The French major at UNH offers fluency in the language and a deep understanding of French and Francophone cultures. Students explore literature, films, and history across French-speaking countries, enhancing their global perspective. The program includes study abroad opportunities, notably at the University of Burgundy in Dijon, and the chance to conduct research abroad. Co-curricular activities include conversation hours and language clubs. French majors work closely with supportive faculty and can combine their studies with disciplines like international affairs or engineering.
What is French?
French is the official language in 33 countries spread over five continents. While studying for your degree in French, you will gain fluency by learning the language and open your horizons by exploring French and Francophone literature, films and other cultural productions. You will learn about historical and contemporary civilization in a number of French-speaking countries, acquiring a deeper understanding of French heritage and the variety of cultures that make up the Francophone world.
Why study French at UNH?
As a French major at UNH, you will work closely with dedicated and caring faculty who will get to know you well. You will be able to study abroad in a French-speaking country and have opportunities to conduct research abroad. Our department maintains highly recommended semester- and yearlong programs through the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France. Co-curricular activities on campus include a conversation hour and language clubs. You can combine French with other disciplines, such as international affairs or engineering, because of the importance of mastering a second language in our globalized world.
Potential careers
- Airline customer service agent
- Bilingual service coordinator
- Book review editor
- Citizenship and immigration officer
- Flight attendant
- Foreign language teacher
- Foreign service officer
- Hospitality and tourism professional
- Interpreter
- Language assessor
- Tourism officer
- Translator
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French and International Affairs Majors | Assistant Manager & Head of Marketing and Social MediaSince I graduated in spring 2020, I have been working at Putnam & Vine Wine & Spirits in Greenwich, CT. Over the past year I have worked my way up to assistant manager and am responsible for the store’s marketing and social media (@putnamandvine on Instagram).Learn More -
Music Performance and French MajorsWhy did you choose UNH? My original story of why I chose UNH wasn't all that exciting — it came down to money for me. What is worth recounting though, is why I stayed at UNH, didn't transfer and how it became my home. I was surprised to find communities and support in every nook and…Learn More -
French and International Affairs Major | Professional Basketball PlayerAs a kid from Senegal, West Africa, where the daily life is constantly a battle for a lot of people to eat at their satisfaction. I was very fortunate to be part of a family where my father had a decent job. He was able to take of me and my four other siblings. My parents were unfortunately uneducated, my father was born and raised at his parents village and he used to work day and night at…Learn More
Curriculum & Requirements
The undergraduate major in French offered by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is centered on the study of the French language and the literatures and cultures of France and the French-speaking world. Students who complete the requirements for the major can expect to become proficient in French at a level that would allow them to communicate with native speakers, to develop an in-depth critical appreciation of French and Francophone cultures and literatures, and to be culturally sensitive members of society.
The program offers courses devoted to authors, works, and literary and cultural movements that span ten centuries and four continents. The curriculum also includes interdisciplinary courses on relations between literature and other areas of study such as history, law, religion, politics and the arts. All courses are conducted in French, and majors are expected to write papers and examinations in that language.
French can be taken either as a primary major or as one of two majors, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. Appropriate majors to combine with French might include, but are not limited to, international affairs, political science, English, education, film and media studies, history, music, philosophy, theater studies, women’s studies, business and communication.
The French major may interest students desiring a general humanistic education based on the language and literature of the French-speaking world; students planning to teach French at the elementary or secondary level; students who intend to pursue graduate work in preparation for teaching and research at the college level; and students preparing for careers in such areas as international law, business, journalism, international organizations, and public or government service, which require both training in a major foreign language and/or a general background in a humanistic discipline.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.
All students must complete at least 10 classes (40 credits). All coursework required for the French major must be completed with a grade of C or better. Specific course requirements are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Language courses 1 | ||
| Students entering major at a higher language level will replace the language courses with additional electives | ||
FREN 503 | Intermediate French I | |
FREN 504 | Intermediate French II | |
FREN 631 | Advanced French: Reading and Writing | |
FREN 632 | Advanced French: Listening and Speaking | |
| Electives 2 | ||
| Select a minimum of five courses from the following Culture, Linguistics, and Literature category | ||
FREN 525 | A Road Trip Through France: Baguette, Brie, Bordeaux, and Beyond | |
FREN 651 | Love, War, and Power in French Literature | |
FREN 595 | French Practicum | |
FREN 652 | Greatest Hits of French | |
FREN 676 | Topics in Francophone Culture | |
FREN #765 | Rebellion and Upheaval in 18th-Century Literature and Culture | |
FREN 775 | Les Mis and their World | |
FREN 795 | Special Studies in French Language and Literature | |
LLC 540 | Film History | |
LLC 552 | Comparative Literature: Masterpieces of World Literature II | |
LLC 595 | Language Practicum | |
LLC 791 | Methods of Foreign Language Teaching | |
| Capstone 3 | ||
LLC 790 | World Languages Capstone | |
| Study Abroad | ||
| An approved foreign study experience in a French-speaking country is required, although an approved equivalent high-impact experience may be substituted for study abroad with a compelling justification | ||
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While the major may start counting as early as the Intermediate I level (FREN 503), those who enter the major at a higher level (FREN 504, FREN 631, or FREN 632) will replace the courses they skip from the four in the intermediate and advanced language category with additional electives in the Culture, Linguistics, and Literature category.
