Undergraduate Program

France is not just another country; it holds a special place in the American consciousness. George Gershwin, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway immortalized the image of the "American in Paris." Movies such as Casablanca and Forget Paris portrayed this City of Lights as an unforgettable Land of Love. American advertisers are now trying to create a new image of Paris in Las Vegas to confer class, culture and respectability on our gambling desert land. True, this is a stereotype. But why has France been historically associated with the values of high culture? Art, literature, music, food, wine, fashion, worldly sophistication? the study of French and Francophone cultures is fascinating in and of itself. But it also gives insight into the values of our own language and culture.

French is also a practical language that will expand your world and your job prospects. Learning French will prepare you for careers in education, international law and business, the arts, international health organizations, anthropology, diplomacy, and more. French is spoken not just in France, Canada, Belgium or Switzerland, but also in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mauritius, Cameroon, Reunion, Senegal, Mali and in parts of India and Vietnam. In fact, it is the second most widely used language, after English, at the United Nations. French is the first or second language in more than 40 countries, spoken on every continent.

French will also open up your world, enrich your spirit through its compelling literature and culture. Read Pascal to discover how "the heart has its reasons which reason does not know." Read Stendhal or Balzac to understand the nature of love. Read Caribbean or African novels to learn about the struggle to assert independence and the hybrid (métis or mestizo) nature of post-colonial identity. The study of French and Francophone texts will train you to think critically, to develop your writing and research skills, and to understand the power of language.

UCLA is a major center for French and Francophone Studies, offering an exciting range of courses on language, literature and culture. We offer programs to study abroad in France or in French-speaking countries, either for a summer or for an entire academic year. We organize film festivals, excursions to exhibits in the Los Angeles area, food fests, and poetry contests.

Undergraduate Advising

Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Patrick Coleman (233B Royce Hall, (310) 794-8920 - coleman@humnet.ucla.edu)
The director of Undergraduate Studies is the principal contact person to whom undergraduate students should turn concerning all aspects of their studies in the Department beyond the level of basic language learning.

Undergraduate Adviser:
Nicole Dufresne (232A Royce Hall, (310) 794-8927 - dufresne@humnet.ucla.edu), is available for consultation throughout the academic year. The Department strongly encourages students to consult regularly with the Director and/or the Adviser.

Undergraduate Courses

1. Language, Phonetics, Linguistics, Translation
   • French 1-3 Elementary French
   • French 4-6 Intermediate French
   • French 10A-D French Conversation
   • French 15 Theory and Correction of Diction
   • French 100 Introduction to Written Expression
   • French 101 Intermediate Exposition
   • French 102 Advanced Exposition
   • French 105 Structure of French
   • French 107 Advanced Oral Expression
   • French 108A-B Advanced Practical Translation
2. Literature
   • French 12 (GE) Introduction to the Study of French Literature (5 units)
   • French 114A-C (GE) Survey of French Literature (5 units)
   • French 115A Invention of Love in the 12th Century
   • French 115B Medieval Knight: Heroism and Its Social Problems
   • French 115C Comic Structure and Social Class in the Middle Ages
   • French 116A La Pléïade and 16th-Century Poetry
   • French 116B The Novel and Other Early 16th-Century Prose
   • French 116C Late French Humanism
   • French 117A 17th-Century Theater
   • French 117B 17th-Century Prose
   • French 118A 18th-Century Satire
   • French 118B 18th-Century Novel
   • French 118C 18th-Century Theater
   • French 119A Romanticism
   • French 119B Generation of 1848
   • French 119C Naturalism and Symbolism
   • French 119D Turn of the Century
   • French 120A Early 20th-Century Writers
   • French 120B Literature from 1918 to 1945
   • French 120C Post-World War II Literature
   • French 120D Post-May 1968 Literature
   • French 124 The Short Story
   • French 125 The Evolution of French Comedy
   • French 150-155 Studies in Literature from the Middle Ages to the Present
   • French 157 Studies in French Critical Theory and Philosophy
3. Francophone Literatures
   • French 121A French-African Literature
   • French C121B Québec Literature
   • French 156 Studies in Contemporary French and Francophone Literature
4. Culture, Society, and the Arts
   • French 14 (GE, E) Introduction to French Civilization
   • French 14W (GE, E, 5 units) Introduction to Civilization - satisfies Letters and Science Writing II requirement
   • French 41 (GE, E, 5 units) French Cinema and Culture
   • French 109 Business French: Language and Communication
   • French 110 The Culture of Business in France
   • French 112 (GE, E) Medieval Foundations of European Civilization
   • French 117C 17th-Century Culture and Society
   • French 130 Special Topics in French and Francophone Cultures
   • French 132 Contemporary France
   • French M140 Women's Studies in French Literature
   • French 141 (E) Cinema and Literature in France
   • French 142 (E) Poetry and Music
   • French M143 (E) Rhetoric of Rule
   • French 158 (E) Studies in History of Ideas
5. Honors Program
   • French 170A Thesis Tutorial: Research Methods
   • French 170B Thesis Tutorial
6. Courses Using Texts in English Translation (for non-majors)
   • French 60 (E, 5 units) French and Francophone Novel
   • French 112 (E) Medieval Foundations of European Civilization
   • French 160 (E) Francophone Cultures
   • French 162 (E) Modern French Thought
   • French 163 (E) Contemporary French Theater
   • French 164A-C (E) The French Novel
   • French 165 (E) Topics in French Literature
   • French 166 (E) French and Francophone Autobiography
7. Independent Studies
   • French 199 Special Studies in French

