French Language Studies

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

About the Program

Minor

The Department of French offers a minor in French Language Studies. Students wishing to pursue a major in French language should choose the major in French .

Declaring the Minor

Unlike a major, there is no formal “declaration of intent" to minor in French. However, students who intend to complete the minor in French should fill out an informal checklist once they have begun upper-division work in French (FRENCH 102). The checklist is available from the Undergraduate Adviser in French. Students should keep in contact with the Undergraduate Adviser as they complete coursework for the minor in order to keep their checklist updated.

To complete the minor, students download and fill out the top section of  a “Petition for Confirmation of Minor Program Completed." This petition is necessary for the official notation of the minor to appear on students’ transcripts. Students are responsible for the timely completion and submission of these forms. All petitions are reviewed by the Undergraduate Adviser who then forwards them to the appropriate campus units.

Related Majors and Minors Offered by the French Department

French  (General) (Major and Minor)
French Civilization  (Minor only)
French Literature  (Minor only)

Visit Department Website

Minor Requirements

Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. These programs have set requirements and are noted officially on the transcript in the memoranda section, but they are not noted on diplomas.

General Guidelines

  1. All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements below must be taken for graded credit.
  2. A minimum of three of the upper-division courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be completed at UC Berkeley.
  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.
  4. Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be applied toward the Seven-Course Breadth Requirement, for Letters and Science students.
  5. No more than one upper-division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.
  6. All minor requirements must be completed prior to the last day of finals during the semester in which you plan to graduate. If you cannot finish all courses required for the minor by that time, please see a College of Letters and Science adviser.
  7. All minor requirements must be completed within the unit ceiling. (For further information regarding the unit ceiling, please see the College Requirements tab.)

Requirements

Please note that it is strongly recommended that students take all of their lower-division French courses for a letter grade.

All coursework is to be written in French. FRENCH 104A-D (French Literature in Translation) requires prior approval from the French Department to count toward the minor. 

FRENCH H195A, FRENCH H195B, and FRENCH 199 do not count toward the minor.

Students may not receive upper-division course credit toward the minor for for AP language and Literature exams.

Lower-division Prerequisite
FRENCH 4Advanced Intermediate French (or equivalent) 15
Upper-division Requirements
FRENCH 102Reading and Writing Skills in French 24
Select four upper-division French courses from courses numbered between FRENCH 130-FRENCH 139 and FRENCH 145-FRENCH 148
1

 Students must complete FRENCH 4 or its equivalent before beginning upper-division work in French. Additionally, FRENCH 4 must be completed with a grade of B- or better before a student can enroll in FRENCH 102. Any student who receives a grade of C+ or lower in FRENCH 4 will need Instructor permission before enrollment in FRENCH 102 is finalized. Conversation courses (FRENCH 13  and FRENCH 14) cannot be substituted for FRENCH 4.

2

 Students wishing to request waivers of FRENCH 102 based on previous equivalent coursework should contact the Undergraduate Adviser in French, 4209 Dwinelle Hall. If a waiver is granted by the Department, the student will still need to complete a total of five upper-division French courses.

Academic Opportunities

Study Abroad

The Berkeley Study Abroad Program  offers opportunities for study in France for one semester, for one year or for the summer.

The majority of students in the French major and minor programs at UC Berkeley complete some portion of their undergraduate study abroad through the Berkeley Study Abroad Program . Given the increasing globalization of the world, living abroad helps expand their understanding of diverse, culturally rooted attitudes and behaviors. Studying abroad enhances cross-cultural awareness, competency, and adaptability. Students find that living and studying abroad expands their perspective, improves critical thinking, increases independence and better prepares them for a career in an increasingly competitive world.

Interested students should obtain the relevant information early in the semester preceding the one in which they plan to go abroad from the Berkeley Study Abroad office, located in 160 Stephens Hall, 510-642-1356, studyabroad@berkeley.edu .

Be advised that you should consult with the Undergraduate Adviser before going abroad (whether through Berkeley Study Abroad or through non-UC sponsored programs) in order to determine whether your program of study will count toward your French major or minor.

Applying Study Abroad Coursework toward French Major/Minor Requirements

When determining equivalent coursework for Berkeley Study Abroad courses, it is a question of equivalent content at an equivalent level. Courses must correspond in content and level to UC Berkeley upper-division French courses required for the major or minor.

Criteria for determining if coursework is "equivalent:"

  1. Course must be taught in French
  2. Course must be taken for a Letter Grade
  3. Content of the course must be equivalent to upper division French courses offered at UC Berkeley. This means most courses in French Literature, French Linguistics, French Film and Advanced French Language Study will be good candidates.

