Department of Romance Languages
French Handbook for
Majors, Second Majors, and Minors
 
Table of Contents
The Department of Romance Languages offers programs in French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.  These programs meet the interests of both the general University student and the "specialist" at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  The Department of Romance Languages offers the major, the second major, the minor and a second academic concentration (for students pursuing a program in Education) in French and Spanish, embracing the literatures and cultures of France and the Francophone world, Spain and Spanish America.   
       
 

Department Goals: 

  • To provide practical training in the basic skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing
  • To promote those values in the liberal arts tradition that derive particularly from the study of language, literature and culture
  • To increase understanding of language as structure and process
  • To provide an enlightening encounter with cultures and modes of thought different from one's own
  
 
 
 

Requirements for the Major

The major begins at the 300 level.  A minimum of 30 hours is needed to complete the major.  Students seeking teacher licensure may require a minimum of 33; they should consult their advisor and refer to the "Teacher Licensure" statements for details.  Literature courses in English translation may not be used for credit toward the major, second major, minor or second academic concentration.

To maintain the high quality of language instruction at UNCG, students declaring a major in either French or Spanish must sit for an oral competence evaluation during the semester in which they will first take a 300-level course in their major. This evaluation is part of our ongoing program assessment and in no way affects the academic record of students. The undergraduate advisor and/or instructor will notify majors with pertinent information at the time of the evaluation.

   The minimum of 30 semester hours at the 300 level and above must include the following:

A.

Two language courses from the following:

FRE 301 (may not be taken for credit by students who have successfully completed FRE 315 or above)
FRE 311, 312, 313
FRE 315, 341, 415, 497, 511

 6 hrs.
B.

Four courses in literature and/or film including:

FRE 353 (prerequisite to 400- and 500-level literature courses)
FRE 453, 454, 498, 507, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 561, 562

 12 hrs.
D.

One culture and civilization course from:

FRE 331, 332, 496, 532, 557 (if topic is Paris)

 3 hrs.
E. Electives: three other FRE courses at the 300 level or above 9 hrs.

Please note:

Students seeking licensure must include Civilization (331 or 332 or 496 or 532 or 557 if topic is Paris), Composition (315 or 415 or 497), and Conversation (311 or 312 or 313) in the 30 semester hours. The Phonetics competency may be met by completing 311.

Literature courses in English translation may not be used for credit toward the major.

At least one course at the 500 level must be included in the major. 

No requirement for the major may be met by a grade lower than C-. 

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Requirements for the Second Major in French

Students must complete the requirements described above for the French Major (30 s.h.).

  
 
 
 
Requirements for the Minor in French

The student must complete 15-21 semester hours of courses in French above the 203 level, excluding literature courses in English translation.

  
 
 
 
Special Subject Area Teacher Licensure in French (K-12)

Majors or second majors seeking teacher licensure must meet competency in phonetics by successfully completing FRE 311 "Conversation and Phonetics."  Students must choose literature courses that represent a broad range of periods, movements and/or genres.  They must also satisfy a civilization requirement by completing FRE 331, 332, 496, 532, or 557 (when the topic is "Paris").  Admission to teacher education and student teaching in French requires a minimum grade point average of 2.75, both cumulative and in the major.  Please see additional teacher licensure requirements discussed under "Teacher Education and Licensure" in the Undergraduate Bulletin, in the next section of this Handbook, and in the Teacher Education Handbook developed by the Teachers Academy at UNCG. 

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The Major in French with Teacher Licensure

Students seeking initial licensure to teach in North Carolina must work closely with the Romance Languages Department and the School of Education, since both agencies certify competence and recommend the student to the State.  The following steps summarize procedures for the French major.  Please note that it is the student's responsibility to initiate these procedures and to complete all requirements at the proper time.

1.    Students are advised to consult with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction as early as possible for advice in planning. 

2.    General University and College requirements, as stipulated in the Undergraduate Bulletin, must be met.  Many of these can be completed in the freshman and sophomore years.  In order to be admitted to Teacher Education, students must take the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) or the Computer-Based Equivalent.  Forms for these tests can be obtained in the Office of Student Information and Advising in the School of Education (324 Curry Building) or through ETS (1-800-772-9476; praxis@ets.org or http://www.ets.org/praxis).  Sylvan Learning Center in Greensboro administers the computer-based PRAXIS I exam (phone 336-288-1312 for additional information).  A grade point average of 2.75 (cumulative and in the major) is required for admission to Teacher Education in Romance Languages.  Close advising in collaboration with Romance Languages and the School of Education is strongly recommended. 

