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French Cohort Program in Public and International Affairs Political Science Major with a French Extended Minor

Bachelor of Arts

The French Cohort Program in Public and International Affairs (FCP) consists of a political science major with a French extended minor, or a French major with a political science extended minor and offers students the opportunity to study in Canada's two official languages. This multidisciplinary program in political science, French, and history is taught primarily in French and includes a student exchange program.

Admission Requirements

The FCP normally admits in the fall term only and is most suitable for those entering directly from French immersion or Francophone secondary schools who plan to undertake full-time study. However, admission is not limited to such applicants and all interested students who have a high level of French are encouraged to inquire about admission. A French language placement test will be conducted to verify proficiency prior to enrollment. As the cohort program has a set sequence of courses, those with substantial university transfer credit may need to complete more than the normal 120 units to complete their program.

Cohort Program

This program’s distinctive feature is the group cohort setting. Students follow a set sequence of courses together, including many specially designed cohort-specific (CS) courses and course sections offered in French. Some required and elective courses will be taught in English. The FCP Student Advisor will provide information about course offerings and cohort-specific course sequences. See the sample course sequence. At least one term of studies at a francophone university is required.

Program Requirements

Designated Courses

Some required courses have cohort-specific sections (ex. F100) taught in French and will normally be open only to cohort students. CS below denotes cohort-specific courses.

Non-French Cohort Program students who wish to enroll in cohort-specific courses taught in French must contact the French Cohort Program student advisor.

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete a total of 35 units, comprised of 20 political science (POL) units (12 units of which will be taught in the French language) and 15 French (FREN) units, by completing all of

POL 100 - Introduction to Politics and Government (3) *CS

A comprehensive introduction to the study of politics and government for both political science majors and students specializing in other disciplines. The course will explore the major concepts, methods, approaches and issues in political science, as well as the primary components of government structure and the political process. Students with credit for POL 101W may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Sanjay Jeram
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
POL 200W - Investigating Politics: Research Design and Qualitative Methods (4) *

Introduces different aspects of research design in political science, as well as different qualitative research techniques and the epistemological perspectives that inform them. Introduces important analytical and conceptual skills necessary to understand and evaluate political science research. Students with credit for POL 200 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Sanjay Jeram
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
POL 201 - Introductory Quantitative Methods in Political Science (4) *

Introduces quantitative research techniques in political science. Introduces important analytical and conceptual skills necessary to understand and evaluate quantitative political science research. Corequisite: POL 200W or permission of department. Quantitative.

POL 210 - Introduction to Political Philosophy (3) *CS

An examination of concepts presented by the major political thinkers of the western world. The course surveys those ideas which remain at the root of our political institutions, practices and ideals against a background of the periods in which they were expressed. Prerequisite: POL 100 or permission of department. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

POL 244 - Canada in the World (3) CS

Explores Canada's identity, role and status in the world in a comparative perspective. Examines the main internal and external constraints that shape Canadian politics and policies, taking as illustrations a number of key issues and concerns.

POL 253 - Introduction to Public Policy (3) CS

Explores the political dimensions of public policy making in Canada. Reviews theories and techniques in policy analysis, and focuses on the contemporary dynamics of public policy in various economic and social sectors from the point of view of political ideas, interests, institutions, and decision-making. Breadth-Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

*Minimum C grade required.

and all of

FREN 212 - French for Immersion Program Students (3) CS

Designed for French immersion program students who wish to refine their oral and written language competence. Instruction in class and in lab. Prerequisite: Grade 12 French immersion (or equivalent based on placement test). Students with credit for FREN 211 may not take this course for further credit.

FREN 221 - French Writing I (3) **CS

A reading and writing course with emphasis on vocabulary and logical structure in written expression. Instruction in class, in lab and online. Prerequisite: FREN 211 or 212, or with a grade of A, FREN 210. In the latter case, FREN 211 and 221 may be taken concurrently.

FREN 222 - French Writing II (3) CS

Focusing on grammar and grammatical analysis, and the process of writing. Instruction in class, in lab and online. Prerequisite: FREN 221 or, with a grade of A, FREN 211 or, with a grade of A, FREN 212.

