French Studies
MAJOR MAP FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Get to know
FRENCH STUDIES
Le Département d’études françaises
offre trois programmes d’études au 1er
cycle (de la mineure au baccalauréat
spécialisé) ainsi que des cours destinés
aux débutants, le tout dans une
atmosphère collégiale et chaleureuse.
Vous pourrez améliorer votre
compétence en français, ou étudier
la littérature et la culture de langue
française. Il est également possible de
participer à un programme d’échanges
au Québec ou en France. Cet échange
peut se faire au courant de l’été ou
pendant l’année scolaire et peut alors
être de une ou deux sessions.
The French Studies department offers
three undergraduate concentrations (a
Minor, a Medial and a Major) as well
as courses for beginners. Areas of study
include oral and written language as
well as French literature and culture.
Courses are offered in a supportive and
collegial atmosphere. It is also possible
to study French in either Québec or
France during summer or one semester
or year-long exchanges.
“Learn French in an official bilingual city or expand your French
studies to include culture, literature and lexicology.”
A Common START
Degree OPTIONS
Students in our Faculty are admitted into
Arts, Science or Computing but the focus
is on a common first year. Through selfexploration, and while you settle into
university life, you have the opportunity
to work with our advisors and faculty to
discover your real interests and identify
opportunities for success. Sometimes
that discovery happens fairly quickly,
and for other students it takes some
work and time before the “ah-ha!”
happens – either way your first year will
be a great experience at Queen’s.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Course HIGHLIGHTS
Major / Medial / Minor
Bachelor of Arts (General)
Queen’s ADMISSIONS
Students apply to Queen’s Arts (QA)
through the OUAC (Ontario University
Application Centre) website. Secondary
School prerequisites include Six 4U and
4M courses, including a minimum of
three 4U courses, one of which must be
ENG4U. Applicants outside of Ontario
may have additional requirements. A
language placement test is available to
determine your appropriate starting
level in French Studies.
French Studies courses are much more than just language courses. Take courses such
as Histoire culturelle et littéraire de la France moderne et contemporaine that discusses
French 19th Century and contemporary literature and explores predominant trends in
different media such as painting and cinema. Or consider more internationally focused
courses such as Histoire culturelle et littéraire de la francophonie et du Québec that
looks at the history of ideas and cultural evolution in French Canada, African and
Caribbean culture and literature, from the colonial period to the present day - French
Studies courses are much more than just a language course.
Acquire Skills. Gain Experience. Go Global.
That is a degree from Queen’s.
quartsci.com
2015 - 2016
French Studies MAJOR MAP
BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS (MAJOR, MEDIAL, MINOR) | BACHELOR OF ARTS (GENERAL) | BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS(MINOR)
3RD OR FINAL YEAR
4TH OR FINAL YEAR
Take FREN 150.
The online Placement Test will help you find your level.
Take required courses on literature: FREN 230, 241
and 250 for all French Plans, plus required courses on
language FREN 219 and 250.
Develop your skills in textual analysis, oral and written
French through a variety of courses. Look into doing an
undergraduate thesis in your final year if interested.
Advanced language and literature courses for Majors
FREN 498 (6.0). Possible undergraduate thesis. Apply
to graduate on SOLUS.
Take 6.0 units. See the French Studies website for
details on course requirements.
Majors take 12.0-15.0 units, 12.0 for Medial, and 6.0­
12.0 for Minors.
Majors take 18.0 units on average, 12.0 for Medial, and
6.0-12.0 for Minors.
Majors take 24.0 units on average, 12.0 for Medial,
and 6.0-12.0 for Minors.
Join teams or clubs on campus such as Club
Francophone and Queen’s Model Parliament.
Look into summer jobs by talking to the department
or Career Services about work through SWEP or WorkStudy.
If interested, apply for an Undergraduate Student
Summer Research Fellowship (USSRF). Consider
applying to do a 12-16 month QUIP internship after
your third year.
Look in the Co-Curricular Opportunities Directory or
AMS Clubs Directory for more ideas.
GET CONNECTED
WITH THE
COMMUNITY
Volunteer on or off campus with different community
organization such as the Le Centre Culturel Frontenac
and the Queen’s International Affairs Association.
If interested, take a summer course in Québec through
the Explore program to immerse yourself in a French
speaking environment.
Get involved with the Departmental Student Council
(DSC).
Start or continue volunteering with organizations such
as Queen’s Interfaith and Intercultural Society (QIIS).
Look into employment with the federal government
such as a Parliamentary Guide or a Guide at a war
memorial in France with Veterans Affairs Canada.
Do targeted networking with alumni working in
careers of interest by joining the LinkedIn group
Queen’s Connects. Connect with professors at events or
workshops hosted by the DSC. Develop contacts with
the Kingston francophone community.
Consider becoming a camp counsellor for the French
Summer Camp.
GET THINKING
GLOBALLY
The Queen’s University International Centre is your
first stop to learn how to internationalize your degree
or to leverage your existing cross-cultural experience.
Speak to a QUIC advisor or get involved in their
programs, events and training opportunities.
GET READY
FOR LIFE AFTER
GRADUATION
Grappling with program decisions? Go to Majors Night
or get some help wondering about career options
from Career Services.
Want to speak French abroad? Start thinking about
where you would like to study abroad. Apply in
January for a 3rd year exchange through your faculty’s
International Office.
Consider a one or two term exchange in France with
the Ontario-Rhône-Alpes program.
