Liberal Arts
introduction

The French major helps students develop skills in reading, writing and oral communication while providing them with a rich understanding of the literature, cinema, history, and traditions of one of more Francophone cultures. In all classes, students focus on communication and communities, comparisons and connection, and culture. As they improve their linguistic skills and study various forms of cultural production from other nations, French majors also strengthen their ability to analyze and interpret in a way that contributes to their education above and beyond courses they take for the major. Through study at Temple, often enhanced by study abroad, French majors gain insight into their own identities and assumptions in relation to others. Majors complete the program with an ability to communicate, a grounding in literary tradition, and an awareness of cultural differences that has become increasingly important in the contemporary world.

The French major is a good preparation for a career that requires analytical thinking and communication skills in general, which includes the domains of education, business, government service, travel, and tourism. It is a good major or a second major for students planning to attend law or medical school. Studies have shown that learning a foreign language helps raise scores on the LSAT, GRE, and MCAT exams. This course of study also proves valuable to anyone who plans to work for a multinational corporation.

The French courses are often small, allowing students to get to know each other and their professors well. The program helps prepare students enrolled in the School of Education for careers teaching French and provides the opportunity to students enrolled in the Fox School of Business to acquire a certificate in French with a special course on French in the business world. Outside of class, students can share conversation and activities with an on-campus group for French speakers and gather at occasional film screenings and other events. Finally, those who are interested in publishing can help edit Temple's annual literary magazine for world languages, In Other Words.

Summary of Degree Requirements

1. University Requirements

Math 0701 (4sh) and/or English 0701 (4sh), if required by placement testing.
All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. See below for a list of the specific courses required for your major.
Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

2. College of Liberal Arts Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including: 90 credits in CLA/CST courses, 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999). For Humanities majors, 6 upper level credits must be earned in the Social Sciences: African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Mathematical Economics, Neuroscience: Systems, Behavior and Plasticity, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women's Studies , or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in all CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.

3. Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements

1) All students must complete the second level of a foreign language;

2) All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd World Society category; and

3) All students must complete one of the following options:

Third level of a foreign language;

Demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language;

A second General Education World Society course;

Study Abroad at an approved program; or

Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Graduation Requirements page.

4. Major Requirements: Ten courses in French (30 s.h.)

Specifically required courses: French 2001, 2041, 2096, 3096, 3101, 3102
Electives in French (may not overlap with the above required courses):
- One course numbered 2002 or higher
- One course numbered 3000 or higher
- Two courses numbered 4000 or higher

5. General electives vary according to a student's individual program of study. Consult your academic advisor for more information.

Requirements for the Major

Prerequisites: French 1001, French 1002, and French 1003 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent placement.
Course levels are incremental in skills and content. Courses must be taken sequentially or in some instances may be taken concurrently. Students who initially place beyond French 1003 may begin with French 2001 or a course beyond 2001, as appropriate.
All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed below and are identified by "WI" in the Attribute column.

Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
French 2001 Intermediate 3
French 2041 Reading I 3
French 2096 Composition I 3 WI
French 3096 Composition II 3 WI
French 3101 Survey of French Literature I 3
French 3102 Survey of French Literature II 3
French 4000-level Select two courses 6
Select one elective numbered 2002 to 4999 3
Select one elective numbered 3000 to 4999 3
Total 30

Distinction in Major

To be considered for Distinction in Major, students must:
(1) Complete the requirements for the concentration in French with a GPA of at least 3.50;
(2) Be recommended to the chair of the department by the French faculty advisor after consultation with the French faculty;
(3) Have an overall GPA of at least 3.25.

Requirements for the Minor

Prerequisites: French 1001 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent placement.

Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
French 1002 Introduction to French II 4 LA
French 1003 Introduction to French III 3 LB
French 2001 Intermediate 3
Select a minimum of two courses from: 6
French
French
French
French 2021
2041
2096
2501 Conversation I
Reading I
Composition I
French for Business I

WI
Select a minimum of one course from: 3
French
French
French
French
French
French
3001
3021
3096
3101
3102
3201 Advanced Grammar
Conversation II
Composition II
Survey of French Literature I
Survey of French Literature II
Culture & Civilization I

WI
Total 19

Requirements for the Special Foreign Language Certificate in French

Six courses (18-20 semester hours) beginning with French 1001, including French 2501 (French for Business I) and an upper-level course (beyond French 2001).

Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
French 1001 Introduction to French I 4 LA
French 1002 Introduction to French II 4 LA
French 1003 Introduction to French III 3 LB
French 2001 Intermediate 3
French 2501 French for Business I 3
Select one course from: 3
French
French
French 2021
2041
2096 Conversation I
Reading I
Composition I

WI

Total 20

Study Abroad

Students declaring a major in the department are encouraged to study abroad. Temple University has a summer program at the Sorbonne in Paris. Credits earned through the Temple Sorbonne Program may be used toward the French major, minor, certificate and for satisfaction of the GenEd World Society requirement.

Suggested Semester-by-Semester Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Freshman Year – 1st Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
English 0802, 0812, or 0902 Analytical Reading & Writing 4 GW
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Quantitative Literacy 4 GQ
French 1001 Introduction to French I 4 LA
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Human Behavior 3 GB
Subtotal 15
Freshman Year – 2nd Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
IH 0851 or 0951 Mosaic: Humanities Seminar I 3 GY
French 1002 Introduction to French II 4 LA
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Science & Technology I 3 GS
GedEd 08xx or 09xx U.S. Society 3 GU
GenEd 08xx or 09xx World Society 3 GG
Subtotal 16
Sophomore Year – 1st Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
French 1003 Introduction to French III 3 LB
IH 0852 or 0952 Mosaic: Humanities Seminar II 3 GZ
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Science & Technology II 3 GS
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Race & Diversity 3 GD
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3
Any 0800-4999 One Elective in Any School or College
2
Subtotal 17
Sophomore Year – 2nd Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
GenEd 08xx or 09xx Arts 3-4 GA
French 2001 Intermediate 3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3
Subtotal 15-16
Junior Year – 1st Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ Social Science/CST Course 3
French 2041 Reading I 3
French 2096 Composition I 3 WI
French 2002-4999 One French Elective 3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3
Subtotal 15
Junior Year – 2nd Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
CLA/CST 2000+ One 2000+ Social Science/CST Course 3
French 3096 Composition II 3 WI
French 3101 Survey of French Literature I 3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3
Subtotal 15
Senior Year – 1st Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
French 3000-4999 One French course at the 3000 level or higher 3
French 3102 Survey of French Literature II 3
CLA/CST 2000-4999 One 2000+ CLA/CST Course 3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3
Subtotal 15
Senior Year – 2nd Semester
Subject Course # Course Title Hours Attribute
French 4000-4999 One French course at the 4000 level 3
French 4000-4999 One French course at the 4000 level 3
CLA/CST 0800-4999 Any CLA/CST Elective 3
Any 0800-4999 One Elective in Any School or College
3
Any 0800-4999 One Elective in Any School or College
3
Subtotal 15
Degree Total 123

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