Disciplinary Major or Minor
(Bachelor of Arts)

*The major/minor in French is not currently available until further notice  

Professors – Gabriel Saxton-Ruiz (Interim Chair)

The French and Francophone Studies program is designed to help students develop practical language skills while they learn about the literature, culture and people of France and the French-speaking world. Knowing French opens the door to all the other cultures of the world where French is widely spoken — in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Indochina.

French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents. Like English, French is truly a global language. French is the first or second language in over 40 countries, France is the world’s sixth largest economy, and is the official working language of the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee and many more similarly important world organizations. According to the most recent U.S. Census, 1.9 million Americans speak French in the home.

In recent years, the U.S. was the second largest direct investor in France, and in 2002, France was the second largest foreign investor in the U.S. French is the foreign language spoken by our largest trading partner (Canada). In 2000, the United States exported more to countries having French as a national language than to countries having any other foreign language. Exports to Canada alone in that year were greater than the combined exports to all countries south of the United States. Among foreign countries doing business in the U.S., France employs the third largest number of Americans.

The world invests in France: In 2003, France was the second largest destination of foreign investment in the world. France is a leader in science and technology (nuclear physics, AIDS research, automobiles, electronics, aerospace, transportation, telecommunications and more). More tourists visit France than any other country in the world.

The broad training that is part of a program in French and Francophone Studies (including written and oral communication skills, reading and analyzing texts, history, geography and social studies) is an excellent means to personal growth and intellectual enrichment. It is also a fine preparation for entrance into the professional world. French and Francophone Studies majors have developed successful careers in many areas of business, the service professions (such as law or teaching), and government.

Along with the regularly scheduled array of courses, the French and Francophone Studies program also offers students the opportunity to earn degree credits while studying abroad. UW-Green Bay sponsors a semester program in Bordeaux and, with faculty approval, accepts credits from numerous other study-abroad programs. On campus, students can have frequent contact with authentic cultural materials both inside and outside the classroom via the internet, the latest multimedia equipment, and international television and radio reception.

French and Francophone Studies majors will also choose an interdisciplinary minor. Those interested in a broad humanities background often choose the interdisciplinary major or minor in Humanistic Studies. Other interdisciplinary programs in, for example, business, international business, social sciences, education, or the arts, combine with the French and Francophone Studies major to form a strong, coherent academic program. Students seeking teacher certification must be admitted to the Education Program and should contact the Education Office for information and further requirements.

Students who begin their French and Francophone Studies at UW-Green Bay should enroll in FRENCH 101. The normal sequence of language courses is:

FRENCH 101	Introduction to the French Language I	4
FRENCH 102	Introduction to the French Language II	4
FRENCH 201	Intermediate French Language I	3
FRENCH 202	Intermediate French Language II	3
FRENCH 225	Intermediate French Conversation and Composition	3
FRENCH 325	Advanced French Conversation and Composition	3

Those who have studied French in high school should select a course appropriate to their level by counting a year of high school work as equivalent to one semester of college work, or they should consult a French adviser. Students seeking teacher certification must be admitted to the Education Program and should contact the Education Office for information and further requirements.

Students may study abroad or at other campuses in the United States through UW-Green Bay’s participation in international exchange programs and National Student Exchange. Travel courses are another option for obtaining academic credits and completing requirements. For more information, contact the Office of International Education at (920) 465-2190 or see http://www.uwgb.edu/international/ .

Retroactive Credit

Degree seeking students who have taken a second language in high school or who have acquired knowledge of a second language elsewhere may earn up to 14 additional credits for their previous language study by completing a foreign language course beyond 101 level. With a grade of “B” or better, credit will be given in that language for all of the courses in that language preceding the one in which the student has enrolled, to a maximum of 14 credits; with a grade of “BC” or “C,” half-credit will be given for the courses preceding the one in which the student has enrolled, to a maximum of seven credits.

For example, with four years of high school French, students who complete FRENCH 225, with a grade of “B” will receive 14 retroactive credits for FRENCH 101, FRENCH 102, FRENCH 201, and FRENCH 202 in addition to the three credits for FRENCH 225; students who complete the course with a “C” will receive seven retroactive credits for FRENCH 101 (2 of the total 4 credits), FRENCH 102 (2 of the total 4 credits), FRENCH 201 (1.5 of the total 3 credits), and FRENCH 202 (1.5 of the total 3 credits).

Requests for retroactive credits in a student’s native language are not generally accepted.

To determine eligibility for retroactive credit, students must consult with the appropriate language program chair or course instructor who will advise them regarding which foreign language course they should take. If a student meets the criteria above, the course instructor must complete the Retroactive Credit Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. The appropriate courses and corresponding credits will then be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Retroactive credit will not be awarded based on a student’s performance on any sort of test.  This includes, but is not limited to, AP, CLEP, or Challenge exams. Retroactive foreign language credits may only be earned by satisfactorily passing a course at UW-Green Bay or through an approved College Credit in the High School program as described above.

Retroactive credits earned at any UW System institution or from St. Norbert College courses will be honored and granted to transfer students. Retroactive foreign language credits awarded by other institutions will not be granted to students who transfer to UW-Green Bay. Students may request an exception to this policy by submitting a written appeal to the language coordinator of the department they wish to receive credit from.

If you’re repeating a course, contact the French and Francophone Studies program chair for further information on retroactive credits.