Coordinator, Sheri Abel

Studying French at Wheaton is an adventure in cross-cultural communication. We celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity by studying the history, literature, cinema, and art of the French-speaking world both inside and outside of France, including many countries in Africa and the Caribbean, Quebec, and Louisiana. French majors at Wheaton will learn the forms and functions of the French language, understand native speech and writing, and learn to communicate creatively and comprehensively in French. Students who study French at Wheaton also sharpen their analytical skills and cultivate the Christian virtues of compassion and empathy, gaining an enhanced awareness of their own linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage. Through clarifying an understanding of oneself, students will learn to relate with respect and consideration to people from other backgrounds. Studying abroad (usually in France or Quebec) is an integral aspect of our program, cited by many students as the most important and enriching component of their undergraduate studies.

The French Major requires 32 hours of French coursework. Major requirements are:

For students who begin their major at the 100-level:
FREN 333Global French: Introduction to the Francophone World4
FREN 347Francophone Literature4
or FREN 348 Coming of Age in French Literature
FREN 494Senior Seminar4
For students who begin their major at the 200 or 300-level:
FREN 331French Conversation4
FREN 333Global French: Introduction to the Francophone World4
FREN 347Francophone Literature4
or FREN 348 Coming of Age in French Literature
FREN 494Senior Seminar4
Elective courses:
FREN 101Elementary French I4
FREN 102Elementary French II4
FREN 103Accelerated Elementary French4
FREN 201Intermediate French 4
FREN 331French Conversation4
FREN 334Culture And Communication (Various Topics)2
FREN 347Francophone Literature (If not taken for core requirement)4
FREN 348Coming of Age in French Literature (If not taken for core requirement)4
French Louisiana; Women Writers; French and Québécois Film; Translation; Literature of the French Resistance
FREN 371Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages4
FREN 431Advanced Conversation2
FREN 432Advanced Grammar and Stylistics2
FREN 439Topics in French Language and Literature2,4
FREN 495Independent Study1-4
LING 321Introduction to Linguistic Science2
Students are strongly encouraged to study overseas, either with Wheaton in Quebec program or through a GPS-approved semester program: 1
FREN 335Francophone Civilization and Culture2-4
FREN 338Advanced French in Francophone Country2-4
1

Students are strongly encouraged to take classes that are equivalent to FREN 335 and FREN 338. Classes must be selected in consultation with a French faculty advisor.

French students pairing their major with Secondary Education and are pursuing a teaching license are required to complete either a secondary major in Secondary Education or the Pre-Licensure Secondary Education Certificate en route to the Accelerated Master’s in Teaching (A-MAT) in Secondary Education. Students who are not pursuing a teaching license are not required to complete a secondary major in Secondary Education or the Pre-Licensure Secondary Education Certificate.