Programs & Prizes

The French Program
The French Major
The French Minor
Study Abroad
Awards

The French Program

The French program is comprised of four levels that follow a logical progression, from elementary (FREN 101 and 102), to intermediate (FREN 201 and 202), to transitional (300-level courses) to advanced (400-level courses). The transitional level is comprised of a language component (FREN 301) and a preparatory methodology course designed to bring students’ proficiency to the level of accuracy and clarity required for the 400-level courses.

Prerequisites for each course dictate progression. Students who have reached a certain level may not register for a course at a lower level. Students may not take more than three 300-level courses beyond FREN 301 to prepare for the advanced level. Students who study in France or Cameroon may not take 300-level courses upon their return to Holy Cross.

French courses are numbered following a uniform system: the first digit of each number refers to the level of instruction: elementary (1), intermediate (2), transitional (3), and advanced (4). The second digit indicates the subject matter: language (0), survey (1), literature (2), French culture (3), Francophonie (4), Women Writers (5), African and Caribbean topics (6). The last digit indicates the number of courses that exist in a given subject matter. With regard to courses beyond FREN 301, the last digit does not indicate an increasing level of difficulty. For instance, FREN 304 is not more difficult than FREN 302. It is one of four preparatory methodology courses that exist at the transitional level. Both courses have the same prerequisite. Similarly, FREN 427 is not more difficult than FREN 421. It is one of seven courses in literature that exist at the advanced level. Both courses have the same prerequisite. Note that the digits “99” designate new courses, never offered before in the program. They are neither more advanced nor more difficult than any other course within the same level.

Majors and minors are encouraged to be well rounded in the discipline by taking a variety of advanced courses in literature, culture, film, and language.

Majors and minors are urged to seriously consider spending their third year at one of Holy Cross’ two sites in France at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon or at the Université de Strasbourg, or at its site in Cameroon at the Université Catholique d’Afrique Centrale in Yaoundé.

Students are assigned their own advisor within the department to make them aware of the College's many academic opportunities and help them devise their individual curriculum. Classroom instruction in the languages is complemented by small-group practice with native foreign language assistants and through the use of state-of-the-art facilities in the Multimedia Resource Center. Co-curricular activities are provided by language tables, language clubs, honor societies, film series, lectures and cultural outings.

The final authority on College and departmental policy, including faculty and course information, is the Course Catalog.  Please consult the Catalog for more information.

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The French Major

The French major consists of at least 10 semester courses at the intermediate level or above, including:

• French 301 (Composition and Conversation)
• at least two courses at the 400 level
• at least one 400-level course in literature or an approved course in literature taken at a Holy Cross Study Abroad program (effective with the class of 2012)
• at least two courses taken in the fourth year

Courses on French language, and/or Francophone literature, film, art, civilization, and history taken in French in Study Abroad programs count toward the major. Courses taken abroad will be transferred (bearing no 300 or 400 level designation) subject to the French section coordinator’s approval. Majors who study abroad will be required to take at least six courses at Holy Cross.

The final authority on College and departmental policy, including faculty and course information, is the Course Catalog.  Please consult the Catalog for more information.

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The French Minor

The French minor consists of at least 6 semester courses at the intermediate level or above, including :

• French 301 (Composition and Conversation)
• at least one course must be at the 400 level
• at least one course must be taken in the fourth year

Courses on French language, and/or Francophone literature, film, art, civilization, and history taken in French in Study Abroad programs count toward the minor. Courses taken abroad will be transferred (bearing no 300 or 400 level designation) subject to the French section coordinator ’s approval. Minors who study abroad will be required to take at least three courses at Holy Cross.

The final authority on College and departmental policy, including faculty and course information, is the Course Catalog.  Please consult the Catalog for more information.

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Study Abroad

Why Study abroad?

