French, B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts in French program, offered by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, aims to develop students’ competency in the language, while increasing their knowledge of the French-speaking world.
As the living environment becomes increasingly transnational, a major in French offers an attractive asset to careers in many fields, including business, medicine, politics, law and the humanities. In addition, the major prepares students for graduate work in French by providing them with a broad range of courses in French and Francophone literature and culture.
Additional program highlights:
- We offer a wide variety of courses on the French-speaking world, including courses such as French and International Relations, Business French, French Cinema and French and Francophone Media.
- Students can spend a year in Lyon, France. This year-long, full-immersion program allows students to experience the country and its culture firsthand. Students will take classes in the French university system with French students and other international students. Courses not only fulfill requirements for French majors at SLU, but students may also have an opportunity to complete some of their core requirements while in Lyon.
- Students can also spend a semester or a year in Poitiers, France, studying at the Université de Poitiers alongside other international students and native French speakers. Courses taken as part of this full-immersion program may count toward the student’s major or minor in French, study in other disciplines, or the student’s core requirements.
- The French experience at SLU extends beyond the classroom walls. The department offers frequent activités cuturelles open to all levels and hosts a chapter of the national French honor society, Pi Delta Phi. Students can also participate in service opportunities in the St. Louis community.
Curriculum Overview
French course offerings cover all centuries of French literature and culture, Francophone and postcolonial studies, gender studies, and interdisciplinary areas such as art and literature, music and literature, cinema, cross-cultural questions, literature and the environment. Special undergraduate offerings allow students to combine international, scientific and professional interests with French.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Students are encouraged to enhance their major through an immersion experience in a French-speaking country. SLU students can choose from a variety of study options in French including summer, semester and academic year programs in the cities of Lyon and Poitiers in France. SLU French majors often complete a major in another discipline (e.g., English, biology, psychology, international business, communication, etc.).
Careers
Benefits of the French program also include several career opportunities. By combining practical aspirations with the humanizing and broadening effects of language study, the undergraduate major prepares students to perform in a number of rewarding careers. Accessibility to faculty is a hallmark of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Faculty will be happy to advise students on career options.
Career paths for French graduates include:
- Education
- International business
- Non-governmental organizations
- Foreign service
- Law
- Medicine
- Research
- Interpreting
- Cultural services planning
- Museum work
- Relocation abroad services
- Travel consultant
- Study abroad advisor
Admission Requirements
Freshman
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.
Transfer
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
International Applicants
Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: Provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
- Graduates will be able to to interact in French.
- Graduates will be able to interpret authentic materials in French.
- Graduates will be able compare their own cultures with cultures in which French is a dominant language.
Students who begin their study of French at SLU above the 3010 level must complete an additional course or courses at the 4000 level to fulfill the minimum total of 30 credits required for the major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | ||
College core requirements | 57-66 | |
For additional information about core courses | ||
French Core | ||
FREN 3010 | Discovering the French-Speaking World | 3 |
FREN 3020 | Text, Voice, & Self-Expression | 3 |
FREN 3030 | 21st-Century France | 3 |
FREN 3040 | Society, Nation & the Arts in Pre-Revolutionary France | 3 |
French Elective Courses | ||
Select six of the following: 1 | 18 | |
FREN 4110 | Language & Linguistics | |
FREN 4160 | French for the Professional | |
FREN 4170 | French and the Sciences | |
FREN 4180 | French and International Relations: Global Simulation | |
FREN 4200 | Perceiving Others: US & France | |
FREN 4210 | Translation & Comparative Stylistics - French/English | |
FREN 4220 | French and Francophone Media : Qu’est-ce qui se passe ? | |
FREN 4230 | French Masterpieces: Survey of French Literature | |
FREN 4240 | French Cuisine: Culture, Text, and Context | |
FREN 4290 | Women and Global Issues | |
FREN 4300 | Masculinity/Femininity | |
FREN 4320 | French Short Story | |
FREN 4340 | 18th-Century French Prose | |
FREN 4350 | Studies in 19th-Century Novel | |
FREN 4360 | Paris in 19th-Century Lit | |
FREN 4370 | Literature of the Fantastic | |
FREN 4380 | Hugo and the Misérables | |
FREN 4390 | Studies in 20th Century Prose | |
FREN 4410 | French Poetry: Origins to 18th Century | |
FREN 4420 | French Poetry: Romantic to Baudelaire | |
FREN 4510 | Early Modern French Theatre: Comedy, Tragedy and Mystery | |
FREN 4520 | French Drama: 18th Century to Romantics | |
FREN 4610 | French Cinema | |
FREN 4630 | Themes in French Literature | |
FREN 4640 | Studies in Francophone Literature | |
FREN 4650 | French Cinema II 80's-90's | |
FREN 4660 | Nation, Identity, Culture | |
FREN 4670 | Postcolonialism and Violence, Issues of Representation in Francophone Culture, Literature and Film | |
FREN 4700 | Love and Honor in Early Modern France | |
FREN 4710 | Women and Writing in Early Modern France | 3 |
FREN 4850 | Seminar on Molière | |
FREN 4870 | Exoticism in French Literature | |
General Electives | 24-33 | |
Total Credits | 123 |
1 | Up to 9 credits may be in related fields with the approval of the Department. |
Non-Course Requirements
All French majors must complete a final research project under the supervision of a faculty member during their final year.
