Faculty of Arts
French

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Faculty of Arts

1. Language study streams
    1.1. Beginners stream
    1.2. Intermediate stream
2. Diploma in Modern Languages (French)
3. Requirements for a major
4. Entry to a major via the beginners stream
5. Structuring a major
    5.1. Beginners stream
    5.2. Intermediate stream
    5.3. Post-VCE stream
6. Honours entry
7. Honours requirements
    7.1. Pure honours
    7.2. Combined honours
8. Studying overseas
9. Further study
10. Career opportunities
11. For more information
Subject Lists
    Language subjects
    Content-based subjects
        Second/third year subjects
        Fourth year subjects
    Subjects not offered in 2002
        Second/third year subjects not offered in 2002
        Fourth year subjects not offered in 2002
    Horwood French intensive

The French program at the University of Melbourne is characterised by the unparalleled variety, richness and flexibility of its student pathways. Multiple entry points are provided for beginners to advanced language levels. Students have ready access to native speakers, accelerated learning, the Diploma of Modern Languages, exchange and study abroad programs. These opportunities enhance the student experience when learning about French language, culture and literature. The research expertise of staff ranges from linguistics to many areas of both historical and contemporary French culture. This ensures that students have access to the most up-to-date and broadest modes of understanding and interpreting France and the French-speaking world. Students will benefit from the most recent advances in language teaching technologies and multimedia innovations. Graduates are equipped with the language and analytical skills to excel in many professional areas, including government and non-government organisations, international trade and the diplomatic service.

French involves the study of the language, cultural traditions and transformations of one of the world's great civilisations. France has exerted a major influence on the cultural and political history of the modern world and it has a central position in the European Union. French is also the language of numerous other countries and cultures in Europe, Africa, North America, the Caribbean and the Pacific and it is one of the main languages used by international bodies such as the United Nations.

1. Language study streams

The department offers three streams of French:

beginners
- The beginners stream is for students who have little or no knowledge of French. It is available to students at both first and second year.
  Students undertaking the beginners stream will need to take a special pathway in order to satisfy the requirements for a major in French and to be eligible for entry to honours. See Entry to a major via the beginners stream for details.
intermediate
- The intermediate stream is available to students at second year beginners level and to students who have undertaken four or five years of secondary school French, or its equivalent. Students undertaking the intermediate stream will need to take a special pathway in order to satisfy the requirements for a major in French and to be eligible for entry to honours. See Intermediate stream for details.
post-VCE
- The post-VCE stream is usually only available to students who have obtained a pass in VCE French, or its equivalent.

The department determines the language stream in which a student is to enrol. Placement is based on VCE results, other language study record, or a placement test.

Stream enrolment remains provisional until confirmed or, alternatively, altered according to the student's needs as determined by the department during the first weeks of teaching. As far as possible, the department will notify students of any changes to their stream enrolment during the first two weeks of semester. Where a change is made in the third or fourth week of semester it will be reported to the Associate Dean (Academic Programs).

1.1. Beginners stream

The beginners stream usually consists of 100 points comprising:

four first year subjects in French (37.5 points) and;
four second year subjects in French (37.5 points) and;
two third year subjects in French (25 points).

In some circumstances a student may transfer to the post-VCE stream at third year. Once within the post-VCE stream students may then satisfy the requirements for a major in French and may be eligible for entry into honours. For more information on transferring to the post-VCE stream see Entry to a major via the beginners stream.

The beginners stream usually takes the following form:

First year

	116-001 Beginners French IA	12.5
	116-002 Beginners French IB	6.25
	116-003 Beginners French IC	12.5
	116-004 Beginners French ID	6.25

At the end of first year, students obtaining an average grade of H2B or above may continue into second year and enrol in Intermediate French A and B.

Second year

	116-009 Intermediate French A	12.5
	116-010 Intermediate French B	6.25
	116-011 Intermediate French C	12.5
	116-012 Intermediate French D	6.25

Third year

	116-037 Post-beginners French IIIA	12.5
	116-038 Post-beginners French IIIB	12.5

1.2. Intermediate stream

The intermediate stream usually consists of four first year subjects totalling 37.5 points:

At second year, students obtaining an average grade of H2B or above in their first year French subjects may then transfer to the post-VCE stream. Once within the post-VCE stream students may then satisfy the requirements for a major in French and may be eligible for entry into honours. For more information on completing a major via the intermediate stream see Structuring a major

2. Diploma in Modern Languages (French)

The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) enables students to gain a diploma in language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

The DML usually involves a three-year sequence of language study, totalling a minimum of 100 points. It adds one year to the duration of an ordinary degree course.

