French and Francophone Studies Minor

The program in French and Francophone Studies is offered by the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures. The program comprises a rich curriculum in language, culture, literature, and film. An articulated sequence of courses in French leads from competence in basic French language skills to a thorough understanding of the language, as well as French and Francophone cultures and literatures.

There are nearly 300 million French speakers worldwide. French, an official diplomatic language for treaties and official documents, is a primary language of 32 countries on five continents and is the second most frequently taught language in the world after English. Studying French at JCU is especially important due to the University’s proximity to Canada, where French is an official language spoken by over 7 million people. Since French is widely spoken in many industries—including food, fashion, finance, science, and technology, as well as the humanities and social sciences—a knowledge of French can be a highly useful asset for any student. Students with an interest in international business are encouraged to pair their study of French with a major in International Business with Language and Culture.

Many students of French enhance their studies in a variety of disciplines by studying abroad in a French-speaking country.

All FR courses are taught in French.

Program Learning Goals in French and Francophone Studies

Students will:

1. Communicate skillfully and effectively in French:

   • engage in effective interpersonal communication.

   • engage in effective interpretive listening.

   • engage in effective interpretive reading.

   • engage in effective presentational speaking.

   • engage in effective presentational writing.

2. Demonstrate foundational cultural and linguistic knowledge of the French-speaking world:

   • demonstrate knowledge of features of the culture of the French-speaking world, such as its art, literature, music, film, popular culture, tradition, and customs.

   • demonstrate knowledge of how aspects of the history, politics, religion, or geography of French-speaking world relate to its culture.

   • compare linguistic features of the target language with those of English.

   • read and analyze cultural texts.

3. Demonstrate emerging intercultural competence:

   • demonstrate an awareness of the interplay of personal identity and culture.

   • interpret an event, cultural product, or issue from the perspective of a worldview outside their own.

Minor Requirements

15-18 credit hours

• Students who begin the minor at FR 101 or FR 102: Six courses at the 100, 200 and 300 levels approved by the advisor.

• Students who begin the minor at the 200 level or higher: Five courses at the 200 and 300 levels approved by the advisor.

Students interested in pursuing the minor in French and Francophone Studies should consult with French faculty early in their academic career to plan courses appropriately.