French Undergraduate Program

The French language is spoken by millions of people living in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, the Caribbean, North and Central Africa, and the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It is a major international language of the arts, commerce, and science, a status that reflects the leading role that French culture and technology have played and continue to play. In the United States, French is studied by more students than any other foreign language except Spanish.

The centuries-old relationship of the English-speaking and French-speaking cultures has resulted in a great deal of common heritage. Not only is there a substantial overlap in vocabulary -- some 40 percent of English words are of French origin -- there is also a common cultural heritage, going from the Arthurian legends through postcolonial self-examination, and students will find many familiar landmarks in the study of French culture.

The Program

The French program is intended to train students in the spoken and written language, and to deepen their knowledge of and interest in the literature and culture of France and other French-speaking countries. Majors in French are encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or a full year. SUNY programs in French cities are open to UB students. For a major or minor, a minimum of four courses at the 300-400 level must be taken in residence at the Buffalo campus.

For study abroad options, see the Study Abroad section on page 6 or contact the Study Abroad Programs Office at (716) 645-3912.

Students wishing to satisfy the requirements for teacher certification should plan their programs with particular care in order to accommodate the required semester of the professional sequence during their senior year. For certification requirements, students should contact the Teacher Education Institute, Graduate School of Education, 379 Baldy Hall.

Transfer Policy

Transfer applications are welcome in the French section. To facilitate the evaluation of coursework completed elsewhere, students should submit course materials (syllabi, reading lists, papers, and exams) to the director of undergraduate studies. Transfer students are offered the same opportunities and are subject to the same regulations as other students.

Career Opportunities

Students who choose French as their academic home at UB find a number of career opportunities open to them. Among graduates in the past decade, a small number have gone on to do graduate work in French, several have gone on to law school, and others have found positions in the State Department and secondary education. Students frequently combine a program in French with concentrations in other humanities programs-other languages, or linguistics or history, for instance -- or indeed in unrelated fields, such as management. Whatever career appeals to graduating students, fluency in French will assuredly be an advantage.

Special Programs and Opportunities

The generosity of two alumni families has made it possible for the French section annually to award the Linda Rock Memorial Scholarship and the Maria Becker Memorial Scholarship. These awards are intended to facilitate study abroad, and are given on the basis of academic performance and financial need. Details are available every March in the department office.

Undergraduate students are eligible to participate in the group activities organized by the French Graduate Student Association, such as French films, a French coffee hour, and excursions to Montreal.

An honors program in French is open to students who achieve an overall GPA of 3.25 and a French GPA of 3.67 in five upper-division courses. Those who successfully complete the two honors projects will be honored at a special awards ceremony of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Preparatory sequence (major OR minor):

• French 101 and 102
  OR
  French 104
  OR
  equivalent preparation
  AND
• French 151 and 152
  OR
  equivalent preparation

Prerequisites:

• French 211
• French 212

Required courses:

• French 301
• French 302
• French 343

Elective courses:

• One 300-/400- level course in French (for a minor)
• Seven 300-/400- level courses in French (for a major)
• Four 300-/400- level courses in French (for a joint major)

Other information:

• Students must maintain a 2.0 average in French courses counted towards the major or minor
• Study-abroad courses are accepted for both the major and the minor
• Transfer credits are accepted for both the major and the minor
• Of the total of 6 prerequisite hours and 30 major-level hours or 12 minor-level hours, at least one half must be taken on this campus.
• Two scholarships are awarded each spring to French majors/minors who are going to study abroad.

Next steps:

Go to the Advisors page and send e-mail to the undergraduate advisor in French.

To apply, click on the "Apply Now" link at the top of this page or from the home page.