  4. Course hours must be (approximately) equivalent to upper division French courses offered at UC Berkeley (about 4 semester units)

Final approval of equivalent coursework is granted after the student returns from study abroad, and the course grades and units have been posted to the student’s UC Berkeley transcript.

Coursework completed in the Language and Culture programs is not considered equivalent to third- and fourth-year level French courses at UC Berkeley, and thus cannot be applied toward required upper-division courses for the French major or minor.

Student’s equivalent courses from study abroad can be applied toward a maximum of four French major course requirements.

For additional information, contact Carol Dolcini, Undergraduate French Adviser, at frendept@berkeley.edu .

Courses

French Language Studies

FRENCH 1 Elementary French 5 Units

Introduction to speaking, listening, reading, and writing in French.

FRENCH R1A English Composition in Connection with the Reading of Literature 4 Units

This course is designed to fulfill the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement. The primary goal of this course is to develop students' reading and writing skills through a series of assignments that will provide them with the opportunity to formulate observations made in class discussions into coherent argumentative essays. Emphasis will be placed on the refinement of effective sentence, paragraph, and thesis formation, keeping in mind the notion of writing as a process. Other goals in this course are a familiarization with French literature and the specific questions that are relevant to this field. In addition, students will be introduced to different methods of literary and linguistic analysis in their nonliterary readings.

FRENCH R1B English Composition in Connection with the Reading of Literature 4 Units

This course is designed to fulfill the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement. The primary goal of this course is to develop students' reading and writing skills through a series of assignments that will provide them with the opportunity to formulate observations made in class discussions into coherent argumentative essays. Emphasis will be placed on the refinement of effective sentence, paragraph, and thesis formation, keeping in mind the notion of writing as a process. Other goals in this course are a familiarization with French literature and the specific questions that are relevant to this field. In addition, students will be introduced to different methods of literary and linguistic analysis in their nonliterary readings.

FRENCH 2 Elementary French 5 Units

Introduction to speaking, listening, reading, and writing in French. Continuation of FRENCH 1.

FRENCH 3 Intermediate French 5 Units

Building on foundation established in first year, trains students in listening, reading, writing, and speaking French. Review and refinement of grammar.

FRENCH 4 Advanced Intermediate French 5 Units

Advanced training in listening, reading, writing, and speaking French. Review and refinement of grammar.

FRENCH 12 Intensive French 1 and 2 10 Units

Intensive introduction to speaking, listening, reading, and writing in French. Equivalent to FRENCH 1 and 2 on the semester system at Berkeley.

FRENCH 13 Intermediate Conversation 2 Units

Intermediate French conversation. May not be repeated for credit.

FRENCH N13 Intermediate Conversation 2 Units

Intermediate French conversation.

FRENCH 14 Advanced Conversation 2 Units

Advanced French conversation. This course may not be repeated for credit.

FRENCH N14 Advanced Conversation 2 Units

Advanced French conversation.

FRENCH 15 French Workshop 10 Units

This course provides the equivalent of the first two semesters of college French (FRENCH 1 and 2). Five hours of instruction per day which includes grammar presentation, drill section, conversation section, language laboratory, films, lectures on French culture. Heavy emphasis on oral work.

FRENCH 24 Freshman Seminars 1 Unit

The Berkeley Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Berkeley seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to freshmen.

FRENCH 35 Practical Phonetics and Listening Comprehension 3 Units

This multimedia course concentrates on pronunciation and listening comprehension skills and provides a new understanding of the French language. Course Web site includes a wide variety of material--text, audio, or video, authentic or specifically recorded for the course--an audio-visual sound chart, and a multimedia reference section. International phonetic alphabet and theoretical concepts are taught as necessary. Strongly recommended before study, work, or travel in French- speaking countries, particulariy for Education Abroad Program students. Course required for French majors and minors in French Language Studies.

FRENCH 43A Aspects of French Culture 3 Units

Various historical and aesthetic themes and problems in the development of French civilization. In English.

FRENCH 43B Aspects of French Culture 3 Units

Various historical and aesthetic themes and problems in the development of French civilization. In English.

FRENCH 102 Reading and Writing Skills in French 4 Units

An exploration of the ways words and images structure thought, communication and interactions of the subject and society. Development of reading and writing skills leading to correct and effective expression in French.

FRENCH 103A Language and Culture 4 Units

Discussion and composition based on the analysis of literary and cultural texts.

