French
French is spoken in 44 countries by approximately 200 million people; this represents 12% of the world GDP and 20% of world trade. A major in French offers the linguistic, cultural and intellectual training students need for an increasingly globalized future. In addition, the major forges links between the present and the past, as it encourages students to explore the exceptionally rich humanistic tradition of France from the Middle Ages through the modern period.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Hours for the Degree: 120
- Minor: Yes
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Website: www.languages.ufl.edu/french/
Overview
A major in French offers an excellent base for diverse careers including banking, business, diplomacy, government, journalism, international relations, political science, European Union issues and translation. Attendance of UF study-abroad programs or a UF approved program is highly encouraged.
The program allows each major the flexibility to explore a variety of disciplines within the field of French and to design his/her individualized course of study to reflect a particular interest in business, cinema, culture, language, linguistics or literature.
Coursework for the Major
The major in French consists of 32 credits, beginning with FRE 3300 French Grammar and Composition, and features courses in French language, culture (including film) and literary studies.
Required Coursework
- Two composition courses: FRE 3300 French Grammar and Composition and
FRE 3320 French Composition and Stylistics (6 credits) - One 3000-level culture course: FRE 3500 France Through the Ages or
FRE 3502 Francophone Cultures or FRE 3564 Contemporary French Culture (3 credits) - One 3000-level literature course: FRW 3100 Introduction to French Literature 1 or FRW 3101 Introduction to French Literature 2 (3 credits)
- One 4000-level linguistics course: FRE 4850 Introduction to the Structure of French or FRE 4780 French Phonetics or FRE 4822 Sociolinguistics of French (3 credits)
- One Senior Seminar: FRW 4932 Rotating Topics, offered spring semester only (3 credits)
- Two or more 4000-level French courses (6 credits)
- Three or more 3000/4000-level courses (8 credits)
A maximum of one 3000/4000-level FRT course may apply to the major. Transfer students will normally be expected to take at least four 4000-level French courses at the University of Florida.
Minors and/or Certificates
Graduating seniors must participate in the senior seminar.
Overseas Studies
French majors and minors are encouraged to study abroad for a summer or a semester. Students of French regularly participate in programs in Paris, Montpellier, Grenoble and Quebec. Students in approved overseas study programs can earn up to 15 credits beyond the 120 credits required for graduation. Refer to UF International Center information and see a department adviser.
Placement
Students with previous training should take the SAT II language score(s) before registering. Students with SAT II scores should consult the SAT II charts in this catalog. For more information on placement, refer to testing and evaluation information from Academic Technology.
- Students with three years of high school French (grades 9, 10, 11 or 12) cannot enroll in FRE 1130, regardless of placement test results. The lowest level in which they can enroll is FRE 1180 (3 credits).
- Students with four years of high school French can enroll in FRE 1131.
- Any student who has lived in a French-speaking country for more than a year or who is francophone must consult the adviser before enrolling in any FRE course.
Research
Students with an upper-division GPA of 3.5 are encouraged to write a thesis for high or highest honors at graduation. Students planning to major in French should see a department adviser before registering.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2
- Maintain 2.0 UF GPA
Semester 3
- Complete FRE 1130 or higher-level French course
Semester 4
- Complete FRE 1131 or maintain higher-level French course with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete FRE 2200 and FRE 2242 or higher-level French course with 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended semester plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).| Semester 1 | Credits |
| FRE 1180 Elementary French: Review and Progress (3) or FRE 1130 Beginning French 1 (5) * | 3-5 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 12-14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| FRE 1131 Beginning French 2 (5) or FRE 1182 Preparation for Intermediate French (3) | 3-5 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or B) | 1 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 13-15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| FRE 2200 Intermediate French 1 | 3 |
| FRE 2242 Intermediate French Conversation 1 | 2 |
| Electives | 6-3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 17-14 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| FRE 2201 Intermediate French 2 | 3 |
| FRE 2243 Intermediate French Conversation 2 (GE-H, N) (elective only) | 2 |
| Electives | 6-4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) ** | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 17-15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| FRE 3300 Grammar and Composition 1 | 3 |
| FRW 3100 Introduction to French Literature 1 (GE-H, N) or French literature course, 3000 level | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| French courses, 3000 level (FRE 3780L recommended to improve pronunciation) | 5-6 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| FRE 3320 Composition and Stylistics | 3 |
| FRE 3500 France Through the Ages (GE-H, N) or FRE 3502 Francophone Cultures (GE-H, N) or FRE 3564 Contemporary French Culture (GE-H, N) | 3 |
| FRE/FRW/FRT electives, 3000 level or above | 5 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Elective, 3000 level or above, not in major | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| FRE 4780 Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology or FRE 4850 Introduction to Structure of French or FRE 4822 Sociolinguistics of French | 3 |
| FRE/FRW French course, 3000 level or above | 3 |
| FRW French course, 4000 level | 3 |
| Electives, 3000 level or above, not in major | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| FRE/FRW French course, 4000 level | 3 |
| FRW 4932 Senior Seminar in French Literature | 3 |
| Electives, 3000 level or above, not in major | 9 |
| Total | 15 |
* Freshmen entering with previous studies in French will begin at a more advanced level. Refer to the academic policies section for placement information. Students, who by virtue of their placement examinations are enrolled in a course higher than their standing, are exempt from the requirements of that particular plan.
** At least two of the French courses chosen should be general education humanities and international (GE-H, I) courses.