Basic French Courses

The College of Arts & Sciences requires students to complete either a 15 credit sequence (one year), or an 18 credit sequence (two years). All incoming students who have studied French for 2 or more years in high school within the previous 5 years must take a placement exam. Many students take this exam during their freshman orientation program. The exam is also administered at no charge in the Language Lab (Old Chem 612) during business hours and online at your convenience. You will need a UC or other picture ID. Results are available immediately for the student and are also sent automatically to the Arts and Sciences Advising Office.

Students will not earn Arts and Science credit for courses below their placement level. The benefit to students of placing as high as possible is that they may earn a maximum of 10 free credits (i.e., for courses they placed out of) if they place beyond the first course and earn a grade "C" or better in the course in which they place.

The department of Romance Languages offers two sequences in basic French:

Basic French 101-102-103: 5 credits each
The class meets five days per week. Instruction emphasizes oral and written communication in French through activities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students must participate every day in class, since part of their evaluation is based on how they collaborate in French in small groups. The curriculum includes authentic aural, written and video input. Class is conducted in French. Attendance is required.

Extended Basic French 111-112-113-114-115-116: 3 credits each*

This is a two year sequence that meets 3 times per week. Instruction emphasizes oral and written communication in French through activities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students must participate every day in class, since part of their evaluation is based on how they collaborate in French in small groups. The curriculum includes authentic aural, written and video input. Class is conducted in French. Students maintain a journal in which they react to class and video materials. Attendance is required.

French Composition and Conversation 251-252-253: 3 credits each

These courses serve as a gateway to the major. Curriculum includes vocabulary enrichment, process writing, conversation, grammar review, reading. Prerequisite: French 103, 116, placement test, or permission of instructor. Attendance is required.

For more information about the Basic Language Program, please contact the Director of Basic French.

* Note: The material covered in 111 and 112 is approximately the same as in 101; 113 and 114 are equivalent to 102; 115 and 116 are equivalent to 103. Please see the coordinators of basic language about the appropriateness of changing sequences.