directions
Experience has shown that many students, with or without declared modern language majors or minors, find a second language background especially useful when combined with preparation in another professional field. Examples include public relations, journalism, TV and radio broadcasting, hotel management, publishing and editing, government service, banking, and management.
One of the more promising occupational fields for language students has been international business. Individuals with foreign language skills are finding increased opportunities with multinational corporations, especially in management and marketing. Many companies with international ties recruit candidates possessing linguistic training because they recognize its correlation with effective verbal and written communication. Regardless of their specific majors, students are encouraged to contact the department for information and advice on career application of foreign language skills.
Students wishing to prepare for high school teaching should make this intention known to the School of Education and to the Department of Modern Languages to make certain that the requirements for state certification are met. Competitiveness and flexibility in the job market tend to be greater if certification can be obtained in two or more different areas.
Major Requirements
Major: French
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 120
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
- A list of approved general education courses is available here .
- General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (C) | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (R) † | 3 | |
| Science and Technology (S) † | 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts (A) † | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) † | 6 | |
| Wellness (W) † | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D) *† | ||
| Global Perspectives (G) *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category. |
| † | May be satisfied with courses required in the major. Review major requirements to determine if a specific upper division writing course is required. |
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree – The completion of a minor program of study, a second major, or a second degree is required.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree – Second year language proficiency at college level required.
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences College Requirements
An additional 9 credits are required by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for all Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs of study, except the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree, and the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AH&SS College Requirements | ||
Courses used to satisfy any general education requirement cannot be used to also count toward the AH&SS College Requirements. A minimum of three credits is required in each of the 3 following areas for a total of 9 credits. Choose only those courses with the prefixes listed for each area. A course with the WGS prefix can only be used in one area. | ||
| Area One: Humanities | 3 | |
ARB, ENGL, FREN, GERM, HIST, HUM, PHIL, RELS, SPAN, or WGS | ||
| Area Two: Social Sciences | 3 | |
ANTH, CJ, COMM, EMGT, POLS, SOC, or WGS | ||
| Area Three: Fine Arts | 3 | |
ARCH, ART, ENVD, LA, MUSC, or THEA | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Major Requirements
- A minimum grade of "B" is required for all FREN courses counted toward the major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| French Major Requirements | ||
| Of the 28 credits required for the French major, 15 must be NDSU resident credits in addition to the capstone (i.e. cannot be taken Tri-College or study abroad). Note: Other University-wide residency requirements will apply. | ||
| Required Core Courses: | ||
| FREN 311 | French Conversation and Composition I | 3 |
| FREN 312 | French Conversation and Composition II | 3 |
| FREN 315 | Contemporary France | 3 |
| FREN 350 | Introduction to French Linguistics and Pronunciation | 3 |
| FREN 401 | Approaches to Literature | 3 |
| Elective Courses: Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| The French-Speaking World | ||
| Women in French Literature | ||
| Studies in Language and Style | ||
| Advanced Conversation Through Contemporary Culture | ||
| Translation: Practice and Theory | ||
| French Literature & Culture before 1800 | ||
| French Literature & Culture since 1800 | ||
| Themes & Topics in French Literature & Culture | ||
| Genres in French Literature | ||
| One Year of a Second Language | ||
| A minimum of one year of a second foreign language is required, with grades of ‘C’ or better in both semesters. | 8 | |
| Ancillary Courses: | 6 | |
| Choose at least two courses. Consult department or adviser for current list of approved ancillary electives. Western Civilization, History of Europe or Africa, World Literature, or any area of linguistics. Courses selected from current General Education course list may count here. | ||
| Study Abroad & Capstone Experience: | ||
| FREN 492 | Study Abroad (Requires a minimum of one semester-14 weeks at 300+ level in a program pre-approved by the Modern Languages Dept.) | 1-15 |
| FREN 489 | Senior Thesis (Consult dept/adviser semester before enrolling) | 1 |
| Total Credits | 43-57 | |
Minor Requirements
French Minor
Minor Requirements
Required Credits: 18
- A minimum grade of B is required for all courses used for the French minor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| FREN 311 | French Conversation and Composition I | 3 |
| FREN 312 | French Conversation and Composition II | 3 |
| FREN 315 | Contemporary France | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to French Linguistics and Pronunciation | ||
| Studies in Language and Style | ||
| Advanced Conversation Through Contemporary Culture | ||
| Electives: Select 2 courses from the following or what wasn’t used above: | 6 | |
| The French-Speaking World | ||
| Women in French Literature | ||
| Translation: Practice and Theory | ||
| Approaches to Literature | ||
| French Literature & Culture before 1800 | ||
| French Literature & Culture since 1800 | ||
| Themes & Topics in French Literature & Culture | ||
| Genres in French Literature | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Minor Requirements and Notes
- A minimum of 9 credits must be taken at NDSU. Courses may not be taken Tri-College or study abroad.
