French, Minor
Studying French language and culture opens many doors both personally and professionally! French is an official language in dozens of countries around world including, France, Canada, Gabon, Haiti, Belgium, Senegal, Switzerland, and Cameroon, just to name a few. And French is used as a language of culture, communication, and commerce in many other countries across the world as well. French is the fifth most common language globally with more than 300 million speakers.
French students at UWM develop a global perspective and a better understanding of cultural diversity on a global scale. A minor in French enhances career options across all other majors. Students interested in majors leading to careers in in business, finance, tech, marketing, journalism, hospitality, architecture, engineering, the arts, and politics will find a French minor highly complementary.
As students move through the French program’s curriculum, they develop greater fluency and use their knowledge of French to explore the cultures, arts, societies, literature, history, and politics of French speaking people from around the world. In almost all of the French Program’s courses, students read, write about, and discuss course topics entirely in French
Many students studying French at UWM spend time studying abroad in a French speaking country and often find that immersing themselves in the language and culture of another country can be an extremely enriching intellectual and personal experience.
Student with no previous experience in French will start in the introductory French language class; those who have studied French in high school should take the placement exam to determine if they can start at a higher level. Students who place in a higher-level course who subsequently complete that course with a “B” or better may receive retroactive credits for the courses that were skipped.
Program Type
Program Format
Requirements
The College of Letters & Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. At least 9 credits must be taken at the 300 level or above in residence at UWM.
The minor in French consists of a minimum of 18 credits as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| FRENCH 204 | Fourth-Semester French (or equivalent) | 3 |
| FRENCH 303 | Conversation and Composition: Intermediate Level (or equivalent) | 3 |
| FRENCH 332 | Reading French Texts (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Select 9 credits in French literature, language, and culture above the 300 level | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Minors will work directly with their faculty advisor to receive guidance on course selection. Declare your minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the website and a faculty advisor will contact you or email global-studies@uwm.edu with questions.
Students whose major is also in the College of Letters & Science can discuss their minor with their college advisor as well. Students whose major is outside of the College of Letters & Science will not need a college advisor and can work solely with their French faculty advisor to address any questions related to the minor.