Index

France has one of the richest European histories, cultures, and literatures, and its artistic and philosophical thought has had a great impact on Western civilization. French was for a long time the language of international diplomacy, and continues to be widely spoken throughout the world. It is the official language of more than 20 countries and is, with English, the only language spoken on all five continents. Historically, France and the French language have had an enormous influence on American society.

The first and second year courses (FREN 1501, FREN 1502, FREN 2301, FREN 2302) work with MCL’s Language Acquisition Center (LAC) to provide credit for foreign language requirements.

These courses also prepare students for advanced level courses in language, culture and civilization, and literature.
Contact: ntucci@uh.edu

THE FRENCH MAJOR

The French Program at the University of Houston offers an undergraduate course of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, preparing students for further study in French, such as a Master’s or a Ph.D., for the teaching profession, or for business and government careers. In addition to the other requirements for the BA, students will complete 27 semester hours in French at the advanced level (3000 and 4000) to include the following:

1. 15 semester hours of required courses:

FREN 3312 Oral Communication
FREN 3313 Advanced Grammar and  Composition
FREN 3320 Reading French Texts
FREN 4301 Survey of French Lit. I
FREN 4302 Survey of French Lit. II

Plus an additional 4000-level literature course

2. 9 semester hours of electives chosen from:

FREN 3311 French Phonetics
FREN 3316 Survey of French Culture and Civilization
FREN 3317 Business French
FREN 4313 Advanced Composition and Stylistics
FREN 4315 Advanced Translation
FREN 4317 Advanced Business French

FRENCH LITERATURE
The French minor requires 15 semester hours, of which 12 must be advanced, including 3 hours at the 4000 level. At least 9 of the advanced semester hours must be completed in residence, with a 2.00 minimum GPA on all French courses attempted at UH.

FRENCH MINOR IN BUSINESS
This minor in business-related professions requires 15 semester hours, of which 12 must be advanced, including FREN 3316, FREN 3317, and FREN 4317. Students who choose this minor, with a major in a field leading to a career in a business-related profession, may apply for a summer internship abroad, after completing 12 advanced hours in the major and in French. They must also earn a minimum of 2.00 GPA on all French courses attempted at UH.
Contact: giacchetti@uh.edu

WORLD CULTURES & LITERATURES
18 units, including a 9-unit concentration in European or Francophone Studies or in French Literature, French business and/or French Studies. Up to six units from another major or minor—concentration approved by WCL director.
Contact: mzimmerman@uh.edu

MCL’s full-time Master’s degree program in French Language and Literature is currently suspended due to budgetary restrictions. However, individual arrangements can be made for graduate credit options, which are available upon request. If demand for a more developed program increases, graduate offerings may also increase.

For more information on graduate credit options, contact vbrady@uh.edu; for a more detailed description of all courses and options, consult the UH catalog, or the MCL website, www.class.uh.edu/mcl.

The French program has sponsored a summer program in France for over 20 years. The present location of the French summer program is Angers, a university town of 30,000 students, voted “most attractive city in France.” Classes are held at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest, where students may earn 6 credit hours at the intermediate or advanced levels, and participate in 3-4 excursions to Paris as well as other well-known sites in France.
Contact: giacchetti@uh.edu.

The Charles Silin Scholarship Fund (prizes given annually to outstanding students in the program).
The Alliance Française annual com-petitive scholarship of $3,000, awarded for summer study in France by the Alliance Française de Houston.

The Yvette Aquino scholarship (annual competitive prize for outstanding students in the program).

Valentini Papadopoulou Brady Ph.D., University of Queensland, Australia. Professor of French. Modern critical methods and theory; narrative techniques; 18th, 19th, 20th century novel and theatre; psychoanylitical and archetypal perspectives.

Claudine Giacchetti, Ph.D., Rice University. Associate professor of French. Literature of the 19th century; French women writers; Literary History and Biographical Studies. Business French.

Jean-Michel Lanskin, Ph.D., Rice University, Paris Municipal Academy of Dramatic Art, School of Law at the University of Paris. Visiting Assistant Professor. 19th century Lit., French History and Culture.

Nina S. Tucci, Ph.D., Rice University. Associate Professor. 20th Century French. Literature; Jungian perspectives. Language instructor for Houston Grand Opera and Houston Opera Studio.

Robert D. Zaretsky, Ph.D., University of Virginia. Professor of French. French intellectual and political history.