“On the French maymester, I realized that what we learned in class truly applies to French citizens today. One of my favorite assignments was to interview a resident of Saint Malo. My group chose to talk to a waitress about stereotypes and how mistaken others can be about a culture.”
– Isabella Diez, Class of 2019
The curriculum allows students to develop their fluency in speaking, reading, and writing French as they learn more about the countries and cultures that make up the Francophone world. In addition to courses that focus on grammar and composition, students explore a wide variety of topics, including translation, French culture and politics today, French history, contemporary film, creative writing in French, and the rich culture of French comics and graphic novels. Paired with their proficiency in the French language, this course of study provides students with a more nuanced understanding of the Francophone world and offers them access to a more complex and more fulfilling interaction with native speakers of French across the globe. Many students combine their major or minor in French with another course of study, including International Business, International Relations, Communications, and Psychology, among others. By majoring or minoring in French, you’ll be part of a rich multilingual community that values cultural exchange and global community.
The French Club
Pi Delta Phi, The National French Honor Society
French is the only language spoken on every continent other than English and is spoken by more than 274,000,000 people worldwide. France is the world’s fifth largest economy, the third-ranking destination for foreign investment, and is ranked as the most important business language after English and Chinese. Indeed, the United States exports to more countries where French is a national language than to countries with any other national language. French has long been recognized as the language of fine cuisine, fashion, and the fine arts, is the second-most taught language after English across five continents, and has long been the language of diplomacy, as it is among the primary languages of the U.N., the E.U., U.N.E.S.C.O., and N.A.T.O. In addition to the documented salary increase learning French can bring, translation and interpretation are among the top five fastest growing careers.
In addition to introductory and intermediate language classes that focus on preparing students for the interactions and conversations they’ll have in everyday life, HPU offers a streamlined and modernized curriculum to challenge students to think carefully and critically about cultures, legacies, history, and literature. French majors and minors at High Point University benefit from small class sizes, increased personal attention from faculty, and a curriculum that seeks to prepare them equally for the workplace as for graduate study. Moreover, the French program fosters a strong sense of community – one of the most frequently cited strengths of the program by former students.
| Degree Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Major Requirements | 36 |
| University Core Requirements | 36-44 |
| Electives | 48-56 |
| Total | 128 |
| Minor Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Course Requirements | 16-20 |
| Total | 16-20 |
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRE 2020 | Intermediate French II | 4* |
| FRE 2130 | Readings in French & Grammar Review | 4 |
| FRE 3200 | Introductory Literature Survey | 4 |
| FRE 4010 | Advanced Grammar and Composition | 4 |
| Students may choose one of the following options for Capstone Experience: | ||
| FRE 4990 | Seminar in French Topics | 4 |
| FRE 4810-4815 | Student Internship | 4 |
| Approved Semester Abroad | French speaking country | 4 |
| B. Select 4 credits from the following literature courses: | ||
| FRE 3210 | Pre-Revolutionary French Literature | 4 |
| FRE 3220 | Literature of the Enlightenment and Revolutions | 4 |
| FRE 3330 | Modern and Contemporary French Literature | 4 |
| FRE 3400 | Francophone Voices | 4 |
| B. Select 4 credits from the following civilization courses: | ||
| FRE 3030 | Culture and Civilization of France | 4 |
| FRE 3040 | France Today | 4 |
| FRE 3080 | Francophone Cultures Outside of France | 4 |
| C. Select 8 credits from the following elective courses: | ||
| FRE 2881, 3881, 4881 | Special Topics | 4 |
| FRE 3000 | Conversation and Pronunciation | 4 |
| FRE 3150 | Contemporary French Culture Through Film | 4 |
| FRE 3180 | Business French | 4 |
| FRE 3600 | Creative Writing in French | 4 |
| FRE 4444 | Independent Study | 4 |
| FRE 4500 | Translation and Interpretation course | 4 |
| FRE 4810-4815 | Student Internship | 4 |
| Any French culture or civilization course not selected under section B (4) Any French literature course not selected under section B (4) Any other 3000- or 4000- level French course not selected under section B (4) A French GBS course: |
||
| GBS 3750 | French Cinema: Text and Culture | 4 |
| GBS 3780 | The French-Speaking World | 4** |
| A French Studies course: | ||
| HST 3106 | The French Revolution and Napoleon | 4 |
| ENG 4500 | Critical Theory | 4 |
| Any French Studies course taken through an approved study abroad program in a French-speaking country (4) *GBS 3780 cannot be taken if a student has received credit for French 3080. |
||
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRE 2020 | Intermediate French II | 4 |
| FRE 2130 | Readings in French & Grammar Review | 4 |
| FRE 3200 | Introductory Literature Survey | 4 |
| B. Select 4 credits from the following list of courses: | ||
| FRE 3030 | Culture and Civilization of France | 4 |
| FRE 3040 | France Today | 4 |
| FRE 3080 | Francophone Cultures Outside of France | 4 |
| C. Select 4 credits from the following list of courses: | ||
| FRE 3000 | Conversation and Pronunciation | 4 |
| FRE 3150 | Contemporary French Culture Through Film | 4 |
| FRE 3180 | Business French | 4 |
| FRE 3210 | Pre-Revolutionary French Literature | 4 |
| FRE 3220 | Literature of the Enlightenment and Revolutions | 4 |
| FRE 3330 | Modern and Contemporary French Literature | 4 |
| FRE 3400 | Francophone Voices | 4 |
| FRE 3600 | Creative Writing in French | 4 |
| FRE 4010 | Advanced Grammar and Composition | 4 |
| FRE 4500 | Translation and Interpretation | 4 |
| FRE 4990 | Seminar in French Topics | 4 |
| Any French culture or civilization course not selected under section B (4) A French GBS course: |
||
| GBS 3750 | French Cinema: Text and Culture | 4 |
| GBS 3780 | The French-Speaking World | 4* |
| *GBS 3780 cannot be taken if a student has received credit for French 3080. | ||
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Tomiwa Bello; Class of 2026 Hometown: Bowie, Maryland Major: Finance; minor in French Internship plans:…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Lilianna Allen; Class of 2026 Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida Major: Interior Design, French and…
Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Zyncli Ramirez, Class of 2025 Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina Majors: Sociology & Anthropology and French…
HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…
HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…
HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…
Name: Allison Berg Hometown: Gainesville, Virginia Year: Class of 2023 Major: Interior design with a minor in French Internship: Berg joins OTJ Architects in Washington, D.C., as an interior design…
HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…
HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…
With another Commencement behind us, High Point University graduates will be commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier…
