General Introduction

Objectives of the Major: This major aims to train well-rounded professionals who have a good command of French and fundamentals of business and trade. Students are trained to be proficient at French listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation and have a basic understanding of French culture and literature. They are also required to master the basic theory of international trade and the basics of business communication. The graduates will become French professionals who are qualified for translation, research and teaching, and management work in the fields of foreign affairs, culture, news media, education, research and tourism, and in international trade companies in particular. A schooling system of 4 years is adopted and students are allowed to finish the program within 3 to 6 years.

Degree offered: B.A.  

Discipline: Foreign Language and Literature.

Characteristics of the Major: The newest major in the School of Foreign Languages, French major began to enroll students in 2009. It is developing rapidly and has a young and multidisciplinary faculty. Seven of the 8 full-time faculty members are under 40. Four faculty members are French literature majors, 2 cultural studies major, 1 is linguistics major, and 1 is economics major.

The Curriculum:

The curriculum is divided into 5 modules, namely, Common Courses, General Education Courses, Specialized Courses, Laboratory and Practice Courses and Courses for Humanitarian Qualities. The modules of Common Courses, General Education Courses and Specialized Courses are further divided into 2 parts, i.e., compulsorycourses and optionalcourses.The total credits are 175, of which classroom teaching accounts for150, practice accounts for 13, and humanitarian education accounts for 12.

The main courses include Basic French, French Audio-Visual & Speaking, Oral French, French Listening, Advanced French, French Grammar, French Writing, French Interpretation, French Translation Theory and Practice, Business French, Selected French Newspaper Reading, A Guide to French-Speaking Countries, A Brief History and Selected Readings in French Literature, French Phonetics, French Lexicology, French Movie Appreciation, French, and Transcultural Communication, etc.

International Exchange

In order to expand students’ horizon and create supportive academic atmosphere, experts and scholars from home or abroad are invited to deliver French lectures and participate in international exchanges. We have held many domestic and international academic exchange activities, and provided platform of academic exchange for colleagues of French education from Central China. We teach, manage and select applicants for the exchange opportunities to study in France and 23 students are selected and sent to France every year. A number of graduates in 2013 were admitted into foreign universities, and some graduates in 2014 will pursue master’s degrees in France.