The undergraduate certificate in French offers students the opportunity to develop their proficiency in French language and their knowledge of literature and culture in the French-speaking world, thereby complementing their major(s) in other subjects across the university. It also strengthens the applications of students who intend to pursue careers or graduate study in areas where French is useful. The certificate is open to all undergraduate students.
Students can declare a French certificate at any time. For more information, please see the department website and/or consult the undergraduate advisor.
Students declared in the French major are not eligible to declare the French certificate. Students who do wish to declare this certificate must first cancel their declaration in the major.
The undergraduate certificate in French requires 15 credits of French coursework (or 5 courses) including FRENCH 228, FRENCH 271, and courses at the 311 level and above. For courses taken on campus at the FRENCH 311 level or higher, prerequisites must be met or permission given by the department. Courses for the certificate cannot be taken on a credit/no credit or pass/fail basis. Retroactive credits may not be applied toward the certificate.
Certificate Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 6 | |
| Intermediate Language and Culture | ||
| Literature, Comics, and Film in French | ||
| Advanced Language Course | 3 | |
| Advanced Composition and Speaking | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop | ||
| Professional Communication and Culture in the Francophone World | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Business, Government and NGOs | ||
| Study Abroad: Advanced French Language | ||
| Applied French Language Studies | ||
| Introduction to Phonetics | ||
| Electives: | 6 | |
| Advanced Composition and Speaking | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop | ||
| Professional Communication and Culture in the Francophone World | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Business, Government and NGOs | ||
| Medieval and Early Modern French Literature | ||
| Modern French and Francophone Literature | ||
| Visual Culture in French/Francophone Studies | ||
| Medieval and Early Modern Culture | ||
| Modernity Studies | ||
| Applied French Language Studies | ||
| Topics in French: Study Abroad | ||
| Readings in Medieval and Renaissance Literature | ||
| Readings in Early Modern Literature | ||
| Francophone Modernity Studies | ||
| Medieval, Renaissance, and Early Modern Studies | ||
| French/Francophone Literary Studies Across the Centuries | ||
| French/Francophone Cultural Studies Across the Centuries | ||
| Literature and Medicine in French-Speaking Cultures | ||
| French/Francophone Film | ||
| Aspects of Contemporary French Literature | ||
FRENCH 472 | ||
| Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Literary Studies | ||
| Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Cultural Studies | ||
| Critical Approaches to Literature and Culture: French and Francophone Perspectives | ||
| Introduction to Phonetics | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- At least 9 credits of the certificate must be taken on campus. At least 12 credits of the certificate must be taken in residence. (UW–Madison approved study abroad programs are considered in residence but are not on campus.)
- Students must maintain a 2.000 cumulative GPA in all courses required for the certificate.
Certificate COMPLETION REQUIREMENT
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
- (Interpretive communication) Demonstrate that they understand and can analyze of literary and non-literary texts in French representing a variety of topics, time periods, and geographical regions.
- (Presentational communication) Express themselves effectively in spoken and written French to inform, persuade, and narrate for different audiences of listeners, viewers, or readers.
- (Interpersonal communication) Express themselves effectively in spoken and written French to share information, reactions, and opinions related to a variety of topics and texts.
- (Cultural knowledge) Recognize and explain cultural artifacts, practices, and perspectives of the French-speaking world.
- (Linguistic knowledge) Demonstrate a good degree of understanding of lexical, grammatical, syntactic, and stylistic features of the French language.
- (Cross-cultural awareness) Demonstrate awareness of difference and diversity by comparing and contrasting culturally situated beliefs, behaviors, and norms of the French-speaking world with their own.
- (Engagement with the French language and culture) Engage in a sustained fashion with the French language, its users, and cultural artifacts in and beyond the classroom, e.g., in their own community, virtual communities, and study abroad.
- For information on language proficiency, language placement, retrocredits, and/or declaring the French Certificate, please see the French and Italian department website.
- For advising on the French Major or Certificate, please contact the undergraduate advisor.
- For language and international directions advising, please contact the International Directions Advisor in the Language Institute.
L&S career resources
Every L&S major opens a world of possibilities. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and other coursework into fulfilling lives after graduation, whether that means jobs, public service, graduate school or other career pursuits.
In addition to providing basic support like resume reviews and interview practice, SuccessWorks offers ways to explore interests and build career skills from their very first semester/term at UW all the way through graduation and beyond.
Students can explore careers in one-on-one advising, try out different career paths, complete internships, prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications, and connect with supportive alumni and even employers in the fields that inspire them.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- Enroll in a Career Course - a great idea for first- and second-year students:
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit)
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Comm B General Education Requirement)
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- INTER-LS 260 Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Activate your Handshake account to apply for jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers recruiting UW-Madison students
- Learn about the impact SuccessWorks has on students' lives
FRENCH FACULTY
Professors Bousquet, Miernowski, Vatan, Vila
Associate Professors Armstrong, El Nossery, Willis Allen
Faculty Associates Deitz, Theobald
Senior Lecturer Miernowska