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Department of French | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Simon Fraser University Calendar | Spring 2025

French Studies Extended Minor

Program completion normally takes seven to eight terms. A minimum of 2.0 average (GPA) is calculated on all Simon Fraser University courses that are applied to the minor. Duplicate courses are counted only once.

Program Requirements

Lower Division Requirements

Depending upon the point of entry, the necessary lower division prerequisites must be fulfilled:

  • If grade 12, students must take FREN 210-3 Intermediate French I.
  • If A in grade 12, students can take FREN 211-3 Intermediate French II.
  • If Immersion, students can choose between FREN 212-3 French for Immersion Students or FREN 211-3 Intermediate French II.
  • If you are deemed a "native speaker", or eqiuvalent, you cannot take FREN 215-3 or FREN 217-3 or FREN 300-3; instead you must take one other 300 or 400 level course.

One of

FREN 300 - Francophone Arts, Cultures and Traditions (3)

Designed to further develop ability in oral expression. Instruction in class and in lab. Prerequisite: Grade 12 French Immersion or FREN 202 with a minimum grade of C+ or permission of the Department of French. Students with native or near-native proficiency are not allowed to take this course and must contact the instructor for evaluation or exemption prior to enrollment.

All of

FREN 245 - Introduction to French and Francophone 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: Grade 12 French Immersion or FREN 202 with a minimum grade of C+ or permission of the Department of French. Students with credit for FREN 240 or 230 cannot take FREN 245 for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Jorge Calderon
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
FREN 275 - French Inside Out: Introduction to French Language, Culture, and Society (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: Grade 12 French Immersion or FREN 202 with a minimum grade of C+ or permission of the Department of French. 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.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Gaelle Planchenault
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
FREN 301W - Writing Your Way Toward French Proficiency (3)

A writing course to improve precision, organization and style when writing academically or creatively in French. Prerequisite: Grade 12 French Immersion or FREN 202 with a minimum grade of C+ or permission of the Department of French. Students with credit for FREN 301 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Paola De Rycke
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
F100 Sessional
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
F200 Guillaume Girard
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Upper Division Requirements

Note: A minimum of 18 upper division units is required, nine of which must be taken within the department.

One of Group A

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.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Rejean Canac-marquis
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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.

One of Group B

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.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Guillaume Girard
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Stephen Steele
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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.

One of Group C

FREN 304 - Advanced French Grammar (3)

Continuation of FREN 222, with emphasis on grammatical analysis. Instruction in class and online. Prerequisite: FREN 222 (or equivalent based on placement test).

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Paola De Rycke
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
FREN 307 - The Right Word: Advanced Vocabulary and Translation (3)

Choosing the right word for the right context is the principal aim of this course. Through practical exercises and a variety of simple translation techniques students will expand their vocabulary and become more familiar with the nuances of French. Prerequisite: FREN 222.

FREN 330 - Francophone World (3)

A multidisciplinary analysis of socio-cultural aspects of French speaking countries, involving written work and oral participation. Prerequisite: FREN 222 or permission of instructor. Breadth-Humanities.

FREN 352 - French and Francophone Cultures through Films and/or Media Texts (3)

Explores various cultural topics of French and Francophone countries (Europe, America, Africa, Asia) with the aid of visual and/or media text documents. Prerequisite: FREN 222. Students with B+ in FREN 221 may take FREN 222 and FREN 352 concurrently.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Gaelle Planchenault
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Any two courses at the 400 level

FREN 407W - Language in Translation: A Contextual Approach to French (3)

Translating from English to French allows students to explore and understand the nuances of French as well as language transfer. Through the precise use of vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, students will improve their writing skills. They will also learn how to identify context in a variety of documents. Prerequisite: FREN 301W and one of FREN 304 or FREN 307 or permission of the department. Writing.

FREN 416 - Acquisition of French as a Second Language (3)

Examines cognitive, linguistic and social processes involved in the acquisition of a second language, with a focus on the acquisition of French, especially as an official language and in a minority language context. Prerequisite: FREN 270 or 275 or LING 222, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group A (ling.) course.

FREN 417 - Topics in the Structure of French (3)

Selected topics in the structure of French. Topics will vary according to the faculty and student interests. Develops one or a combination of subjects pertaining to French morphology, syntax, (lexical) semantics and phonology/phonetics. 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 411, 412, 413 or 415 may not complete this course if topic is the same. Quantitative.

FREN 420 - Discourse Analysis of French (3)

This course aims at providing analytical tools for studying different genres of discourse in French such as billboard advertising, political speeches, literary texts, scientific papers, and pamphlets. Prerequisite: FREN 270 or 275 or LING 222, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group A (ling.) course.

FREN 423 - Topics in the History of French (3)

Studies of selected topics in French historical linguistics. Subject matter may include external history, history of sound changes, morphological and syntactic changes. Prerequisite: FREN 270 or 275 or LING 222, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group A (ling.) course.

FREN 424 - Topics in French Linguistics (3)

The subject matter will vary according to faculty and student interests. Selected aspects of French linguistic theories as they apply to the study, teaching and/or learning of French. Prerequisite: FREN 270 or 275 or LING 222, FREN 301W and at least one 300-level group A (ling.) course.

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.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 TBD
FREN 430 - Topics in Québécois Literature (3)

Advanced study of selected works of Québécois literature. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: FREN 230 or 240 or 245, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group B (lit.) course.

FREN 440 - Topics in French Genre Studies (3)

Advanced study of selected works belonging to a literary genre (novel, theatre, poetry, etc). May be organized by author, period, movement, theme or approach. Prerequisite: FREN 230 or 240 or 245, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group B (lit.) course. Students with credit for FREN 472, 474 or 475 must seek permission of the Department to take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Stephen Steele
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
FREN 441 - Topics in French Literature from the Middle Ages to the Eighteenth Century (pre-1789) (3)

Advanced study of selected works composed between the Middle Ages and the late eighteenth century. May be organized by period, movement, theme or approach. Prerequisite: FREN 230 or 240 or 245, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group B (lit.) course. Students with credit for FREN 461, 462 or 463 must seek permission of the Department to take this course for further credit.

FREN 442 - Topics in French Literature from 1789 to 1989 (3)

Advanced study of selected works written between the late eighteenth century and the late twentieth century. May be organized by period, movement, theme or approach. Prerequisite: FREN 230 or 240 or 245, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group B (lit.) course. Students with credit for FREN 467, 470 or 475 must get permission from the Department to take this course for further credit.

FREN 444 - Topics in Contemporary Literature in French (3)

Advanced study of selected works written from the late twentieth century to the present. May be organized by author, theme or approach. Prerequisite: FREN 230 or 240 or 245, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group B (lit.) course. Students with credit for FREN 475 need departmental authorization to take this course for 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.

FREN 476 - Interdisciplinary Approaches in French Literature (3)

A study of French and Francophone literature from an interdisciplinary point of view. Topics will vary to include different disciplines: history, cultural studies, gender studies or the study of the relationships between literature and other arts. Prerequisite: FREN 230 or 240 or 245, FREN 301W, and at least one 300-level group B (lit.) course.

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.

Course Exemptions

It is possible to obtain exemption, up to a maximum of 12 units, from the lower division French language courses by being placed in a more advanced French language course (Placement Test). Students who gain, or hope to gain, course exemption should consult the advisor early.

Transfer Credits

Approved credits for French courses completed at another post-secondary institution (subject to university transfer credit regulations) up to a maximum of six units.

Note: A minimum of 18 upper division units if required, nine of which must be taken within the department.

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.

For students in other faculties, please check your faculty's overall degree requirements: https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/faculties-research.html

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.