The study of foreign languages develops students’ understanding of themselves as world citizens and an appreciation for the world through the study of languages and literatures, linguistics and cultural phenomena. The French minor is designed for students with an interest in French and Francophone people and organizations. It develops skills needed to communicate with native speakers of French, learn critical and theoretical approaches to texts and build cross-cultural perspectives from which to evaluate global issues.
Students gain a cultural understanding of the French-speaking world and its diversity, and they are introduced to current international issues. Topics examined in French courses can appeal to students interested not only in international affairs, but also in business, medicine, law, women’s studies, history, education, literature, cinema, the arts and environmental issues.
Individual courses provide students with opportunities to connect with French-speaking cultures through texts and other documents, and interact with each other and with native speakers of French using technology and social media.
Ripon College offers majors in foreign languages and in Spanish; and minors in Classical Studies; Ancient, Renaissance and Medieval Studies; Francophone studies; French; and Spanish.
Hannah Brockman ’24 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and Meredith Thiessen ’26 of Stoughton, Wisconsin, attended the 2023 Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) conference in […]
After graduation in May, Alexandra “Ally” Molinski ’20 of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, will be attending graduate school to become a clinical therapist. At Ripon, she is […]
Dominique Poncelet, professor of French and Francophone studies, is the author of “Le livre comme tombeau litteraire: Franz et Francois de Francois Weyergans et D’autres […]
Professor of French and the Marie Zarwell Uihlein Chair in Classical Studies and Chair of the Department
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.
Advising at Ripon| Requirements for a Minor in French | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 20 credits |
| Prerequisites | French above FRE 111 Elementary French I Poncelet, starting with the course in which students are placed by the online placement evaluation. FRE 111 Elementary French I Poncelet does not count toward the French minor. |
| Elective Courses | Students minoring in French must take at least one 300-level course taught entirely in French and are strongly encouraged to take more than one of these courses. |
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Classes |
FRE 111 Elementary French I Poncelet, 112 Elementary French II Poncelet, 211 Intermediate French I Poncelet, 222 Intermediate French II Poncelet, 300 Departmental Studies in French Staff, 307 Advanced Composition and Conversation Poncelet, 308 Introduction to French and Francophone Literature Poncelet, 309 Love, Passion and Breakups in French Literature Poncelet, 315 French Theatre Workshop Poncelet, 322 Business French Poncelt, 329 Contemporary French Issues Poncelet, 332 French Cinema Poncelet, 333 Wars, Rebellions and Revolutions in French Cinema Poncelet, 337 Grammer Workshop Poncelet, 338 Writing Workshop Poncelet, 339 Conversation and Pronunciation Workshop Poncelet, 340 The Francophone World: Immigration, Identity and Culture Staff, 365 Engaged Writers and teir Fights Poncelet, 370 Tell Me What You Eat... Poncelet, 402 The Teaching of Modern Languages Poncelet |
| Additional Criteria | Coursework completed in a French-speaking country, either through an In Focus course or a Ripon College-approved study-abroad program, may be applied toward the French minor upon approval by the members of the French program. Students should consult with their advisor in French before departure about possible courses of study.
Dominique Poncelet is the advisor for the minor in French. Study Abroad: See the Off-Campus Study: Programs Abroad section of this catalog for information about Ripon programs in Paris, Montpellier and Dakar. |
Foreign language study can lead to careers in a variety of areas, including government, industry and commerce, travel and tourism, interpretation/translation, service, education, arts, media and entertainment.
Some French, Latin and Spanish graduates from Ripon College have gone on to graduate work in their languages. Others have continued their studies in other fields, such as communication studies, nonprofit management, international relations, medicine school, public policy and theology.