3.    The Professional Education Requirements, as described in the Undergraduate Bulletin under "Teacher Education:  Special Subject-Area Licensure," must be met.  The following courses must precede the professional (or student teaching) semester: 

AULER/GER requirements as identified within each major
CUI 202 or HDF 302 Human Development 
CUI 450 Psychological Foundations of Education
CUI 465** Student Teaching and Seminar (12 semester hours)
CUI 470 Reading Education for Secondary and Special Subject Teachers
CUI 527* Teaching Second Languages: Elementary/Middle Schools
CUI 545 Issues in Secondary Education (should be taken during Spring semester of junior year)
CUI 552* Teaching Practices and Curriculum in Foreign Languages
ELC 381 The Institution of Education
HEA 201 Personal Health
Optional:
LIS 120 Introduction to Instructional Technology for Educational Settings (strongly recommended: see Item 5 below)

*Only offered Fall semester 
**Only offered Spring semester

4.    The major requirements in French must be met, as detailed in this booklet.  Please note that those seeking teacher licensure must take specific, required courses satisfying competencies in each of the following five areas:  composition, conversation, literature, culture/civilization and phonetics.  Since all courses are not offered every semester, students should plan their schedules carefully in consultation with their major advisor. 

5.    Students seeking licensure must demonstrate mastery of basic technology competencies as defined by the state.  This can be done by taking LIS 120 or creating a separate section in the technology portfolio which demonstrates the advanced competencies.  This portfolio is to be submitted for evaluation within the program area. 

6.    If there are any questions, refer to the Teacher Education Handbook available through the UNCG Bookstore, or contact: 

The School of Education 
The Teachers Academy
323 Curry Building 
(336) 334-3412

Upon completion of student teaching, it is the student's responsibility to apply for licensure at the Teachers Academy.  Contact Kathryn Brown (319 Curry Building, 334-3414). 

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French as a Second Academic Concentration

The Department of Romance Languages will recommend the candidate for "A" licensure in French as a second teaching field after successful completion of 24 semester hours of required course work.  The principal teaching field will normally be another foreign language.  Students whose major is in another discipline and who are seeking licensure in French should consult with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction as soon as possible.

    The student must complete 24 semester hours at the 300 level and above, including: 

A. FRE 301 "Advanced French" (Pr. 204 or equivalent, or departmental permission) 3 hrs.
B.

One composition course from:
FRE 315 "Advanced Grammar & Composition" (Pr. 204 or equivalent, or departmental permission)
FRE 415 "Advanced Composition" (Pr. 315 or departmental permission)
FRE 497 "Directed Study in French Language" (departmental permission required)

 3 hrs.
B. One conversation course from:
FRE 311* "French Conversation and Phonetics" (Pr. 204 or equivalent, or departmental permission)
FRE 312 "French Conversation and Culture" (Pr. 204 or equivalent, or departmental permission)
FRE 313 "Conversation in France" (Pr. 204 or equivalent, or departmental permission) 
3 hrs.
C.

Two literature courses including:
FRE 353 "Survey of French Literature" (Pr. 204 or equivalent, or departmental permission)
One 400-level FRE literature course (Pr. 353 or departmental permission)

 6 hrs.
D. One civilization course from:
FRE 331 "Culture and Conversation in France" (Pr. 204 or equivalent, or departmental permission)
FRE 332 "Introduction to French Civilization and Culture" (Pr. 204 or equivalent, or departmental permission)
FRE 496 "Directed Study in French and Francophone Civilization and Culture" (departmental permission required)
FRE 532 "French Civilization" (Pr. 332, 353, 496, or permission of instructor)
FRE 557 (if topic is "Paris") (Pr. 353 or departmental permission) 		3 hrs.
E. Elective: two other FRE courses at the 300 level or above
 6 hrs.

*The Phonetics competency may be met by completing 311.

 Literature courses should be chosen so as to represent a range of periods, movements, and/or genres. Admission to teacher education and student teaching in French requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 overall and in the major.

