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The School of Social Sciences and International Studies offers a major and a minor in French. The major in French entails a profound study of the language, history, culture, literature, and film of the French-speaking world. All elementary through advanced-level classes are designed to progressively develop students’ oral and written proficiency and cultural competence, and are conducted exclusively in the target language. Students of French develop a complex understanding of how French culture has evolved in France and French speaking countries all over the world, including in Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia, and the South Pacific. Thematically cohesive courses in composition and conversation equip students with advanced communication skills that can be used effectively in academic, social, and professional contexts. Study abroad is encouraged and many students fulfill requirements for the French major in two-week to one-year long individual exchanges, professor-led courses abroad, and at university approved consortium sites. French faculty lead short-term Ambassador study abroad programs to Paris, Normandy, Bordeaux, and Quebec. Popular summer-, semester-, and year-long destinations offered through USAC, ISA, the Ohio Consortium, and direct exchange programs include cities in France (Angers, Lyon, Pau, Strasbourg), Canada, and Luxembourg. Learning any foreign language helps students think creatively by exposing them to new ways of conceiving the world and by sensitizing them to the nuances of culture and communication. These skills are highly desirable in today’s globally dynamic marketplace. The French major is particularly useful for students wishing to enter globally-oriented careers in the arts and the performing arts, the hospitality and travel industry, business, education, creative writing, international development, government, law, communications, linguistics, medical professions, motion pictures, philosophy, psychology, translation, and interpretation.