• Distinguish yourself from the pack: only 1% of undergraduates nationwide study abroad
• Enhance your skills and boost your resumé: companies today seek employees with international experience, foreign language capabilities and a global perspective
• Develop your fluency in French: studying in France or Cameroon will allow you to perfect your French at lightning speed!
• Meet new friends and cultivate lifelong relationships with your host family and students from Africa, Europe, America, and many other parts of the world
• Gain valuable work experience for the competitive job market with an internship abroad
• Challenge yourself: become more aware of who you are as a person and as an American
• Travel extensively: world-class cities, cultural treasures, and natural wonders are hours away!
• Broaden your academic horizons: you will have access to courses and disciplines not offered at Holy Cross
• Learn through seeing and doing: visit important historical sites and monuments, observe the blending of old and new as French and African societies advance into the 21st century
• Finally, it's painless! Holy Cross students abroad have extensive academic resources: native language tutors and experts to help with language skills and writing assignments, contact with Holy Cross Foreign Language Assistants who have already spent a year teaching at the College, and a preliminary intensive language workshop in Tours and Yaoundé to get your French up to speed and ease the transition into a new environment...

Who can go abroad?

• Juniors! The application and selection procedure begins in sophomore year
• ANY MAJOR! All students, French majors in particular, but also French minors are encouraged to study abroad at one of Holy Cross study abroad sites. Study abroad in France or Cameroon is easiest for students in humanities, social sciences and fine arts. Students in the sciences will probably need to plan their coursework more carefully but are still eligible and encouraged to go abroad
• GPA of at least 3.0
• French proficiency equivalent to the completion of Intermediate French 2
• Participation in Holy Cross Study Abroad programs qualifies for financial aid from the College

Where can I go ?

• Tours, France

Students spend the month of September in Tours, where they undergo four weeks of intensive language study at the Institut de Touraine. Students may then opt to study for a full academic year in Dijon or Strasbourg in France, or in Yaoundé in Cameroon.

Institut de Touraine
Syndicat d'initiative de Tours

• Dijon, France

Located in the Burgundy region of France, Dijon (best known for its mustard!) is a medium-sized city with a large and vibrant university only one hour from Paris by high-speed train (TGV). Its large student population of nearly 30,000 means that it abounds in restaurants, cafés, music and cultural activities geared to students. Courses available include French Literature, Linguistics, Psychology, Political Science, History, Art History, Economics, Classics, Sociology and more. Holy Cross students often pursue studies in the English literature program there.

Université de Bourgogne
Syndicat d'initiative de Dijon

• Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace, the Fench region often referred to as the crossroads of Europe because of its proximity to Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Strasbourg is also the seat of the European Parliament, an important political institution that makes the city an excellent choice for those interested in Political Science. Students may enrol at the IEP (Institut d'Etudes Politiques), at the University of Strasbourg (Université Marc Bloch, Robert Schumann, Louis Pasteur) and at the Institut de Théologie Catholique for courses in Religious Studies program.

Université de Strasbourg
Syndicat d'initiative de Strasbourg

• Yaoundé, Cameroon

Cameroon offers a stimulating environment for students in African Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, French, and the historical legacy that has made Africa what it is today: from conquest and domination by European powers, to independence struggles, to political turmoil, and the development of democratic institutions. Holy Cross's program in Yaoundé is a partnership with the Université Catholique d’Afrique Centrale. Students will draw up an individual plan of study choosing courses in French, Francophone Literature, Economics, Accounting, Political Science, Law, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Mathematics, Religious Studies, Visual Arts and more.

Université Catholique d'Afrique centrale

For more information:

For more information, contact our Study Abroad Liaison Professor Schilt (Stein 413).

The Study Abroad Office is located in Smith 217. Click here to access the Study Abroad page.

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Awards

• French Honor Society - Pi Delta Phi (www.pideltaphi.org) was founded at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1906. The purpose of this Society is to recognize outstanding scholarship in French and Francophone studies, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world, and to stimulate French and Francophone cultural activities. Holy Cross students interested in joining the Society must have taken 6 French courses and have a French GPA of 3.0. For more information, contact Professor Parker.

• Bourgeois Prize - Awarded each year to the student who writes the best French essay. For more information, contact Professor Enjolras.

• Shirley Verrett French Prize - In memory of Rev. Lionel P. Honoré, S. J. - Awarded each year to the top French major in the graduating class as determined by the French faculty. For more information, contact the Section Coordinator,  Professor Enjolras.

• Edna Dwyer Grzebien Prize - Awarded to the student who demonstrates outstanding ability in two or more languages. For more information, contact the Department Chair, Professor Ross.

• Concours des 10 mots - Contest held every year at all levels of French language up to Composition and Conversation. Students are invited to write a story or a poem including 10 specific words. The best text at each level is awarded a prize by the French section

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