French
The ability to speak and understand French opens countless doors and expands one's view of the world. With the news of what's happening around the globe only minutes away, the understanding of different cultures that comes from being bi- or multi-lingual is invaluable. Dynamic faculty members, committed to helping students become citizens of the global community, engage in teaching, research, publication, and other professional activities.
Getting the tools to pursue professional goals
Since graduating from MTSU in Fall 2010 with double majors in French and International Relations, Shayna Breanne Taylor has been working in Washington, D.C., with Medical Service Corporation International, an organization specializing in international health development of women and children as well as aiding victims of human trafficking. “I've used my French on several projects in Haiti, as well as on research on human trafficking in francophone speaking Africa,” says Shayna. She has completed work on a master's degree in European Studies at Indiana University. In the near future, Shayna will join the Army Reserves as a military intelligence officer and use her French as an intelligence analyst.
This alumna believes in giving back
In the late forties, a young woman from Bedford County came to what was then called Middle Tennessee State College. She lived in Rutledge Hall, played clarinet in the Band of Blue, met her future husband in the cafeteria, and majored in Spanish. In 1953, she was the first recipient of a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages. In 2011, Eleanor Frances Nelson Jordan, the former Spanish major, teacher, and guidance counselor established an endowment to provide scholarships for students majoring in Foreign Language at MTSU.
Fluency in French expands your career opportunities. Whether you're interested in the fields of teaching, translating, editing, traveling, or foreign service, your awareness of connections between language and culture serves you well.
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- Medical Service Corporation International
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Peace Corps
- Rutherford County School System
- Stanford Medical School
- Webb School
The major in Foreign Languages has four concentrations—French, German, Japanese, and Spanish—and leads to either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Minors are offered in French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. Courses in Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Italian, Kurdish, Latin, Portuguese, and Russian are available.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.
Interdisciplinary minors coordinated through the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures include Classical Studies, Early Modern European Studies, Latin American Studies, Linguistic Studies, and Portuguese Studies.
Students in French can study abroad for a semester or a full year at one of two universities in France or for a four-week summer term in Cherbourg, France. Living with a host family allows immersion in the culture and improvement in communication skills.
Students wishing to teach in elementary and secondary schools need to seek licensure in a foreign language. This requires the equivalent of a major in that language (Spanish, French, or German); FL4500 Introduction to Teaching a Foreign Language; and a minor in Education.
Graduate students may pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T).
French
3 credit hours
Foundation course in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 1010 or advanced placement. Continuation of FREN 1010.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 1010 or equivalent. Embarks students on a mastery of the linguistic and cultural skills necessary for effective communication in francophone professional contexts. May substitute for FREN 1020.
6 credit hours
A foundation course in reading, writing, speaking, and aural comprehension. FREN 1040 counts as combined credit for FREN 1010 and FREN 1020.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 1020 or advanced placement.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 2010 or advanced placement. Continuation of FREN 2010.
1 to 6 credits credi
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Arrangements must be made with instructor prior to registration. May be repeated.
1 to 6 credit hours
Two semesters of French or equivalent and/or approval of French faculty. For students in any major or minor.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 2020 or advanced placement.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 2020. The linguistic and cultural skills necessary to conduct business in France or any other francophone setting.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 2020.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 or equivalent.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 or equivalent.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite:FREN 3010 or equivalent. History, aesthetics, and analysis of French and francophone film. Course conducted in French.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 or permission of instructor. Study of a selected topic in French culture, cinema, or literature. Content varies to reflect expertise of instructor. May be repeated once.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 2020 or equivalent. History of French/Francophone culture from the beginning to present.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 or equivalent for French majors and minors; ENGL 2020 or ENGL 2030 or equivalent for all others. The literary works of twentieth- and twenty first- century women writers of French-speaking countries including Algeria, Canada, France, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Morocco, Senegal, and Vietnam. Class conducted in English.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 2020 or equivalent or by permission of instructor. Focuses on the linguistic and cultural elements necessary to the francophone tourism industry.
3 to 12 credit hours
Prerequisite: Permission of department. Majors and minors only. Students will spend one or two semesters abroad studying French language, literature, and culture. Students may earn three to twelve credit hours in other study abroad programs approved by the department. May be repeated.
3 credit hours
Provides students with opportunities for on-the-job training in conjunction with on-campus academic experiences. Students will participate in professional growth seminars. Requirements of the department must be completed to receive credit.
3 credit hours
Provides students with opportunities for on-the-job training in conjunction with on-campus academic experiences. Students will participate in professional growth seminars. Requirements of the department must be completed to receive credit.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level. Class conducted in English. No language prerequisite. However, students taking course for French major or minor credit will be required to do some written assignments in French.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Six hours of French at the 3000 level. Focuses on contemporary France and current events, emphasizing the role of media as well as relevant political and social issues. Stresses cultural knowledge and competency in oral and written expression.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Six hours of French at the 3000 level. Focuses on the culinary history of France and its role in the social, economic, and political identity of France.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 or equivalent or by permission of instructor. Focuses on developing linguistic and cultural proficiency in a variety of professional contexts.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 plus one other course at the 3000 level or permission of instructor. Examines social and cultural issues addressed in French-language literature, film, and other media and focuses specifically on the confrontation of immorality and criminal behavior.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 plus one other course at the 3000 level or permission of instructor. Focuses on major social movements of France and the French-speaking world, addressing diverse topics such as race, gender, class, sexuality, politics, and religion.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 plus one other course at the 3000 level or permission of instructor. Focuses on the tradition of the French graphic novel. Taught in French.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: FREN 3010 plus one other course at the 3000 level or permission of instructor. Focuses on contrastive and stylistic analysis of French texts with emphasis on grammatically accurate translation.
