French (BA, Minor)

The French major offers two areas of study:

• French and Francophone Studies
• French Language and Linguistics

As the student progresses within the major, the specialization of either French or Francophone studies or linguistics will begin through strategic course selections. Students will typically also choose to double major within a different discipline to build a holistic degree plan.

Internships, Research Opportunities, and More

The faculty who teach French at Binghamton University are not only outstanding educators but are recognized and published scholars within their respective fields of research which include:

• Culinary fiction
• Caribbean feminisms
• Digital Humanities
• French language and politics
• Language and identity, language attitudes and ideologies
• Gender and power in the early modern period
• Literature and identity
• Quebec studies
• Sociolinguistics of North American French

Departmental research opportunities for students include teaching assistantships, internships as events coordinators, and the possibility of developing and writing a senior thesis under the guidance of a professor in the department.

Our Undergraduate Teaching Assistant program (UGTA) allows our majors to develop important skills by being in front of the classroom and getting a strong hands-on experience of what effective teaching and communication entail. We support our students' applications to teach abroad for a year and many have been chosen to teach in foreign countries where their language proficiency is valued.

We take advantage of opportunities the university provides for recognition of excellence by nominating students for awards, scholarships, and fellowships that can make a significant difference when they apply to graduate programs or for jobs. Because of our commitment, our students have won the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, Fulbright Scholarships, and numerous Foundation Awards at graduation.

Students who qualify may choose to complete an accelerated degree program to earn their BA in French and their MA/MPA/MAT in five years instead of the typical six.

Many French majors choose to study abroad to immerse themselves in the French language and French and Francophone culture around the world, and can choose from many programs including a faculty-led program in Quebec. The department of Romance Languages sponsors programs in France and Canada.

Some courses to consider in your first year:

FREN 111 - Elementary French I

The first part of the communication-based foundation course. Reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking skills emerge through practice in class and out. PREREQUISITE: NO PREVIOUS TRAINING IN FRENCH OR MAXIMUM ONE YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

FREN 115 - Elementary French II

The second part of the communication-based foundation course. Reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking skills emerge through practice in class and out. Students with credit for FREN 115 or equivalent may not take this course. PREREQUISITE: FREN 111 OR MAXIMUM TWO YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL FRENCH. Levels: Undergraduate

FREN 211 - Intermediate French I

The first part of a communication-based intermediate-level French. Reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking skills emerge through practice in class and out. PREREQUISITE: FREN 115 OR MAXIMUM THREE YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH. Levels: Undergraduate

FREN 215 - Intermediate French II

The second part of communication-based intermediate-level French. Reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking skills emerge through practice in class and out. PREREQUISITE: FREN 211, OR MORE THAN THREE YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

FREN 341 - Advanced Conversation

For advanced students who wish to improve their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Activities designed to improve pronunciation, and oral and written expression include the following: discussions of articles and videos related to French culture, student-prepared debates on contemporary issues, individual and group projects and discussions of French films, as well as reading and analysis of short French literary works. Highly recommended for those planning to study abroad. Students from other disciplines are welcome. PREREQUISITE: FREN 241 or equivalent, AP score of 3 or 4, or consent of instructor. Levels: Undergraduate

FREN 351 - Advanced Grammar

This course aims at a systematic examination and reinforcement of a broad range of advanced aspects of French grammar, accompanied by regular discussions of current events and cultural topics. Classes will consist of a review and analysis of assigned grammar points, exercises targeting relevant grammatical structures, analytical exercises conducted in small groups, and individual presentations of selected current event topics. PREREQUISITE: FREN 241 or 251, or equivalent. Levels: Undergraduate

After You Graduate

The French language and Francophone Studies/Linguistics major not only provides a student with a solid foundation of language skills but also develops the student’s written and oral communication skills, analytical and critical-thinking skills, and intercultural competence. Graduates find employment in teaching, translation and interpretation, writing, international aid and development, foreign diplomatic service, editing and publishing, natural language processing, ESL, etc. Students who graduate with this degree also pursue a myriad of graduate degrees including the MBA, Master of Public Administration, Master of French, and Master of Teaching.