BA in French

Units required for Major: 36
Total units required for BA: 120

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 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, 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 culture have made to the world. The program gives courses in literature, culture, and language (there are also courses in translating and interpreting).

Note: A GPA of 2.75 is required in courses applied to the major.

Additional Information

  • Credit by Exam: A maximum of 16 units in foreign language studies may be challenged, only 12 of which may be in French.
  • Junior Year in France: Student planning to apply for admission to the overseas program should consult the department for information.
  • Foreign Language for Advanced Degree Requirements: Many graduate degree programs require competence in one or more foreign languages, and French is often is recommended or required. Students planning advanced degree study in areas having foreign language requirements should five careful consideration to completing two or more years of a foreign language as part of their baccalaureate degree.

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Courses
Student must demonstrate competency equivalent to successful completion of the following: 1
Elementary French
Elementary French 2
Intermediate French 2
Intermediate French 2
Required Upper Division Courses (24 Units)
Language
FREN 100Phonetics and Pronunciation3
FREN 101Advanced Grammar3
FREN 102Advanced Conversation3
FREN 103Advanced Composition3
Literature
FREN 110Survey of French Literature3
FREN 111Topics in Francophone Literature3
FREN 170Seminar Conducted in French3
Culture
FREN 120French Civilization 23
Electives (9 Units)
Select three of the following:9
French Translation (French-English)
French Translation (English-French)
Business French
French Language Practice
Quebec and French North America
Experimental Offerings in French
Total Units33
1

There are no specific lower division course requirements. However, students must demonstrate competency equivalent to successful completion of the listed courses before beginning upper division work.

2

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

Note: Students majoring in French are encouraged to minor in another field of their choice.

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units)
B1 - Physical Science3
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5)1
B4 - Math Concepts3
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (3 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities 20
C1/C2 - Area C Course 20
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 20
Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units40
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI)3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (6 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 2,30
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.

3

If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html 

The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.

French, BA: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
FREN 2A Intermediate French 4
WLL 21 First Year Seminar: Becoming an Educated Person 3
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 3
 Units16
Second Semester
FREN 2B Intermediate French 4
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 3
GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 3
GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 1
 Units14
Year 2
First Semester
FREN 100 Phonetics and Pronunciation 3
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
GE Area 3A - Arts 2 3
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
FREN 101 Advanced Grammar 3
GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 3
First Semester
FREN 102 Advanced Conversation 3
FREN 110 Survey of French Literature 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Writing Intensive 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
FREN 103 Advanced Composition 3
FREN 120 French Civilization 3
ENGL 110A Linguistics and the English Language 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 4
First Semester
FREN 111 Topics in Francophone Literature 3
FREN Upper Division Elective 3 3
FREN Upper Division Elective 3 3
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
FREN 170 Seminar Conducted in French 3
FREN Upper Division Elective 3 3
FREN Upper Division Elective 3 3
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
 Total Units120

French, BA: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
FREN 100 Phonetics and Pronunciation 3
FREN 101 Advanced Grammar 3
FREN 102 Advanced Conversation 3
FREN 110 Survey of French Literature 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
FREN 103 Advanced Composition 3
FREN 120 French Civilization 3
ENGL 110A Linguistics and the English Language 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 2
First Semester
FREN 111 Topics in Francophone Literature 3
FREN Upper Division Elective 3 3
FREN Upper Division Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Writing Intensive 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
FREN 170 Seminar Conducted in French 3
FREN Upper Division Elective 3 3
FREN Upper Division Elective 3 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
 Total Units60
1.

Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.

2.

Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.

3.

Please see an academic advisor for elective options.