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Proposed Program of Study (after 204) for French Majors

Sophomore Year
French courses: In addition, if seeking licensure:
Fall: 301 and 311* (or 312 or 313) Fall: Successfully complete PPST, apply for admission to Teacher Education; HEA 201
Spring: Two 300-level courses (e.g. 312, 315, 332, 353, 341, 342) Spring: CUI 202 (or HDF 302)

Junior Year
French courses: In addition, if seeking licensure:
Fall: 315* and 353 Fall: Be admitted to Teacher Education; 
ELC 381 and CUI 450
Spring: 415* and 454** Spring: CUI 390 and CUI 470

Senior Year
French courses: In addition, if seeking licensure:
Fall: 453** or one 500-level literature course** and 532 Fall: CUI 527* and CUI 452*
    Spring: CUI 465** (Student Teaching); also, pass PRAXIS exam, demonstrate technology competence, (May/June) apply for licensure
*Required or recommended for licensure
**"Topics in French Literature" courses may be repeated for credit under the same course number as topics change. 
*CUI 527 and CUI 452 are only offered in the Fall. 

**CUI 465 is only offered in the Spring.
NOTE:  The following courses are typically offered in the Fall:  301, 311, 315, 353, 453.
The following courses are typically offered in the Spring:  312, 332, 341, 354, 415, 454.

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Advisors for Romance Languages Majors and Minors

Students who wish to declare a major or second major in French or Spanish should contact the Director of Student Academic Services (159 Mossman Building).  Student Academic Services as well as CASA, the College of Arts & Sciences Advising Center (Basement of Faust Building), will refer students to one of the faculty members listed below.  We urge prospective majors and second majors to consult with these advisors during their freshman and sophomore years.  Early contact with an advisor enables students to plan ahead concerning course offerings and special opportunities in the Department (such as study abroad). 

Students wishing to minor in French or Spanish should also make their intentions known to one of the advisors for help in designing their individual program. 

French: 
Dr. Robert Campo		 Office: 
344 McIver		 Phone: 
(336) 334-5655		 E-mail: 
recampo@uncg.edu
Spanish: 
Wendy Jones-Worden 		Office: 
309 McIver		 Phone: 
(336) 334-5655		 E-mail: 
wkjones@uncg.edu
Teacher Licensure: 
Department of Curriculum and Instruction 		Office: 
336 Curry		 Phone: 
(336) 334-3437		 E-mail:
cui@uncg.edu
 
 
 
 

Special Opportunities

These are some of the opportunities of special interest to students of French and Spanish:

Programs Abroad
UNCG has affiliations with several academic-year programs in France and Spain.  Interested students should contact their major advisor and the International Programs Center, 127 McIver Street, (336) 334-5404, int_programs@uncg.edu as early as possible. 

A semester exchange program for French students has been established with the Université Haute Bretagne in Rennes, France.  For more details contact the Office of International Programs at 127 McIver Street. 

Summer Study Abroad
A five-week program in Spain features courses in conversation and civilization, offering six semester hours of credit.  The Department also organizes and conducts a four-week summer program in Angers, France.  Contact the Department Office in 321 McIver Building. 

On-Campus Immersion
Students who want to improve their French or Spanish skills can take advantage of the opportunity to live in Phillips/Hawkins Hall. 

Social Activities
Both the Café Causette and The Spanish Club sponsor frequent activities.  Students who participate in these activities meet others who are interested in learning about a different culture. 

Honor Societies
The University has Chapters of the national honoraries, Pi Delta Phi for French and Sigma Delta Pi for Spanish.  Membership is by invitation and possible for students in advanced courses who have achieved excellence in Romance studies. 

Scholarships and Awards
The Department recognizes achievement among French and Spanish students by offering a number of annual scholarships, including the Spicer Scholarship, the Miller-Barineau Scholarship, the Hardré Scholarship, the Barney Award and the LaRochelle Scholarship.  Amounts vary.  Visit the scholarships web page and contact the Department Office for further information.

Internships
Paid or unpaid internships requiring foreign language skills are increasingly available.  For more information, consult the Career Services Center, #1 EUC, (336) 334-5454. Students interested in Spanish 499 (Intership in Spanish) should contact Dr. Mark Smith-Soto before registering for the course.

Accelerated B.A./M.B.A.
The accelerated program in French/Spanish/Business Administration provides the opportunity for a student to complete a B.A. in French/Spanish (122 hours) within a four-year period and to shorten the time required to finish the M.B.A.  For further information consult the Undergraduate Bulletin under "Accelerated Master's Programs." 

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 This site was last updated 11/19/04.