French

Undergraduate Programs

Description

The undergraduate French degree programs serve students who are seeking high proficiency in French language and cultural studies. Program courses focus on real-world communication skills, and our instructors promote a student-centered, immersion-based learning environment that encourages the open exchange of ideas, instills awareness of cultural differences, and encourages a deeper understanding of events, institutions, and traditions. Students are asked to reflect on the nature and value of literary, cinematic, and artistic works as part of a larger inquiry into the making of cultures. Coursework fosters self-awareness and respect for others through reading and discussion, and offers opportunities for interaction with a wide variety of people, products, and perspectives from France, Canada, Western Africa, and numerous other countries and regions in which French is an official or commonly spoken language. 

Majors

 Program Locations Total Credits
French BA BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • Mankato
 120
French BS BS - Bachelor of Science
  • Mankato
 120

Minors

 Program Locations Total Credits
French Minor 24

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission to Major is granted by the department. Minimum University admission requirements are:

  • a minimum of 32 earned semester credit hours.
  • a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (“C”).

Contact the department for application procedures.

GPA Policy. A grade of “C-” or better must be earned for major or minor credit.

P/N Grading Policy. Work done for a major or minor must be done for a letter grade beyond the second-year level. A grade of P must be earned for major or minor credit in all work done on a P/N basis.

Proficiency Policies. Students who wish to receive credit by examination may take tests to have their proficiency evaluated. Students may not take a proficiency test for a course in which they are enrolled. The department reserves the right to deny admission to courses for those students whom a faculty member determines to have mastered the material already. 

Fulfilling BA Language Requirement. Students who wish to validate the BA Language requirement for previous study in French, German, Spanish, Swedish or Norwegian may do so by taking a credit by exam (see above section). Students do not meet the BA language requirement merely because they have taken two years of high school language.

Residency Requirement. Transfer credits will be applied only if they are the equivalent of work offered by the Department of World Languages & Cultures for the major or minor in that language. In addition, a minimum of work must be taken at Minnesota State Mankato as follows: Major: a minimum of three upper division courses other than Independent or Individual Study, for a total of at least 8 credits. At least two of these courses must be at the 400 level. Minor: a minimum of two upper division courses other than Independent or Individual Study, for a total of at least six credits. 

Courses not required for a student’s specific baccalaureate degree should be chosen according to these general guidelines: 

  • BA: Emphasis on literature in upper-division courses; students will most likely pursue their education beyond the baccalaureate level.
  • BS: Emphasis on the ability to communicate in the language; presupposes knowledge of culture and civilization; students frequently have career goals in other disciplines for which a language is either required or recommended.
  • BS French Education: Emphasis on communication (four skills plus culture and language analysis). 

Contact Information

227 Armstrong Hall

(507) 389-2116
https://www.mnsu.edu/languages/french/

Faculty

Director
  • Evan Bibbee, Ph.D.
Graduate Coordinator
  • Evan Bibbee, Ph.D.
TA Supervisor
  • Gregory Taylor, Ph.D.
Faculty

100 Level

Credits: 5

An introduction, within a cultural context, to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 5

An introduction, within a cultural context, to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Prereq: FREN 101 or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 101 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

200 Level

Credits: 4

Grammar review, oral practice, written composition and development of reading and listening skills within a cultural context. Prereq: One year university French or equivalent

Prerequisites: One year university French or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Grammar review, oral practice, written composition and development of reading and listening skills within a cultural context. Prereq: FREN 201 or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

N/A

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Visits to the major churches, cathedrals, castles, monuments, museums and neighborhoods in and around Paris. Prereq: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 101, FREN 102, or equivalent 

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Practice in intermediate-level conversational skills. Prereq: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 101, FREN 102, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-3

Introduction to contemporary French civilization. Prereq: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 101, FREN 102, or equivalent 

Credits: 1

Preparation for study in France.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Systematic development of conversational idiom and vocabulary. Intensive work on pronunciation. May be taken by majors and minors up to three times. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 4

This course explores a wide range of cultural topics such as race, gender, human rights, social conflict, mythology, imaginary worlds, etc. Topics vary every semester and will be explored from a global perspective involving at least 4 cultures (e.g. Dakota, German, Francophone, Scandinavian, Hispanic, Lusophone, etc.). The course is taught in English and exposes students to international and diverse points of view that prepare them to be global citizens.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 101, FREN 102, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Topics will vary.

