College of Arts & Humanities
Department of Modern Languages
227 Armstrong Hall
Phone: 507-389-2116
Website: Department of Modern Languages
Chair: Kimberly Contag
John J. Janc
Education in the French language provides insight into the literature and culture of France. It also gives students a knowledge of language that enables them to work and travel in areas of the world where French is spoken. To facilitate these goals, the department sponsors a summer program in France. Students choosing to take advantage of this program, or who acquire language experience on their own initiative, may receive credit if arrangements are made in advance.
Admission to Major is granted by the department. Minimum University admission requirements are:
Contact the department for application procedures.
Elementary French or other proof of skill is needed. The intermediate sequence counts toward the major.
Choose two courses from the following:
Choose one course from the following:
Required Minor: Yes. Any.
Elementary French or other proof of skill is needed.
Intermediate sequence counts toward the major.
Choose two courses from the following:
Choose one course from the following:
Required for Major: Students must demonstrate intermediate-high level speaking proficiency as defined in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages or equivalent. Contact department for details. Also required for the major are first-hand experiences with the target cultures.
Required for Major: (Professional Education, 30 credits): See the Secondary Education section for admission requirements to Professional Education and a list of required professional education courses.
Required Minor: None.
Elementary French or other proof of skill is needed.
Intermediate sequence counts toward the minor.
Choose one course from the following:
Approved elective list:
FREN 211 FREN 214 FREN 215 FREN 216 FREN 217 FREN 218 FREN 221 FREN 261 FREN 293 FREN 299 FREN 301 FREN 304 FREN 313 FREN 314 FREN 315 FREN 316 FREN 317 FREN 318 FREN 320 FREN 322 FREN 393 FREN 405 FREN 406 FREN 414 FREN 415 FREN 416 FREN 417 FREN 492 FREN 493 FREN 497 FREN 499
GPA Policy. A grade of C or better must be earned for major or minor credit.
P/N Grading Policy. Work done for a major or minor must be done for a letter grade beyond the second-year level. A grade of P must be earned for major or minor credit in all work done on a P/N basis.
Proficiency Policies. Students who wish to receive credit by examination may take tests to have their proficiency evaluated. Students may not take a proficiency test for a course in which they are enrolled. The department reserves the right to deny admission to courses for those students whom a faculty member determines to have mastered the material already.
Fulfilling BA Language Requirement. Students who wish to validate the BA Language requirement for previous study in French may do so by taking a credit by exam (see above section). Students do not meet the BA language requirement merely because they have taken two years of high school language.
Residency Requirement. Transfer credits will be applied only if they are the equivalent of work offered by the Department of Modern Languages for the major or minor in that language. In addition, a minimum of work must be taken at Minnesota State University, Mankato as follows. Major: a minimum of three upper division courses other than Independent or Individual Study, for a total of at least 8 credits. At least two of these courses must be at the 400 level. Minor: a minimum of two upper division courses other than Independent or Individual Study, for a total of at least six credits.
Courses not required for a student's specific baccalaureate degree should be chosen according to these general guidelines:
For students majoring or minoring in the College of Business, the French program offers two courses designed to introduce them to various aspects of the business community in France: FREN 405 and 406.
FREN 101 (5) Elementary French I
An introduction, within a cultural context, to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
GE-8
FREN 102 (5) Elementary French II
An introduction, within a cultural context, to the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Pre: FREN 101 or equivalent GE-8
FREN 200 (2-4) Entry-Level Intermediate French
Review of grammar and vocabulary learned in elementary sequence.
Pre: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent
FREN 201 (4) Intermediate French I
Grammar review, oral practice, written composition and development of reading and listening skills within a cultural context.
Pre: One year university French or equivalent GE-8
FREN 202 (4) Intermediate French II
Grammar review, oral practice, written composition and development of reading and listening skills within a cultural context.
Pre: FREN 201 or equivalent GE-8
FREN 204 (2-4) Advanced Intermediate French
Review of grammar and vocabulary learned in intermediate sequence.
Pre: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent
FREN 211 (1-3) Intermediate Readings
A beginning reading course designed to help students improve their comprehension of written French.
