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Q. Who should take the foreign language placement exam?
A. We want all students to take the foreign language placement test in any language that they studied for two or more years in high school. You may feel that, for now, you don't wish to continue in that language, but it has been our experience that students often change their minds later.
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Q. Can I start French from the beginning, even if I was placed at a higher level?
A. Definitely not. While you may feel a bit apprehensive about the level you have been placed into, we recommend that you register at that level; if, at the end of the first week of classes, you are struggling, let us know if you still feel that you've been misplaced. It's not uncommon for a student to forget a lot of what he or she has learned, but much of that will come back after hearing the language again. Generally a student will understand most of what is said to him or her in class after a week or two of "warming up." Please do not hesitate to consult with Dr. Motard-Noar (410-857-2467) if, after two class periods, you still feel you have been misplaced.
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Q. What courses can I take to help me decide to major/minor in French?
A. You will start by taking the placement test over the summer before you arrive. Register for the course that the test places you into. Another course you may wish to consider taking is Dr. Motard-Noar’s' First-Year Seminar course. It is a great way to learn about French issues, bond with other students who may major in French, and get to know one of our French faculty members!
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Q. How many classes do I need to take to get a French major?
A. The French major consists of 44 or 46 credits' worth of courses. That could mean 10 courses at McDaniel College, but not necessarily. It could be less, depending on what level of French you place into.
Our department waives the credits for courses below that into which you have placed (once you declare your major or minor, that is).
These waived credits do NOT count toward the total you need to graduate with a BA from McDaniel College, but they do allow you to advance toward the completion of the major more quickly, freeing you up to finish early, get a second major or a minor.
We will waive up to 12 credits toward the major or minor. If you place into French 1103 and declare a major in French, we will waive 4 credits (for 1101). This means that, after successfully completing French 1103 you are 8 credits closer to completing the major, and you have 32 left. If you place into a 2100 or 2200 level course, we waive 8 credits, and you'll have 12 after completing that class. If you place into a 2500 or 3000 level course, we waive 12 credits, and you will have 16 behind you when you finish that class.
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Q. I took three-credit courses at another institution. How do they count?
A. While McDaniel College courses are generally worth 4 credits each, transfer credits from another college or from your study abroad experience can be worth 3 credits. While we will accept such a course as fulfilling a given McDaniel Plan Requirement (with the approval of the appropriate department), you will still need to meet the required number of credits to fulfill the French major (44 or 46).
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Q. What kinds of classes can I take for the major?
A. In the French program we offer language, literature, translation and culture courses. The culture courses can include film, art, music, history, current events and other special topics. Our literature courses give you the opportunity to build your vocabulary through reading, practice your speaking skills through class discussions, develop your writing skills through essays and journal-writing, and provide you with important insight into the finer points of French and Francophone culture, about which you may not be very familiar. Our language courses will incorporate all of the above, but with a special focus on teaching you the mechanics of the language.
Although it is not required, you may also take ONE course in English on a topic related in some way to France or the French-speaking world. Among those already approved are: FRE 1131 (Culture of France), FRE 1123 (The French-Speaking World).
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Q. I'd like to become a French teacher. What should I do?
A. At McDaniel College, you may minor in Education. It is very, very important that you begin your Education minor as early as possible--and preferably in your first semester at the College. If you are even considering majoring in French and minoring in Education, contact the Education Department as soon as possible at (410) 857-2501.
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Q. I want to study abroad. How does that work?
A. McDaniel College Study Abroad works with a number of French-speaking countries all over France and the French-speaking world. There are other programs that you may be able to enroll in if you plan more than a semester in advance; this would give us time to check out the program's credentials and determine if we would like to set up a relationship with it (if it satisfies our academic standards).
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Some recommendations:
Start to plan as early as possible—it's never too soon! Most students consult with Ms. Rose Falkner, the Director of International Programs and Off-Campus Study (Hill Hall 105 rfalkner@mcdaniel.edu, 410-857-3376) during the first semester of their sophomore year if they wish to study abroad during their junior year.
Study abroad is affordable. Make an appointment with Rose Falkner to discuss any concerns you may have about your financial aid situation.
You're not a French major? No matter!! Many destinations offer a full range of courses in a variety of fields. You just need to consult with your academic advisor and a French professor early on so that you can plan your coursework and not fall behind in your major/minor field. Some majors are trickier than others in this respect; don't forget that there are many wonderful summer study options available throughout the French-speaking world!
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Q. Can I still to major in French if I can't spend a semester abroad?
A. You have two options. You can reside in the French House for two semesters, or IN SPECIAL CASES, a student can enroll in a study abroad program of AT LEAST 12 WEEKS, but over the summer. This latter option is available only with the approval of a French faculty member. Please discuss this with your advisor.
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Q. What is the difference between a "double major" and a "dual major"?
A. A foreign language can be an excellent (and sometimes necessary!) complement to a major in another field, particularly if you would like your professional life to have a global focus or intend to work with a particular immigrant group. You should discuss with an advisor which of the two options would be best for you.
- Dual major: If you choose to complete a dual major, you will graduate with one degree. You will have required courses in both departments, but not as many courses in each respective department as you would for each individual major. The programs we currently offer in French are: French/Communication (64 hours), French/Economics (68 hours), French/Political Science (60 hours), French/Sociology (64 hours)
- Double major If you choose to complete a double major, you will graduate with two degrees, one in each chosen field, and you will satisfy all requirements for each major. This means that if you choose to double major in French and Communications, you will complete 40 hours in French, and 44 in Communications, for a total of 84 credits. Many students prefer to exercise this option, especially if they placed into a higher-level French course upon their arrival, and consequently had 8 or more credits waived toward the major in French. A number of students prefer this option because it allows them to take the full range of courses in each major, therefore sharpening their linguistic skills and broadening their knowledge base in the second major.
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Q. What about the French Minor?
A. The French minor consists of 24 credit hours of coursework. As it is for the French major, you may also have up to 12 credits waived for placement in a higher level of French (see above: "How many classes do I need to take to get a French major?"). Although not required, you may take one class in English (Culture of France) that will count toward the Minor. We generally advise students to continue taking French classes throughout their four years at McDaniel if they intend to use the language professionally; as we say, "If you don't use it, you will lose it." It takes years to develop a high enough level of proficiency to become truly functional in a variety of settings. If you stop taking courses at or after the intermediate level (French 2211, or 2212, or 2265), the chances are very good that you will forget more than you ever learned by the time you graduate.
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