French Minor | Department of French and Italian

The French minor and the French Studies minor allow students to develop their French proficiency and their knowledge of French and Francophone cultures while concentrating on other fields of study. Students pursuing either of these two options must take at least 15 credits of coursework at the level of French 0103 or higher. Students who have studied abroad are encouraged to contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies in French, Brett Wells, to discuss the transfer of credits toward the minors.

For the minor in French, students may choose one of the following two options:

French Minor (15 credits)

Minor Requirements

Comprehensive List of Undergraduate Studies' Majors, Minors, and Certificates

Students can complete the minor in French with courses chosen from among the following. Only one may be in English. Students whose programs will include two or more courses taught in English should declare the French Studies minor.

FR 0103 (Intermediate French 1)
FR 0104 (Intermediate French 2: French in Global Context)
FR 0106 (Special Topics in Conversation and Culture)
FR 0020/0220 (France in the 21st Century)
FR 0021 or 0221 (Approaches to French Literature/Reading French: Literature, Media, Culture)
FR 0027/0227 (The French Atlantic)
FR 0055/0255 (French Conversation/Speaking French)
FR 0056/0256 (Writing French)
FR 0080 (Modern French Novel) or FR0012 (French Kiss) or FR 0014 (French Canada) or FR0016 (French Cinema) or FR 0017 (Paris) or FR0070 (Kings and Queens) or FR0075 Global Fictions of Climate Change or FR 0090 (EuroChic)
FR 0058/0258 Advanced French Conversation
FR 1000-1099 (Electives on literary, cultural or linguistic topics)

French Studies Minor (15 credits)

Minor Requirements

Students can complete the minor in French Studies with any 15 credits with an FR designation above FR 0102.

Students are to declare the minor once they decide to pursue it, so that it will appear on their advising transcript. The minimum grade in all courses used to satisfy the two minors is C. Courses used to satisfy the two minors may not be taken on a S/NC basis.

French Minor Frequently Asked Questions

What is a minor?

A minor is one of three ways to complete the Arts and Sciences requirement for a related area (a student can also do this by completing 12 credits in a program other than his or her major field(s) of study, or by completing a formal certificate). It is a short program of study formally established by the granting department and program, and is made up of a number of required courses and a required credit total.

Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum GPA in the required minor courses, and though they may pursue more than one minor, only one will appear on the student’s official transcript.

The French minor gives students the option of choosing between two fields of study, French Language and Literature, and French Studies.

Do you have to declare a minor?

Students should declare their Arts and Sciences minor in the Arts and Sciences Advising Center in Thackeray Hall 140.

Who approves the minor?

There is no need to obtain formal approval while pursuing the French minor, as long as a student follows the guidelines for required courses and credit totals. However, students should feel free to contact the French major advisors with questions regarding any unusual circumstances (i.e., transfer or Study Abroad credits that might not correspond to the stated requirements).

Can you do more than one option?

No. Students are given two options to help them tailor their French minor to other needs, but a student may only obtain the French minor once.

Are all credits required to be taken at the University of Pittsburgh?

At least half of the credits taken to satisfy the French minor must be taken at the University of Pittsburgh.