FREN 214 (1-3) Paris et L'ILE de France
Visits to the major churches, cathedrals, castles, monuments, museums and neighborhoods in and around Paris.
Pre: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent
FREN 215 (1-3) Composition
Practice in descriptive and narrative prose. Acquisition of basic grammatical structures and vocabulary.
Pre: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent
FREN 216 (1-4) Conversation
Practice in intermediate-level conversational skills.
Pre: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent
FREN 217 (1-3) Modern France
Introduction to contemporary French civilization.
Pre: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent
FREN 218 (1) On Y Va
Preparation for study in France.
FREN 261 (1-3) Conversation & Pronunciation
Systematic development of conversational idiom and vocabulary. Intensive work on pronunciation. May be taken by majors and minors up to three times.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 293 (1-6) Supervised Study in French-Speaking Countries
Topics will vary. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.
Pre: FREN 101, 102, or equivalent
FREN 299 (1-4) Individual StudyTopics will vary.
FREN 301 (3) Third Year Vocabulary Review
Systematic review of French vocabulary.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 302W (2-4) Composition
Review of grammar and vocabulary. Practice in descriptive, narrative, and expository prose.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent GE-1C
FREN 304 (3) Third Year Grammar Review
Systematic review of French grammar.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 305 (1-4) France Today
Social, political, and economic trends in contemporary France.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 313 (1-4) Third Year French
Acquisition of grammar and vocabulary beyond the intermediate sequence.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 314 (1-3) Paris et L'ILE de France
Visits to the major churches, cathedrals, castles, monuments, museums and neighborhoods in and around Paris.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 315 (1-3) Composition
Practice in descriptive and narrative prose. Acquisition of grammatical structures and vocabulary beyond the intermediate sequence.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 316 (1-4) Conversation
Practice in conversational skills.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 317 (1-3) Modern France
Introduction to contemporary French civilization.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 318 (1-4) Introduction to Business French
Introduction to basic concepts associated with French business practices.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 320 (1-3) French Seminar
Study of an author, genre, movement, theme or period.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 322 (1-3) Listening Comprehension and Pronunciation
Development of listening comprehension and pronunciation through the use of tapes, videos, films, compact discs, and other recorded materials.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 323 (2-4) French Phonetics & Applied Linguistics
A study of the sound system in French. Intensive oral practice.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 350 (3) Introduction to French Literature
A beginning literature course designed to teach students to read with understanding and critical ability.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 366 (1-6) Oral Communication
Intensive practice in advanced conversational skills. May be repeated for credit.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 393 (1-6) Supervised Study in French-Speaking Countries
Topics will vary. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalen
FREN 402 (3-4) French Civilization
Survey of historical, philosophical, literary and artistic development of France from the beginning to the present.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 404 (2-4) French Syntax
Systematic review of French grammar.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 405 (2-4) Business French I
Study of current vocabulary, terminology and practices used in the business world. Study of developments affecting the French business, industrial and agricultural communities.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 406 (2-4) Business French II
Study of France's position in the European Economic Community and of the development of French business law with emphasis on the obligations and rights of business people, the classification and organization of the various types of companies, the emission of contracts and other documents.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 414 (1-3) Paris et L'ILE de France
Visits to the major churches, cathedrals, castles, monuments, museums and neighborhoods in and around Paris.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 415 (1-3) Composition
Practice in descriptive, narrative and expository writing. Acquisition of vocabulary and advanced grammatical structures.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 416 (1-4) Conversation
Practice in advanced conversation skills.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 417 (1-3) Modern France
In-depth study of different aspects of contemporary French civilization.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 420 (1-4) French Seminar
In-depth study of an author, genre, movement, theme or period.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 432 (1-4) French Literature I
A study of the major authors, works and movements of two successive centuries of French literature.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 442 (1-4) French Literature II
A study of the major authors, works and movements of two successive centuries of French literature.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 452 (1-4) French Literature III
A study of the major authors, works and movements of two successive centuries of French literature.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 492 (1-4) Individual Study
Topics will vary.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 494 (1-6) Supervised French Study
Topics will vary. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 497 (1-6) Internship
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
FREN 499 (1-4) Individual Study
Pre: FREN 201, 202, or equivalent
