French M.A.

French MA Handbook (pdf)

The Master of Arts Degree in French offers students the opportunity to pursue studies in French literature, linguistics, and culture. The Master’s Degree leads to careers in French teaching, translation, international business, diplomacy, social and governmental services and related areas.

Requirements

A French B.A. and a minimum GPA of 3.0 are required to be admitted as “classified” in the program. Conditionally classified students may be required to take 15 units or more of undergraduate courses to complete their preparation in French. All applicants demonstrate their competency in the subject by scoring 700+ in the computerized placement test, and 75% in the classification exam.

Regular coursework for the M.A. totals thirty (30) units, with a minimum of six graduate seminars (200-level courses) in French and at least one seminar in each category: literature, civilization and linguistics. Four (4) upper-division (120+level) courses, and two graduate courses from another department may be applied toward the degree with the approval of the Graduate Advisor. Graduate seminars may be repeated when content changes.

Students have the option of Plan A - courses and a thesis, or Plan B - 10 courses and a comprehensive written and oral exam.

Scholarships

The department offers generous scholarships to qualified applicants who have completed at least one semester of studies in the French program at SJSU. The Graduate Studies office offers Graduate Fellowships once a year.

Teaching Opportunities

Classified students may apply to teach French language courses through the Department’s Teaching Associate program.

External Exams and Study Abroad Programs

The French program prepares the students to take DELF & DALF exams. The Examen de la Chambre de Commerce de Paris is offered at SJSU every other year. Graduate students have the opportunity to spend one semester or one year in Paris or the Province of Québec.

Courses and Seminars

All courses and seminars are taught in French.

Undergraduate Courses

Maximum 12 units

Fren 120A Literature: 12th & 16th century
Fren 120B Literature: 17th & 18th century
Fren 132 French for Professions
Fren 140A Literature: 19th century
Fren 140B Literature: 20th century
Fren 160 Special Topic
Fren 170 Translation & Comparative Stylistics

Graduate Seminars & Special Studies

18 units

Fren 201 Modern French
Fren 202 Civilization and Culture
Fren 210 French & Technology
Fren 220 History of the French Language
Fren 240 Francophone Literature
Fren 250 French Novel
Fren 260 French Drama
Fren 270 French Lyric
Fren 280 French Thinkers
Fren 298 Special Studies
Fren 299 Master’s Thesis

French M.A. Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Improve ability to undertake graduate-level coursework by analyzing cultural productions from the following three perspectives:
a. Historical and cultural
b. Linguistic and stylistic
c. Literary and literary theory.
Improve ability to develop a thesis of a scholarly nature on a special topic.
Become more proficient in making scholarly presentations at public venues.
Become more proficient at using research tools for academic papers at graduate level and at processing collected data in compliance with academic standards.
Improve ability to use interdisciplinary approaches and make connections between cultures and languages.
Improve knowledge of the French-speaking world.
Become proficient using technology for scholarly research and presentations.

For more information, please contact the program advisor.

Did you know

San José State University
Department of Foreign Languages
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0091

Phone: 408-924-4602
Fax: 408-924-4607
Email: dfl@sjsu.edu

Clark Hall 421 map (pdf)
(near San Fernando and 7th)

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm