French

We prepare our students for success in a diverse and globalized world. Whether your interests include international business, linguistic and cultural enrichment, teaching, federal and foreign service, or graduate studies, French minors and majors develop crucial professional skills in the areas of critical thinking, analysis, problem solving, and interpersonal communication. With opportunities to earn credit toward the major during study abroad in OU's International Programs in France (Angers, Cannes, Lyon, Orléans, or Pau) and Canada (Montreal), students enhance their cross-cultural awareness and develop an ability to think critically about their own cultural practices and beliefs.

Courses cover a variety of topics including literature, cinema, history, translation studies, politics, as well as all aspects of language learning. Many students combine a major or modified major in French with a major in another discipline. Students may also choose to pursue a translation certificate as well as certification to teach at the K-12 level.

Program Overview Meet the French Faculty Apply Now

Information For Majors

French Language and Literature, B.A.

36 credits at the 3000-4000 levels in language, culture and literature, including

FRH 3140 - French Grammar Through Short Stories (4 credits)
FRH 4081 - French Conversation and Phonetics (4 credits)
FRH 3180 - French Creative Writing (4 credits)
FRH 3510 - French Civilization (4 credits)
FRH 3700 - Cinema and Literature from the Francophone World (4 credits)
FRH 3800 - Intro to Great Works of French Literature (4 credits)
One 4000-level literature courses (4 credits)
Two electives at the 3000-4000 level (8 credits)

and two corequisite courses:

LIT 1810 - European Literature before 1850 (4) or LIT 1820 - European Literature after 1850 (4)
FRH 1600 - Cultural Texts from the French and Francophone World (pre-1800) or FRH 1610 - Cultural Texts from the French and Francophone World (post-1800)

Major Requirements

Additional Major in French

Additional majors are available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish for students with any other major at Oakland University. The requirement is a minimum of 24 credits at the 3000-4000 level in the language being studied.

Modified Major in 2 Modern Languages

The requirement is a minimum of 20 credits at the 3000 and 4000 levels in each of two languages. The following courses are required in the given languages, with other courses chosen as electives:

French - FRH 3140 and FRH 3180
German - GRM 3140 and GRM 3160/GRM 3180
Japanese - JPN 3140 and JPN 3180
Spanish - SPN 3140 and SPN 3170

Three collateral courses are required: LIN 2201 and two courses in history or civilization, one in each language area, to be approved by the student's department adviser. LIT 1810 and LIT 1820 are recommended. When one of the languages is Japanese, LIT 1000 with LIT 1810 or LIT 1820 are recommended. Students are strongly advised to complete a minor in a complementary field. Most traditional graduate programs in language and literature will require students in this major to fulfill additional prerequisites in literature.

At least 16 credits of those required for the major in two modern languages must be taken at Oakland University.

Admission to major standing

To be eligible for a major in one or more foreign languages, a student must be admitted to major standing by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. Normally, a student should apply for major standing at the department office after having attained 56 credits and no later than three semesters before graduation. A student planning to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree will be admitted to major standing after completion of 8 credits of language or literature at the 300 level with a minimum grade point average of 2.80.

Pair a French major along with a second major in a field such as political science, history, biology; or elect modified majors in business or economics to make yourself more marketable.

Information for Minors

French Language Minor

Students must complete 20 credits beyond the 115 level, including:

FRH 3140 - French Grammar Through Short Stories (4 credits)
FRH 3180 - French Creative Writing (4 credits)

French Minor Requirements

French Language and Literature Minor

Students must complete a minimum of 20 credits in French at the 2000 level and above, including:

FRH 3700 Cinema and Literature from the Francophone World (4 credits)
FRH 3800 Introduction to Great Works of French Literature (4 credits)

At least 12 credits of those required for the minor in any of the languages must be taken at Oakland University.

French Language and Literature Minor Requirements

Secondary Teaching Minor in French (STEP)

Students must complete a minimum of 20 credits at the 300-400 level, including:

FRH 3140 - French Grammar Through Short Stories (4)
FRH 3180 - French Creative Writing (4)
FRH 3510 - French Civilization (4)
FRH 3700 â€“ Cinema and Literature from the Francophone World (4)
FRH 4081 - French Conversation and Phonetics (4)

French Studies Concentration

8 credits of French language taken at Oakland University

Students must achieve minimally at the 2150 level. Students who place into FRH 2150 will take FRH 2150 and FRH 3140; if they place higher than FRH 2150, they will take FRH 3140 plus 4 credits in a higher level course.

8 credits from the following courses:

LIT 1810 - European Literature I (4)
LIT 1820 - European Literature II (4)
LIT 2510 - Studies in Foreign Film (4)
ML 3900 - Advanced Study of Topics Related to Foreign Languages and Cultures (2 or 4)
LIT 3750 - Topics in Foreign Literature (4) when available

8 credits from the following history courses:

HST 3370 - Europe in the Seventeenth Century (4)
HST 3375 - Europe in the Eighteenth Century (4)
HST 349 - France in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment (4)

4 credits in Art and Art History:

AH 3230 - Gothic Art (4)
AH 3410 - Nineteenth-Century Art (4)
AH 3420 - Modern Art 1900-1945 (4)

This concentration does not constitute a major. Students must elect a major from those offered by the university. Interested students should develop a program in consultation with the coordinator.

French Studies Concentration Requirements

Translation Certificate:

Students may also obtain translation certificates in French by completing three courses below:

FRH 3550
FRH 4550
FRH 1600 or FRH 1610

French Club

The Oakland University French Club is open for everyone and anyone interested in the French language and culture. We frequently sponsor outings and events in an endeavor to promote multicultural awareness and involvement. Whether it is a fashion show, or dinner and a French film, we love to promote the French Culture!

For more information, join us on Facebook and learn how to get involved! Stay updated on events and meeting details.

Advising

Advising for students in French, please contact:

Majors, Minors & Angers Program Majors

Dr. Dikka Berven
353 O'Dowd Hall
(248) 370-2043
[email protected]

Majors, Minors, STEP & Orleans Program

Dr. Jennifer Law-Sullivan
366 O'Dowd Hall
(248) 370-2080
[email protected]

Majors, Minors & Cannes Study Abroad

Dr. Rebecca Josephy
352 O'Dowd Hall
(248) 370-2081
[email protected]

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

O'Dowd Hall, Room 372
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, 586 Pioneer Drive 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2060
Fax: (248) 370-3170