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French Honours
Admission Requirements
Students may be formally admitted to the program after successfully completing FREN 210 (or its equivalent), with a minimum grade of C or better.
For information about initial FREN course selection, the French language placement test, and FREN course disciplines, visit https://www.sfu.ca/french/undergraduate.html.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Depending upon the point of entry, students must complete the lower division requirements (see list below) with a minimum grade of C or better in each of the specified courses (or equivalents).
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a total of 18 units, including all of
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.
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.
and one of
Designed to improve listening and reading comprehension. Emphasis on accuracy in oral and written communication. Instruction in class and in lab. Prerequisite: Grade 12 French with a grade of A or FREN 122 with a grade of A or FREN 210 (or equivalent based on placement test). May not be taken by FREN 212 students.
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.
and one of
Designed to develop listening comprehension and oral expression. Instruction in class and in lab. Prerequisite: FREN 211. May be taken concurrently with FREN 212 and 221. Students with credit for FREN 222 or FREN 300 may not take this course for further credit. 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 enrolment.
Through the study of French pronunciation, students will improve their listening and speaking abilities. Drill exercises, intensive practice, as well as the rehearsal of drama skits and short French plays will allow students to speak French individually and in groups. Prerequisite: FREN 211. May be taken concurrently with FREN 212 and 221. Students with credit for FREN 222 or FREN 300 may not take this course for further credit. 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 enrolment.
* exemption is gained by successful completion of a more advanced French language course. Lower division language courses may be challenged for credit.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a total of 48 units, including
and one of the following group A courses
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.
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.
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.
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.
and one of the following group B courses
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.
Survey of works, themes, or movements in French Literature from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Prerequisite: FREN 245 or 230 or 240.
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.
and 39 units of FREN courses, to be chosen from among the remaining courses at the 300 and 400 division. A minimum of 24 of the remaining 39 units must be from 400 division French courses, including the following, which should be completed during the last terms of study.
Guided readings in selected topics. May only be taken during the last terms of study; required as a preparation for the honours essay but may be taken by other students with consent of the instructor.
Candidates for honours will be required to submit a major paper on a topic of a comprehensive nature in literature or linguistics to be approved by the course chair. Prerequisite: FREN 491 and at least nine 400-division courses in French literature and/or French linguistics.
In addition, the honours student must acquire proficiency (i.e. the equivalent of two terms) in another language in addition to English and French.
NOTE: SFU students enrolled in the Accelerated Master's program within the Department of French may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units taken while completing the bachelor's degree to 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.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours Degree Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) honours programs, students complete at least 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at Simon Fraser University
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- students complete at least 60 upper division units, which must include at least 48 units in upper division courses in a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program; no more than 15 upper division units that have been transferred from another institution can be used toward this requirement
- at least 60 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- students complete lower division requirements for at least one Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours program
- students are required to achieve an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0, and an honours program CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 3.0
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 |
|
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.