French

The International Languages Department offers courses that provide the foundation for French language study. They also satisfy either the humanities requirement for general education or the proficiency requirement in an international language when required for transfer. A bachelor's degree in an international language such as French can lead to a career in advertising, broadcasting, consulting, translating, teaching, international service, public relations, social work, and sales.
Note: Students educated in a non-English speaking country through high school or equivalent will generally not earn lower-division transfer credit in their language at most universities. Students who might be affected by this rule should consult a counselor and/or the International Languages Department Chair before enrolling in their courses.
Academic and Career Pathway: Languages, Communication, and Humanities
Contact Information
Chair: Pilar Hernández Dean: Jonathan Fohrman |
Department: International Languages Office: Building OC4700, 760.795.6844 |
Full-Time Faculty
Cristina Toharia |
Associate Degrees
Associate in Arts Degree
French
The French program offers lower-division preparation for students who plan on transferring to pursue a bachelor's degree in French. Students planning to transfer and/or earn this associate degree may also need to complete additional requirements or electives required by the transfer institution, as many CSUs and UCs have unique admissions and preparation-for-the-major requirements. Students should meet with a MiraCosta College counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written plan for their targeted university.
To earn this associate degree, students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units of credit (including major and general education courses).
- Complete all courses required in the major with a “C” or “P” or better.
- Complete a general education pattern of courses (see Associate Degrees).
- Obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
- Complete a minimum of 12 units in residence at MiraCosta College.
Program Student Learning Outcome Statement
- Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to effectively communicate in the French language, demonstrating an understanding of cultural differences as related to personal and cultural topics as well as social issues.
Required courses: | ||
FREN 101 | Elementary French (First Semester) * | 4 |
FREN 102 | Elementary French (Second Semester) | 4 |
FREN 201 | Intermediate French (Third Semester) | 4 |
FREN 202 | Intermediate French (Fourth Semester) | 4 |
List A. Select one course (3-4 units): | 3-4 | |
Students placing out of FREN 101, FREN 102, FREN 201, or FREN 202 by departmental approval, prerequisite satisfaction, or Advanced Placement scores shall use additional courses from List A to earn a total of 18 semester units in the major (Title 5, section 55063). | ||
History of Renaissance to Modern Art | ||
Intercultural Communication | ||
Introduction to French Culture | ||
Elementary Italian (First Semester) | ||
Elementary Italian (Second Semester) | ||
Elementary Italian for Spanish speakers (First Semester) | ||
Elementary Spanish (First Semester) | ||
Elementary Spanish (Second Semester) | ||
Total Units | 19-20 |
* Students who have completed two years of high school French or who demonstrate proficiency do not need to enroll in FREN 101 and can start with FREN 102. Units awarded for AP exams will be based on the minimum semester admission units for all California State University (CSU) campuses as determined by the CSU and referenced in the AP chart.
How to Read Course Descriptions
For more detailed information about a course, such as its content, objectives, and fulfillment of a degree, certificate, or general education requirement, please see the official course outline of record, available at http://www.miracosta.edu/governance/coursesandprograms/courseoutlines.html.
Courses
FREN 101: Elementary French (First Semester)
Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in FREN 102, FREN 201, or FREN 202.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This introductory course develops French language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It covers basic French pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The course also provides for increased awareness of the Francophone world's history, geography, and customs, including its socio-political practices and cultural artifacts. This course corresponds to the first two years of high school French.
FREN 102: Elementary French (Second Semester)
Units: 4
Prerequisites: FREN 101 or two years of high school French with a C or better.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in FREN 201 or FREN 202.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This course continues to develop French language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It reviews and expands upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in FREN 101, and it develops the student's ability to engage in casual conversation, express opinions, and make suggestions in French. The course also provides for increased awareness of the francophone world's history, geography, and customs, including its socio-political practices and cultural artifacts. This course corresponds to the third year of high school French.
FREN 121: Introduction to French Culture
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall or Spring
This course introduces students of French to various aspects of French and Francophone culture and civilization. Areas of study include history, music, literature, philosophy, political ideas, customs, and France's influence in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The course examines the present and future of the Francophone world in general and does not require prior study of the French language or culture.
FREN 201: Intermediate French (Third Semester)
Units: 4
Prerequisites: FREN 102 or three years of high school French with a C or better.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in FREN 202.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
This course continues to develop French language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It reviews and expands upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in FREN 101 and 102, and it develops the student's ability to engage in casual conversation, express opinions, and make suggestions in French. The course also provides for increased awareness of the French-speaking world's history, geography, and customs, including its socio-political practices and cultural artifacts. This course corresponds to the fourth year of high school French.
FREN 202: Intermediate French (Fourth Semester)
Units: 4
Prerequisites: FREN 201 or four years of high school French with a C or better.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Spring even years
This course continues to develop French language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It reviews and expands upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in FREN 201. It also develops the student's ability to express opinions and make recommendations in French-language debates and discussions. The course provides for increased awareness of the French-speaking world's history, geography, and customs, including its socio-political practices and cultural artifacts through extensive reading and writing assignments as well as oral presentations.
FREN 292: Internship Studies
Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.
FREN 296: Topics in French
Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in French that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.
FREN 298: Directed Study in French
Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor and department chair approval and successful completion of 12 units of college work with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours
Laboratory 6 hours
Laboratory 9 hours.
Course Typically Offered: To be arranged
This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.