Disciplines and areas of study
French
Program Coordinator: Mr Raphael Trantoul
T he study of French gives access to a whole network of international communication as well as to a vast body of literary, historical and scientific knowledge.
French is indeed a truly international language: it is widely spoken in Europe, Africa, North America, the Pacific, the Caribbean, as well as in various international bodies such as the United Nations. Culturally speaking, French artists, writers, thinkers, filmmakers, politicians and philosophers have changed, and continue to change, the way the world thinks.
The La Trobe University French program caters for all levels at first year, from the complete beginner to students with an advanced knowledge of French and combines a communicative approach with strong cultural components. All language subjects contain elements of general culture and civilisation analysed through the study of written, audio, and visual material.
The advanced stream is designed to encourage students to develop critical reading skills at first year level and deploy strategies for cross-cultural communication in French throughout their studies. Students may apply to undertake in-country study programs in French through the University’s exchange programs.
French can be studied as a major within the Bachelor of Arts, through a Diploma in Languages or as part of any of the Faculty’s specialist degrees (for example, Bachelor of International Relations, Bachelor of European Studies and Bachelor of Journalism). French can also be undertaken as an elective in many other degrees offered at La Trobe and provide individuals with an essential tool for communicating internationally and furthering their reach within many careers paths.
The intellectual training acquired in learning a language and studying its cultural dimensions equips graduates in French to excel in numerous professions, including radio and television, the diplomatic service, international trade, the law, and administration. Graduates may also undertake further training for professions such as journalism, teaching, translating and interpreting.
Programs of study
To qualify for a degree with a major in French, a student must pass a minimum of 130 credit points of French subjects, including the core subjects outlined below. Depending on a student’s prior knowledge of and/or qualifications in the French language when they commence their degree, there are three different major streams: beginners, intermediate and advanced. The major requirements for these streams are as follows.
French Major
To complete a major in French students must complete:
- the French core subjects for their language level at each year level of their degree.
- 30 credit points at first year level,
- 40 credit points at second-year level and
- at least 60 credit points at third year level.
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Advanced 1A | FRE1ADA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Advanced 1B | FRE1ADB |
| Second year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Advanced 2A | FRE2ADA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Advanced 2B | FRE2ADB |
| Third year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Advanced 3A | FRE3ADA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Advanced 3B | FRE3ADB |
Note: students wishing to qualify as French language teachers in schools must complete the advanced stream. This is the requirement to take French language as a LOTE teaching method in the Diploma of Education or the double degree Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Arts Education.
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Beginners 1A | FRE1BEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Beginners 1B | FRE1BEB |
| Second year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Beginners 2A | FRE2BEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Beginners 2B | FRE2BEB |
| Third year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Beginners 3A | FRE3BEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Beginners 3B | FRE3BEB |
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Intermediate 1A | FRE1INA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Intermediate 1B | FRE1INB |
| Second year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Intermediate 2A | FRE2INA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Intermediate 2B | FRE2INB |
| Third year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | French Intermediate 3A | FRE3INA |
| TE-SEM-2 | French Intermediate 3B | FRE3INB |
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| Third year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Reading Course A | FRE3RCA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Reading Course B | FRE3RCB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Trans European Translation | EST3TET |
Note: reading course A and B are only made available to third year students in special circumstances and with the permission of the program coordinator.