FRENCH 103B Language and Culture 4 Units

Discussion and composition based on the analysis of literary and cultural texts.

FRENCH 112A Medieval Literature 4 Units

Medieval literature from the Chanson de Roland to the Roman de la Rose.

FRENCH 112B Medieval Literature 4 Units

Medieval literature from the Chanson de Roland to the Roman de la Rose.

FRENCH 114A Late Medieval Literature 4 Units

Late medieval literature: Joinville to Villon.

FRENCH 116A Sixteenth-Century Literature: Marot to Montaigne 4 Units

Poetry and prose of the first half of the 16th century, in the context of the intellectual and aesthetic trends of the time, including humanism, evangelism, and the development of a new poetic language.

FRENCH 117A Seventeenth-Century Literature 4 Units

Authors from the first half of the 17th century. The Baroque; its chief exponents, literary attempts to resolve the crisis in Renaissance values, formulation of new concepts in philosophy and psychology, experiments with traditional forms in poetry, fiction, and the theatre. Preciosity, Descartes, and rationalism.

FRENCH 117B Seventeenth-Century Literature 4 Units

The concept of classicism and the development of tragedy. Jansenism, the doctrine of Port-Royal. Social satire and comedy.

FRENCH 118A Eighteenth-Century Literature 4 Units

Authors from the first half of the 18th century, with emphasis on the origins of the philosophical movement and the development of modern art forms in the theater and the novel.

FRENCH 118B Eighteenth-Century Literature 4 Units

A study of authors of the second half of the 18th century stressing the importance of the "Movement Philosophique" and the development of libertine values as well as the emergence of the pre-Romantic aesthetics.

FRENCH 119A Nineteenth-Century Literature 4 Units

Authors from the first half of the 19th century. Romantic poetry and drama. Balzac, Stendhal and the novel. Michelet and the emergence of history.

FRENCH 119B Nineteenth-Century Literature 4 Units

Authors from the second half of the 19th century. The various poetic movements: Le Parnasse and Symbolism. Development of the novel, realism, and naturalism.

FRENCH 120A Twentieth-Century Literature 4 Units

The modern novel, the avant-garde, cubist poetry, Dada and Surrealism, the theatre before the Second World War.

FRENCH 120B Twentieth-Century Literature 4 Units

Development of the novel, poetry, and theatre since the Second World War. Sartre and existentialism, theatre of the absurd, nouveau roman.

FRENCH 121A Literary Themes, Genres, and Structures 4 Units

Topics vary from year to year. Past topics have included "litterature fantastique," science fiction, autobiography, French lyric poetry.

FRENCH 121B Literary Themes, Genres, and Structures 4 Units

Topics vary from year to year. Past topics have included "litterature fantastique," science fiction, autobiography, French lyric poetry.

FRENCH 122A Literary Criticism 4 Units

The course will focus on literary criticism and will discuss the various options proposed as well as the relationship between criticism and fiction or philosophy in a given writer's work.

FRENCH 122B Literary Criticism 4 Units

The course will focus on literary criticism and will discuss the various options proposed as well as the relationship between criticism and fiction or philosophy in a given writer's work.

FRENCH 123 Prose Fiction 4 Units

Studies in the French novel.

FRENCH 126 Senior Seminar 4 Units

Intensive study of a major author.

FRENCH 138 French for Future Teachers of the Language 4 Units

Introduction to applied linguistics, for students planning to use their French in language teaching or related careers. In this course we will begin with a general account of the French language--its phonology, morphology, and syntax--and we will subsequently consider specific issues in the learning and teaching of French. We will also examine a variety of commonly used foreign language teaching methods. Students should have a working knowledge of both oral and written French.

FRENCH 140A French Literature in English Translation 4 Units

Major texts of French literature of the Middle Ages. Readings and writing assignments in English for non-majors; in French for French majors and minors. Class discussions in English.

FRENCH 140B French Literature in English Translation 4 Units

Major texts of French literature of the Ancien Regime. Readings and writing assignments in English for non-majors; in French for French majors and minors. Class discussions in English.

FRENCH 140C French Literature in English Translation 4 Units

Major texts of French literature of the 19th Century. Readings and writing assignments in English for non-majors; in French for French majors and minors. Class discussions in English.

FRENCH 140D French Literature in English Translation 4 Units

Major texts of modern French literature. Readings and writing assignments in English for non-majors; in French for French majors and minors. Class discussions in English.

