Department Chair:
Dr. Michael Dillon (Professor)
Faculty:
Dr. Vivian Brown (Associate Professor)
Program overview:
The mission of the French program at Morehouse College is to provide coursework and resources so that graduates of the French Program will be able to interpret, compare and explain linguistic cultural artifacts (i.e. film, literature, business, popular culture, comics, plays, poems, etc.) across time periods, cultures, and diverse societies in the French-speaking world. In addition, students will demonstrate interpretative, presentational, and interpersonal communication skills in French to use at home and abroad, in their professional and personal life, and in the global community as global citizens.
The department partners with educational organizations that offer semester or full-year programs abroad to encourage students to study and travel overseas. These programs can help students meet a significant part of their French major or minor requirements. Additionally, the department arranges summer study abroad programs of its own. To learn more, please visit the department.
The French Club provides students with opportunities to expand their academic experience by immersing themselves in the French language and culture. Along with language-focused events, the club also hosts a variety of cultural events that offer an in-depth insight into the history, arts, and traditions of French-speaking communities both here in Atlanta and abroad. This makes the club an ideal platform for students interested in learning about cultures, history, film, and literature, and for students to meet other like-minded individuals who share their passion for the French-speaking world.
Student learning outcomes:
As a result of the rigorous study in our program, graduates can:
- Students will be able to demonstrate Intermediate Low (for a minor) to Advanced Low (for a major)* language skills through: a) listening comprehension, b) verbal communication, c) expository writing, and d) reading in French.
- Students will be able to interpret and explain language and linguistic cultural artifacts across time periods, cultures, and diverse societies in the French-speaking world.
- Students will be able to a) analyze and critique linguistic cultural artifacts in diverse societies of the French-speaking world as well as b) compare these artifacts with their own cultural backgrounds.
*Based on The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012.
Department policies and/or General Education modifications:
- A grade of C or higher is required for majors to satisfactorily complete all French and electives designated for the program.
- A student who has chosen a major in a foreign language may qualify for departmental honors by satisfying the following requirements: (1) eligibility for college honors, (2) a 3.5 grade-point average within the department, and (3) successful completion of a designated research project that will be evaluated by a departmental committee. The latter condition will require enrollment in a 440 Directed Study course under the supervision of a selected faculty member of the department.
- Since 1965, Morehouse College has had a chapter (Beta Upsilon) of the National French Honor Society. Requirements include a minimum 3.0 GPA overall and a minimum 3.0 in all major courses with no grade below C in major courses.