Note: As a general rule, French 12, 100, and 101 are offered every quarter; French 15, 105, 107, 109 (or 110), and 108A or B are offered once a year; French 114A, 114B, 114C, and one course of the 121A-B and 156 "francophone" series is offered at least once a year. Two courses from 130-132 may be offered each year. In order to insure normal progress toward a degree, most non-language requirements can be replaced by another course similar in content/coverage with the permission of an advisor.

Language Program (Elementary and Intermediate French)

The French Department's language program incorporates the latest proven techniques for developing communications skills. The high performance of our students owes much to the fact that teaching is conducted entirely in French. Videos and computers enrich classroom instruction. The first-year program provides a solid foundation in French and prepares students to actively use the language on a basic level. The second-year program introduces culture, literature and film while continuing to refine language skills.

The first and second-year language programs are coordinated by lecturers specializing and experienced in the teaching of French as a second language. French 1 through 3 (elementary level) and French 4 through 6 (intermediate level) are multiple-section courses supervised by Nicole Dufresne (794-8927 and dufresne@humnet.ucla.edu) and Kimberly Jansma (794-8922 and jansma@humnet.ucla.edu). They are offered every quarter. The sections are taught by lecturers as well as teaching assistants. The latter are selected from among the Department's best graduate students and are professionally trained and supervised.

Beyond the first two years of language acquisition, additional courses are offered which emphasize areas of linguistic proficiency such as conversational skills, diction, phonetics, advanced grammar, and practical translation.

French Language Placement Tests

Enrollment in French 1 through 6 is contingent upon proper placement, as determined by the results of the Departmental Placement Exam. The test is regularly offered throughout the summer through the Orientation Office. It is offered six times throughout the school year by the Department [consult the current UCLA Schedule of Classes or the French Department Student Affairs Office (825-1147) for the exact dates and times]. Students with one or more years of high-school French must present their examination scores on the first day of class. Transfer students who have had French at another college should check their Degree Progress Report for credit equivalencies granted upon admission (see counselors at 212 Royce Hall or call 825-1687). Students who have never had high school French may pre-enroll in French 1 without taking the Departmental Placement Exam.

Students who have taken the AP Examination and received a score of 3 or higher need not take the Departmental Placement Exam but should consult the UCLA General Catalog for credit equivalencies (see "Credit for Advanced Placement Tests"). Students can consult an undergraduate adviser in the French Department for further counseling (see annual Directory listings).

French Courses for Non-Majors

Interested students with adequate language background who do not major in French will find in the undergraduate program of the Department of French a spectrum of courses to suit individual interests or program requirements. Thus, each year a large number of students elect to enroll in those courses which are designed to refine linguistic skills: conversation, diction, phonetics, composition, or translation. Other students choose to develop their personal interest in French culture and literature by taking upper-division courses in linguistics, culture/civilization, surveys of literature, or more focused seminars.

Students with no background in the French language may wish to enroll in the Lower Division Introduction to French Civilization (French 14) or in offerings from the Upper Division series "Courses in Translation." French 14, which carries General Education credit, is a first introduction to contemporary France, its political, cultural, and socioeconomic realms.

The topics covered in the upper division series (French 141, 142, M143, 158, 160, 162, 163, 164ABC, 165, and 166) range from literature to culture, including film, the arts, and history of ideas. The language of instruction is English, and the assigned readings are in English translation. A number of advanced courses may also be taught in English. They are followed by the letter E in the listing above. Interested students should contact the Department's Main Office for more details.

