Students planning to continue a language studied in high school must take a French language questionnaire, and, if necessary, a language placement exam before enrolling. Your score on the placement exam will be used to determine the appropriate level French course for enrollment. If you plan to continue studying a language in your first year, you must follow the language procedures in STAR. Instructions for registering for and completing the language placement exam can be found on pages 6–7 of this guide.
Learn more on the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures website.
Advanced Placement: A score of 4 or 5 in a Language exam earns college credit and counts toward the language studies common area requirement. Students who receive a score of 4 or 5 on the Language exam are not required to complete a language placement exam but they must complete the French language questionnaire and enroll directly in FREN 301, Composition and Conversation. Students with AP credit who take a course below the level of FREN 301 will forfeit the AP credit. Students who received a score of 6 or 7 on the Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) exam in French must complete the French language questionnaire and enroll directly in FREN 301, Composition and Conversation.
Majors: Students who are considering a major in French should elect a French language course in their first year at the College.
Courses
FREN 101
Elementary French 1
Common Area: Language Studies
This first half of an introduction to the fundamentals of the French Language focuses on the acquisition of the basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and presents an introduction to the cultures of the French-speaking world. This course is restricted to students with no previous study of French. Five class hours weekly. Conducted in French.
FREN 102
Elementary French 2
Common Area: Language Studies
This second half of an introduction to the fundamentals of the French Language reinforces and deepens basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in French as well as knowledge of the cultures of the French-speaking world. Prerequisite: French 101 or the equivalent score on the placement test. Five class hours weekly. Conducted in French.
FREN 201
Intermediate French 1
Common Area: Language Studies
The first half of a review of the fundamentals of French supplemented by reading of literature and cultural material and by practice in oral expression. Prerequisite: French 102 or the equivalent score on the placement test. Four class hours weekly. Conducted in French.
FREN 202
Intermediate French 2
Common Area: Language Studies
The second half of a review of the fundamentals of French supplemented by reading of literature and cultural material and by practice in oral expression. Prerequisite: French 201 or the equivalent score on the placement test. Four class hours weekly. Conducted in French.
FREN 301
French Composition & Conversation
Common Area: Language Studies
Designed for gaining proficiency in oral and written French. Emphasis on developing correctness and fluency in everyday situations. Regular methods of instruction include discussions, web activities, skits, listening comprehension, and grammar review. Required for French majors and minors. Recommended for first-year students with advanced placement. Four class hours weekly. Conducted in French.