Why should I study French?
Regardless of the career of life path you choose, a major in French will provide you with the tools you need to succeed. Not only will you attain advanced fluency in written and spoken French, but you will also acquire the kinds of skills that admissions boards and employers look for the most: critical thinking, problem solving, effective written and oral expression, and sensitivity to cultural difference.
What could I do with a French major?
Just about anything you want! Graduates of the French Department have achieved success in the most diverse careers. Foreign language teachers, a cardiologist, a veterinarian, a naval commander at the Pentagon, a professor of political science, lawyers, sales representatives, journalists, an anesthesiologist, a law professor, translators, a senior applications programmer, travel agents, independent business owners, a senior museum preparatory, nurses, physicians, financial managers, stock brokers, and an industrial attache for a French trade commission - all graduated with a B.A. in French from UC Davis.
What courses do French majors take?
The curriculum in the French major encompasses a wide array of courses in literature, language, and culture. Students may train in French and Francophone literatures from the Middle Ages through the twenty-first century; theoretical and applied linguistics; and the history and culture of nearly all geographic regions of the French-speaking world, especially the Caribbean, Africa, and Vietnam. Some examples of upper-division courses in the French major are:
- The Making of Modern France
- Topics in Contemporary French Culture
- History of the French Language
- French and Francophone Film
- Post-Colonial and Francophone Literature
- Paris: Modernity and Metropolitan Culture
Complete list of courses (general catalog)
What are the major/minor requirements?
The French major requires 40 units of upper division courses, beginning with FRE 100, which is the only prerequisite for other upper division courses. The French minor requires 20 units of upper division courses, also beginning with FRE 100.
Can I double (or even triple) major?
Absolutely! Most French majors have one additional major, and sometimes even two. The requirements for the major in French include only forty-four units at the upper division. Even students with majors in unit-heavy fields (the sciences or engineering) are usually able to accommodate a major in French.
Can I do an honors thesis?
Yes! The guidelines are as follows: Candidates for high or highest honors in French must write a senior thesis under the direction of a faculty member. For this purpose, honors candidates must enroll in French 194H (4 units) and French 195H (4 units). Normally, a student will undertake the honors project during the first two quarters of the senior year; other arrangements must be authorized by the department chair. Only students who, at the end of the junior year (135 units), have attained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.500 in courses required for the major will be eligible for the honors program. For students completing an honors thesis in French, only 4 of the 8 required units may be used to satisfy the general elective requirement for the major. Students should be advised that the cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 is a minimum to undertake the writing of an honors thesis and does not guarantee honors. The grade-point average required for honors is determined by the College of Letters and Science every year.
What are the French faculty like?
The French faculty are active and prominent in their fields, including literature, linguistics, and pedagogy. All are devoted undergraduate teachers and spend a considerable amount of time mentoring students. French majors enjoy a low student/teacher ratio, small class sizes, and active student organizations. The French Department sponsors a particularly active French club.
What about studying abroad?
Opportunities to Study Abroad in France are available for students with varying levels of French language skills, from beginner to advanced.