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Duluth Campus

French Studies B.A.

World Languages & Cultures
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2020
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 27 to 43
  • Study abroad will be strongly encouraged for French Studies majors in a variety of sites, to be determined by student interest and focus, throughout the French-speaking world. Our program will work to facilitate the achievement of University of Minnesota system-wide goals, which call for 50 percent of students to participate in a study abroad experience.
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
This program prepares students to thrive as globally competent citizens through an in-depth encounter with French and Francophone cultures and literature. Majors develop language proficiency and communication skills as they study literature, films, and cultures of the French-speaking world. Such studies have long been a core discipline in the liberal arts due to the rich intellectual, political, artistic, technological, and scientific achievements of a culture whose language is spoken in many parts of the world. In view of northeastern Minnesota's extensive French heritage and proximity to bilingual Canada, the field of French studies offers local as well as global perspectives that can be applied in a wide variety of career choices.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
  1. Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the departments and colleges or schools in which they are enrolled including an advanced writing course. Students seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. However, two degrees cannot be awarded for the same major.
  2. Students must complete all requirements of the Liberal Education Program or its approved equivalent.
  3. Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits completed in compliance with University of Minnesota Duluth academic policies with credit limits (e.g., Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory Grading Policy, Credit for Prior Learning, etc).
  4. At least 30 semester credits must be earned through UMD, and 15 of the last 30 credits earned immediately before graduation must be awarded by UMD.
  5. At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that satisfy major requirements (major requirements includes all courses required for the major, including courses in a subplan) through UMD.
  6. If a minor is required, students must take at least three upper division credits in their minor field from UMD.
  7. For certificate programs, at least 3 upper-division credits that satisfy requirements for the certificate must be taken through UMD. If the program does not require upper division credits students must take at least one course from the certificate program from UMD.
  8. The minimum cumulative University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for graduation is 2.00 and includes only University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00 is required in each UMD undergraduate major, minor, and certificate. No academic unit may impose a higher GPA standard to graduate.
  9. Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and certification will be withheld until all financial obligations to the University have been met.
Program Requirements
1) A second field of study (either a minor, another major or dual degree). 2) Two elective courses applicable to the major must be taken through UMD. 3) Study abroad is encouraged for all students and the department makes every effort to facilitate such experiences. 4) Oral proficiency exam. Note: Students pursuing both the French Studies BA and the Teaching French B.A.A. degrees must satisfactorily complete 12 non-overlapping upper division credits of French electives over and above the requirements for the B.A.A. to receive both degrees.
First Term Requirement (1 cr)
Transfer students with 24 or more credits and current UMD students who change colleges to CLA are exempt from this requirement. New first-year students with 24 or more PSEO credits may request to be waived from this requirement.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community (1.0-2.0 cr)
Core Courses (0-16 cr)
Students with language study may be exempt from some core requirements and should consult the department about placement. Students usually complete the advanced French Studies language course before other upper-division courses that emphasize literature and culture.
FR 1101 - Beginning French I [LE CAT3, COMM & LAN] (4.0 cr)
FR 1102 - Beginning French II [LE CAT3, COMM & LAN] (4.0 cr)
FR 1201 - Intermediate French I [LE CAT3, COMM & LAN] (4.0 cr)
FR 1202 - Intermediate French II [LE CAT3, LEIP CAT03, COMM & LAN] (4.0 cr)
Upper Division Electives (23 cr)
Most FR 3xxx-4xxx courses apply here. To enroll in these courses a student must have earned a grade of C or better in 1202, or be concurrently enrolled in 1202 or obtain instructor consent. With advisor consent, some upper-division French courses may be transferred and/or earned abroad, but at least two courses must be taken through UMD. Students majoring in French Studies may apply both French courses taught in English (FR 2315 & 3550) towards the major.
