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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.

How to Get in

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.

Requirements

The undergraduate certificate in French requires 15 credits of French coursework (or 5 courses). Retroactive credits may not be applied toward the certificate.

Certificate Requirements

Core Courses6
Intermediate Language and Culture
Literature, Comics, and Film in French
Advanced Language Course3
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
Study Abroad: Advanced French Language
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
Study Abroad: French/Francophone Literature
Study Abroad: French/Francophone Civilization
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
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 Credits15

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.

Learning Outcomes

  1. (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.
  2. (Presentational communication) Express themselves effectively in spoken and written French to inform, persuade, and narrate for different audiences of listeners, viewers, or readers.
  3. (Interpersonal communication) Express themselves effectively in spoken and written French to share information, reactions, and opinions related to a variety of topics and texts.
  4. (Cultural knowledge) Recognize and explain cultural artifacts, practices, and perspectives of the French-speaking world.
  5. (Linguistic knowledge) Demonstrate a good degree of understanding of lexical, grammatical, syntactic, and stylistic features of the French language.
  6. (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.
  7. (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.

Advising and Careers

  • For information on language proficiency, language placement, retro credits, 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.

People

French Faculty

Professors Bousquet, El Nossery, Miernowski, Vatan, Vila

Associate Professors Armstrong, Willis Allen

Teaching Faculty Deitz, Theobald

Senior Lecturer Miernowska