Program Overview

Introduction to the French Program

The French program at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the French language and culture. The department trains students in two areas: language structure and literary analysis. Language structure is taught both holistically and analytically, with modern methods and multimedia technology, as well as study abroad opportunities. The department supports the analytical instruction of language structure through a full range of skills courses, as well as a significant number of courses in composition, culture, and literature.

Why Consider a French Major?

The French major provides students with the skills to learn firsthand about major world societies. The department believes that the best way to understand a culture directly is through its language. The languages offered in the department are spoken natively by nearly two billion people. The multifaceted programs of the department provide an opening to the world through language, literature, culture, and civilization.

Student Resources

• Department website: Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
• Department advising: Visit the Language Advisors webpage for more information
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample careers: Interpreter, Foreign Correspondent, Foreign Service Officer, FBI Agent, Educator, Linguist, Travel Writer, all careers involving communication

How to Declare

To declare a French major, students should make an appointment with the language advisor. When meeting with the advisor, students should bring:

• An unofficial WWU transcript
• Documentation for courses taken at other colleges or universities
• Documentation for any study-abroad credits earned Then, students should submit a Student Academic Declaration and Change Form.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. A GPA of 2.50 or above in the major is required.

Program Requirements

The French program requires 60 credits, including:

Core (40 credits)

• FREN 301 - Grammar Review and Composition (5 credits)
• FREN 314 - Phonetics (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • FREN 331 - Cultures et sociétés de France (5 credits)
  • FREN 332 - Cultures et sociétés du Canada Francophone (5 credits)
• Two courses from:
  • FREN 340 - Introduction à la littérature française I (5 credits)
  • FREN 341 - Introduction à la littérature française II (5 credits)
  • FREN 342 - Introduction à la littérature française III (5 credits)
• FREN 385 - Culture et conversation (5 credits)
• FREN 401 - Advanced Composition (5 credits)
• One other 400-level French course, excluding FREN 425 (One 400-level French course must be taken on campus)

Electives (20 credits)

• Electives (20 credits) from: FREN 200 level (maximum of 15 credits allowed)
• FREN 300 level
• FREN 400 level, excluding FREN 425

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement