French and Francophone Studies, B.A.

TENURED AND TENURED-TRACK FACULTY:
Harry Gamble, Chair
Laura Burch
Marion Duval

The Department of French and Francophone Studies offers a program of courses, opportunities, and mentoring with four broad objectives: (1) to develop high proficiency in the French language; (2) to promote knowledge and appreciation of the histories, literatures, and cultures of French-speaking countries; (3) to develop critical thinking and analytical skills; (4) and to prepare students for success in a diverse world marked increasingly by globalization. The Department of French and Francophone Studies actively embraces interdisciplinarity. Majors and minors regularly go on to complete graduate programs in a broad range of fields. Many graduates pursue careers in areas such as teaching, public service, diplomacy, international aid development, and health, publishing, translation, interpreting, the travel industry, business, banking, and law. All courses in the department are taught in French, with the exception of FREN 25300.

Major in French and Francophone Studies

Consists of eleven courses:

FREN 21600 - Advanced French
FREN 22000 - Intro to Francophone Texts
FREN 22400 - Studies in Francophone Culture
Six elective courses at the 200-level or above. FREN 20100 (French Conversation) and FREN 20300 (French Composition) may count as electives. Electives must include at least two 300-level course taken at The College of Wooster.
FREN 45100 - Independent Study Thesis
FREN 45200 - Independent Study Thesis

Special Notes

Special Notes: general

Study Abroad: To assure linguistic competence and in-depth understanding of Francophone cultures, the department strongly encourages study off-campus and will provide guidance on choosing a study abroad program. All majors should normally plan to spend at least a semester in a French-speaking country. Minors are also encouraged to study abroad.
La Maison française: Students with a strong interest in French and Francophone Studies are encouraged to apply to live in the Maison française, located in Luce Hall. The Maison française offers a convivial, stimulating atmosphere. Weekly cultural and social events allow students to improve their French and broaden their knowledge of the Francophone world. A language assistant from a Francophone country lives in the Maison française and helps organize daily conversations and weekly events. Applications are normally due in late February.
Advanced Placement: Students who receive a score of 4 or 5 on the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination may count this credit toward a major or minor in French and Francophone Studies. Students who have taken the Advanced Placement Examination are still required, regardless of the score received, to take the departmental placement exam at the College to determine the next appropriate course.

Special Notes: majors

The department actively supports double majors and will work closely with students to design an appropriate program of study. Students in recent years have combined their French and Francophone Studies major with majors in Art and Art History, Chemistry, English, Economics, Global and International Studies, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology and Anthropology, and Spanish.
To provide continuity, at least one course in French and Francophone Studies should normally be taken each semester of the junior year (for students on campus) and the senior year, in addition to Independent Study.
A maximum of four courses taken during a semester off campus may be counted towards the major. Students spending an entire year off campus may count a maximum of seven courses towards the major.
No more than one French and Francophone Studies course taught in English may count toward the major.
Majors are not permitted to take courses in the department on an S/NC (pass/fail) basis.
Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the major.
Majors interested in French and Francophone Studies as preparation for a career in international business or finance should consider the Interdisciplinary Minor in International Business Economics (see full description under Business Economics ).

Special Notes: the College’s foreign language requirement

Students who wish to meet the College’s language requirement in French by taking summer school courses or by participating in an off-campus program whose courses are fewer than four semester-hours are required to consult the chairperson of the Department of French and Francophone Studies prior to such study. Students who complete such courses may subsequently be required to take the departmental placement exam to demonstrate proficiency through the FREN 10100 or FREN 10200 level.
If a student registers for and completes a course in French below the level at which the French placement exam placed him or her, that student will not receive credit toward graduation for that course, unless special permission was obtained from the instructor of the course and the Department Chair. may count toward the major.