French (BA)

In the eighth century, the emperor Charlemagne, “the father of Europe,” declared that, “to speak another language is to possess a second soul.” There’s something wonderful about studying another language, being able to think and express yourself in a new way. Using that skill to communicate with people whose culture and life experiences are very different from your own can be very exciting.

More than 250 million people in more than 50 countries speak French. It is an official language in 29 countries and maintains its status as a major language of culture, diplomacy, and economics. The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, established in 1970 and usually referred to as “La Francophonie,” includes 57 member states on four continents. French is a passport to much of the world!

You may want to study French language and culture to get in touch with your family’s history or to learn about the rich cultural legacies of France in Europe and across the globe. Perhaps you’re looking forward to traveling through some of the countries and regions of Europe, Africa, North America, or Asia, where French is spoken and you want to build your language skills. Or, maybe you’re interested in a diplomatic or global business career that involves multinational companies. Whatever the basis of your interest, a major in French in the University of Oregon’s Department of Romance Languages will help you to expand your knowledge and horizons.

The Department of Romance Languages is a diverse multicultural and multilingual unit with a first-rate faculty from around the world. As a major or minor, you will gain an extensive knowledge of languages and cultures and will have invaluable opportunities for intellectual growth. You’ll also be able to engage in a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including lectures and film festivals, language conversation groups, study abroad programs, and internships.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Language proficiency: French majors should reach at least a level of Intermediate-High (speaking) and Advanced (writing) in the primary target language according to ACTFL proficiency standards.
• Analytical skills related to the field/target language (research and writing): French majors should be able to: a) use basic tools/methods of analysis in either literary studies or linguistics; b) use technical vocabulary for literary analysis and criticism or linguistic analysis; c) demonstrate understanding of academic writing (manage and cite bibliographic resources, document all sources, including in-line citations in writing, etc.)
• Content objectives (literature/culture): Demonstrate familiarity with examples of the cultural/artistic production in the target language from different historical periods. Identify authors, texts, themes, and literary/artistic/intellectual movements in the periods studied. Relate cultural artifacts (literature, film, fine arts) to the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which they were produced.
• Discipline (humanities or social science): identify basic disciplinary questions that define literary analysis/cultural studies or sociolinguistics; apply or relate disciplinary questions to current debates in the arts, politics, social conflicts, etc.

Courses for the major are principally taught in the language of study and immerse students in a diversity of cultures and variations spoken. Cultural, linguistic and literary production – writing, film and other media – studied in RL courses reflect variations of race, gender, social class, climate, religion, and historical and artistic movements and counter-movements. 

All courses for Romance Languages majors and minors must be upper-division, with the exception of one approved lower-division class within certain majors and minors.  Courses used to fulfill the major requirements must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C- or better. Coursework transferred in from Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams are acceptable with a mark of P*.

French Major

Approved Courses

Departmental Honors

Approval for graduation with honors is granted to any student who meets one of the following requirements:

1. Maintains at least a 4.00 grade point average (GPA) in all upper-division department course work and at least a 3.50 GPA overall, or
2. Maintains at least a 3.75 GPA in all upper-division department course work and at least a 3.50 GPA overall, and submits an honors thesis written under the guidance of a Romance languages faculty thesis advisor. The thesis adviser determines whether the thesis is acceptable and may require the student to register for up to 6 pass/no pass (P/N) credits in Thesis (FR, ITAL, SPAN 403)

If a student wishes to apply for honors by submitting an honors thesis, the application for graduation with honors must be submitted by the end of the term that immediately precedes the term of graduation. If a student is planning on graduating in the spring term, they must apply for graduation through their departmental advisor during the winter term.

Transfer credits and overseas-study work used to fulfill major graduation requirements are typically included in determining the major GPA.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in French