French Program

French Program

Program Coordinator: Blanca Missé, bmisse@sfsu.edu
Adviser: Blanca Missé, bmisse@sfsu.edu

The French program offers a challenging and enriching experience for those who are interested not only in the French language but also in French and Francophone culture and society. French is one of the very few languages spoken all over the world, ranked the sixth most widely spoken language after Mandarin Chinese, English, Hindi, Spanish and Arabic. Today, more than 220 million people speak French throughout the world: roughly 51% live in Africa and the Middle East, 40% live in Europe, 8% in the Americas, and 1% in Asia/Oceania. As a result of population growth there will be more than 700 million French Speakers by 2050, 80% of whom will be living in Africa. The French Program is excited to offer an an avenue to engage with this expanding and diverse Francophone cultural and linguistic world.

We offer full-fledged Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts programs and focus on developing proficiency in the language in a sociocultural context by offering a variety of courses and by conducting courses in culture and literature in French. Great importance is placed on participatory classes, which are small and practice-oriented, to help students adapt themselves to a changing world. Excellent computer facilities and a multimedia center provide support for our educational program.

SF State is located in San Francisco, a cosmopolitan city with a large and active French community, which makes it a great place to study French. Students are also given a number of opportunities to study in France. Through the California State University’s international programs, selected students may study at Aix-en-Provence and in Paris. Such opportunities give students practical experience in everyday French life and culture, helping to build and reinforce these skills.

If you are an undergraduate student and wonder which class to take, you can take a placement test and see an adviser. Please contact an adviser for further details.

Visit the current University Bulletin for complete course descriptions and class schedule.

Related Resources

B.A. in French

The Bachelor of Arts in French is a 30 unit major consisting of courses in French language, literature, linguistics, and culture. All upper-division courses are conducted in French, and students are expected to use French in their speaking, reading, and writing. A minimum of four semesters is required to complete the required and elective courses for the major.

M.A. in French (Information for Applicants)

The Master of Arts program in French at SFSU is primarily focused on the study of literature and culture, from the Middles Ages to the 20th century. Our objective is to offer interesting and challenging courses, based on original research and the specialized fields of the French faculty, to teach and inspire students to do graduate work while developing their knowledge of French and Francophone literature and culture.

M.A. in French (Advancement to Candidacy)

The M.A. Program in French at SFSU requires the completion of 30 units of course work in French Literature, culture or language, and offers two different culminating experience options: Master's Comprehensive Written and Oral Examinations, or a Master's Thesis and Master's Comprehensive Oral Examination.

Minor in French

The French minor consists of up to 14 units of lower-division and from 9 to 15 units of upper-division coursework. Students must complete the lower-division sequence -- or the equivalent -- prior to beginning upper-division coursework in French language, literature, linguistics, and culture. The program may waive some or all lower-division requirements if the student demonstrates appropriate competency through advising, by taking the placement test, or by having taken the equivalent coursework elsewhere. All courses are conducted in French, and students are expected to use French in their speaking, reading, and writing.

External Resources (French)

A roundup of useful learning resources, activities, websites, groups and reference tools related to French language and culture.

Area Studies Minors

You may also be interested in multidisciplinary minors in European Studies, Middle East and Islamic Studies, Pacific Asian Studies, or Persian Studies.

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