Major in French

Spoken in over 40 countries and integral to international trade, a major in French uniquely positions graduates for careers in banking, government relations, diplomatic affairs and journalism.

French majors are also prepared to enter graduate school, teaching programs or seek professional employment abroad.

At Elmhurst, graduates learn to use French to narrate in connected discourse, understand most details on a variety of topics, comprehend substantive texts in selected fields, write with a high degree of accuracy and function appropriately in the culture.

Major Requirements

The French major consists of 7.5 course credits (30 hours), beginning at the 300-level, in each of the following areas:

  • Conversation/Composition
  • Culture
  • Literature

Students should generally take FRN 301 and FRN 302 before enrolling in any other 300- or 400-level courses and are strongly encouraged to complete at least one international education experience.

Students must complete the half-credit Senior Research Capstone (WL 451) during one of their final two terms.

Students can complete the requirements for the major even if they have not studied the language before coming to Elmhurst. Those who have had previous exposure to a foreign language are given a placement exam to determine the proper course level. World language majors are urged to complete requirements for a second major as well.

The Minor

A minor in French can be a valuable addition to your resumé in today’s multicultural society. Prospective employers know that students who have significant experience in another language tend to be well educated, articulate, open-minded, willing to try new things and respectful of diverse cultures.

Academically, a culture or literature class in a foreign language or a study-abroad experience will support advanced scholarship in education, politics, nursing, business, the arts and many other fields.

The minor in French consists of at least four college courses, three of which must be taken at the 300/400-level at Elmhurst University. A 202-level course can also count for intermediate students who wish to gain the minor, but no student is permitted to take a class below their placement level.

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