FRENCH 141 French Studies in an International Context 4 Units

An examination of a theme, issue, or concept from French literary, intellectual, or cultural history in its interrelation with non-French texts and contexts. Writing assignments and readings in English for nonmajors; writing assignments and French readings in French for French majors and minors. Class discussions in English. Topics vary from year to year.

FRENCH 142AC The Cultures of Franco-America 4 Units

Literary and cultural texts that emerge out of the long history of the French in North America and of Americans in France. Topics may vary from semester to semester, but the course will always take substantial account of the experiences and histories of representations of different ethnic groups. Students should consult the department's course bulletin well before the beginning of the semester for details.

FRENCH 145 History of the French Language 4 Units

Mainly devoted to "external" history of French, tracing spread of Latin to what is now France, its break-up into different languages and dialects, emergence of Parisian French as standard. Influence of other languages on French vocabulary. Study of brief texts from different periods to illustrate evolution of pronunciation and grammar.

FRENCH 146A Introduction to French Linguistics 4 Units

An introduction to the major branches of linguistic analysis (phonology, morphology--including word formation--syntax, and semantics) as applied to the French language.

FRENCH 147 Special Topics in French Linguistics 4 Units

Topics vary from year to year.

FRENCH 148 Translation Methodology and Practice 4 Units

In-depth knowledge of the French language and accuracy in its use are the goals of this course. A textbook and systematic exercises will be used to assist in the demanding task of translating, both from English to French and from French to English.

FRENCH 150A Women in French Literature 4 Units

A study of the portrayal of women in French literature and of the contributions of women to French literature and thought.

FRENCH 150B Women in French Literature 4 Units

A study of the portrayal of women in French literature and of the contributions of women to French literature and thought.

FRENCH 151A Francophone Literature 4 Units

A study of Francophone literature: traditional and French influences, structure, relationship between language and message.

FRENCH 151B Francophone Literature 4 Units

A study of Francophone literature: traditional and French influences, structure, relationship between language and message.

FRENCH 161A A Year in French History 4 Units

The study of a year in French history from many points of view--political, sociological, intellectual, and artistic, as well as literary.

FRENCH 161B A Year in French History 4 Units

The study of a year in French history from many points of view--political, sociological, intellectual, and artistic, as well as literary.

FRENCH 162A Perspectives on History 4 Units

This course will study both contemporary and subsequent reactions to historic events or figures. Topics vary from year to year.

FRENCH 162B Perspectives on History 4 Units

This course will study both contemporary and subsequent reactions to historic events or figures. Topics vary from year to year.

FRENCH 170 French Films 4 Units

Beginning French cinema studies: the language of film.

FRENCH 171A A Concept in French Cultural History 4 Units

An examination of certain large cultural concepts, such as "the Baroque" or "Romanticism," in French cultural history. Topics vary from year to year.

FRENCH 171B A Concept in French Cultural History 4 Units

An examination of certain large cultural concepts, such as "the Baroque" or "Romanticism," in French cultural history. Topics vary from year to year.

FRENCH 172A Psychoanalytic Theory and Literature 4 Units

The relevance of psychoanalysis to literary texts. Concepts of fantasy, of the self, and of desire applied to texts by Racine, Balzac, Lautreamont, Rimbaud, and Proust.

FRENCH 174 Music and Literature 4 Units

A consideration of the ways in which certain writers, as well as some composers, have sought to relate what might be thought of as two manifestations of language: song and poem, or musical score and literary text.

FRENCH 175A Literature and the Visual Arts 4 Units

Using various works from the arts and the human sciences, this course will investigate the relations between images and written texts.

FRENCH 177A History and Criticism of Film 4 Units

The development of French cinema. Discussions, oral and written reports will be based on the viewing of films from the work of major French film directors.

FRENCH 177B History and Criticism of Film 4 Units

The development of French cinema. Discussions, oral and written reports will be based on the viewing of films from the work of major French film directors.

FRENCH 178A Studies in French Film 4 Units

Topics vary from year to year.

FRENCH 178B Studies in French Film 4 Units

Topics vary from year to year.

FRENCH 180A French Civilization 4 Units

Survey of French civilization: history, arts, and society, through the interpretation of literary texts. 180A: The Middle Ages; 180B: The Ancien Regime; 180C: The 19th Century; 180D: The 20th Century.

FRENCH 180B French Civilization 4 Units

Survey of French civilization: history, arts, and society, through the interpretation of literary texts. 180A: The Middle Ages; 180B: The Ancien Regime; 180C: The 19th Century; 180D: The 20th Century.

