French Program Policies

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Emphasis is on the use of French in the classroom beginning with first-year classes. Advanced classes are conducted in French. Upper level courses may be repeated for credit, provided the content is different. Students with three or more years of the same high school language cannot take 101 of that same language at Edgewood College.

All majors, teaching and non-teaching, and all teaching minors must pass with a minimum grade of B at least two of the following: FREN 312 G, 313 G, 314, 316 G, 412, 413, 414, 416 G, 430.

All non-teaching minors must pass with a minimum grade of “B” in at least one of the courses listed above.

All majors, teaching and non-teaching must take at least one language course at the 400 level. All majors, teaching and non-teaching as well as all teaching minors must also maintain a 3.0 GPA in French courses, achieve oral proficiency at the intermediate-high level (ACTFL guidelines) and be approved by the Department. If the department rotation of required 300 and 400 level courses does not permit students in the major or minor to take them at the College, they may take them at UW-Madison through the Collaborative Program.

Transfer Students

Transfer students who intend to continue in language should consult the Foreign Language Department for assistance in choosing the appropriate level course. All majors, teaching and non-teaching, and all teaching minor must pass with a minimum grade of “B” in at least two of the following:

FREN 312 G - Conversation & Composition 4 Credit(s)
FREN 313 G - Written & Oral Communication 4 Credit(s)
FREN 314 G - Language in the Media 4 Credit(s)
FREN 316 G - Language & the Francophone World 4 Credit(s)
FREN 412 - Advanced Conversation & Composition 4 Credit(s)
FREN 413 - Adv Written & Oral Communication 4 Credit(s)
FREN 414 - Language in Media: Advanced 4 Credit(s)
FREN 416 G - Adv Lang & the Francophone World 4 Credit(s)
FREN 430 - Phonetics 3 Credit(s)

Study Abroad

French Teaching majors and French Teaching minors are required to have an intensive language experience, either through residence in a French-speaking country or through an immersion program. It is strongly recommended that to acquire the minimum necessary language skills for future employment, French majors participate in residence abroad or an immersion program. All options for the intensive language experience must be approved by the Foreign Language Department, the Center for Global Education and the Registrar’s Office.

Minimum Credits at Edgewood College

A French major, French Teaching major or French Teaching minor must take a minimum of eight credits in French at Edgewood College or at UW-Madison through the Collaborative Program. Retroactive credit and Student Teaching will not be counted toward this minimum. A French minor must take a minimum of four credits in French at Edgewood College or at UW-Madison through the Collaborative Program. Retroactive credit and Student Teaching will not be counted toward this minimum. The year prior courses were taken must be considered for determining courses’ acceptability for satisfying major/minor requirements. Those seeking add-on teaching certification in foreign language must consult with the Foreign Language Department and the School of Education .

Retroactive Credit

Credits may be gained for foreign language skills acquired through high school study, immersion experience in the target language, or other means of prior learning. Level of language proficiency will be determined based on the successful completion of the student’s first college-level foreign language course (placement must be above 101 level) with a minimum grade of “C.” Up to sixteen credits may be granted in Foreign Language. See the list below for an explanation of how credit is awarded.

4 retroactive credits if “B” or higher in FREN 102
No retroactive credits if “BC” or “C” in FREN 102
8 retroactive credits if “B” or higher in FREN 201
4 retroactive credits if “BC” or “C” in FREN 201
12 retroactive credits if “B” or higher in FREN 202
4 retroactive credits if “BC” or “C” in FREN 202
16 retroactive credits if “B” or higher in FREN 312 or a higher level French course
8 retroactive credits if “BC” or “C” in FREN 312 or higher

Please consult the Foreign Language Department with any questions about the above policies.