French
At Valpo, your French classes will introduce you to the language and culture of the French-speaking world.
World Languages and Cultures
About Our French Program
At Valpo, you can choose from a variety of paths in French! With two minor tracks and an individualized major in French studies, our program invites flexibility and customization. After completing the language course sequence, students are able to choose from a selection of French courses that match their interests to complete their program.
Both of the French minor tracks and the individualized major prepare students for careers in international relations, global business, education, and the nonprofit sector.
French Minors
Students who have studied French prior to coming to Valpo complete the traditional 17-credit French minor that begins with intermediate French level coursework:
| FREN 203 | Intermediate French I | 4 Cr. |
| FREN 204 | Intermediate French II | 4 Cr. |
| Nine additional credits in French beyond FREN 204 | ||
| Total: | 17 Cr. |
- Students can count either FREN 291 or FREN 300 towards the French minor, but not both courses.
- Students must take at least one 300-level course.
- Students choose to pursue the French studies minor or the French minor, but cannot pursue both.
French Minors
Students who begin their study of French at Valpo have the opportunity to complete the 18-credit French studies minor, which can include credits from beginning French:
| FREN 102 | Beginning French II | 4 Cr. |
| FREN 203 | Intermediate French I | 4 Cr. |
| FREN 204 | Intermediate French II | 4 Cr. |
| Six additional credits in French beyond FREN 204 | 6 Cr. | |
| Total: | 18 Cr. |
- Students can count either FREN 291 or FREN 300 towards the French studies minor, but not both courses.
- Students who place beyond FREN 102 are not eligible for this minor.
Individualized Major in French Studies
Bachelor of Arts degree students interested in pursuing their study of French beyond the level of a minor and/or students who are contemplating spending a semester abroad in France are encouraged to consider an individualized major in French studies. Please contact Professor Timothy Tomasik for assistance in filling out the Individualized Program form to declare this major.
All students wishing to pursue an individualized major are subject to the following conditions:
- The proposed major must include at least 30 credit hours but not more than 48 credit hours chosen from two or more departments.
- At least 18 of the 30 credits in the individualized major must be taken beyond the introductory level.
- The proposed major must be accompanied by a minor within a discipline listed in the General Catalog.
- None of the courses chosen may be courses used to meet the General Education requirements.
- Courses taken for this major may not be counted for credit towards a minor or second major.
- The proposed major must be supported and supervised by one of the deans in the College of Arts and Sciences or an academic advisor.
- A comprehensive rationale statement by the student justifying the major must accompany the Individualized Program form. This form must list the specific courses to be taken and be approved by the faculty supervisor before it is approved in the Dean’s Office. Any revisions must also be approved by the Dean of the College.
- The proposed major must be submitted online for approval, preferably by the beginning of the junior year, but no later than November 1 for December degree candidates and April 1 for May or August degree candidates.
Students wishing to complete an individualized major in French studies are subject to the following additional conditions and requirements:
A. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits that combine coursework in French beyond FREN 102 with a minimum of 3 credits in an allied field outside of French (see list of recommended courses below).
B. Students may begin counting credits towards the individualized major in French studies with FREN 203 or FREN 204 depending on their individual language placement:
- Students who take FREN 101 and 102 at Valpo may begin counting credits towards the individualized major with FREN 203.
- Students who place into FREN 102, 203, or 204 based on previous study may begin counting credits towards the individualized major with FREN 204.
C. Coursework in French must include at least one course at the 300-level.
D. Students may count both FREN 291 and FREN 300 towards the individualized major.
E. Students may count up to 12 credits of French coursework from study abroad towards the individualized major.
Individualized Major in French Studies
Per item A above, students must complete at least three credits of coursework outside of French, but related to French studies. The following courses may be counted in fulfillment of this requirement provided they do not fulfill a general education requirement. This list will be updated from time to time as new courses are added to the General Catalog. Students may also propose courses beyond this list that they feel are relevant to French studies, subject to approval by Professor Tomasik and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) have course prerequisites.
Communication and Visual Arts
- CVA 101: Ancient to Medieval Art History – 3 Cr.
- CVA 102: Renaissance to Modern Art History – 3 Cr.
- CVA 270: Introduction to Cinema Studies – 3 Cr.
- CVA 315: Intercultural Communication – 3 Cr.
Economics
- *ECON 326: International Economics – 3 Cr.
English
- ENGL 260: Cross-Cultural Narratives – 3 Cr.
- ENGL 343: Introduction to Linguistics – 3 Cr.
- ENGL 344: Sociolinguistics: Language Across Cultures – 3 Cr.
- ENGL 368: TESOL: Theory and Methods – 3 Cr.