Take 23 or more credit(s) from the following:
· FR 2315 - French Cinema [LE CAT9, LEIP CAT09, HUMANITIES] (4.0 cr)
· FR 3302 - Advanced French Composition and Conversation [COMM & LAN] (4.0 cr)
· FR 3305 - French Cuisine: Exploring French Culture Through Food [HUMANITIES, GLOBAL PER] (4.0 cr)
· FR 3310 - Survey: Essays, Short Stories, Poetry in the French Language (4.0 cr)
· FR 3550 - The History of Paris: Evolution and Revolution [HUMANITIES] (4.0 cr)
· FR 3591 - Independent Study (1.0-4.0 cr)
· FR 4018 - Studies in Francophone Cultures and Literature [HUMANITIES, GLOBAL PER] (4.0 cr)
· FR 4095 - Special Topics (Various Titles to be Assigned) (4.0 cr)
· FR 4412 - Contemporary French Culture and Society [HUMANITIES, GLOBAL PER] (4.0 cr)
· FR 4492 - Modern French Literature (19th-21st century) [HUMANITIES] (4.0 cr)
· Optional Elective
One of the following courses (taught in English) applies to the "23 elective credits." With prior approval from an advisor, selected courses may be taken in another department or program if related to the major.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· ARTH 2300 - The City as a Work of Art [LE CAT, HUMANITIES] (3.0 cr)
· ARTH 3340 - Baroque and Rococo: European Art & Architecture 1550 - 1750 (3.0 cr)
· ARTH 3360 - Art and Social Change in Europe, Russia, and the United States (3.0 cr)
· ARTH 3361 - Being and Becoming Modern: European Art 1855 - 1955 (3.0 cr)
· ARTH 3370 - Dreamworld and Catastrophe: Art and Visual Culture in the Cold War (3.0 cr)
· CUE 3001 - Foundations of Cultural Entrepreneurship I (3.0 cr)
· CUE 3002 - Foundations of Cultural Entrepreneurship II (3.0 cr)
· HIST 3243 - Europe in Crisis in the 20th Century (4.0 cr)
· HIST 3615 - Modern Africa (4.0 cr)
· HIST 3616 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)
· LANG 2050 {Inactive} [HUMANITIES] (4.0 cr)
· POL 3517 - Western European Political Systems (4.0 cr)
Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)
WRIT 3100 is recommended. Any WRIT 31xx course is applicable to the major.
WRIT 31xx - Adv Writing (3 cr)
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2023
· Fall 2022
· Fall 2021
· Fall 2020

View sample plan(s):
· French Studies B.A.
· Study Abroad (one term)

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· French Studies B.A.
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UST 1000 - Learning in Community
Credits: 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0]
Course Equivalencies: EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Credit will not be granted if already received for EHS 1000.
FR 1101 - Beginning French I (LE CAT3, COMM & LAN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Summer
Conversation and communicative course for students with little or no previous study of French. Emphasis on oral and aural skills; some grammar. Taught in French and English. prereq: Little or no prior formal study of this language, or instructor consent
FR 1102 - Beginning French II (LE CAT3, COMM & LAN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring & Summer
Conversation and communicative course for students with limited previous study of French. Emphasis on oral and aural skills; some grammar. Taught in French and English. prereq: 1-2 yrs high school French or 1101 or instructor consent
FR 1201 - Intermediate French I (LE CAT3, COMM & LAN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Consolidation and enrichment of previously acquired abilities speaking and understanding French, set within introduction to written French and survey of contemporary culture of French-speaking societies. Emphasis on oral, aural, and reading skills; vocabulary building; some writing. Taught in French. prereq: 3-4 yrs high school French or 1102 or instructor consent
FR 1202 - Intermediate French II (LE CAT3, LEIP CAT03, COMM & LAN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Consolidation and enrichment of previously acquired abilities speaking and understanding French, set within introduction to written French and survey of contemporary culture of French-speaking societies. Emphasis on oral, aural, and reading skills; vocabulary building; some writing. Taught in French. prereq: 4 years high school french or 1201 or instructor consent
FR 2315 - French Cinema (LE CAT9, LEIP CAT09, HUMANITIES)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Images of human diversity in French cinema. Films with English subtitles; class discussion in English.