Continuation Standards
All French major courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order to count for the major/minor and for the student to continue in the major/minor.
Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Components and Credits | ||
Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
Global Citizenship | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 0-9 | |
Fine Arts | 3 | |
Literature | 6 | |
Mathematics | 3 | |
Natural Science | 6 | |
Philosophy | 9 | |
Social Science | 6 | |
Theology | 9 | |
World History | 6 | |
Total Credits | 57-66 |
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses [numbered below 1000]).
- Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
- Complete Major Requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or elective credits to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements. EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Nation, Identity and Literature (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses.
In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements - Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
- Complete department/program-specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
Participation in First-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
FREN 1010 | Communicating in French I 1 | 3 |
UNIV 1010 | Enhancing First-Year Success | 1 |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Participation in First-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
FREN 1020 | Communicating in French II | 3 |
Elective 2 | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
Participation in Second-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
FREN 2010 | Intermediate French Language & Culture | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Participation in Second-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
FREN 3010 | Discovering the French-Speaking World 3 | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
FREN 3020 | Text, Voice, & Self-Expression | 3 |
FREN 3030 | 21st-Century France 4 | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Students can also choose to spend either a semester or a year abroad in France. See Program notes. | ||
FREN 3040 | Society, Nation & the Arts in Pre-Revolutionary France 5 | 3 |
French elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
Students might need to take two or three courses for the second major, depending on whether the second major counts core courses toward the hours for the major. | ||
French elective 6 | 3 | |
French elective | 3 | |
French elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
A&S Core | 3 | |
Credits | 18 | |
Spring | ||
Completion of Capstone Project and Participation in LLC Student Symposium | ||
French elective 7 | 3 | |
French elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 12 | |
Total Credits | 121 |
1 | Students with prior experience in French take a placement test (SLUPE) to determine their level. See Program Notes. |
2 | French majors generally have a second or even third major. See Program Notes. |
3 | Students can take FREN 3020 Text, Voice, & Self-Expression and FREN 3010 Discovering the French-Speaking World concurrently. Students can take FREN 3020 Text, Voice, & Self-Expression before taking FREN 3010 Discovering the French-Speaking World. |
4 | Students can also take FREN 3030 21st-Century France in Semester Six. |
5 | FREN 3040 Society, Nation & the Arts in Pre-Revolutionary France is offered only in the Fall semester. |
6 | Many French 4000-level courses also fulfill the Global Citizenship Core Diversity requirement. |
7 | French 4000-level literature courses fulfill the Core Literature Requirement. |
Program Notes
The sequence of courses will vary according to the student’s previous experience with the language and individual preferences.
Students have several options to study abroad in a French-speaking country, including a one-semester program in Poitiers, France; and a year-long program in Lyon, France. We encourage students to finish FREN 3010 Discovering the French-Speaking World or FREN 3020 Text, Voice, & Self-Expression before studying abroad.
SLU French majors often complete a second or even a third major in another discipline – for example, political science, English, biology, psychology, international business, communication, etc.