Selected Educational Outcomes

  1. The ability to listen and to read in French at the advanced level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
  2. The ability to speak and to write in French at the advanced-low level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
  3. Knowledge of cultural universals and trends, as well as specific similarities and differences between Francophone and American cultures, including both non-verbal and verbal aspects.
  4. Knowledge of major historical events and their role in the development of the Francophone cultures as well as knowledge of the major literary and artistic works of those cultures.
  5. The ability to use technology for research purposes and as a means of communication with the various areas of the French-speaking world.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages evaluates the level of linguistic proficiency and cultural knowledge achieved by the students in the Bachelor of Arts program in French by using a variety of assessment measures. The results of the assessment activities are used for continued curriculum development and revision. Among the methods used to determine the effectiveness of the program are the following:

  1. An examination to assess the level of listening, reading, and writing proficiency, along with an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview to assess the level of speaking proficiency at the entry to the major.
  2. An examination covering appropriate topics to assess the student’s knowledge of content material related to Francophone culture, linguistics, and literature.
  3. An examination to assess the level of listening, reading, and writing proficiency, along with an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview to assess the level of speaking proficiency at the completion of the major.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French--Language and Culture Track

Core Curriculum60
Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Core Curriculum Area F18
FREN 1001
FREN 1002
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I
and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II
0-6
FREN 2001
FREN 2002
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I
and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II
0-6
Foreign Language and Culture (2nd Foreign Language)0-12
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses0-6
Senior College Curriculum60
Upper-Level Courses in French
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3001French Conversation3
or FREN 3002 French Composition
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 4001Advanced Conversation3
FREN 4002Advanced Composition3
FREN 4990Senior Seminar3
FREN 4980Community Practicum1
FREN Electives: 3000/4000-level courses9
Supporting Courses
ESOL 4010Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers3
2nd Foreign Language and Culture (may be taken in Areas C and F)0-12
Electives11-23
Total hours required for the degree120

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French 
World Languages and Cultures Track

The World Languages and Cultures in French offers students the opportunity to combine two or more world languages in a program of study that will impart the basic knowledge necessary to participate in international and intercultural settings. The track emphasizes knowledge of modern foreign cultures and enables students to focus on one modern language while achieving speaking facility in one or two others. These tracks are foundational to advanced studies in humanities disciplines such as modern languages, history, art history, philosophy, or political science. When combined with business courses, these degrees can open up international professional opportunities.

Majors in World Languages and Cultures may find employment in business, government, education, media, travel and social services, depending upon their skills and experiences. Majors can seek out employment opportunities in which language skills are required in the work place. Such positions include translating, interpreting, and teaching foreign languages within a corporate context. World Languages and Cultures majors also pursue careers in social services capacities.

Core Curriculum60
Core Curriculum Areas A-F (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Core Curriculum Area F18
FREN 1001
FREN 1002
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I
and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II
0-6
FREN 2001
FREN 2002
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I
and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II
0-6
Second Foreign Language at the 1001 to 2002 levels0-12
Electives from Area C and Area E courses0-6
Senior College Curriculum60
Upper-Level Courses in French
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3001French Conversation3
or FREN 3002 French Composition
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 4001Advanced Conversation3
FREN 4002Advanced Composition3
FREN 4990Senior Seminar3
FREN 3000- or 4000-level courses6
ESOL 4010Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers3
Related Electives27
Total hours required for the degree120

A second or third foreign language may be taken in the major as needed under the Related Electives.

Suggested Elective Sequences: Minor in Spanish or German, Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Certificate in Spanish for Professionals.

A minimum of 39 hours must be taken at the 3000/4000 level.

Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Tracks

In the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or Foreign Language Education (FLED), students will complete 9 hours of graduate courses that will count toward the completion of the B.A. in French in either the Language and Culture Track or the World Languages and Cultures Track. These 9 hours may then be applied toward the completion of the degree requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching -- ESOL or FLED at Valdosta State University upon graduate admission.

To be admitted to the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED, students must:

  • Have completed at least 60 credit hours;
  • Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; and
  • Submit the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED application to the Undergraduate French Advisor.

