Advising

Students who have previously studied French should consult with a Faculty Advisor in the French Program for placement at the proper class level. You must also see a Faculty Advisor to determine the best sequence of courses for you. Students are placed in a class on the basis of their academic background, an interview with the Faculty Advisor and the instructor of the class, and an on-line placement test. For this placement test, check: http://webcape.byu.edu/sfsu-entry/menu.sfsu. The user name is: sfsu user and the password: gators1. Lower division courses (100-200) listed for a major can be waived if the student has taken their equivalent or if sufficient knowledge and ability are demonstrated.

Lower Division

Students who begin at SFSU with no previous knowledge of French are expected to spend at least two semesters at the beginning level (100), and at least two semesters at the intermediate level (200) before enrolling in upper-division courses.

First year courses consist of two 5-unit semester courses, FR 101 and FR 102, taught in a sequence over two semesters. They meet five times a week, generally in the morning. The same textbook is used for both semesters. It is complemented by a Workbook, a video, and audio tapes and c.ds; extra material is available on C.D-ROM and the web. All classes are taught in French from the very beginning. A regular faculty member teaches the course three times a week, and a GTA teaches the other two days, under the supervision and coordination of the regular faculty member.

Second year courses consist of 3 semester units and meet two times a week during the day (8 a.m-4.pm.). We presently offer three courses: FR 205, French in review ; FR 215, Intermediate French I and FR 216, Intermediate French II. FR 206, French Conversation, may be offered in the future.

Upper-division

Upper-division courses, leading to a B.A. or a minor in French, consist of three units and meet two or three times a week during the day (8 am - 4 p.m.). The French B.A. Program includes 30 semester units of core courses in French language, literature and culture. The minor in French includes 21 semester units of core courses in French language, literature and culture.

French majors must take six three-unit required courses in upper division language, culture, and literature: FR 301, French Phonetics, FR 305, French Composition, FR 306, Advanced Conversation, FL 325, French Linguistics, FR 400, French Culture and FR 500, Introduction to literature. They must complete their major with four three-unit elective courses, also in French or Francophone language, culture or literature. All upper-division courses are conducted in French, and students are expected to use French in their speaking, reading, and writing. It should take a minimum of four semester to complete the required and elective courses for the major (300-600 level; 30 units).

French minors must take the same six three-unit required courses. They are required to take only one three-unit elective courses, also in French or Francophone language, culture or literature. It should take a mimimum of two or three semesters to complete the required and elective courses for the minor (300-600 level ;21 units).

Bachelor of Arts in French

* FR 101 First Semester French (x) units

* FR 102 Second Semester French (x) units

* FR 205 French in Review (x) units

* FR 206 French Conversation (x) units

* FR 215 Intermediate French (x) units

* FR 216 Intermediate Conversation and Reading (x) units

FR 301 French Phonetics (3) units

FR 305 Advanced Composition (3) units

FR 306 Advanced Conversation (3) units

FL 325 French Linguistics (3) units

FR 400 French Culture (3) units

FR 500 Introduction to Literary Texts (3) units

Upper division electives on advisement (12) units

Minimum Total - 30 units


* Students must have completed these courses or their equivalents before being admitted to upper division classes

Minor in French

* FR 301 French Phonetics

* FR 305 French Composition

* FR 306 Advanced Conversation

* FR 325 French Linguistics

* FR 400 French Culture

* FR 500 Introduction to Literary Texts

Upper division electives on advisement (3) units
†
Minimum Total - 21 units

Sequence of Courses and Semesters Offered

At the lower division level, FR 101 and FR 102 and FR 205 are offered every semester; FR 215 is offered in the Fall and FR 216 in the Spring.

At the upper-division level, 3 of the required courses are offered in the Fall (FR 305, FL 325, and FR 400), the 3 others are offered in the Spring (FR 306, FR 301, and FR 500). Elective courses may vary. At least one of them is offered every semester, and usually more.

Lower division courses (Prerequisites for Major and Minor)

Fall
FR 101 - First Semester French (5 units)
FR 102 - Second Semester French (5 units)

Spring
FR 101 - First Semester French (5 units)
FR 102 - Second Semester French (5 units)
†
Fall
FR 205 - French in Review
FR 215 - Intermediate French

Spring
FR 205 - French in Review
FR 216 - Int. Conversation & Reading

Required Courses for Major and Minor

Fall
FL 325 - French Linguistics
FR 305 - French Composition
FR 400 - French Culture

Spring
FR 301 - French Phonetics
FR 306 - Advanced Conversation
FR 500 - Intro to Literary Texts

Elective Courses for Major and Minor - Fall or Spring (at least one offered every semester)

FR 304 - Advanced Grammar

FR 450 - 460: Topics in Language, Literature or Culture
†
FR 410 - Contemporary French Civilization (SPRING)
†
FR 501-560: Literary Themes or Periods
†
FR 699:† Special study with consent of instructor - 1-3 units
†
Paired courses (graduate/undergraduate) may be offered. They count as electives for undergraduate students. Advanced undergraduate students may also enroll in M.A. seminars (700-800 level) to complete their electives, with the permission of the instructor.

International Program

Students can do part of the undergraduate major degree in France. The International Program of the California State University has its French campus in Aix-en-Provence. This program has been very successful and offers the students a closely guided course-of-study in a university town and in one of the most pleasant regions of France. Students can also participate in an exchange program with universities in Paris (MICEFA), also coordinated by the office of International Programs on campus. The number of credits earned abroad that may be counted towards the major or minor is 15, and determined though consultation with the appropriate French Program advisor at San Francisco State University.

A Summer Program in Paris is coordinated by a City College professor and, through an agreement with SFSU's College of Extended Learning, all students earn SFSU credit for these courses taken in Paris. Some of the courses offered are basic language courses, which help students build up their prerequisites for the major, and some are advanced enough that they can be accepted as credit for the major in French.