FRENCH 180C French Civilization 4 Units

Survey of French civilization: history, arts, and society, through the interpretation of literary texts. 180A: The Middle Ages; 180B: The Ancien Regime; 180C: The 19th Century; 180D: The 20th Century.

FRENCH 180D French Civilization 4 Units

Survey of French civilization: history, arts, and society, through the interpretation of literary texts. 180A: The Middle Ages; 180B: The Ancien Regime; 180C: The 19th Century; 180D: The 20th Century.

FRENCH 183A Configurations of Crisis 4 Units

A study of the pressures on artistic, political, and economic structures at moments of crisis in French history. Problems of continuity and discontinuity in esthetic and social history.

FRENCH 183B Configurations of Crisis 4 Units

A study of the pressures on artistic, political, and economic structures at moments of crisis in French history. Problems of continuity and discontinuity in esthetic and social history.

FRENCH 185 Literature and Colonialism 4 Units

Studies in the literature developed in France at the height of the colonial era. The themes of travel, exotisme, neo-civilisation, the reaction of European countries to the discovery of Africa.

FRENCH H195A Honors Sequence 2 Units

Students will write an essay on a topic relating to French literature or culture under the supervision of a member of the faculty during two semesters of their senior year.

FRENCH H195B Honors Sequence 2 Units

Students will write an essay on a topic relating to French literature or culture under the supervision of a member of the faculty during two semesters of their senior year.

FRENCH 197 Field Studies 1 - 4 Units

Supervised field programs involving experiences in schools and school-related activities. Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor and written reports required.

FRENCH 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research for Advanced Undergraduates 2 - 4 Units

Enrollment restricted according to College regulations. Individual instruction only in areas not covered by courses.

Faculty

Professors

Suzanne Guerlac, Professor. Nationalism, literature, philosophy, 19th- and 20th-century literature, myths of literature and theory, contemporary cultural criticism.
Research Profile

Timothy Hampton, Professor. Culture, politics, English, comparative literature, French, renaissance and early modern European culture, the romance languages, the ideology of literary genre, the literary construction of nationhood, the rhetoric of historiography.
Research Profile

David Hult, Professor. Literary theory, medieval French literature, allegory, hermeneutics, text editing, French Studies.
Research Profile

Richard G. Kern, Professor. Literacy, second language acquisition, writing, psycholinguistics, reading, French language, French linguistics, technology and education.
Research Profile

Michael Lucey, Professor. Pragmatics, the novel, sexuality studies, comparative literature, French, French literature, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, British literature and culture, social and literary theory, cultural studies of music, studies of language in use, theories of practice, twentieth-century American literature.
Research Profile

Nicholas Paige, Professor. Cinema (French New Wave), 17th- and 18th-century French literature and culture, history and theory of the novel, quantitative literary history and digital humanities, aesthetics and image theory, subjectivity and autobiography.
Research Profile

Associate Professors

Deborah Anne Blocker, Associate Professor. Early modern French literature and history.
Research Profile

Karl A Britto, Associate Professor. Africa, cultural studies, the Caribbean, literature, francophone literature, colonial and postcolonial literature, Vietnam, gender and identity.
Research Profile

Susan Maslan, Associate Professor. French, early modern French literary, political history.
Research Profile

Mairi Mclaughlin, PhD, Associate Professor. Translation studies, new media, historical syntax, French language, French linguistics, history of French, journalism studies, romance linguistics, Italian linguistics.
Research Profile

Debarati Sanyal, Associate Professor. Violence, poetry, the relationship between literary form, politics in 19th-century France, the connection between performance, performativity, ethics in modernist texts.
Research Profile

Thoraya S Tlatli, Associate Professor. Francophone literature, colonial and postcolonial studies, literature and psychoanalysis, twentieth-century continental philosophy.
Research Profile

Assistant Professors

Eglantine L Colon, Assistant Professor.

Lecturers

Daniele Boucher, Lecturer.

Seda A. Chavdarian, PhD, Lecturer.

Desiree M Pries, Lecturer.

Rachel Shuh, Lecturer.

Nelly A Timmons, Lecturer.

Contact Information

Department of French

4125 Dwinelle Hall

Phone: 510-642-2712

frenchga@berkeley.edu

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

Timothy Hampton, PhD

4123 Dwinelle Hall

thampton@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Adviser

Deberati Sanyal, PhD

4211 Dwinelle Hall

sanyal@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Student Services Adviser

Carol Dolcini

4209 Dwinelle Hall

Phone: 510-642-2713

frendept@berkeley.edu

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