French
Follow the on Facebook
Also follow our Department on and our page
The following programs are available in French: honours, a major, a minor, a concentration, study abroad, and a certificate of proficiency. See below for details. The Department offers a balanced program involving courses in language, culture and literature.
Those with a solid background in French, especially Francophones or those having attended a French school are to begin their studies with courses beyond FREN 2235.1(2)/2236.1(2). This condition may also apply to certain high school immersion graduates. Native, near-native, or fluent speakers of French may not enroll in courses at the 2000 level or below. Courses at the 2000 and 3000 levels cannot be taken concurrently.
FREN 2235.1 is the normal starting point for majors. High school graduates having completed the "Core" program should enroll in FREN 2201.1. Students who have taken French at another university are asked to consult with the Chairperson before registering.
The Placement Test online (Brightspace) is required to be taken before the beginning of classes, in order to provide students with the course that best suits their needs. Students having previously taken FREN 1111.1 and 1112.1(2) or 2201.1 and 2202.1(2) at Saint Mary's are not required to take the placement test.
Students interested in teaching French as a career are strongly advised to seek assistance from the Department on course selection as early as possible.
Honours in French
All prospective honours students in French should refer to the section of this Calendar pertaining to honours degrees. Students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 can submit an Honours Application to Department/Department Chairperson after completing a minimum of 18 credit hours. In addition to the overall grade point average of 3.00 requirement, prospective honours students are expected to have demonstrated a B+ (or 3.3 of GPA out of 4.3) cumulative average in the French major program.
Honours degrees consist of fifty-four (54) credit hours. Beyond the requirements for the French major, twelve (12) additional credit hours in French are required at the 4000-level.
Students should discuss the topic and nature of the honours essay with the appropriate faculty member prior to their entry into the program.
Major in French
A major in French normally consists of at least forty-two (42) credit hours in French beyond Basic University French Level II (FREN 2202) with the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FREN 3307 | Advanced French Language Skills I | 3 |
| FREN 3308 | Advanced French Language Skills II | 3 |
| FREN 3321 | Writing in French | 3 |
| Select six credit hours at the 3000 level in any culture and/or literature courses, including FREN 3350 and/or FREN 3351. | 6 |
| Select twelve credit hours at the 4000 level. | 12 |
| The remaining credit hours must be beyond FREN 2202. | 15 |
| Total Credit Hours | 42 |
Students also have the option of counting a maximum of six (6) credit hours of French culture courses delivered in English towards the major.
Minor in French
A minor in French consists of twenty-four (24) credit hours in French beyond the 1000 level. Students must complete FREN 2235, FREN 2236, FREN 3307, and FREN 3308 with an additional three credit hours at the 3000 level. Students also have the option of counting a maximum of six (6) credit hours of French culture courses delivered in English towards the minor.
Certificate of Proficiency in French for Non-Majors (CPF)
This certificate confirms that the student has earned eighteen (18) credit hours in French.
There are two (2) options:
Certificate of Basic Proficiency in French:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FREN 1111 | Beginners' French Level I | 3 |
| FREN 1112 | Beginners' French Level II | 3 |
| FREN 2201 | Basic University French Level I | 3 |
| FREN 2202 | Basic University French Level II | 3 |
| Six (6) credit hours at the 2000 level | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 |
Students also have the option of counting a maximum of three (3) credit hours of French and Francophone culture courses delivered in English.
Certificate of Avanced Proficiency in French:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FREN 2235 | Intermediate French Level I | 3 |
| FREN 2236 | Intermediate French Level II | 3 |
| FREN 3307 | Advanced French Language Skills I | 3 |
| FREN 3308 | Advanced French Language Skills II | 3 |
| FREN 3320 | French Phonetics | 3 |
| FREN 3331 | French Oral Skills | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 |
Year Abroad at the Université Catholique d'Angers, France
This study abroad program consists of two semesters: a Fall semester (October - January), and a Spring semester (February – June), during which course work in language, culture and literature is offered. One-month programs are also available in the summer during the months of July, August, and September. These are strictly language courses. Students who successfully complete their programs receive credit recognition at Saint Mary’s University: fifteen (15) credit hours per semester and six (6) credit hours each for the months of July, August or September. To be eligible to participate in this Study Abroad program, students must have the approval of the Coordinator of the program, and must have a CGPA of 2.00 or above. Although students will take a placement test upon their arrival in France, it is strongly advised that they complete at least six (6) credit hours in French at Saint Mary’s in the year prior to their departure.
Information sessions about the Study Abroad program will be held in the months of October and February every year. Please inquire at the department assistant's office, 902-420-5808.
With the Department’s approval, a student may undertake a year of study at another French-speaking university.