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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.
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 Credits39
*

 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:

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: Humanities3
ARB, ENGL, FREN, GERM, HIST, HUM, PHIL, RELS, SPAN, or WGS
Area Two: Social Sciences3
ANTH, CJ, COMM, EMGT, POLS, SOC, or WGS
Area Three: Fine Arts3
ARCH, ART, ENVD, LA, MUSC, or THEA
Total Credits9

Major Requirements

  • A minimum grade of "B" is required for all FREN courses counted toward the major.
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 311French Conversation and Composition I3
FREN 312French Conversation and Composition II3
FREN 315Contemporary France3
FREN 350Introduction to French Linguistics and Pronunciation3
FREN 401Approaches to Literature3
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 492Study 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 489Senior Thesis (Consult dept/adviser semester before enrolling)1
Total Credits43-57

Minor Requirements

French Minor

Minor Requirements

Required Credits: 18

  • A minimum grade of B is required for all courses used for the French minor.
Core Requirements
FREN 311French Conversation and Composition I3
FREN 312French Conversation and Composition II3
FREN 315Contemporary France3
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 Credits18

Minor Requirements and Notes

  • A minimum of 9 credits must be taken at NDSU.  Courses may not be taken Tri-College or study abroad.