The French Studies Major and Minor

Suffolk students have many academic choices in French at Suffolk. They can pursue a traditional French major in the study of language, literature and civilization. They can also choose to major in French Studies, which provides a much broader English-speaking base and more interdisciplinary choices. In conjunction with the Education and Human Services Department, we offer Initial Licensure certification. Our two study abroad programs provide authentic language experience. The program at our campus in Dakar, Senegal offers intensive study of French. Our partnership with the CAVILAM Institute in Vichy, France provides us with two academic options: 8 weeks or 4 weeks of intensive French. Both give students credit for courses taken abroad. We organize a weekly Table française and a host of cultural events, such as the viewing and discussion of various films throughout the semester. Students who come from all regions of the French-speaking world work as modern language assistants to tutor students and to broaden their perspective of the French-speaking world.

French Studies Major Requirements

Prerequisite:

• FR 201
• FR 202

The prerequisite may be waived if students choose to study for 2 months in CAVILAM, our intensive summer language partner program in Vichy, France. Students who receive a score of “sems4+” on the online placement test in French have fulfilled the 201-202 prerequisite. To qualify for admittance to the French Studies major, a student must complete the prerequisite with an average of B or higher.

8 Advanced Courses, including the following:

• FR 301 or 302**
• FR 309-310
• FR 320
• A maximum of 4 courses outside of the Department of Humanities and Modern Languages (a current list is available in the HUML department office).

**These courses may be substituted for the CAVILAM “Atelier de Civilisation/Culture” in our intensive summer language partner program.

Notes:

• A maximum of 4 courses taken at other institutions, courses taken in our intensive summer language partner program with CAVILAM, or courses taken in a study abroad program in a French-speaking country can count toward the major.
• Any Seminar for Freshmen with a topic related to the French-speaking countries (e.g., culture, politics, society) counts toward the major or minor programs.
• AP credit: Incoming students who receive a score of 4 or 5 on the AP French Examination have fulfilled the prerequisite for the major.
• Departmental Honors: Candidates must register for FR 502 in the fall semester of the senior year and complete a senior thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. FR 502 counts toward completion of the major.

French Studies Minor Requirements

Prerequisite:

• FR 101
• FR 102

The prerequisite may be waived if students choose to study for 2 months in CAVILAM, our intensive summer language partner program in Vichy, France. Students who receive a score of “sems2+” on the online placement test in French have fulfilled the 101-102 prerequisite.

4 Advanced Courses, including the following:

• FR 309 or FR 310
• FR 216 or FR 320
• A maximum of 2 courses outside of the  Department of Humanities and Modern Languages (a current list is available in the HUML department office).

Notes:

• A maximum of 2 courses taken at other institutions or as part of our intensive summer language partner program with CAVILAM can count toward the minor in French Studies.