French
Students enrolled in French at UND join a community of peers who are preparing for degrees in numerous fields of study central to our state, nation, and the world.
In doing so, they achieve remarkable proficiency in the second-most taught foreign language in the world. The ability to study French at any level provides our students with a sociolinguistic gateway to the world. As a result, they gain unique perspectives about their major and minor disciplines as they engage in local, national, and international dialogues.
French is a language of commerce, politics, science, art, and culture across seven continents with its highest concentration of over 400 million speakers located in Europe, Africa, North America, and the Caribbean. Based on empirical data, researchers predict rapid expansion of French-speaking communities in the next several decades.
Our program offers a variety of international education experiences such as faculty-guided field trips to Canada. In addition, we support international study for a summer, semester, or a full academic year in a variety of global French-speaking destinations.
The faculty members in French advise students throughout their undergraduate career to identify the best path of study in French to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. Our faculty have a range of research and teaching expertise, which is reflected in our diverse array of course offerings. Thus, our rich and unique curriculum complements any undergraduate major or minor.
Current and past students have paired a major in French with a variety of other fields, among them engineering, medicine, education, aviation, criminal justice, music, and history. Several of our alumni and recent graduates are pursuing graduate degrees and/or are currently working in the fields of law, education, medicine, international business, and human rights.
Beyond the classroom, students may participate in our vibrant student-led Francophone Club that offers a weekly conversation table, a film series, cultural events, and opportunities for community engagement, outreach, and service learning. The availability of individual tutoring helps students hone their language skills at all stages.
French Courses
FREN 101. First Year French I. 4 Credits.
Introduction to speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension with a focus on understanding the diversity of our world's natural heritage as found in the Francophone world. F,S.
FREN 102. First Year French II. 4 Credits.
A continuation of the fundamentals of speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension with a focus on world issues arising in Francophone countries from the encounter between cultural heritage and natural heritage. Prerequisite: FREN 101 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. F,S.
FREN 201. Second Year French I. 4 Credits.
Fundamentals of French grammar with an emphasis on speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension and a focus on Francophone world organizations and the solutions they offer to world issues. This course is taught primarily in French. Prerequisite: FREN 102 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. F.
FREN 202. Second Year French II. 4 Credits.
Review of the structure of the French language, continued practice of oral and written expression, introduction to phonetics, and Francophone literatures as a reflection of culture. This course is taught primarily in French. Prerequisite: FREN 201 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. S.
FREN 301. Third Year French I. 3 Credits.
Review of French grammar with an emphasis on written expression and a focus on readings, films and cultures. This course is taught in French. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. F.
FREN 302. Third Year French II. 3 Credits.
Review of French grammar with an emphasis on oral expression, phonetics and pronunciation and a focus on readings, films and cultures. This course is taught in French. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. S.
FREN 305. French Conversation and Culture. 3 Credits.
The study of concepts helpful in describing contemporary cultures and their applications to addressing contemporary issues from both domestic and global perspectives in the francophone world. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. F.
FREN 306. French Conversation and Culture II. 3 Credits.
Contemporary world issues of the French speaking world with an emphasis on oral and written expression. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. S.
FREN 307. A Social and Cultural History of Québec. 3 Credits.
This course focuses on the case of Québec as an example of North American cultural diversity. It addresses how geography, history, language, ideology, religion and ethnicity help explain cultural differences and their construction of a cultural state. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. On demand.
FREN 340. Business French. 3 Credits.
Oral and written practice with terminology and idioms used in commerce and business correspondence. Readings on such topics as banking, employment, markets, production, services, trade and practices in the French business world. Prerequisite: FREN 301 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. On demand.
FREN 371. Studies in European Francophone Literatures, Films and Cultures. 3 Credits.
Topics for this course may include genre studies, survey of literary and or social/political movements, or a specific time period. Depending on the topic and the range of interest outside the major, the course may be taught in French or English. For major or minor credit, written work must be done in French. Repeatable up to 6 credits when course content differs. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. Repeatable to 6 credits. On demand.
FREN 372. Studies in African, Asian, Caribbean, and/or Polynesian Francophone Literatures, Films and Cultures. 3 Credits.
Topics for this course may include genre studies, survey of literary and or social/political movements, or a specific time period. Depending on the topic and the range of interest outside the major, the course may be taught in French or English. For major or minor credit, written work must be done in French. Repeatable up to 6 credits when course content differs. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. Repeatable to 6 credits. On demand.
FREN 373. North American Francophone Cultures through Literature and Film. 3 Credits.
A study of issues relating to being francophone in North America, the course examines North American francophone cultural diversity and concepts of difference as seen in literature and film drawn from Quebec, the maritimes, the Canadian prairie provinces, the Middlewest, New England and Louisiana. Topics for this course may include genre studies, survey of literary and or social/political movements, or a specific time period. Depending on the topic and the range of interest outside the major, the course may be taught in French or English. For major or minor credit written work must be done in French. Repeatable up to 6 credits when course content differs. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. Repeatable to 6 credits. On demand.
FREN 413. Advanced French Grammar Review. 3 Credits.
An oral and written approach to French grammar and stylistics. Prerequisite: FREN 302 or equivalent. On demand.
FREN 491. Seminar in French and Francophone Studies. 1-3 Credits.
Topics for this course may include genre studies, survey of literary and or social/political movements, a specific author, or a specific time period. Depending on the topic and the range of interest outside the major, the course may be taught in French or English. For major or minor credit, written work must be done in French. May be repeated up to 12 credits. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of a C or better, French placement exam or consent of instructor. Repeatable to 12 credits. On demand.
FREN 494. Individual French Readings. 1-3 Credits.
For major or minor credit, written work must be done in French. Topics vary with individual interests and needs and may include genre studies, survey of literary and or social/political movements, or a specific time period. May be repeated to a total of six hours. Prerequisite: FREN 202 with a grade of C or better or consent of the instructor. Repeatable to 6 credits. F,S.