DEPARTMENT OF FRENCH AND ITALIAN

First-Year Focus

WEINBERG Language Requirement in French

In order to fulfill the Weinberg Language Requirement in French, you will need to have scored a 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in French. You can also fulfill the Weinberg Language Requirement in French by taking courses: you will need to pass French 121-3 or 125-3 (the third quarter of Intermediate French) or French 201 with a grade of C- or better. If you have never studied French before, you can sign up for French 111-1, the first quarter of Elementary French. If you have studied French before, use the following table as a guideline to determine which course you should take:

If you had French language instruction before, and do not fall into any of the categories described in the table above, you must take the French Placement Exam before you can sign up for a French course.

Placement Exams

The French Placement Exam places students in the appropriate French class from which they either begin to fulfill the French Language Requirement or continue studying for a French Major or Minor.

You can find the Placement exam and information about it at the French Language Placement page.

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dominique Licops or Prof. Margaret Dempster.

AP Credits

The College awards 2 credits of 200-level French to students who receive an AP score of 5, that is, the equivalent of 202 AND 203, and you should take French 210 or 211. The College awards 1 credit of 100-level French to students who receive an AP score of 4, and you should take the French placement test to determine whether you have satisfied the WCAS language requirement and which course you will register for. While these credits count toward graduation requirements, they do NOT count toward the major or minor. You simply start the major / minor at a higher level but you still need to take 14 units for the major and 8 units for the minor. If you have posted an AP 2, 3 or 4 score, SAT II score or IB score, you need to take the placement test.

What Courses Are Open to First-Year Students

These are typical schedules for First-year students, depending on where you place (see table above):

Majoring or Minoring in French

Once you have fulfilled the Language Requirement in French, you are ready to sign up for a French Major or Minor. Both the Major and the Minor in French are open to all students at Northwestern. They are highly flexible programs designed to introduce you to the cultures and literatures of the French-speaking world.

In a world where cultures interact with much more frequency and intensity, learning French, a language spoken by 200 million people in the Americas, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, is an indispensable asset for those interested in careers as varied as business, global health, the Foreign Service, international law, media, education, and tourism.

The French undergraduate program reflects the diversity of the French-speaking world, spread over 5 continents and in over 43 countries worldwide, through its multidisciplinary approach. We offer courses, both in English and French, in literature, cinema, theater, as well as philosophy, literary theory and history, ranging from the Medieval period to contemporary French and Francophone cultures. Students also have a wide choice of language courses, including career-specific business French. Many students of French double major, a choice that diversifies their skills and increases their desirability in the job market.

You can take a look at major and minor requirements on our website, and if you have questions about our major, minor, and courses, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Nasrin Qader.

• The Major in French
• The Minor in French
• More Information on French at NU

Course Offerings for the Current Academic Year

You can find course offerings for the current year.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad is a valuable complement to language and culture studies. The Department of French and Italian works carefully with individual students to integrate a period of study in France and / or other French-speaking countries into their overall academic plans. Students have the opportunity to not only improve their language skills but also live and interact with native French-speakers. Students typically return from their time abroad with a much firmer grasp of both written and spoken French and a deeper understanding of French-speaking people, their societies and cultures. The varied contacts with local residents, professors, and local and international students are invaluable for the development of a balanced, international perspective. Please consult the section on Study Abroad.

For more information on studying abroad and for language interviews, please contact Thao Nguyen, the Study Abroad Advisor. For advice on the role of study abroad in a student's academic progress towards the French major or minor, as well as credit transfers for courses taken abroad, see Nasrin Qader, Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Activities

To learn more about activities go to the Activities page. 

For events visit the Events page.

Contact Information

If you have questions, please contact us:

• Christopher Bush, Chair of the Department of French and Italian (847) 491-8255
• Margaret Dempster, Director of the French Language Program (847) 467-3930
• Nasrin Qader, Director of Undergraduate Studies (847) 491-8263
• Dominique Licops, French placement and proficiency advisor (847) 467-3930

Further Helpful Links on General Advising Questions For First-Year Students

• Weinberg First-Year Student Advising page
• Weinberg College Advising Homepage
• University Advising Center
• Study Abroad office