Details of programmes for Honours (Thesis Option and Course Option),  Major and Minor in French Studies are listed  below, but if you need more information,  you may contact the French Studies Programme Advisor:  Dr. Monika Boehringer  -  mboehrinmta.ca.

Please note:
All complementary courses from disciplines outside the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (with the exception of Hist 1661) must be chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Mount Allison offers an extensive French Studies programme with a variety of language and literature courses which increase the students' awareness of the French and French-Canadian cultures while developing their ability to function in the second language. To this end, all courses are taught in French, with the exception of three culture courses taught in English:
French 1801: Paris, City of Light
French 1811: Cultural Aspects of Modern Québec
French 2841: Cultural Aspects of Contemporary France

The courses at first and second year levels provide the opportunity to establish a sound foundation in oral and written French. The study of grammar, at these levels, is reinforced by practice in the language laboratory. Several of the courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels are specifically intended to refine the students' command of spoken and written French, while the other courses deal with the various areas of French literature, French-Canadian literature and the theories of literary criticism. A series of prizes are awarded each year to students who distinguish themselves in French Studies.

Students are encouraged to consult members of the Department for guidance on course selection, programme organization, etc. In addition, the Programme Advisor is available throughout the year for consultation.

PLACEMENT IN FRENCH: In order to register for the first time for a French course at Mount Allison you MUST complete the French Skills Assessment(click for link). The result will indicate your appropriate entry level: 1651, 1701, 1711, 2401, 2501, 2601 or 3000-level language.  If you have difficulty with the on-line version, you may obtain a paper copy at the Department Office, 310 Crabtree Building: 506-364-2478, mllmta.ca.

N.B. Students completing Majors, Minors, or Honours programmes in French should be aware that any exemptions from 1/2000 level courses obtained through the assessment process must be replaced on their programmes by credits at the upper levels.

COURSE SEQUENCE, NUMBERING, AVAILABILITY:
Sequence begins from initial assessment (i.e. 1701, 2401, etc.). From French 1651 to 2501, each language course in the sequence is normally a prerequisite for the following course. Successful completion of French 1701, 1711 or assessment at the 2401 level is required for enrolment in French 2801 (Cinéma du monde francophone). Students wishing to study advanced French language may proceed from 2501 to 3000-level language courses. French 2601, on the other hand, is a PREREQUISITE for all courses in French literature. Students placed initially in French 2601 may request permission to enrol in 3000-level French language courses concurrently with 2601. Students are encouraged to take 2501 and 2601 concurrently.(see Important Notes below for "C-" minimum grade requirement for prerequisites.)

Course numbering 3/4000 levels:
French language courses: 3101, 3111, 3131, 4001, 4011.
French literature courses: see first two digits of course #:
3300's (17th century)
3400's (18th century)
3500's (19th century)
3600's (20th century)
3700's (French Canada)
3800's includes literary criticism and trans-historic special interest courses.

Availability of courses:
Every year:
1651, 1701, 1711, 2401, 2501, 2601, 3101, 3111, 3131, 3801, 4001, 4011

At least every two years:
1801, 1811, 2801, 2841 and all third-year literature courses

MLL Hon back to top

PROGRAMMES OF STUDY:

MINOR IN FRENCH: A coherent minimum programme of instruction in French language and literature:
24 credits accumulated as follows:
  0-6 credits French 1701, 1711 if required by assessment;
  9 credits French 2401, 2501, 2601 n.b.: Students who have completed FREN 2401 or who have been placed in FREN 2501 are encouraged to enrol for FREN 2501 and 2601 concurrently.
  3 credits French 3101
6-12 credits from French courses at the 3/4000 level.
N.B.: French 2801 may only be included in the requirements for a  minor if French 1701 and French 1711 are not required by placement.  If an exemption is granted from any of the language courses, replacement credits must be obtained in other French courses at the 3/4000 levels.

MAJOR IN FRENCH: A programme comprising approximately one-half the course work required for the B.A. degree, providing depth and rigour through work within a disciplinary framework:
60 credits accumulated as follows:
  9 credits from French 2401, 2501, 2601 n.b.: Students who have completed FREN 2401 or who have been placed in FREN 2501 are encouraged to enrol for FREN 2501 and 2601 concurrently.
  3 credits from French 1801, 1811, 2801 or 2841
12 credits from French 3101, 3111, 3131, 4001, 4011
  3 credits from French 3301, 3401, 3411
  3 credits from French 3501, 3511, 3601, 3611, 3621
  3 credits from French 3721, 3731, 3741
  3 credits from French 3801, 3811, 3821, 3841, 3851, 3861
  6 credits from French literature at the 3000-4000 levels not already chosen
18 credits from complementary courses in French; Modern Languages, Literatures or Cultures; Linguistics; Arts & Letters; and/or Humanities, including French 1701, 1711, if required by placement, French 1801, 1811, 2801, and 2841; Hist 1661 is especially recommended.
N.B. All complementary courses from disciplines outside the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures (with the exception of Hist 1661) must be chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor prior to enrolment in them.