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More electives required if fewer language credits were completed due to proficiency level and placement.
No limit on the number of classes in English allowed. Students taking no classes in the target language in a given semester will be strongly encouraged to enroll in one credit of conversation hour to maintain their language skills, and many of the courses taught in English will allow students the option to (or even require students to) do some work in the target language.- 3
Or approved equivalent 700-level course taken at UNH, approved study abroad equivalent, or approved high-impact experience (such as internship with a robust target language/culture component).
Transfer students must earn a minimum of 12 major credits at the Durham campus.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
French majors may use two major-required courses to satisfy two Discovery category requirements.
Upon completion of the French Major, our students are expected to master:
- SLO 1: Communicative Proficiency Students communicate in the target language, having mastered the four basic communicative skills at the advanced level according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. They are able to narrate and describe in past, present and future time, use a variety of communication strategies (such as circumlocution, paraphrasing), support their opinions and hypothesize. They can be understood without difficulty by a native interlocutor and carry conversations on a wide variety of topics. They are able to understand native speakers in a variety of situations (academic, everyday life, radio, television).
- SLO 2: Intercultural Competence During and after their experiences abroad, students are led to reflect on cultural differences and develop cross-cultural competencies. They develop awareness of what it means to interact appropriately and effectively within diverse social and cultural contexts.
- SLO 3: Knowledge and Understanding Students grasp complex or unfamiliar texts (literary, journalistic, etc.), have an awareness of the esthetic properties of language and literary style, and have developed tools to asses and analyze different linguistic registers. They are able to contextualize and have knowledge of a representative selection of figures, works, and tendencies in the literature and other cultural productions from the Francophone world.
- SLO 4: Critical Thinking Students are able to critically analyze texts and other cultural artifacts from various areas of the Francophone world, are able to define a position about them, and to substantiate it using research. They are able to establish connections between different areas of knowledge, and are able to collaborate to answer questions and solve problems through task-based activities.
Explore Program Details
French placement surveys are required so that students may register for the course appropriate to their skills.
Go to the Placement Survey page and begin your Survey
French Course Placement Guidelines
|
FREN 401-402 |
FREN 403 |
FREN 503 |
FREN 504 |
FREN 631 or 632 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Elementary French |
Intensive Review of French |
Intermediate French I |
Intermediate French II |
Advanced French |
|
Intro. to basic language skills |
Course for students in need of review for lang. and reading skills |
Development of lang. & reading skills, intro. to cultural materials from France and other French-speaking areas |
Continued development of lang. & reading skills, cultural materials from France and other French-speaking areas |
In-depth study of more advanced lang. skills and patterns (incl. grammar, conversation, & composition) and cultural material |
|
No previous study of French |
Normally, 1 to 2 years of high school French |
3-4 years high school French or FREN 402 or 403 with C or better |
4-5 years high school French or FREN 503 with C or better |
AP French (score 4 or 5) or FREN 504 with C or better |
|
Placement survey not required |
Placement survey assessment by faculty |
Placement survey assessment by faculty | Placement survey assessment by faculty | Placement survey assessment by faculty |
|
Both 401 and 402 must be completed to satisfy the BA foreign language requirement |
Does not count toward major/minor, Discovery (WC) and BA foreign language requirements |
Counts toward minor, Discovery (WC), BA foreign language requirement |
Counts toward minor, Discovery (WC), BA foreign language requirement |
Counts toward major, minor, BA foreign language |
|
No credit will be given for this course if student has previously studied French |
|
Students may also complete this course abroad (see UNH summer prog. in Dijon, France) |
Students may also complete this course abroad (see UNH summer prog. in Dijon, France) |
Family language heritage or residence in a French-speaking country may also be a factor in placing here |
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Students may also be able to complete this course abroad (see UNH summer prog. in Dijon, France) |
Majors are required to spend at least one semester in a French-speaking country. The department offers a UNH-managed program at the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France (see FREN 690). It is administered by the College's Center for Study Abroad. This program spans either the fall or spring semester or the entire academic year and is open to all qualified UNH students who have completed, with a grade of B- or better, FREN 631-632 and FREN 651-652 by the end of the semester preceding their departure. Early consultation with the director of the program is urged. Non-credit orientation meetings are required during the semester prior to departure. It is also possible to study in another French-speaking country through a program approved by the UNH Global Education.
