Goals of the Major

A major in French consists of at least 24 credit hours beyond FRE 201 with a grade of C- or higher in every course counting toward the major, and with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 in the major (see curriculum for course distribution). The major is designed to allow students to gain advanced linguistic, cultural, and literary competence in the communities that speak this language. With each course students further develop the capacity to communicate with and to critically see and understand the linguistic communities being studied. Not only do students learn to understand, interpret, and analyze communication patterns and cultural products (new technologies, film, literature, etc.) from other geopolitical positions, but this process also fosters a greater appreciation of the learners’ own language, culture, and society. As part of the development of analytical and critical skills, students learn to build coherent arguments orally and in writing; to develop tools for the interpretation of various texts; to perform research and write critical papers; to find and evaluate sources of information; to heighten their sensitivity to the contexts of language, and to appreciate language as art.  Students will also acquire a broad, structured knowledge of the relevant history, literature and culture in the target language. Finally, they will learn to carry out cultural comparisons and to view their own culture with new eyes.

You do not have to be a student of the College of Arts and Sciences to major in a modern language; you need only the approval of your college or school advisor and to complete the departmental requirements. If you wish to complete a double degree, consult with an Arts and Sciences Advisor.

Students completing a major in a modern language are encouraged to study abroad. The Department and Study Abroad sponsor a semester-long study abroad program in Paris (UParis) for students of all majors and minors and all levels of ability in the French language; French majors and minors are especially encouraged to apply. For more information, please click here. The Study Abroad Office (in Dooly Memorial Classroom, Building 1111, Memorial Drive, Suite 125) sponsors programs for Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. It is also possible to fulfill some Arts and Sciences distribution requirements abroad. In order to take full advantage of study abroad, students should visit Study Abroad early in their university careers, discuss course equivalencies with the Study Abroad Advisor for their chosen languages (contact the Department office for names and office hours), and consult with their major advisors. Credit hour toward the major for courses taken abroad will be determined on an individual basis. 

Students with transfer credit hours must take at least 18 graded credit hours at or above the 300-level at the University of Miami; i.e., up to 6 credit hours may be transferred towards the French major from another institution or a study abroad program not administered by UM. Up to 12 credit hours taken abroad in a UM-administered program may count towards the major. 

Capstone Courses

The final course in the major is the capstone course (501) which must be taken in residence. This course will:

• Integrate the various skills acquired during the course of study (linguistic, analytical, knowledge-based);
• Incorporate interpretive as well as presentational modes of communication;
• Contain an over-arching and cohesive theme;
• Include an element of collaboration among students.

• A student may use 3 transfer credit hours with UM equivalency and 9 credit hours from a UM-sponsored study abroad program toward fulfillment of the major; the remaining 12 credit hours must be earned in courses taught by MLL faculty.
• A student may use 6 transfer credit hours with UM equivalency and 6 credit hours from a UM-sponsored study abroad program toward fulfillment of the major; the remaining 12 credit hours must be earned in courses taught by MLL faculty.
• A student may use 12 credit hours from a UM-administered study-abroad program not led by MLL faculty and 12 credit hours in courses taught by MLL faculty to fulfill the major.