The DML (French) is offered in the beginners, intermediate and post-VCE streams. French subjects are taken alongside degree subjects in an integrated sequence of study. This must be approved by a Faculty of Arts course adviser and the French section of the French and Italian Department. See Diploma in Modern Languages.

3. Requirements for a major

A major in French usually consists of 125 points comprising:

four first year subjects in French (37.5 points) and;
second year subjects in French (37.5 points) and;
third year subjects in French (50 points).

A major must include the following subjects:

116-016 French II:Language II and;
116-035 French III:Language I and;
116-036 French III:Language II and;
three optional second/third year subjects, two of which must be taught in French.
An additional optional subject may replace French III: Language II where a student achieves a grade of H2A or higher in French III: Language 1.

Students are encouraged to consider choosing additional subjects (literary, cultural, linguistic) related to French studies offered in other departments. Please note, they cannot be counted towards a major in French. See the departmental handbook for details of these subjects.

4. Entry to a major via the beginners stream

Students undertaking the beginners stream will need to take a special pathway in order to satisfy the requirements for a major in French to be eligible for entry to honours.

Where students satisfy the following prerequisites, then they can transfer to the post-VCE stream at third year. Once within the post-VCE stream students may then satisfy the requirements for a major in French and may be eligible for entry into honours. The prerequisites for entry to the post-VCE stream are:

a grade of H2B or higher in first year 116-003 Beginners French IC and 116-004 Beginners French ID and;
a grade of H2B or higher in second year 116-011 Intermediate French C and 116-012 Intermediate French D;

and either

a pass in second year 116-016 French II:Language II;
or
a pass in third year 116-037 Post-beginners French IIIA and 116-038 Post-beginners French IIIB.

For more information on completing a major via the beginners stream see Structuring a major.

5. Structuring a major

A major in French usually takes one of the following forms:

5.1. Beginners stream

First year

	116-001 Beginners French IA	12.5
	116-002 Beginners French IB	6.25
	116-003 Beginners French IC	12.5
	116-004 Beginners French ID	6.25

either

Second year

	116-009 Intermediate French A	12.5
	116-010 Intermediate French B	6.25
	116-011 Intermediate French C	12.5
	116-012 Intermediate French D	6.25
	116-016 French II:Language II	12.5

Third year

	116-035 French III:Language I	12.5
	116-036 French III:Language II	12.5
	Two optional subjects (25 points).

Second year

	116-009 Intermediate French A	12.5
	116-010 Intermediate French B	6.25
	116-011 Intermediate French C	12.5
	116-012 Intermediate French D	6.25

Third year

	116-037 Post-beginners French IIIA	12.5
	116-038 Post-beginners French IIIB	12.5
	116-036 French III:Language II	12.5
	Two optional subjects (25 points)

5.2. Intermediate stream

First year

	116-009 Intermediate French A	12.5
	116-010 Intermediate French B	6.25
	116-011 Intermediate French C	12.5
	116-012 Intermediate French D	6.25

Second year

	116-014 French II:Language I	12.5
	116-016 French II:Language II	12.5
	One optional subject (12.5 points)

Third year

	116-035 French III:Language I	12.5
	116-036 French III:Language II	12.5
	Two optional subjects (25 points).

5.3. Post-VCE stream

First year

	116-005 French I: Contemporary France	12.5
	116-006 French I: Language in Context I	6.25
	116-007 French I: Cultural Perspectives	12.5
	116-008 French I: Language in Context II	6.25

Second year

	116-014 French II:Language I	12.5
	116-016 French II:Language II	12.5
	One optional subject (12.5 points)

Third year

	116-035 French III:Language I	12.5
	116-036 French III:Language II	12.5
	Two optional subjects (25 points).

6. Honours entry

The prerequisites for entry to fourth year honours in French are:

completion of all the requirements for the BA and;
completion of a major in French and;
an average grade of H2B or higher over the second/third year subjects within the major.

