This is an archived copy of the 2016-2017 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.valdosta.edu.

Selected Educational Outcomes

  1. The ability to listen and to read in French at the advanced level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
  2. The ability to speak and to write in French at the advanced-low level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
  3. Knowledge of cultural universals and trends, as well as specific similarities and differences between Francophone and American cultures, including both non-verbal and verbal aspects.
  4. Knowledge of major historical events and their role in the development of the Francophone cultures as well as knowledge of the major literary and artistic works of those cultures.
  5. The ability to use technology for research purposes and as a means of communication with the various areas of the French-speaking world.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages evaluates the level of linguistic proficiency and cultural knowledge achieved by the students in the Bachelor of Arts program in French by using a variety of assessment measures. The results of the assessment activities are used for continued curriculum development and revision. Among the methods used to determine the effectiveness of the program are the following:

  1. An examination to assess the level of listening, reading, and writing proficiency, along with an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview to assess the level of speaking proficiency at the entry to the major.
  2. An examination covering appropriate topics to assess the student’s knowledge of content material related to Francophone culture, linguistics, and literature.
  3. An examination to assess the level of listening, reading, and writing proficiency, along with an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview to assess the level of speaking proficiency at the completion of the major.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French
Language and Culture Track

Core Curriculum60
Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Core Curriculum Area F
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I
and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I
and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II
Intermediate Conversation
Foreign Language and Culture (2nd Foreign Language)
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses
Senior College Curriculum60
Upper-Level Courses in French
FREN 3010French Grammar and Composition3
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 4010Advanced Grammar and Composition3
FREN 4400French Phonetics and Advanced Conversation3
FREN 4990Senior Seminar3
FREN 4980Community Practicum1
Electives: 3000/4000-level course 12
Supporting Courses
Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers
2nd Foreign Language & Culture (may be taken in Areas C and F)
Total hours required for the degree120

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French
French Language and International Trade Track

Core Curriculum60
Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Core Curriculum Area F
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I
and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I
and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Foreign Language and Culture (2nd Foreign Language)
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses
Senior College Curriculum60
Upper-Level Courses in French
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3450Culture, Business, and Soceity in the French-Speaking World2
FREN 4210Business French3
FREN 4980Community Practicum1
FREN 4990Senior Seminar ((to be used for internship)3
Electives: 3000/4000-level course 9
Business Courses
ACCT 2101
ACCT 2102
Principles of Accounting I
and Principles of Accounting II
6
IB 3000Introduction to International Business3
MGNT 3250Management and Organization Behavior3
MGNT 4800International Management3
MKTG 3050Introduction to Marketing3
MKTG 4680International Marketing3
Supporting Courses
Computerized Office Accounting
Computer Systems for the Office
Applied Computer Technology
Electives (outside the College of Business)
Total hours required for the degree120

French—Foreign Language Education Track

The Foreign Language Education Track (French) in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages holds accreditation from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Students who are enrolled in the program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in the Foreign Language Education Track will meet all outcomes defined for the students in the program leading to the B.A. degree with a major in French in the Language and Culture Track. In addition, there are Performance Standards outcomes established by the College of Education and Human Services for the professional courses taken to achieve certification in grades pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade. There are several areas that the outcomes address that are not included in the outcomes for the content area, including the following.

Selected Educational Outcomes

  1. To demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the learner.
  2. To employ instructional strategies and research methodologies appropriate to the discipline and the learners.
  3. To demonstrate effective planning skills.
  4. To employ effective assessment techniques in evaluating learners and programs.
  5. To maintain an on-going program of professional development.

Examples of Outcome Assessments

In addition to the assessment procedures used to evaluate the extent to which students enrolled in the B.A. degree program in French meet the anticipated outcomes, there are measures employed to determine the effectiveness of the preparation of the prospective teachers.

