University General Course Catalog 2026-2027 (DRAFT) 
    
    Jan 31, 2026  
University General Course Catalog 2026-2027 (DRAFT)

French, B.A.


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The faculty in French are committed to helping their majors attain a high degree of skill in the five areas of language usage: speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural understanding. With the increasing globalization of activity in all areas of public life, the importance for our students of entering the work force with a command of at least one foreign language cannot be doubted. French stands out among the available options by virtue of its importance in the fields of medicine, technology, diplomacy, and finance, among others, as well as by the interest which its distinctive cachet continues to inspire in beginning learners of the language. By developing our students’ skills in each of the five areas, we are preparing them to succeed in the greatest possible variety of situations where French may be required, including our traditional mission of preparing many students to pursue careers as secondary and college-level teachers of French.

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • read and comprehend literary and cultural texts written in French, demonstrating reading proficiency in the Advanced (or higher) range. (CT)
  • speak French at the Intermediate Mid to Intermediate High (or higher) range. (C)
  • write research papers in French that demonstrate writing proficiency in the Advanced (or higher) range. (C, CT)
  • understand the linguistic and demographic complexity of the Francophone world. (QR)

Contact Information


Department of World Languages and Literatures 
Ansari Building 408
(775) 784-6055
wll@unr.edu

College of Liberal Arts Student Center
Lincoln Hall 305
(775) 682-8745
https://www.unr.edu/liberal-arts/academic-advising

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement |  30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 42 Upper-Division Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy .”

Students must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course description.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units minimum) - CO2


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses .

C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units minimum) - CO4, CO4L


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses .

D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6 courses .

E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7 courses .

F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Refer to the Core Curriculum   chapter in this catalog.

II. Additional Silver Core Requirements (12 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum   chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO9 courses .

B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


The following course is recommended:

C. Global Context - CO11


Choose one course:

D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


The following course is recommended:

F. Application - CO14


The following course is recommended:

III. Additional College Requirements (6-20 units)


Units may vary depending on initial course placement in foreign language coursework.

A. World Language Requirement (0-14 units)


Students seeking this bachelor’s degree must demonstrate proficiency in a world language other than English equal to a fourth semester course level through one of the following options:

  1. complete a fourth semester college course in a world language other than English;
  2. demonstrate proficiency through a means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures including but not limited to minimum standardized test scores (CBAPE, SAT II, or IB), attaining a minimum aptitude on an accredited world language assessment test, or providing transcript evidence of a high school or equivalent diploma in which English was not the language of instruction; or,
  3. participate in a study abroad language program pre-approved by the Department of World Languages and Literatures to meet the world language requirement. 

Note: Four years of high school world language instruction does not automatically satisfy this requirement.

B. College Breadth Requirement (6 units)


Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in the college shall be required to take, within the College of Liberal Arts, 6 units that are outside the departments in which they major or minor, and that exclude courses taken to fulfill the Core General Education requirements (Core Objectives 1 through 8).

IV. Major Requirements (30 units and an Exit Examination)


At least 12 of these units must be completed on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

A. Required Courses (18 units)


Speaking (3 units)


Complete one of the following:

Culture (3 units)


Complete one of the following:

B. French Major Electives (12 units)


Refer to the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog for a full list of eligible FREN courses.

400-level French Elective (3 units)


Complete one 400-level FREN course worth 3 units.

Additional French Electives (9 units)


Complete at least nine additional units in upper-division FREN courses. Any 300/400-level FREN course not already used toward the major requirements above may be counted toward this elective requirement.

C. Exit Examination (0 units)


Upon completion of their major coursework, students must take an exit examination. Contact the department office to arrange an exam seating. Students must pass the examination to be eligible for graduation. A note (Satisfactorily Completed French B.A. Exit Examination) will be added to each student’s transcript.

V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)


The World Languages and Literatures Department accepts any minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts.

VI. Electives (7-27 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule - French Major


A. First Year


 

Fall Semester (16 units)


Spring Semester (14 units)


B. Second Year


 

Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


 

C. Third Year


 

Fall Semester (15 units)


 

Spring Semester (15 units)


  • FREN Major Elective (6 units)
  • Minor (3 units)
  • 300-400 level Minor (3 units)
  • General Elective (3 units)

D. Fourth Year


 

Fall Semester (15 units)


 

Spring Semester (15 units)


  • FREN Major Elective (3 units)
  • Completion of Exit Examination (0 units)
  • Capstone Integration& Synthesis (3 units) CO13
  • 300-400 level Minor (3 units)
  • Minor (3 units) OR
  • General Elective (3 units)
  • 300-400 level General Elective (3 units)

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