The Major

The prerequisite to the French and Francophone Studies major is proficiency in French at the elementary level (FRENCHST 120 or 126 or equivalent).

The major requires a total of 36 credits. A maximum of six credits of courses at the intermediate level (230, 240, 246, 250 -- contact French advisor regarding course selection at this level) may be counted in these 36 credits; all others must be in courses at the 300-level or higher.

Intermediate Proficiency
Students must demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate level by achieving a grade of B+ in FRENCHST 240. Students who do not do this must complete FRENCHST 250.

Advanced Language Proficiency
371 Advanced Grammar and 473 Composition
(371 must be taken before 473) or 497T Intensive Grammar and Composition (6 cr)

Introduction to Literature and Culture
384 Themes in French Intellectual and Literary History
386 French Civilization to 1945

Literature and Culture
At least one course in three of the following five areas of French literature and culture: Medieval and Renaissance; 17th and 18th centuries; the Revolutionary period through the late 19th century; the 20th century; the Francophone world.

Note: 345 Introduction to Medieval Studies will not satisfy the Literature and Culture requirement.
Additional courses at the 300 level or above to complete the 36 credit major are electives.

494SI Senior Seminar (fulfills the Integrative Experience requirement).

Junior Year Writing: 303 Writing on Language (fulfills the University requirement only).

The Major With Concentration in Teaching
Students planning to teach French at levels 5-12 should apply formally through the STEP program at the College of Education, Furcolo Hall. The application should be submitted as early as possible in order to plan the program, which includes both the foreign language major and the necessary courses in professional education.

Required Courses
Students are normally required to complete a major in French which includes courses in language, literature, civilization and linguistics. In addition, they are required to complete 23 to 26 credits in courses in professional education and related practica. Study abroad in a Francophone setting is strongly advised. French teaching candidates should also plan on beginning a second foreign language. The requirement for linguistics may be satisfied by one of the following: LINGUIST 101 People and Their Language, or LINGUIST 201 Introduction to Linguisitic Theory, or LINGUIST 411 Introduction to Language Acquisition or EDUC 670, Language and Language Learning.

Admission to Program
In addition to meeting other University, school or college, College of Education, and individual program admission criteria, undergraduate students must achieve a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test of the Massachusetts Tests for Teacher Licensure (MTEL) before admission to professional preparation programs for educators.

Admission to Practicum
In addition to meeting other preparation program requirements, all students in a program for which there is an MTEL Subject Test must pass the appropriate Subject Test as a prerequisite for enrolling in their practicum.

The following are the education-related courses:
EDUC 524 The Work of the Middle and High School Teacher
PSYCH 305 Educational Psychology
EDUC 377 Multicultural Education or
EDUC 597R T.E.A.M.S. (Tutoring in the Schools)
FRENCHED 572 Basic Methods Teaching Foreign Languages
EDUC 592S Microteaching
FRENCHED 500U Student Teaching
EDUC 510 The Teacher in the Middle and High School Classroom
EDUC 615J Education Law

Students completing this program receive the Initial License, which enables them to find a teaching post. They then have five years in which to complete coursework for the Professional License, which often entails the completion of a master’s degree or other advanced graduate work.

Other Optional Concentrations
Students are encouraged to develop concentrations and programs for certificates in other areas. Each generally requires the completion of additional credits. A great variety of programs is available at the University and in the Five Colleges. Among these are the concentrations in Journalism, Social Thought, Modern European Studies, African Studies, Film Studies, and the certificate in General Language Interpretation.

Restrictions
All prospective majors must make an appointment to see an Undergraduate Advisor. Majors must secure an advisor’s signature of approval when registering for courses.

It is the student’s responsibility to check with an Undergraduate Advisor in advance of the last semester of the senior year in order to be sure that all departmental requirements for graduation have been fulfilled.

The grade of D in a French course or in a related course required for the major is not acceptable and will not be counted toward the number of major credits. These D credits may be made up either by repeating the course or by successfully passing an equivalency exam to be given by the program. This second option is possible only in language courses taken in the senior year. Grades of Pass/Fail for major courses taken here or elsewhere are not accepted. At least 12 of the 36 major required credits must be taken on the University of Massachusetts’ Amherst campus.