FREN 245 - Introduction to Literary Studies (3)

An introduction to French literary studies with selected works in poetry and prose, including theatre. Attention will be given to methods of analysis. The course will be conducted in French. Prerequisite: FREN 222 (students with B+ in FREN 221 can take 222 concurrently with 245). Students with credit for FREN 240 or 230 cannot take FREN 245 for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

FREN 275 - French Linguistics Today (3)

Introduces to some fundamental questions about human behavior that can be answered by the study of the language forms, structure, and use. Topics such as how did language begin? Where is French from, and how did it change over the years? How does French vary from place to place, from context to context? Prerequisite: FREN 222 (students with B+ in FREN 221 can take 222 concurrently with FREN 275). Students who have credit for FREN 270 or 370 or LING 222 cannot complete this course for further credit. May not be taken concurrently with LING 222. Breadth-Social Sciences.

**Students receiving advanced placement above this level may receive permission to waive or challenge it.

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a total of 50 units, comprised of 32 political science (POL) units and 18 French (FREN) units

Political Science Major Requirements

Students complete 16 units among the following cohort-specific POL courses taught in French

POL 325 - Language and Politics (4) CS

Explores the relationship between language and politics, including the relations of power that shape the choice of state language(s), the origins and effects of language regimes, the politics of linguistic minorities and concerns relating to linguistic justice and equality. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department. Students with credit for POL 329 Selected Topics in Canadian Government and Politics under the title Language and Politics may not take this course for further credit.

POL 347 - Canadian Foreign Policy (4) CS

An overview of Canadian foreign policy post World War II. Various perspectives are discussed including realism, economic nationalism, liberal internationalism and political economy/dependency analysis. A variety of analytical perspectives are used to examine issue-areas such as foreign trade including the role of NAFTA, defence policy and alliance relations, foreign investment, foreign aid, immigration policy, energy policy and the role of domestic political factors in foreign policy decision-making. Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

POL 351 - Immigration, Integration, and Public Policy in Canada (4) CS

Explores the governance challenges related to immigration and integration in Canada using a public policy approach. The course deals with topics concerning immigrant selection (including immigration categories, temporary/permanent Immigration, intergovernmental agreements, etc.) and focuses on immigrant's integration into society (such as nation-building strategies, integration Indicators and discrimination). Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department. Students who have taken Selected Topics course POL 359 with this topic may not take this course for further credit.

POL 359 - Selected Topics in Governance (4) CS

Prerequisite: Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

POL 459 - Selected Topics in Governance (4) CS

Prerequisite: Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.

POL 472 - Diplomacy and Global Governance (4) CS

Examines diplomacy and its role in global governance. Introduces students to the theory and practice of diplomacy, both bilaterally and multilaterally, with particular emphasis on how interactions between state actors and non-state actors contribute to the resolution of global problems. Prerequisite: Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.

POL 497 - Experiential Learning in Political Science (4) CS

Involves interpretation of, and expansion on, practical experience in political science. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will undertake a political science research project, involving the participation of local community organizations. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Students may count only one POL 497 towards meeting their upper division political science requirements.

and an additional 16 upper division units of POL courses are required. Normally, two or three courses, equivalent to at least eight units, will be selected from transferable political science courses completed during the exchange program.

French Extended Minor Requirements

Students complete a total of 18 units, including

FREN 301W - Advanced Writing (3) CS

A writing course to improve precision, organization and style when writing academically or creatively in French. Prerequisite: FREN 222 or, with a grade of A, FREN 221. Students with credit for FREN 301 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

and one course from either Group A or Group B

Group A - Linguistic courses

FREN 331 - Accents of French (3)

An introduction to notions paramount to the study of French accents such as linguistic norm, representations and attitudes, phoneme and allophones for instance. Analyses on short corpora will provide students a hands-on experience and will lead to discussions about relevant methodologies. Prerequisite: FREN 275 or 270 or LING 222.

FREN 332 - Social Approaches to French (3)

The aim of this course is to offer students a comprehensive view of a set of issues pertaining to the French language in society. The topics studied in class include: social categories and language variation, new technologies and language evolution, language and identity, and language ideology. Prerequisite: FREN 275 or 270 or LING 222.

FREN 333 - The Magic of French Words (3)

An introduction to the study of the form, structure, evolution and use of French words. Selected topics related to the study of French words in Morphology, Terminology, Orthography, Etymology, Diaphasic and Diatopic Varieties and Language use. Prerequisite: FREN 275 or 270 or LING 222.

