French

The French Language Program at UCSC offers students a variety of opportunities to learn or improve their French and to learn about the French and Francophone world. Students with an interest in French can major in Applied Linguistics, Language Studies, Literature or Global Economics. Numerous study-abroad opportunities in France are available through the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP). Our program is student-centered and interested in promoting the study of the French language and culture across the curriculum.

Placement Information

Taking the French Placement Assessment

Prior to taking the French placement assessment, all students must enroll in the Canvas Placement Module.

After enrolling in the Canvas Placement Module, contact Renée Cailloux to schedule an appointment to take the assessment.

Who should take the assessment?

If you have had any previous study of French, you must to take the placement assessment to determine which class best suits your skill level. If you have had any previous study of French, do not enroll in FREN 1 without taking the placement assessment first. You will not be allowed to stay in this beginning level course if your knowledge of French is too advanced for the material. Failure to take the placement assessment may result in your having to wait a quarter to enroll in the appropriate level, given that more appropriate classes may be full at the beginning of the quarter.

If you have no prior experience with French, you may enroll in FREN 1 without taking the placement assessment.

About the assessment

The placement assessment is online.

Once your placement has been determined, the result will be sent to the Department of Languages and Applied Linguistics to be entered in the Canvas Placement Module. This can take 3-4 business days (not including holidays and weekends). Your French placement assessment result remains valid for the entirety of your time at UCSC.

To give you a general idea of where you might be placed, here is a brief description of the basic grammar you should know before entering each level:

• French 1: None; no previous study of French
• French 2: Present tense of regular -er verbs and of avoir and etre; adjective form and placement, possessive adjectives, question formation
• French 3: Present, passé composé, and imparfait of common verbs; reflexive verbs; object pronouns
• French 4-6: Exposure to all basic grammar + future, conditional, and subjunctive

Orientation & More Information

FRENCH ORIENTATION FLYER

View our French Schedule for more information.

To learn more about the French program and its instructors, please take a few minutes to watch the following short videos: 

Bryan Donaldson
Renée Cailloux  
Carine Rohmer

Language Courses

The French program offers courses from beginning to advanced levels. All courses are in French unless noted otherwise.

INTRODUCTORY

• French 1 — generally offered every quarter (check schedule of classes for offering).
  French 2, 3 — offered every quarter.

INTERMEDIATE

• French 4 — offered every quarter.
• French 5 — generally offered every quarter (check schedule of classes for offering).
• French 6 — usually offered winter and spring quarters (check schedule of classes for offering).

ADVANCED

• French 108 — French Cinema (check schedule of classes for offering).
• French 111 — La stylistique. Focused on the development of advanced writing skills, both analytical and creative. Offered every other year.
• French 114 — La phonetique du francais. Offered every other year.
• French 120 — French linguistics. Introduction to linguistic analysis of French, including syntax, semantics, morphology, phonology, and variation.
• French 121 — History of the French Language
• French 125A — Histoire et civilisation, XIXe siecle. Offered every other year.
• French 125B — Histoire et civilisation, XXe siecle. Offered every other year.
• French 130 — French for Professions.
• French 131 — Social Activism in France: The Tradition of Chanson Française Engagée
• French 136 — La francophonie. Offered every other year.

Study Abroad

It is highly recommended that students take advantage of the Education Abroad Program in France. For more information and other study opportunities abroad, contact the International Programs Office, Classroom Unit Bldg., Room 103. Tel. 831-459-2858 or visit the website: https://studyabroad.ucsc.edu

Faculty