  1. Students maintain portfolios containing sample coursework, research projects, and community activity to be evaluated before the beginning of student teaching. Upon completion of student teaching, students complete a second portfolio to determine their success in synthesizing and applying acquired knowledge to the actual experience. Components of the portfolio include, teaching philosophy, video tapes, self-critiques, reflections of the entire experience lesson plans, summary of methodologies and instructional strategies, ancillary materials, contacts, and an annotated bibliography of resource materials.
  2. Mentor teachers and the university supervisor furnish performance reports of the students.
  3. GACE II, the standard examination for teacher certification, assesses students’ knowledge of content material related to Francophone culture, language, and literature, as well as pedagogy. Scores on the examination serve as one indication of the effectiveness of the program.
  4. Periodic surveys of alumni who have completed the program are conducted. These surveys evaluate the relevance of the major program to graduates’ present employment, perception of success, and their personal satisfaction with the program, as well as solicit suggestions for improvement of the French major in the Foreign Language Education Track.
  5. As of Fall 2008, students in the B.A. French–Foreign Language Education Track must achieve a rating of Advanced-low on the formal ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview in order to be recommended for certification.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French
Foreign Language Education Track

Core Curriculum60
Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum)42
Core Curriculum Area F
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I
and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I
and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II
Entry to the Education Profession
Investigating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education
Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity
Exploring Learning and Teaching
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses
Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F.
Senior College Curriculum60
Upper-Level Courses in French
FREN 2010
FREN 3010
Intermediate Conversation
and French Grammar and Composition
6
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 4010Advanced Grammar and Composition3
FREN 4980Community Practicum2
FREN 4990Senior Seminar ((to be used for internship)3
Supporting course
ESOL 4010Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers3
Electives: 3000/4000-level course 6
Upper-Level Courses in Education
SEED 4010
FLED 3510
FLED 4510
Integrating Technology in Secondary Education
and Elementary Classroom Laboratory
and Classroom Laboratory
3
FLED 3500
FLED 4500
Foreign Language in the Elementary School
and Curriculum and Methods of Foreign Languages
4
SPEC 3000Serving Students with Diverse Needs3
FLED 4790Student Teaching9
FLED 4800Senior Professional Development Seminar3
Electives0-3
Total hours required for the degree120

French or Spanish—World Languages and Cultures Track

The World Languages and Cultures in French or Spanish offers students the opportunity to combine two or more world languages in a program of study that will impart the basic knowledge necessary to participate in international and intercultural settings. The track emphasizes knowledge of modern foreign cultures and enables students to focus on one modern language while achieving speaking facility in one or two others. These tracks are foundational to advanced studies in humanities disciplines such as modern languages, history, art history, philosophy, or political science. When combined with business courses, these degrees can open up international professional opportunities.

Majors in World Languages and Cultures may find employment in business, government, education, media, travel and social services, depending upon their skills and experiences. Majors can seek out employment opportunities in which language skills are required in the work place. Such positions include translating, interpreting, and teaching foreign languages within a corporate context. World Languages and Cultures majors also pursue careers in social services capacities.

Additionally, completion of the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) as part of this degree will prepare majors to teach English to speakers of other languages throughout the world. Internships and practicum placements and study abroad are highly recommended as study components in these tracks.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in French

World Languages and Cultures Track

Core Curriculum 60
Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) 42
Core Curriculum Area F
Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, I
and Beginning French Language and Introduction to Francophone Cultures, II
Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, I
and Intermediate French Language & Francophone Cultures, II
Second Foreign Language at the 1001 to 2002 levels
Electives from Area C and Area E Courses
Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F
Senior College Curriculum60
Upper-Level Courses in French
FREN 2010Intermediate Conversation3
FREN 3010French Grammar and Composition3
FREN 3150French Culture and Civilization3
or FREN 3160 Francophone Culture and Civilization
FREN 3200Introduction to Literature3
FREN 3250Survey of French Literature3
or FREN 3260 Survey of Francophone Literature
FREN 4010
FREN 4400
Advanced Grammar and Composition
and French Phonetics and Advanced Conversation
6
FREN 4980Community Practicum1
FREN 4990Senior Seminar3
FREN 3000- or 4000-level courses6
ESOL 4010Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers3
Related Electives26
Total hours required for the degree120

A second or third foreign language may be taken in the major as needed under the Related Electives.

Suggested Elective Sequences: Minor in Spanish or German, Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Certificate in Spanish for Professionals.

A minimum of 39 hours must be taken at the 3000/4000 level.