Faculty of Arts French

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Time commitment to study
2. Language study streams
3. Diploma in Modern Languages (French)
4. Requirements for a major
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
    Optional subjects
        Second/third year subjects
        Third year subject
        Third/fourth year subjects
    Fourth-year honours subjects
    Horwood French intensive

The French program at the University of Melbourne is characterised by the 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, 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. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. Language study streams

The department offers three streams of French:

• Beginners

  • The beginners stream is for students who have very little or no knowledge of French. It is available to students at both first and second year.

• 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. It is not available to students who have attempted or completed VCE French.

• 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 and other language study record.

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).

3. 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 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 Department. See Diploma in Modern Languages.

4. Requirements for a major

A major in French consists of 125 points usually comprising:

• 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).

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.

5. Structuring a major

A major in French can be completed through the beginners, intermediate or post-VCE streams.

5.1. Beginners stream

5.2. Intermediate stream

5.3. Post-VCE stream

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.

For information on how to apply see Applying for Honours.

7. Honours requirements

Honours coordinator: Dr Jill Anderson

7.1. Pure honours

Students undertaking pure honours in French must complete:

• 116-505 French Thesis (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 fourth year honours subjects in French (37.5 points).

7.2. Combined honours

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

• 116-505 French Thesis (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 fourth year honours subjects in the combined area of study (37.5 points).

or

• honours thesis in the combined area of study (37.5 points); and

• two fourth year 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 fourth year 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 the following intensive fieldwork program in the Summer Semester. See subject entry for details:

• 116-030 Paris: Ville Lumiere (on site in Paris)

9. Further study

A BA with a major in French can lead to the 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, Italian and Spanish Studies
School of Languages
Sixth Floor, Arts Centre
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 5179
Email: fritss-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.fritss.unimelb.edu.au

Language subjects

116-121 Beginners French IA
116-122 Beginners French IB
116-123 Beginners French IC
116-124 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
116-131 French I: Contemporary French A
116-132 French I: Language in Context I
116-133 French I: Contemporary French B
116-134 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

Optional subjects

Second/third year subjects

Third year subject

Third/fourth year subjects

Fourth-year honours subjects

116-505 French Thesis
116-415 The Sociolinguistics of French
116-432 French Cinema and Society
116-451 Themes in Contemporary Literature
116-454 Translation Theory and Practice
116-456 Espaces Francophones
116-461 French IV: Honours Language I
116-471 French IV: Honours Language II
116-449 Special Research Subject A
116-472 French Orientalisms

Horwood French intensive

183-109 Intensive Beginners French

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