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
Minor
Program Format
On Campus
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 | |
Letters & Science Minor Advising
Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a UWM college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.
Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first UWM classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.