BA in Romance Languages with Emphasis in French

Degree Program Description

The BA in Romance Languages with an emphasis in French is the exploration of the language, literature, and culture of French-speaking countries. The degree requires a minimum of 30 hours of French beyond FRENCH 2100. Faculty strongly encourages all majors to spend at least one semester (or summer) studying abroad, preferably after their second year of the language. Given the liberal arts foundation of a degree in French students pursue careers in a variety of fields or continue their studies. Graduates have pursued careers in journalism, tourism, diplomacy, and education.

The major in Romance Languages with a concentration in French will allow students to develop the cultural and linguistic skills to communicate and function effectively in a French-speaking environment, to include professional settings in medical, judicial, educational, and media-related fields, among others. 

Coursework in the major in French works toward achieving the following outcomes, students will:

• Communicate effectively in French on a variety of topics with at least an intermediate-level of language proficiency as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)

• Identify and interpret key cultural and literary texts from specific cultural traditions through close textual analysis, synthesis of texts within a larger framework (author, cultural/historical period, theoretical framework or tradition)

• Identify and utilize appropriate sources for research-based projects

• Showcase intercultural communication skills and awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity in a culturally situated project. 

Additionally, students who complete the minor will also develop important professional competencies desired by employers as described by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE):

Communication: Students will learn to communicate in a clear and effective manner in French (verbally, in writing, and nonverbally).

Professionalism: Students will develop a strong work ethic via consistent class attendance, active participation in class, and timely completion of assignments.

Teamwork: Students will build and maintain collaborative relationships with classmates to work effectively toward common goals while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate cultural sensitivity and recognize diverse perspectives and the lived experiences of others.

Major Program Requirements

Students who have not satisfied the requirement of the elementary sequence (four years of a second language in high school) may take the Second Language Placement exam to place them in an upper level language course. Once the upper level course is completed on campus, with a grade in the C-range or better the student can apply for Advanced Standing (i.e. receive back credit for the elementary language sequence in that language).

For the major, course work must be completed with a grade in the C range or higher in each of the required courses and students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in the major. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.

Students who work toward a double major (two BA degrees within the College of Arts and Science) may be able to complete the majors with a minimum of 120 credits.

To obtain the BA degree in Romance Languages with an emphasis in French, the following courses, or their equivalents, must be completed.

Major core requirements
FRENCH 2160	Intermediate French Composition and Conversation	3
FRENCH 3160	Advanced French Composition and Conversation I	3
or FRENCH 3280	Commercial French
FRENCH 3410	Intro a la pensee critique / Introduction to Critical Analysis	3
FRENCH 3420	Introduction to French Culture	3
FRENCH 3430	French Masterworks: Texts and Contexts	3

Additional Requirements

• Students must complete five additional courses, preferably at the 4000-level.  We encourage students to take Stylistics as one of these. FRENCH 4960 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement except by permission of the department chair. 
• Students beginning at a level higher than FRENCH 2160 due to placement testing must still complete 30 credits in order to receive the major.
• In addition, the student is required to take a Writing Intensive (WI) course in the major, normally designated sections of FRENCH 3420 or FRENCH 3430.
• It is highly recommended (not required) that students take FRENCH 2310 French Civilization as an elective; this course will not count towards the minor or major.  It is highly recommended, if at all possible, that students study for a summer, a semester or a full year in a French-speaking country. 
• Students can count LG_LT_CT 4940 SLLC Global Internship - toward completion of the major.
• Only one course offered in English by the French section can be counted toward completion of the major provided it is at the 2000-level or above. 

Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
FRENCH 21601	3	FRENCH 31601	3
ENGLSH 1000*	3	Biological or Physical Science with lab	5
Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts and Science	3	Behavioral Science	3
Math and Quantitative Reasoning	3	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	4
First-year orientation course	2
	14		15
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
FRENCH 34101	3	FRENCH 34301	3
Humanities	3	Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science	4
Social Science		Humanities, First Writing Intensive Course	3
Behavioral Science	3	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	6
Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	6
	15		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
FRENCH 3420	3	FRENCH 4000-level1	3
Social Science 2000+	3	FRENCH 41301	3
Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	6	Behavioral Science 2000+ from Arts and Science	3
Internship or undergraduate research	3	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	6
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
FRENCH 4000-level1	3	French elective	3
FRENCH 4000-level1	3	Humanities 2000+	3
Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	9	Second Major, Minor, Certificate, or Elective	9
	15		15
Total Credits: 120