Once admitted, a specific course of study will be developed with the student’s advisor. Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate will count toward the 120-hour graduation requirement but will not count toward the student’s undergraduate GPA or the calculation of academic honors.

Upon acceptance into the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing. Students who do not maintain good standing or who do not wish to continue with the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED may revert to their original track to complete the remaining requirements for the B.A. in French, either the Language and Culture Track or the World Languages and Cultures Track.

Students interested in continuing their graduate education may apply for the Master of Arts in Teaching -- ESOL or FLED program in their senior year or upon completion of their undergraduate degree. Students in the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED will not be required to take additional admission tests but must meet all other graduate admission requirements. Students who have completed the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED will complete an additional 27 hours of graduate classes to meet the degree requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching -- ESOL or FLED of 36 hours. Upon application to the Graduate School, students who have made a “C” or less in any of their graduate courses taken as undergraduates will be subject to the Master of Arts in Teaching -- ESOL or FLED Special Retention Policy.

Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL for the 
French Language and Culture Track

Senior College Curriculum
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3001French Conversation3
or FREN 3002 French Composition
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 4001Advanced Conversation3
FREN 4002Advanced Composition3
FREN 4980Community Practicum1
FREN 4990Senior Seminar3
FREN 3000- or 4000-level courses9
SPEC 3000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
ESOL 6010Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers3
ESOL 6020 or above6
General Electives2-14
Total hours60

Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in FLED for the
French Language and Culture Track

Senior College Curriculum
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3001French Conversation3
or FREN 3002 French Composition
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 4001Advanced Conversation3
FREN 4002Advanced Composition3
FREN 4980Community Practicum1
FREN 4990Senior Seminar3
FREN 3000- or 4000-level courses6
SPEC 3000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
FREN 5000-level or above3
ESOL 6010Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers3
ESOL 6020Cultural Perspectives for ESOL Teachers3
or ESOL 6030 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESOL
General Electives5-17
Total hours60

Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL for the
French World Languages and Cultures Track

Senior College Curriculum
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3001French Conversation3
or FREN 3002 French Composition
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 3300French Phonetics and Phonology3
FREN 4001Advanced Conversation3
FREN 4002Advanced Composition3
FREN 4990Senior Seminar3
FREN course 3000-level or above3
SPEC 3000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
ESOL 6010Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers3
ESOL 6020 or above6
General Electives18
Total hours60

Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in FLED for the
French World Languages and Cultures Track

Senior College Curriculum
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3001French Conversation3
or FREN 3002 French Composition
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 4001Advanced Conversation3
FREN 4002Advanced Composition3
FREN 4990Senior Seminar3
SPEC 3000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
FREN course 5000-level or above3
FREN course 3000-level or above3
ESOL 6010Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers3
ESOL 6020Cultural Perspectives for ESOL Teachers3
or ESOL 6030 Methods and Materials for Teaching ESOL
General electives21
Total hours60

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French
French Language and International Trade Track

Core Curriculum60
Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Core Curriculum Area F
FREN 1001
FREN 1002
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I
and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II
0-6
FREN 2001
FREN 2002
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I
and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II
0-6
ECON 2105Principles of Macroeconomics3
ECON 2106Principles of Microeconomics3
Foreign Language and Culture (2nd Foreign Language)0-6
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses0-12
Senior College Curriculum60
Upper-Level Courses in French
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3450Culture, Business, and Society in the French-Speaking World2
FREN 4210Business French3
FREN 4980Community Practicum1
FREN 4990Senior Seminar ((to be used for internship)3
Electives: 3000/4000-level course 9
Business Courses
ACCT 2101
ACCT 2102
Principles of Accounting I
and Principles of Accounting II
6
IB 3000Introduction to International Business3
MGNT 3250Management and Organization Behavior3
MGNT 4800International Management3
MKTG 3050Introduction to Marketing3
MKTG 4680International Marketing3
Supporting Courses
ACED 3101Computerized Office Accounting3
ACED 3150Computer Systems for the Office3
or ACED 3400 Applied Computer Technology
Electives (outside the College of Business)11
Total hours required for the degree120