- ENGL 369: TESOL: Methods and Practices – 3 Cr.
History
- HIST 100: European History – 3 Cr.
- HIST 215: Medieval Europe – 3 Cr.
- HIST 250: African History and Society – 3 Cr.
- HIST 312: Europe in the Age of Reformation – 3 Cr.
- HIST 318: The Old Regime and the French Revolution – 3 Cr.
- HIST 350: Colonialism and Independence: Understanding Modern Africa – 3 Cr.
Political Science
- POLS 130: Comparative Politics – 3 Cr.
- POLS 150: International Relations – 3 Cr.
- POLS 291: Topics in International Relations – 3 Cr.
- *POLS 333: Politics of Africa – 3 Cr.
Religious Studies
- *REL 325: Luther and the Age of Reformations – 3 Cr.
- *REL 336: Modernity, Migration, & the Merging of Cultures – 3 Cr.
More Information
Valpo French graduates pursue careers in a variety of fields and positions. Recent grads, as well as those alumni farther along in their career path, have held a broad range of positions in government, business, service, NGOs, education, and more.
FREN 101 | Beginning French I
An introduction to French language and culture with emphasis on spoken and written communication skills. Refer to world language credit policies stated beginning on page 125. (4 credits)
FREN 102 | Beginning French II
A continuation of FREN 101. Prerequisite: FREN 101 or equivalent. (4 credits)
FREN 203 | Intermediate French I
A consolidation of French language skills with emphasis on interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. Students increase control of grammatical structures, broaden vocabulary, and become more familiar with French and Francophone cultures. Prerequisite: FREN 102 or equivalent. (4 credits)
FREN 204 | Intermediate French II
A review and expansion of French language skills with emphasis on interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. Students refine grammatical accuracy, write on varied topics, participate in extensive oral practice, and read literature and other authentic texts while building on their understanding of French and Francophone cultures. Prerequisite: FREN 203 or equivalent. May be repeated for credit at approved study abroad programs in France. (4 credits)
FREN 230 | French and Francophone Culture Today
An introduction to contemporary France as it is situated in the wider Francophone world (Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Canada), focusing on current cultural, economic, social, and political contexts. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 240 | French Phonetics
A study of the principles of French phonetics with special emphasis on the difficulties encountered by American students. Brief introduction to the history of the French language. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 251 | French Culture Through Food
An exploration of food practices in France, from medieval banquets to modern molecular gastronomy. Students will examine how food habits and culinary practices change over time and how culinary culture shapes local, regional, national, and transnational identities and tastes. Topics include meals as social and political performance, culinary revolutions, terroirs and regional cuisines, the industrialization of food, the impact of technology and media on food habits, and the influence of French gastronomy on global food culture. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 252 | French Science, Technology, and Sustainability
An examination of French contributions to science and technology from the ancien régime until today and how these innovations have shaped contemporary French environmental sustainability efforts. Students will explore how French science and technology developed in relation to social, political, and economic trends at particular historical moments, focusing on the accomplishments of notable figures such as René Descartes, Antoine Lavoisier, Marie Curie, Louis Pasteur, Gustave Eiffel, and Jacques Cousteau, among others. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 253 | French Places and Spaces
A survey of spatial culture in France, focusing on public and private spaces, monumental and memorial spaces, as well as metaphorical and material spaces, with emphasis on national, regional and Parisian geographies. From the iconic Eiffel Tower and Loire Valley chateaux to typical train station and apartment architecture, students will examine how notable places and French conceptions of space contribute to the construction of French identity via a shared sense of place. Prerequisite: FREN 204.