HONOURS IN FRENCH: A programme now with either Thesis Option or Course Option requirements, offering a higher degree of specialization than the Major: All required courses are from offerings in French and Linguistics.

I. Honours Programme (Thesis Option): students must earn 69 credits (see below), including the completion of an Honours project, a 6-credit course on a subject defined by the student in consultation with a faculty member of the Department, and culminating in an essay of about 50-65 pages. Proposals for Honours projects must be submitted to the Department no later than the final day of classes in the spring preceding the beginning of the Honours work. To be admissible to the Honours programme, the student should have an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 or more in all courses in French. To receive a degree with Honours, the student must receive a grade of at least B on the Honours project, a G.P.A. of 3.0 or more on prescribed Honours work, and an overall G.P.A. of approximately 3.0 or more.

2. Honours Programme (Course Option): students must earn 69 credits, 51 credits as in the first 9 lines of the Honours degree (Thesis Option) plus 12 additional credits from French literature at the 3000/4000 levels plus 6 credits from French at the 3/4000 level and Linguistics, chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor.

Students considering the Honours programme must consult with the Programme Advisor by early February of their third year of study. Subsequently, a Declaration of Intention to Pursue Honours (link to pdf form) must be filed with the Registrar. After choosing a professor to supervise the honours project, the student will submit a written proposal to the Programme Advisor by the first week in April.   (link to recent honours project titles)

Honours in French (Thesis Option) is 69 credits accumulated as follows:
  6 credits from French 1801, 1811, 2801, 2841
  9 credits from French 2401, 2501, 2601
15 credits from French 3101, 3111, 3131, 4001, 4011
  6 credits from French 3301, 3401 or 3411
  3 credits from French 3501 or 3511
  3 credits from French 3601, 3611, or 3621
  3 credits from French 3721, 3731, or 3741
  3 credits French 3801
  3 credits from French 3811, 3821, 3841, 3851, 3861
  6 credits from French literature at the 3000/4000 levels not already chosen
  6 credits 4990 (Mémoire)
  6 credits from French at the 3/4000 level and Linguistics, chosen in consultation with the  Programme Advisor. (Hist 1661 is highly recommended asan elective).

Honours in French (Course Option) is 69 credits accumulated as follows:
  6 credits from French 1801, 1811, 2801, 2841
  9 credits from French 2401, 2501, 2601
15 credits from French 3101, 3111, 3131, 4001, 4011
  6 credits from French 3301, 3401 or 3411
  3 credits from French 3501 or 3511
  3 credits from French 3601, 3611, or 3621
  3 credits from French 3721, 3731, or 3741
  3 credits French 3801
  3 credits from French 3811, 3821, 3841, 3851, 3861
  6 credits from French literature at the 3000/4000 levels not already chosen
12 additional credits from French literature at the 3000/4000 level and linguistics, chosen in consultation with the  Programme Advisor

Honours degrees have traditionally provided the preparation most appropriate for graduate study, and are required by many universities for admission to graduate study.

Students completing an Honours degree are not required to complete a Minor but may choose to do so.

Important Notes:
Programme Advising and Permission: Students declaring a Major must inform the Programme Advisor by the end of the second year of study, and select appropriate courses in consultation with the Advisor. All complementary courses for the Major in French Studies not specifically mentioned in the list must be chosen in consultation with the Programme Advisor prior to enrolment in them. Students declaring Honours must do so by the end of the third year of study (see details above). Special requests (waiving of prerequisites, exemptions, exceptions to regulations, etc.) must be submitted to the Programme Advisor.

Students exempted (by initial assessment or for any other reason) from courses in French listed as Major or Minor requirements must replace them with other approved courses in French. (e.g. students placed in 2501 are considered exempted from 2401, but must replace it with another French course at the 3/4000 level.)

The grade in any course to be used as a prerequisite, must be C- or higher. Otherwise, written permission of the appropriate Department or Programme Advisor must be obtained.
(See Mt A. Calendar 6.11.3 Letter Grades and their Meanings)

Students should consult the University Calendar for complete academic regulations. In case of discrepancies between departmental information and the Calendar, the latter prevails.

MLL Homeback to top

THE STRASBOURG PROGRAMME (link to web page): This programme offers the opportunity to spend a year of study in the Institut International d'Études Françaises at the Université Marc Bloch, Strasbourg. Students may earn up to 30 credits in French language, literature and/or cognates. These credits may be applied to the Major, the Minor and the Honours programmes. For further information, students should consult the Director of the Strasbourg Programme.

CERTIFICATE OF BILINGUALISM (link to calendar entry): Any graduating student in any field may apply for the Certificate of Bilingualism. Early in each winter term, the French Studies Faculty of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures conducts a set of rigorous written and oral assessments of proficiency in French and in English for students who wish to qualify for a Certificate of Bilingualism. Any Mount Allison student who will be completing a degree at the end of that term may apply to be examined. The Certificate is awarded upon graduation. Please ask the secretary of the MLL Department for the dates for application and testing.

MLL Home

back to top