French

Wilbert Roget, Department Chair
537 Anderson Hall
215-204-8266
wilbert.roget@temple.edu

Beth Curran, Advisor
552 Anderson Hall
215-204-7741
bcurran@temple.edu

Laura Spagnoli, Advisor
540 Anderson Hall
215-204-6071
spagnoli@temple.edu

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.

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 RCI column.

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.

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).

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 in partial satisfaction of the International Studies requirement.