Explore different careers of interest by reading
books in the Career Services Advising and Resource
Area, such as Careers for Culture Lovers. For more
information check out Career Cruising or by finding
and connecting with alumni on LinkedIn.
Build your intercultural competence by getting
involved with other cultures or by practicing or
improving your language skills. Check QUIC’s resources
for ideas to go abroad, and volunteer or attend one of
their events.
Consider taking FSL through the Faculty of Education to
become a teacher.
Start focusing on areas of interest. Research education
requirements for careers of interest. If needed, prepare
to take any required tests (like the LSAT or GMAT)
and get help thinking about grad school from Career
Services.
Get sneek peeks of jobs posted at ACFOMI to prepare
for the future
Investigate requirements for full-time jobs or other
opportunities related to careers of interest. Assess
what experience you’re lacking and fill in gaps with
volunteering, clubs, or internships – check out the
Career Services skills workshop for help.
Consider teaching English in France for a year.
Consider international teaching opportunities,
including France or tutoring in French.
Think about taking FREN 499 (6.0) as a TA for FREN
150 if you are a CON-Ed student.
Join groups on LinkedIn reflecting specific careers or
topics of interest in French.
Prepare for work or studies in a multi-cultural
environment by taking QUIC’s Intercultural
Competency Certificate, and research possible
immigration regulations.
International students interested in staying in Canada
can speak with an International Student Advisor.
Apply to jobs or future education, or make plans
for other adventures. Get help from Career Services
with job searching, resumes, interviews, grad school
applications, or other decisions. ACFOMI and Le
Centre Culturel Frontenac can help with future plans.
Where could I go
after graduation?
Administration
Advertising
Banking and commerce
Broadcasting - radio and TV
Civil service
Communications
Community development
Curriculum development
Diplomatic service
Editor
Foreign service
Fundraising and event
management
Government and politics
Hospitality and tourism
Immigration services
International development
Interpreter
Journalism
Law
Language industries
Management consulting
Marketing
Media and publishing
Mediation and labour
relations
Political analyst
Professor
Public relations
Speech and language therapy
Teaching French as a second
language
Technical writing and
translation
Research in the field of
humanities
*some careers may require additional
training
Caution: *This map is meant as a guide to provide suggestions throughout your university career. The activities, resources, and careers mentioned are possibilities – you are not
restricted to them and you don’t have to follow this exact timeline. Every person (including you!) will find their own unique path through their degree at Queen’s and beyond.
Visit careers.queensu.ca/majormaps.html for the online version with links!
© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2015-2016
GET RELEVANT
EXPERIENCE
2ND YEAR
CONSIDER A 12-16 MONTH QUIP INTERNSHIP
GET THE
COURSES
YOU NEED
1ST YEAR
French Studies
MAJOR MAP
Socio-Cultural and
Spiritual Health
Aboriginal Student Centre
International Centre
Chaplain
Outreach Counsellor
Cross-Cultural Counsellor
Student Community
Relations
How to use this map
• Got questions about careers and classes?
• Feeling a little lost or overwhelmed by choices?
• Wondering what you are “supposed”to be doing?
Use this map to plan for success in five overlapping areas
of career and academic life. Each map helps you explore
possibilities, set goals and track your accomplishments. To
make your own custom map, use the My Major Map tool.
Don’t stress if you haven’t done all of the suggested
activities. The map is not a prescription – it’s a tool for
finding your own way at Queen’s.
Career and
Professional
Health
Career Services
AMS
International Centre
Personal and
Physical Health
Athletics and Recreation
Student Wellness Services
Emotional and
Mental Health
Student Wellness Services
Peer Support Centre
Support for
Student
Success
Social and
Interpersonal Health
AMS
Rector
Residence Life
Student Experience Office
Queen’s Legal Aid
Academic and
Intellectual Health
Student Academic Success
Services: Learning
Strategies and the Writing Centre
Academic Advising
Adaptive Technologies
Learning Commons
Getting what you need to succeed in the workplace
WHAT DO
EMPLOYERS WANT?
HOW DO I GET THE
SKILLS I NEED?
WHAT CAN I LEARN STUDYING
FRENCH STUDIES AT QUEEN’S?
WHAT MAKES
ME SPECIAL?
In a recent survey from the
Canadian Council of Chief
Executives the top 6 skills
sought by employers were:
It is important to develop
a balanced skill set – many
of which you will develop
during your studies. To
stand out, take advantage
of experiential learning
through the multitude of
clubs and activities in and
around Queen’s. Check
out the Get Relevant
Experience section of this
map.
• Fluency or near-fluency in French
No one will get exactly
the same experience as
you. Take the time to
think about what skills
you have developed to be
able to best explain them
with compelling examples
in future applications to
employers and further
education. For help with
this, check out the Career
Services skills workshop.
1 People skills
2 Communication skills
3 Problem-solving skills
4 Analytical abilities
5 Leadership skills
6 Industry-specific
knowledge
• Knowledge of the syntax, grammar and
vocabulary of the French language
• Translation skills - translate documents from
French into English
• Oral and written communication – write
papers and give presentations in French
• Ability to work in groups in French
• Research skills – conduct research in the
French language
• Understanding of the links between
language and culture
• Time management working on multiple
projects
French Studies
Faculty of Arts and Science
Kingston Hall, Room 301
103 Stuart Street
613.533.2090
queensu.ca/french
• Civic engagement – use theatre to make a
positive difference in local communities
• Integrative learning – combine practical and
theoretical knowledge and experiences