FREN 290 | Topics in French
A study of selected topics or issues in French or Francophone literature, language, or culture. May be repeated for credit if the topic varies. Prerequisite: FREN 204.(1-3 credits)
FREN 291 | Topics in World Cinema
(Also offered as CVA 291.) Students examine and analyze the cinema of a particular country or region both in its cultural context and in its relation to global film production and exhibition. May be repeated for credit if topics are different. May be used to fulfill the Humanities: Fine and Performing Arts or Cultural Diversity component of the General Education requirements. (3 credits)
FREN 300 | Topics in French and Francophone Cultures
A study of critical cultural contributions of France and the Francophone world. Course taught in English. May be repeated for credit if the topic varies. May be used to fulfill the Cultural Diversity course component of the General Education Requirements. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. (3 credits)
FREN 301 | Advanced French Expression
Development of advanced oral and written proficiency by exploring different registers of contemporary spoken French as well as analyzing a variety of written genres. Students will improve fluency, increase vocabulary, refine grammatical accuracy, and learn to use appropriate linguistic register. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 306 | French in the Media
Development of advanced French language skills through an exploration of contemporary French media. Students will read and discuss texts representative of traditional print culture and contemporary screen culture, as well as social media. Students will examine how media and technology shape contemporary French culture by discussing topics such as politics, education, popular culture, privacy, and censorship. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 307 | French for the Professions
Development of practical oral and written skills in French through a range of communicative tasks in business, engineering, and/or health-care settings. Students will study topics pertaining to professional careers with attention to relevant situational vocabulary as well as French cultural practices and norms. Emphasis on specific course content will reflect the interests of students enrolled in a particular semester. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 320 | French Monsters, Marvels, and Legends
An examination of French literary texts and cultural history focused on representations of iconic legends, supernatural events, and monstrous characters throughout French culture. From Arthurian legend, to Rabelais’s giants, to the scandalous protagonists of Classical tragedies and modern novels, students will read and situate literary masterworks within their historical contexts, attentive to how these works contribute to shared notions of French cultural identities. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 330 | French Migration and Identity
An analysis of France’s colonial past as a way of understanding its complex cultural and linguistic legacy within the many countries of the larger Francophone world, with emphasis on contemporary issues surrounding immigration, acculturation, and identity formation. Students will examine contemporary struggles and triumphs among immigrant populations in France through the lens of past occupations and independence movements. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (3 credits)
FREN 390 | Seminar in French
A study of selected themes or issues in French or Francophone literature, language, or civilization. May be repeated A study of selected topics or issues in French or Francophone literature, language, or culture. May be repeated for credit if the topic varies. Prerequisite: FREN 204. (1-3 credits)
Student Spotlight
At Valpo, Roman Van Meter ’26 found he could pursue his passion for history while also immersing himself in French language and culture, creating a unique academic journey that opened up a world of possibilities. Read about his experience as a double major in history and French.
World Languages and Cultures
Additional Information
Esprit français: Fall 2025
Bao’s Pastry
On October 17th, 2024, Valpo’s French Club went to Bao’s Pastry to learn how to make traditional French pastries.
French Students
Many students from French 101, 203, and 306 at Valpo went to this workshop. The event was in French for the majority of the time, but it was a great opportunity for all to practice both casual and directional French!
Students first watched a demonstration by Bao before attempting to pipe their own pastries and filling them with the cream. At the end they got to take a home a box of their freshly made pastries to enjoy.
This event was made possible by funding made available through the Duesenberg Endowed Chair in French Language & Culture.
The Pastries
Choux à la crème
Created with Milk, Eggs, and Sugar
Her History!
2015 – She earned her Professional Pastry diploma at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Paris
2018 – Bao, her husband, and 3 children left France and moved to Valpo!
Collections in the Language and Intercultural Learning Center:
- French books
- French tip sheets
- French films
- French games
Online resources:
French writing resources:
Faculty-recommended dictionaries and reference books include:
Collins Robert French Unabridged Dictionary
Small, paperback French-English dictionaries and on-line dictionaries ( we recommend WordReference.com) are adequate for basic information — looking up the gender of a word, checking spelling, a quick translation — but they will not be adequate for reading and writing in upper level classes. The Collins Robert French Unabridged Dictionary (French-English) is one of the best available.
Le Robert Micro: Dictionnaire de la Languge Française Edition Poche
Before you study abroad, consider ordering this pocket French-French dictionary. It’s perhaps not small enough to fit in your poche but certainly of a size that will easily fit in your cartable!
Bescherelle: La Conjugaison Pour Tous
If you want an excellent verb conjugation reference book, look no further. This concise, efficient yet thorough guide outlines the conjugation of no fewer than 12,000 French verbs.
Copies of these texts and more can be found in the Language and Intercultural Learning Center, ASB 240.
Study Abroad is a vital part of the French program at Valpo.
Valpo offers several unique opportunities to study in France. Your advisor will help you choose the program that’s right for your goals and interests:
- IES in Nantes
- La Rochelle International Business School
- Engineering at L’université de Technologie Compiègne
Visit the Office of Global Education to learn more about these programs.
Skye’s perspective on France
Skye Schoedel studied abroad in La Rochelle at the International Business School and shares her observations about France!
world languages and cultures
Meet Our Faculty
Teaching and learning at Valpo is something we do together. Your professors each teach the full range of courses, from beginning language courses to advanced classes for majors. We hold regular office hours so that we can meet with you to discuss your academic work and help you make plans for the future. And we’ll also see you outside the classroom at Esprit français events, at rehearsals for the Drama Practicum, and at any number of other activities on campus. At Valpo you receive close, personal attention whenever you need it!
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