FR 3302 - Advanced French Composition and Conversation (COMM & LAN)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Refines students' skills in oral and written expression after they have completed the French language sequence. Individualized work on points of syntax and semantics, set in a contemporary context, using a variety of texts and resources. prereq: 1202 or 2301 with grade of C or higher or instructor consent
FR 3305 - French Cuisine: Exploring French Culture Through Food (HUMANITIES, GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: FR 3305/HON 3305
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Taught in French. Aspects of French culture through its expression in cuisine. Students will learn to decipher the many expressions of culture around the preparation and service of food at the table, kitchen, and restaurant. pre-req: 1202 or 2301 with grade of C or higher; or instructor consent
FR 3310 - Survey: Essays, Short Stories, Poetry in the French Language
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Selected works in three genres, written in the French language from the 15th Century to the present: essays, short stories, poetry. prereq: 1202 or 2301 with C or higher; or instructor consent
FR 3550 - The History of Paris: Evolution and Revolution (HUMANITIES)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
This course, taught in English with readings in French for French majors, examines themes, topics and episodes related to the cultural history of Paris and the French language through selected readings in literature, sociology, architecture and sustainability studies. Students will use the evolution of Paris and the development of the French language as entry points into a deeper exploration of French identity, including analysis of important contemporary issues related to gender, class, and sustainability. Students will study the ways in which French history has consisted of binary oppositions: Paris-Provinces, Parisian French-Local Patois, Order-Revolution, etc. Additionally, students will explore the traces of French history around Paris, from the names of streets to the monuments in the squares and parks, to the sites of power within the city.
FR 3591 - Independent Study
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 8.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Students develop and carry out reading and research programs in consultation with the instructor. prereq: 2301 with C or better, instructor consent
FR 4018 - Studies in Francophone Cultures and Literature (HUMANITIES, GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Studies literature and film from francophone (i.e. the French-speaking world) such as Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa, French Indochina, Canada, and the French West Indies. Focuses on politics and aesthetics in relation to colonization, diaspora, cultural identities and metissage (cultural, linguistic and ethnic blending or hybridity) as well as the creation of new existential and political spaces. Taught in French. prereq: 1202 or 2301 with grade of C or better; or instructor consent; no grad credit
FR 4095 - Special Topics (Various Titles to be Assigned)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Various topics in the language, history, literature, and culture of France and/or Francophone countries. prereq: 1202 or 2301 with a C or better; or instructor consent; no grad credit
FR 4412 - Contemporary French Culture and Society (HUMANITIES, GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Study of contemporary social, cultural, and political issues in France and other Francophone regions. Conducted in French. prereq: 1202 or 2301 with grade of C or higher; or instructor consent; no grad credit
FR 4492 - Modern French Literature (19th-21st century) (HUMANITIES)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Literary works from the 19th through the 21st century studied within their historical, political, and social contexts. Taught in French. prereq: 1202 or 2301 with C or better; or instructor consent; no grad credit
ARTH 2300 - The City as a Work of Art (LE CAT, HUMANITIES)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
The city as a work of art and center of culture. A study of artistic representations combined with references to primary texts. Use of case studies of particular urban centers to explore the rise of the city and the history of urban planning around the globe.
ARTH 3340 - Baroque and Rococo: European Art & Architecture 1550 - 1750
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Explores the art and architecture produced in Europe during the Early Modern Period c. 1550 - c. 1750 (periods often referred to as the Baroque and Rococo). IOncludes study of canonical works and the artists that produced them; analysis of primary and secondary source materials, introduction to art historical methodologies; and consideration of the regional variations of the "baroque."
