French

College of Arts and Letters

Program Description

The French program is a cultural resource to Sacramento State and the Sacramento community in general; it represents the French language, literature, and civilization of Europe, Africa, and North America as well as other areas of the world where French is the common language.

The French program helps prepare its majors and minors for careers not only in teaching but in many other fields as well, such as business, journalism, political sciences,and government service. To that end it offers courses that enable students to grow intellectually and to live and work successfully in areas where the French language is spoken.

The program reaches out to both the local and international communities. Students have the opportunity to study abroad as well as to tutor and teach in local schools. The French faculty pride themselves on being accessible to students and taking a keen interest in the students' individual achievements.

The Bachelor of Arts in French offers an exploration of the vast contribution that French language and Francophone cultures have made to the world. The program gives courses in literature, culture, and language (there are also courses in translating and interpreting).

Students majoring in business often find a French minor to be an asset to their careers. Students majoring in other fields may minor in French if a large part of their professional literature is in French or because they may work in a location where French is widely spoken; for others a French minor may meet graduate-degree requirements.

Degree Programs

BA in French

Minor in French

Subject Matter Program

Special Features

  • An active Francophone Club offers students the opportunity to participate in Francophone-oriented cultural and social events and a chance to meet Francophone people on an informal basis.
  • Students are encouraged to spend part of their undergraduate careers in study abroad. Sacramento State sponsors exchanges with various universities in Quebec and a consortium of campuses of the University of Paris. The CSU has a Junior Year Abroad program in France at Aix-en-Provence. In addition, each year a Sacramento State graduate with a major in French is awarded a teaching assistantship in France with a salary from the French government. CSU students, with any major, may enroll for one year at a Canadian university. French majors, particularly, will find this program gives them a unique opportunity to become acquainted with French-Canadian culture and language. Summer language programs are available in Canada; students who achieve sufficient proficiency in French may attend a French-language university (information available from the Sacramento State Office of International Programs, Library 1001).

Career Possibilities

International Business Personnel · Trade and Commerce · Export/Import · Interpreter/Translator · Banking Representative · Buyer/Sales Representative · Foreign/Diplomatic Service · Airlines Personnel · Travel Industry · Media Personnel/Foreign Correspondent · Public Relations · US Immigration/Customs · US Information Agency · Peace Corps · Language Teacher · Bilingual/Foreign Secretary · Foreign Publications/Textbook Editor · Research Assistant

Contact Information

Curtis Smith, Department Chair
Valeria Herrera, Administrative Support Coordinator
Mariposa Hall 2051
(916) 278-6333
Department of World Languages & Literatures Website

Faculty

RUSSELL, BEATRICE