The Walter Jensen Scholarship for Study Abroad
This scholarship is available from the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) for undergraduates who expect to be future teachers of French. The award helps fund study abroad for one semester or an entire academic year on a program approved by their University. For further information about eligibility, deadlines, and the application form, go to www.frenchteachers.org/hq/scholarshipjensen.htm.
French Embassy Grants and Programs
https://frenchhighereducation.org/grants-and-programs
Phi Beta Kappa Fellowships
Two fellowships are awarded annually by Phi Beta Kappa that provide significant financial support for continued study in French language and literature.
The Walter J. Jensen Fellowship for French Language, Literature, and Culture funds at least six months of study in France and carries a minimum stipend of $10,000. Candidates must have earned a B.A. degree with a French major and a minimum 3.0 cum gpa.
The Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship is awarded in alternate years in the fields of Greek and French. The award may be used for the study of the French language or literature (or Greek, in alternating years). It carries a stipend of $20,000. Candidates for the Sibley award must be unmarried women aged 25 to 35 and have earned a Ph.D. or have fulfilled all the requirements for a doctorate except the dissertation.
NSEP David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships
Sponsored by the Institute of International Education. Between $10k and $20k for a semester or year abroad studying less commonly taught language and regions. Must have an interest in “national security, broadly defined,” and be willing to work (paid) for the government for one year following graduation in the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or an element of the Intelligence Community. French is available under the African Languages Initiative Options. Eligible: undergraduate and graduate students. Learn more at the program website or email boren@iie.org.
Global Scholar
Offers between $1000 and $2500 for study abroad, internship, service learning programs, etc. Deadline April, June, November (rolling).
Fund for Education Abroad
Up to 15 scholarships, each worth up to $10,000 to support students planning to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as undergraduates in US universities/colleges who plan to study abroad for at least four weeks between May 2016 and May 2017. Deadline: January 2015 (1.5 years in advance-requires planning ahead)
Humanity in Action Fellowship
Summer program focusing on human rights, national histories of discrimination and resistance, and the relationship between majority and minority populations in the five European countries where the programs take place – Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Deadline: January.
Euroscholars
Designed for students who are interested in discovering their potential for a research career. Opportunities to spend a semester as a junior researcher at universities in Switzerland, Italy, Belgium or Germany. The curriculum will consist of the Research Project (main element), literature review (independent study), elective (if applicable), and a language and culture course at the host university. Deadlines: April/October (Fall/Spring semester)
Fulbright
Grants for graduating seniors, alumni, or graduate students to a) teach English abroad (in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, etc.) or b) study, conduct research, or a combination of these in one of over 155 countries, including France. Travel, living allowance, and stipend provided. Deadline: September for subsequent academic year. UNH Fulbright Day held every March. Contact the Office for more details.
Pasteur Foundation Summer Internship Program
Provides U.S. undergraduates with the opportunity to conduct summer biomedical research at the lnstitut Pasteur. The foundation's goal is to encourage students in the pursuit of a scientific career and to expose them to an international laboratory experience. Deadline: December
Thomas Pickering and Charles Rangle Foreign Service Fellowships
Both of these programs provide funding to participants as they prepare academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply; for juniors (Pickering) and seniors (Pickering and Rangel). Deadline: January and February.
Killam Fellowships (Canada)
The Killam Fellowships Program allows undergraduate students from Canada and the United States to participate in a program of binational residential exchange. Killam Fellows spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the host country. Deadline: End of January for subsequent academic year.
Opportunities for Work in France or in the Francophone World
Teach English in France
Every year, the French Ministry of Education and the Cultural Services at the French Embassy offer approximately 1,600 teaching assistantship positions in French primary and secondary schools of France and the DOM-TOMs (overseas departments). Contact a French faculty member for more information. Students may also apply to participate through the Fulbright program. Please visit their website for more information: https://frenchhighereducation.org/teaching-assistant-program.
Peace Corps
French speakers are needed in the Peace Corps. Learn more.