ARTH 3360 - Art and Social Change in Europe, Russia, and the United States
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
What is the relationship between artistic practice and polities? How do artists and their audiences engage with the visual in times of great social change? How do art and visual culture help us to engage with, understand, and change the world? This seminar offers weekly units that offer close examinations of major cultural moments of the modern and contemporary era, and range from the experimental and autonomous to the coervice and fascist. Topics will traverse Europe, Russia, and the United States from the 19th and into the 21st centuries. The exact content of the seminar may vary annually.
ARTH 3361 - Being and Becoming Modern: European Art 1855 - 1955
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
This seminar traces a history of art practice from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century across the European continent. It follows key movements and figures of modern art, while emphasizing the social, political, and philosophical events that inform them. Beginning with Realism, and ending at the beginning of the Cold War, this course is bracketed by important questions pertaining to the role of the artist in reflecting upon, critiquing, and influencing national and global culture, writ large. Throughout the term we will also look beyond the limited scope of the fine arts canon to the larger visual cultures that inform and disrupt its boundaries. The exact content of the seminar, including its time period, may vary annually.
ARTH 3370 - Dreamworld and Catastrophe: Art and Visual Culture in the Cold War
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
The Cold War marked a period of nearly five-decades of intense ideological, political, and economic division, which impacted all areas of the glove. This course examines art and visual culture across the period's two major world powers to demonstrate both fundamental discords as well as shared preoccupations. More than a study of the traditional geographies of the capitalist West and the communist East, this course offers insight into how the Cold War's globalization reached all ares of the glove, from the African continent to Latin America to Southeast Asia. A particular emphasis will be placed on experimental forms of culture, particularly in the late Cold War era.
CUE 3001 - Foundations of Cultural Entrepreneurship I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This first of the two entrepreneurship courses creates an entrepreneurial experience with all of the pressures and demands of an early stage creative startup. The class is designed to give students the experience of how to "search" for business models in the culture and creative industries. Students will use design and discovery thinking, combined with ideation and customer discovery to develop a business model and also a feasibility plan for the delivery of a cultural product or service. The business model can be for a for-profit enterprise or a non-profit organization, but in either case the same feasibility criteria would apply, i.e. the solution should generate financial returns and create cultural value through the preservation and/or revitalization of culture. prereq: minimum 60 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
CUE 3002 - Foundations of Cultural Entrepreneurship II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
This second entrepreneurship course creates an entrepreneurial experience for students with typical pressures and demands of an early stage startup. The course is about Living the Entrepreneurial Experience. It is about being in action while advancing the cultural enterprise idea from feasibility study to testing the minimum viable product. Key elements of the process involve ongoing research, conducting rapid test cycles, while engaging prospective customers, experts, stakeholders, suppliers, business partners, collaborators, and financiers. Students will develop plans to test assumptions, execute the plans and make decisions pertaining to products and services. The semester ends with a minimum viable product or service. Through action and reflection students will develop the competency to think and act entrepreneurially in order to advance the development of their cultural enterprises. prereq: minimum 60 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent
HIST 3243 - Europe in Crisis in the 20th Century
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This course focuses on the turbulent history of Europe in the 20th century, particularly the causes, development, and consequences of the First and Second World Wars. It will explore the world wars as global phenomena and consider the ways in which these events have shaped contemporary geopolitics and the international world order. The course will address the political, military, cultural, economic and social transformations that characterized this period and influence our society today.
HIST 3615 - Modern Africa
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Africa, 1800 to present. Colonial conquest and domination, African resistance, nationalism, and problems of independence. prereq: credit will not be granted if already received for HIST 3515
POL 3517 - Western European Political Systems
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Comparative analysis of development and operation of political-governmental institutions and processes in selected Western European countries: political and ideological patterns and trends; problems of democratic politics; policy issues in advanced industrial societies; and the future of the "welfare state." prereq: 30 earned or in-progress credits or instructor consent