Prerequisites: none

300 Level

Credits: 3

Systematic review of French vocabulary. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 2-4

Review of grammar and vocabulary. Practice in descriptive, narrative, and expository prose. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 3

Systematic review of French grammar. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Social, political, and economic trends in contemporary France. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 4

N/A

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

The course is designed to help advanced Spanish students identify similarities and differences between Spanish and Portuguese and begin developing Portuguese productive language skills and cultural competency through comparative practice.

Prerequisites: SPAN 201W. Completion of one 300 level Spanish course or equivalent intermediate-midproficiency level of Spanish for admission to the course. See department for language proficiency evaluation information or instructor permission.

Credits: 1-3

Visits to the major churches, cathedrals, castles, monuments, museums and neighborhoods in and around Paris. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-3

Practice in descriptive and narrative prose. Acquisition of grammatical structures and vocabulary beyond the intermediate sequence. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Practice in conversational skills. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-3

Introduction to contemporary French civilization. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Introduction to basic concepts associated with French business practices. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-3

Development of listening comprehension and pronunciation through the use of tapes, videos, films, compact discs, and other recorded materials. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 2-4

A study of the sound system in French. Intensive oral practice. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 3

A beginning literature course designed to teach students to read with understanding and critical ability. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

Intensive practice in advanced conversational skills. May be repeated for credit. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent

Credits: 0

Curricular practical training for World Languages and Cultures is a full-time practical experience in a professional setting in which more than one language is used. The experience is designed to allow students to improve overall communicative proficiency in languages and address business practices associated with the students academic field of expertise. The Co-Op experience covers a minimum of two consecutive academic terms and requires that students register for a minimum of two consecutive academic terms following the experience.

Prerequisites: none

400 Level

Credits: 3-4

Survey of historical, philosophical, literary and artistic development of France from the beginning to the present. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 2-4

Systematic review of French grammar. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 2-4

Study of current vocabulary, terminology and practices used in the business world. Study of developments affecting the French business, industrial and agricultural communities. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 2-4

Study of France's position in the European Economic Community and of the development of French business law with emphasis on the obligations and rights of business people, the classification and organization of the various types of companies, the emission of contracts and other documents. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-3

Visits to the major churches, cathedrals, castles, monuments, museums and neighborhoods in and around Paris. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent

Credits: 1-4

Practice in advanced conversation skills. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-3

In-depth study of different aspects of contemporary French civilization. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

In-depth study of an author, genre, movement, theme or period. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

A study of the major authors, works and movements of two successive centuries of French literature. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

A study of the major authors, works and movements of two successive centuries of French literature. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

A study of the major authors, works and movements of two successive centuries of French literature. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 3

Introduction to theory and practice of modern language teaching, including lessons in listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and culture. Includes testing, program design, lesson planning, and use of technology. Prereq: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. Fall

Prerequisites: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. 

Credits: 1

A field experience including placement in the secondary level school setting for students earning licensure in modern language teaching. Practicum students work with middle or high school students of French, German, or Spanish. Take concurrently with or following WLC 460.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to theory and practice of modern language teaching for children grades K-6, including oral language development, second language literacy development, content-based language instruction, and techniques for language immersion programs. Prereq: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation.

Prerequisites: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. 

Credits: 1

A field experience including placement in the elementary level school setting for students earning licensure in modern language teaching. Practicum students work with elementary school students in French, German, or Spanish. Take concurrently with or following WLC 462.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Topics in modern language education. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Topics will vary. Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Prereq: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent

Prerequisites: FREN 201, FREN 202, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Special topics in language education. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none