Major Programs

All students planning to major in French are strongly encouraged to consult an undergraduate adviser for details concerning the Department's program for majors. Three options are available with specific areas of concentration: Plans I through III, as described below. All three plans lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree which provides full preparation for those who go on to graduate studies.

Students interested in a French major should also be aware of the general regulations and requirements as described in the current UCLA General Catalog, the official and final reference as far as requirements and regulations are concerned.

All majors must have two years of the lower-division language sequence (up to French 6 or equivalent) and three advanced language composition courses (French 100, 101, 102); an Introduction to Literary Analysis (French 12); and two surveys of French literary and cultural history: choose two out of the following three courses: 114A (Middle Ages and the Renaissance); 114B (17^th and 18^th centuries); and 114C (19^th and 20^th centuries). French 12 and 114 A, B or C now carry 5 units of credit each, thus allowing you to make faster progress toward your degree.

After these required courses, you may take a range of upper-division courses. You can choose one of the three plans offered by the department:

PLAN I: FRENCH/FRANCOPHONE STUDIES IN LITERATURE AND CULTURE provides a course of study in culture, literature and specialized areas of language acquisition, such as business French or translation. You may specialize in culture, literature, or language. Or you may combine these areas of study to satisfy the requirement of eight upper-division courses, two of which may be taken outside of department, with approval from an advisor.

PLAN II: INTERDISCIPLINARY FRENCH/FRANCOPHONE STUDIES situates French and Francophone studies in relation to other disciplines. To fulfill the requirement of eight upper-division courses, you may take up to five courses in related fields outside the department (a combination of fields such as history, art history, social sciences, political science, communication studies, to name just a few).

PLAN III: FRENCH AND LINGUISTICS situates the study of French in the context of linguistics. In addition to the normal preparation for the major, students are required to take Linguistics 20, and complete the sixth term of work in one other foreign language or the third term in each of two other foreign languages. In this plan, you need seven upper-division courses, to be selected from courses in the Department of French and Francophone Studies and the Department of Linguistics.

If students' knowledge of French exceeds the preparation usually received in courses preparing for the major and if they demonstrate the requisite attainment in French 100, 101, or 102, they may substitute for those courses in grammar and composition an equivalent number of upper division courses in the French Department in consultation with the undergraduate adviser. All prospective French majors who are native or quasi-native speakers of French must see the adviser before beginning upper division work in the major.

A maximum of eight units of course 199 may be applied toward the elective requirements for the major if approved in advance by the undergraduate adviser. Students must maintain a C average in upper division major courses in order to remain in any of the French majors. Coursework taken on a Passed/Not Passed basis is not acceptable in any area of the major program.

The Minor

Our minor offers an alternative to those who may not be able to double major but who would like to develop their studies in French. To pursue a minor, you must have completed French 4, 5, and 6 or the equivalent. You must then take one of the following lower-division courses: French Culture and Civilization (French 14); French Phonetics (French 15); or Introduction to Literary Analysis (French 12). You are also asked to select one course from our advanced composition series (100 or 101). Finally, you will choose four courses from our upper-division offerings in language, culture, criticism, history or literature. The minor consists of a total of five upper division courses.

Honors Programs

Departmental Honors Program

Admission to the Honors Program is contingent on completion of lower-division requirements and a 3.5 departmental GPA. Exceptions may be made. For further details on eligibility and application procedures, please contact the Honors Director, Sara Melzer (794-8917).

Normally Honors Program students begin their work toward the end of their junior year and finish their projects during their senior year. The honors work consists of the following:

• at the upper-division level (French 115A and above), in addition to regular course work, two projects in the form of research papers of 12-15 pages written in French. For each project a detailed statement must be signed by both the student and the course instructor and filed with the Honors Director by the end of the third week of the quarter. The same filing procedure applies to the final form indicating completion of the project.
• an Honors thesis in French of 20-25 pages, to be carried out by enrolling in French 170 under the personal guidance of a faculty member. The topic is decided upon in consultation with the faculty member and takes into account past course work and personal research interest. The course counts toward the major requirements as outlined in the UCLA General Catalog.

