French
Degree
Bachelor of Arts | College of Arts and Science
What is French?
As a French major, you'll learn to think critically about literature and other aspects of cultural while developing proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding French. As you analyze works from France and related regions, you will discover the varied ideologies and philosophies implicit in French-language culture.
What are the features of Miami's program?
Live in the culture
You can experience French culture by living in the French language corridor of a Miami residence hall. A French graduate student lives full-time in the hall to create a vital link with the French world, organize cultural activities, and offer informal academic advising.
National reputation
Miami's French program is one of the nation's best-known among non-doctoral degree-granting departments. We've been a magnet for good professors from top Ph.D.-granting institutions. Although our professors have a national reputation for their publications, their focus is teaching undergraduates.
Modern facilities
French classes and the language lab (ILRC) are located in newly renovated and air-conditioned Irvin Hall. The language lab has an impressive variety of technical aids for your independent study. In the individual station area, you can work on your oral comprehension and pronunciation, watch a foreign-language film, listen to music in French, or view a French-language news broadcast from a foreign television station via SCOLA (Satellite Communications for Learning). Lab workers can assist you with any questions that you may have about how to use the up-to-date computer equipment.
Study abroad
The best way to experience French culture is to live among native French speakers. We offer an advanced program every summer in Dijon, France. The department also has a large file of other foreign study programs in which Miami students can participate. You may speak with the Chief Departmental Adviser for assistance in choosing the study abroad program that best fits your needs and in transferring study abroad credits to Miami in order to complete your degree requirements.
Communicate internationally
You can view important events from around the world on SCOLA (Satellite Communications for Learning), the international news programming network that is part of Miami's academic cable television system, as is TV 5, the international, French-language television service. You also have access to international networks and bulletin boards through email and the Web.
Expand your career options
The foreign language majors at Miami are designed to allow you to complete a second major within four years. This broadens your education as well as your career possibilities.
Are there special admission requirements?
There are no additional admission requirements for this program.
What courses would I take?
In addition to Global Miami Plan Foundation classes, you'll take 30 semester hours in French coursework in order to complete the major. Classes include "Conversation and Current Events in France," "Topics in French Cinema," "French Civilization," and "The Romantic Movement in French Literature."
What can I do with this major?
Recent graduates work in international business, the international travel industry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and teaching. Some have gone on to graduate schools such as Brown, Chicago, Cornell, Iowa, NYU, Princeton, and U.S.C. Miami's graduate program in French offers a Master of Arts degree. Graduates of the M.A. programs include college professors (at Kenyon, Vanderbilt, and Vassar), lawyers, high-school teachers, and a government customs official.
Like other liberal arts backgrounds, a major in foreign language and literature serves as a good base for careers in fields where broad educational experience is more important than a strictly vocational major. Combining language knowledge with other skills can lead to positions in such diverse areas as journalism, business, tourism, and government service. A second major or minor are options many language students choose to help achieve their career goals.
Some job titles directly related to foreign-language study are interpreter, travel agent, foreign correspondent, translator, librarian, immigration inspector, radio announcer, Peace Corps member, international public relations specialist, and international market researcher.
Many language majors take advantage of our university's teacher certification program and work in public and private schools. An undergraduate degree in a foreign language is a solid foundation for graduate work in international business, law, diplomacy, library science, or more specialized study in language.
Who can I contact for more information?
Department of French and Italian
207 Irvin Hall
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-7508
www.muohio.edu/frenchitalian
