紐約州立大學(xué)水牛城分校

Why study French BA at UB?

The French language is spoken by 118 million people living not only in France, but also in other parts of Europe as well as in Canada, the Caribbean, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. It is a major international language of the arts, commerce, diplomacy, and science. In the United States, as of 2013, more students study French than any other foreign language except Spanish. French is one of the working languages of such international institutions as the United Nations, the European Union, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization, and it is the sole language used for the deliberations of the Court of Justice of the European Union. It is an official language of 29 countries.

The centuries-old relationship of anglophone and francophone cultures is manifest in a rich common heritage. Some 30% of English words are of French origin, and the artistic, literary, and philosophical ties between France and English-speaking countries are countless.

RLL's French program offers training in the spoken and written language through small, highly interactive classes. Texts, films and special events showcase the literatures and cultures of French-speaking world regions both past and present. French students are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or a full year. There are quality affordable SUNY programs throughout France as well as in Quebec, Senegal, Morocco, and Switzerland.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop language competence and communicative strategies.
• Apply knowledge of language history.
• Identify and utilize linguistic core concepts.
• Identify and analyze rhetorical strategies in different texts and genres.
• Apply knowledge of cultural and theoretical contexts.
• Locate and interpret sources and produce original research.
• Incorporate sources and modes of analysis from multiple disciplines and media.
• Appraise material critically.
• Recognize and cultivate personal growth.

Career Outlook

Students who choose RLL and especially the French program as their main academic home at UB find a number of career opportunities open to them. Among graduates in the past decade, a small number have gone on to do graduate work in French, several have gone on to law school or business school, and others have found positions with the U.S. State Department, as well as in secondary education. Whatever career appeals to graduating students, proficiency in French will assuredly be an advantage.

Some careers our graduates have pursued include:

• Anthropology and Linguistics
• Public relations
• Customs and immigration
• Diplomacy and foreign service
• Post-secondary and secondary education
• International student advisement
• International trade
• International relations
• Broadcast and print journalism
• Translation
• Federal civil service