Students wishing to take pure honours in French are strongly advised to enrol in additional French subjects at second/third year.

Entry to honours must be approved by the French honours coordinator and the Faculty of Arts honours course adviser.

7. Honours requirements

Honours coordinator: Dr Greg Sims

7.1. Pure honours

Students undertaking pure honours in French must complete:

116-504 French Thesis or 116-505 French Thesis (MYE) (37.5 points) and;
116-461 French IV: Honours Language I (12.5 points) and;
116-471 French IV: Honours Language II (12.5 points) and;
three honours subjects in French (37.5 points).

7.2. Combined honours

Students undertaking combined honours in French and another area of study must complete:

116-504 French Thesis or 116-505 French Thesis (MYE) (37.5 points) and;
116-461 French IV: Honours Language I (12.5 points) and;
116-471 French IV: Honours Language II (12.5 points) and;
three honours subjects in the combined area of study (37.5 points).

honours thesis in the combined area of study (37.5 points) and;
two honours subjects in the combined area of study (25 points) and;
116-461 French IV: Honours Language I (12.5 points) and;
116-471 French IV: Honours Language II (12.5 points) and;
one honours subject in French (12.5 points).

8. Studying overseas

The department offers the possibility for suitably qualified students to gain credit for study in France and elsewhere through exchange and other programs. Interested students should contact the Faculty of Arts office regarding credit and the International Centre for application forms and information on exchange programs. Through the School of Languages a number of travelling scholarships are available. See Studying overseas for credit.

The department also teaches a subject in Europe as a one-month intensive fieldwork program in the Summer Semester. See subject entry for details:

116-030 Paris: Capitale du XIX siecle

9. Further study

A BA with a major in French can lead to a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (French).

An honours degree in French can lead to MA and PhD degrees.

10. Career opportunities

Graduates in French are equipped to excel in numerous professions, including radio and television, the diplomatic service, international trade, the law, and administration. They may also undertake further training for professions such as journalism, teaching, interpreting, and librarianship. At the international level, French is widely used, and competence in French can open doors to a variety of opportunities.

11. For more information

Department of French and Italian Studies
School of Languages
Sixth Floor, Arts Centre
The University of Melbourne,
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 5179
Email: d.wood@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.French-Italian.unimelb.edu.au

Language subjects

116-001 Beginners French IA
116-002 Beginners French IB
116-003 Beginners French IC
116-004 Beginners French ID
116-009 Intermediate French A
116-010 Intermediate French B
116-011 Intermediate French C
116-012 Intermediate French D
116-037 Post-beginners French IIIA
116-038 Post-beginners French IIIB
116-005 French I: Contemporary France
116-006 French I: Language in Context I
116-007 French I: Cultural Perspectives
116-008 French I: Language in Context II
116-014 French II:Language I
116-016 French II:Language II
116-035 French III:Language I
116-036 French III:Language II

Content-based subjects

Second/third year subjects

116-018 Classical and Contemporary Novel
116-020 Poetics and Poetry
116-022 Spoken French: Theory and Practice
116-025 Special Study Program
116-027 French, Foreigners and Aliens
116-028 European Spectacle 1918-1968
116-030 Paris: Capitale du XIX siecle
116-033 Classical and Enlightenment France
116-213 French Travel Writing

Fourth year subjects

116-504 French Thesis
116-505 French Thesis (MYE)
116-461 French IV: Honours Language I
116-471 French IV: Honours Language II
116-449 Special Research Subject A
116-451 Themes in Contemporary Literature
116-454 Translation Theory and Practice
116-480 French for VCE Teachers
116-472 Special Research Subject B

Subjects not offered in 2002

Second/third year subjects not offered in 2002

116-019 French Theatre from Corneille to Beckett
116-021 Varieties of French
116-023 Introduction to Romance
116-024 Women & Representation in French Society
116-029 The Word and the Image
116-031 Culture & Identity in France & Germany
116-032 Puzzles and Mazes: Experimental Writing
116-034 Quebec:Identity in a Globalising World
116-041 French Cinema Since the New Wave

Fourth year subjects not offered in 2002

116-432 French Cinema 1940 and 1968
116-450 Topics in French Syntax and Semantics
116-452 Introduction to French Critical Theory
116-456 Espaces Francophones

Horwood French intensive

183-001 Intensive Beginners French