1 to 6 credit hours
Prerequisites: Six hours of French at the 3000 level. Individualized intensive reading in primary and secondary sources relating to a specific topic in French literature or culture. Arrangements must be made with instructor prior to registration. Proposals must be approved by the French section one month prior to the end of the preceding semester.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to the College of Graduate Studies or permission of the instructor. For graduate students seeking proficiency in reading French for research purposes. Open to undergraduates seeking to prepare for graduate study. Will not count toward a major or minor in French.
Year-long Study
MTSU has an exchange program with the Université de Franche-Comté in Besançon, France, which allows students to study for a full-year in France. Students pay MTSU tuition plus living costs and travel expenses. Although students may apply for one or two semesters, students applying for a full academic year will be given preference. Students must have completed two years of French, but students who have earned six hours of credit at the 3000 level are more likely to be prepared for French university courses. Consideration will be given to students with fewer than six hours at the 300 level, but they will be required to do their first semester of work in a language program at the CLA in Besançon, which requires additional fees. Students earn 12 credits per semester while enrolled. For details, contact Dr. Leah Lyons, ltlyons@mtsu.edu, 615-898-5778.
Summer Study Opportunities
The French program at MTSU offers a summer program in Cherbourg, France. Students will spend four weeks on the campus of the I.U.T.-Cherbourg (University Technological Institute) and other locations in Cherbourg, France studying the French language and extending their knowledge of French daily life and culture. Through a wide-range of teacher-led activities, both inside and outside the classroom, students will improve and develop their speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills. Afternoon activities and excursions will present students with the opportunity to use their language abilities in an enjoyable but structured environment. Living with host families will provide students with increased opportunities for progress in their language skills and will allow them to expand their knowledge of French society and value systems. Students will tour Paris and its landmarks, as well as important sites in and near Cherbourg, including Mont St. Michel, Utah (D-Day) Beach, and several historical, botanical, and art museums. For details, contact Prof. Nancy Goldberg at goldberg@mtsu.edu or 898-2281.
MTSU-French Study Abroad Articulation Sequence
Please note: no retroactive substitution credit will be awarded
Students studying abroad in French Section approved programs and/or Exchanges may earn substitution credit for their work in France. The requirements that must be met are below:
- Students will meet with Dr. Goldberg (Normandy) or Dr. Lyons (Besançon) to work out a proposed substitution contract BEFORE leaving for France.
- Students will register for the courses at MTSU as per the contract in #1.
- Students will provide documentation that the contract is being met during the study abroad period and after their return. It is the student's responsibility to furnish the required materials on time.
- The contract may be modified according to availability of courses with approval from Dr. Goldberg or Dr. Lyons, NO LATER than 2 weeks after the beginning of classes in the on-site program.
- The Literature/Culture Module is defined as FREN 3050, 3060, 3070, and 3110 (pending administrative approval).
- 4000 courses : Students who have the prerequisites may take the FREN 4000 course offered during each semester of their Study Abroad program with permission of BOTH the instructor and either Dr. Goldberg or Dr. Lyons. Students are cautioned to arrange this option with enough time to secure the materials necessary. Students will work independently and electronically to complete all requirements for the 4000 course. They should communicate regularly with their instructor as well as with Dr. Lyons or Dr. Goldberg about their progress in the 4000 course. The student must complete the work for each 4000 course in addition to their other studies and work in France.
- Besançon students must stay the entire year. Students wishing to study in France one semester will go to one of the Normandy Programs.
- Grades for substituted courses will be determined according to the equivalency chart contained in the contract (see attached).
- No substitution credit will be granted unless all pre-arranged and contracted obligations are met.
- In the event that a student does not present a transcript from the French institution showing the grades earned, a grade of F will be recorded for all of the 2910/3910 study abroad credits.
- In the event that the student fails to present a certificate of attendance (Assiduité), a grade of F will be recorded for all of the 2910/3910 study abroad credits.
- In the event that a student does not present a report from the Internship Director and/or Employer showing satisfactory job performance, a grade of F will be recorded for all of the 2910/3910 study abroad credits.
- Should circumstances arise during the student's study abroad experience that are not covered in this contract, every effort will be made to resolve the situation to mutual satisfaction. However, the members of the French Section reserve the right to make the final determination regarding any question or situation related to the granting of credits and/or of substitution credit to the student.
MTSU-French Study Abroad Grade Equivalents
| French Exam Grade Scale | French Grade Description (Mention) | Standard U.S. Grade Equivalents | MTSU Grade Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|
|
20 19 18 17 16 |
Très Bien (Very Good) |
A+ |
100= A+ 99= A+ 98= A+ 97= A+ 96= A+ |
|
15.9 15 14.5 14 |
Bien (Good) |
A |
95= A 94= A 93= A 93= A 92= A- |
|
13.9 13.5 13 12.5 12 |
Assez Bien (Quite Good) |
B |
90= A- 88= B+ 86= B 84= B 82= B- |
|
11.9 11.5 11 10.5 10 |
Passable (Satisfactory) |
C |
80= B- 79= C+ 78= C+ 77= C 75= C |
|
9.9 9.5 9 8.5 8 |
* |
74= C 73= C 72= C- 71= C- 70= C- below 70=P no grades=F |
* May be considered passing grade if entire year is passed.
Contact and Student Information
Dr. Ann McCullough
ann.mccullough@mtsu.edu
Phone | 615-898-2981
Fax | 615-898-5735
Ja'Net Davis (A-M)
JaNet.Davis@mtsu.edu
615-494-7651 | JH 117
Yuchun Schmidt (N-Z)
Yuchun.Schmidt@mtsu.edu
615-494-7753 | JH 108
Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Middle Tennessee State University
MTSU Box 79
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
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