This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
A minor in French studies requires at least 18 hours, none of which may be earned at the 100 level.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FREN 201 | Intermediate French | 3 |
| FREN 202 | French for Careers | 3 |
| or FREN 205 | Intermediate Conversation | |
| Select six credits of course work from the list below. | 6 | |
| Communication and Composition | ||
| Self and Society: Effective Writing | ||
| Oral Communication | ||
| French Civilization and Culture | ||
| Francophone Civilization and Culture | ||
| Projects and Themes in French and Francophone Studies | ||
| Survey of Literature | ||
| Survey of Literature | ||
| French for the Professions and Social Sciences: ____ | ||
| French for Health Care and the Environmental and Natural Sciences: ____ | ||
| Topics in French Language, Civilization and Culture: ____ | ||
| French Regional Culture | ||
| French and Francophone Contemporary Culture | ||
| French and Francophone Cinema | ||
| French Media | ||
| Earth Ahead: Contributions by French Authors, Artists and Activists | ||
| Contemporary French Literature | ||
| Commercial French | ||
| Francophone Literatures and Cultures | ||
| Select an additional six credits of course work with French content, from the list above, or course work with French content delivered in English from the list below. 1 | 6 | |
| Intermediate Conversation | ||
| Intensive French II | ||
| French Conversation and Film | ||
| Topics in French Language and Culture | ||
| Topics in French | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Courses from other disciplines require adviser approval.
Students entering VCU with a Virginia Seal of Biliteracy are automatically placed in courses at the 300 level. After successful completion of the first 300-level course, credit is assigned for FREN 201 and FREN 202. See the bulletin statement: https://bulletin.vcu.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-study/admission-university/additional-sources-of-credit/
The main difference between the minor in French and the minor in French studies is a difference in students' language proficiency. The minor in French requires that 50 percent more course work be delivered in French than what is required for the minor in French studies. As a result, proficiency expectations for the minor in French studies are lower than those for the minor in French.
Students completing a French studies minor have varying levels of proficiency and do not have a credential attesting to a level of proficiency unless they present results of an official test referencing either the American ACTFL rating scale or the European CEFR rating scale. While it is possible to attain a level of proficiency similar to what is attained with a language minor, proficiency is more likely to be at the A2 proficiency level on the CEFR scale and novice high or intermediate low on the ACTFL scale, since only half of upper-level courses are required to be in French. Students who demonstrate novice high proficiency can do the following at work or while traveling:
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Speaking: Students can communicate in simple language and do routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities; handle very short social exchanges, especially in the present tense, even though they rarely keep the conversation going by themselves; and use models of what is said to clients on the phone. Help may be needed answering questions.
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Writing: Students can write short, simple notes and messages; write simple emails if there is a model to reference; do very simple tasks, such as thanking someone for something. Students will rely heavily on AI and translation programs without the ability to recognize errors in translation.
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Reading: Students can read very short, simple texts; find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material, such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables; understand much routine correspondence at work, often enough to write up responses in their native language; and read short simple personal letters related to family, friends, and activities.
Students will receive French language credit for courses where instructors work with them to build French language proficiency. Courses on language, culture, literature and interdisciplinary approaches to civilization can have class meetings in both English and French when a course with French content is listed with prefixes such as FRLG, WRLD, ENGL, NEXT or other prefixes. Faculty who crosslist or hold separate sections of courses in French may provide a separate syllabus outlining the activities, course materials and assignments that build students' language skills in French.
Students who have earned a minor in French may not also declare a minor in French studies.