Martin-Turrill Prizes

The Martin-Turrill prizes, created to honor two alumnae sisters, are distributed each year to French Majors recognizing the best French essay and the best majors. Essays written from the Spring quarter of the preceding year may be submitted for the French Essay Prize by French Majors. At the end of each academic year, the Prize Committee will select one outstanding essay from among the essays submitted. The best majors are nominated by faculty members. For information, please contact an undergraduate adviser.

Departmental Scholar Program

The Departmental Scholar Program allows students with high academic standing to pursue simultaneously B.A. and M.A. course work. Those interested should consult an undergraduate adviser concerning qualifications and application procedures. See also the UCLA General Catalog.

University Honors

A number of honors and awards, including the Dean's Honors List, Phi Beta Kappa, and Honors at Graduation, are conferred by the University. They are administered by the Honors Programs (Murphy A- 111) from the College of Letters and Science. Interested students should consult the UCLA General Catalog under the heading "Academic Excellence" or call the Honors Division (825-1553) where they can pick up an enrollment form.

A number of other competitive programs are open to outstanding students. The Mellon Fellowships in the Humanities, for example, under the auspices of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, are open on a competitive basis to undergraduate students who show extraordinary promise for success in graduate studies and who plan a career in teaching and research. Applicants must be nominated by a faculty member.

Study Abroad

Education abroad Program (EAP)

Undergraduate Education Abroad Awards

The Department of French encourages students who are going to France with EAP to take advantage of the Department sponsored Education Abroad Program Awards. We offer each year a number of awards to students going to France for the first time. For information, please contact a departmental undergraduate adviser.

Department of French Summer Travel-Study Program in Paris

The UCLA Department of French teaches its Travel-Study Program in Paris every July. The Paris program is designed for beginning, intermediate and advanced students of French, whose goal is speaking proficiency. Instruction is in French and draws upon the numerous cultural resources of Paris whenever possible. Highly motivated students anxious to discover this great world capital and acquaint themselves with its rich cultural heritage and people will benefit immensely from this opportunity to practice French beyond the confines of the classroom. The Department of French and Francophone Studies offers the Nicholas Collaros Scholarship for Summer Study in Paris -- contact Nicole Dufresne (dufresne@humnet.ucla.edu), the Director of our Paris Program, or Summer Sessions Travel-Study Program for further information.

Internships/Field Studies/Study Abroad:

The Center for Experiential Education and Service Learning, 160 Powell Library, (310) 825-7867, http://www.oid.ucla.edu/Ceesl/ offers a series of field study courses for different majors and can help students who have found an internship to receive course credit.

The Expo Center: 200 Strathmore Bldg., 501 Westwood Plaza, (310) 825-0831, http://www.career.ucla.edu/expo/ has a list of different internship possibilities, as well as extensive information on various abroad programs administered by different American universities.

Internship in France. For 3-18 months internships, contact:
French American Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Visitor Program, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10019; tel. 212 765 4460

UCLA Learning Resource Centers

At UCLA French language students have access to the latest technology in language laboratories and audio-visual facilities. The Instructional Media Laboratory (270 Powell Library, 206-1211) offers video and CD- ROM resources. Individual booths are available for students to watch video and laser disc recordings. The Foreign Language Laboratory (270 Powell Library, 206-1211) has audio resources for language instruction regularly used by the Department to support its teaching. The Instructional Media Library (46 Powell Library, 825-0755) and the Department of French have acquired a number of video programs for use in language and conversation classes. Interactive computer system are also available for individualized supplemental instruction.

Multi-media and computer-equipped labs are administered by the Humanities Computing Facility (206-1414). There are terminals in the Department which can access library catalogs and French textual databases.

Departmental Resources and Activities

The Department's audiovisual equipment includes slide projectors, CD and record players, cassette and reel-to-reel players/recorders, a multi-standard video player for tapes recorded in French or other non-American standards and a computer-based audiovisual digital recorder for individual speech and phonetic training. The Department also offers film screening, regularly co-sponsored by the celebrated UCLA Film-Archives, the Melnitz Movies series, and the Office of French Cultural Services in Los Angeles.

Undergraduate students are welcome to participate in departmental lectures, round tables, and other similar events. Click here for more information.

Cercle Francophone

The Cercle Francophone meets regularly throughout the academic year. It offers a setting for informal interaction as well as providing a regular tutoring service for students seeking help on grammar and composition. Guest lecturers address topics of specific or general interest, and students organize activities such as lectures, film screenings, theatrical readings, job information sessions, business visits, and parties. Contact : (310) 825-1145 or e-mail frenchcl@humnet.ucla.edu.