FREN 334 - Topics in French Applied Linguistics (3)

The study of selected topics in French Applied Linguistics. The course may be developed around one or a combination of areas such as Computer-mediated-communication, language pathology, language socialization, translation, error analysis, language in contexts, language planning. This course may be repeated once for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisite: FREN 275 or 270 OR LING 222.

Group B - Literature courses

FREN 340 - Survey of Quebecois Literature (3)

Intermediate study of issues in Quebecois Literature. Prerequisite: FREN 245 or 240. Students with credit for FREN 230 may not take this course for further credit.

FREN 341 - Survey of French Literature to 1600 (3)

Survey of works, themes, or movements in French Literature from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Prerequisite: FREN 245 or 230 or 240.

FREN 344 - Survey of French Literature after 1789 (3)

An introduction to the history of French literature from the late eighteenth century to the late twentieth century. Prerequisite: FREN 245 or 230 or 240.

FREN 345 - Survey of French Literature from 1600 to 1789 (3)

A survey of works, themes, or movements in French literature of the 17th and 18th centuries. Prerequisite: FREN 301W; FREN 245, 230, or 240.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Guillaume Girard
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby

and one of

FREN 425 - Topics in the Varieties of French (3)

Study of selected topics in French dialectal variation. Subject matter may include, but is not limited to, French Dialects, Canadian French and French Creoles. Prerequisite: FREN 270 or 275 or LING 222, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group A (ling.) course. Students with credit for FREN 421 and/or 422 may not take this course for further credit.

FREN 452 - Topics in French and Francophone Cultures or Cinemas (3)

Study of selected topics relating to French and Francophone cultures or films. Prerequisite: FREN 230 or 240 or 245, FREN 270 or 275 or LING 222, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group A (ling.) or group B (lit.) course.

and nine units of 300 and 400 division French (FREN) courses.

NOTE: SFU students accepted in the accelerated master's within the Department of French may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor's degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor's program and the requirements of the master's degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html and https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/programs/french/master-of-arts.html.

Additional Course Requirements

Students must complete the following history courses, although other appropriate courses may occasionally be substituted.

One of

HIST 102W - Canada since Confederation (3) CS

Canadian social, political, and economic history from 1867, examining Indigenous/colonial settler relations, immigration, regionalism, foreign policy, economic development, culture, and political movements. Students with credit for HIST 102 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Liam O'Flaherty
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
HIST 214 - Quebec Society, Culture, and Politics (3) CS

Covers Quebec history from the French regime to the recent past, focusing on the evolution of cultural identity, on the nationalist movement, and on the long-standing tension between tradition and modernity. Students who have taken HIST 214W or HIST 328 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

and one of

HIST 430 - French Americas (4) CS

Social, cultural, intellectual, economic, and political aspects of the French and Francophone presence in the Americas, from the colonial era to the present. Prerequisite: 45 units, including nine units of lower division history or permission of the instructor. Recommended: HIST 101, 102W, 104.

HIST 436 - British Columbia (4) CS

Selected problems in the social, cultural, economic and political development of British Columbia. HIST 436 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 101 and 102W.

Cohort-specific French Language Requirement

French Cohort Program students are required to complete a minimum of 75 units of courses taught in French, including courses taken at a francophone university.

Canadian college and university transfer students and SFU students who wish to change programs will normally have to complete the required minimum of 75 units of courses taught in French. Exceptions to this requirement may be made following a French language assessment and/or if a lower division course equivalence is granted. Where completion of the FCP is permitted with fewer than 75 units of courses taught in French, of the normally required 33 lower division units for courses taught in French, a minimum of nine units in political science, six units in French and three units in history must be completed. All required upper division courses taught in French must be taken. Final decision is made by the FCP administration in agreement with the departments.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Degree Requirements

For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs, students complete 120 units, which includes

  • at least 60 units that must be completed at Simon Fraser University
  • at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at Simon Fraser University
  • at least 60 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
  • satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
  • an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division overall CGPA of at least 2.0, and program CGPA and upper division program CGPA of at least 2.0 on the course work used to satisfy the minimum program requirements. FASS departments may define additional GPA requirements for their respective programs.

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit

Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each)

Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more)
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth

Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division:

Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc
Two courses (total six units or more) Humanities: B-Hum
Two courses (total six units or more) Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements).

Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.