French


Faculty List

University Professor Emeritus 
B.T. Fitch, BA, D 3e C (T) 

Professor Emeriti 
C. Bertrand-Jennings, LsL, PhD (University of Toronto Scarborough) 
P.A.R. Bouissac, LsL, DES, D Phl (V) 
N. Boursier, DES, CAPES, D 3e C (U) 
D. Clandfield, MA, D 3e C (N) 
P. Collet, AM, PhD (SM) 
D. de Kerckhove, MA, PhD (SM) 
L.E. Doucette, BA, PhD (University of Toronto Scarborough) 
C. Elkabas, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Mississauga) 
A.G. Falconer, MA, D 3e C (U) 
P. Fitting, MA, PhD (N) 
C.M. Grisé, MA, PhD (SM) 
E.A. Heinemann, MA, PhD (N) 
E. Lehouck, AGR ESS, D Phl (U) 
M. Lord, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Mississauga)
P. Martin, IRAL BR, D 3e C, D Sc A (SM) 
N. Maury, LenD, D 3e C (T) 
J.A. McClelland, MA, PhD (V) 
W.A. Oliver, MA, D 3e C (T) 
J. Paterson, MA, PhD (I) 
P.J.G.O. Perron, BA, D 3e C (U)
Y. Roberge, MA, PhD (SM) 
D.W. Smith, BA, PhD (V) 
R.A. Taylor, MA, PhD (V) 
C.D.E. Tolton, AM, PhD (I, V) 
T.R. Wooldridge, BA, D 3e C (T)

Chair of the Department 
E. Nikiema, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Mississauga)

Graduate Chair, Graduate Studies 
P. Thériault, MA, PhD (SM)

Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies 
M. Friesner, MA, PhD (SM)

Professors 
J. LeBlanc, MA, PhD (V) 
P. Michelucci, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Mississauga)
M. Pirvulescu, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Mississauga)

Associate Professors 
A.-M. Brousseau, MA, PhD (SM)
J. Cahill, MA, PhD (I)
S. Drouin, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Scarborough) 
F. Hamlaoui, MA, PhD (SM)
B. Havercroft, MA, PhD (V) 
D. Kullmann, MA, PhD (SM) 
A. Motsch, MA, PhD (V) 
J. Ndayiragije, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Scarborough) 
E. Nikiema, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Mississauga) 
P. Riendeau, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Scarborough) 
J. Steele, MA, PhD (University of Toronto Mississauga)
P. Thériault, MA, PhD (SM) 

Associate Professors, Teaching Stream 
S. Sacré, MA, PhD (SM)
M.-A. Visoi, MA, PhD (SM) 

Assistant Professors 
E. Dunbar, MA, PhD
A. Rannaud, L.èsL., M.èsL., PhD (University of Toronto Mississauga)
L. Tieu, MA, PhD (SM)

Assistant Professors, Teaching Stream 
S. Bello, MA, PhD (SM)
M. Friesner, MA, PhD (SM)

Part-time Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream
P. Bessler, MA, PhD (OH)

Introduction

French is not only one of the official languages of Canada: it is also one of the world’s major international languages. Courses in French studies provide a varied, flexible, and in-depth examination of the French language and the multitude of cultures that it serves. The skills and knowledge acquired will lay the groundwork for careers in teaching, journalism, translation, publishing, and government service as well as research in a variety of fields. In the Canadian job market, command of the French language is a definite asset. The Department offers students an integrated curriculum, which brings together courses in language, linguistics, literature, and French culture. Unless specified otherwise, the language of instruction of all courses is French.

Overview of French Programs

The Department offers two specialists (French Language and French Linguistics, French Language and Literature), three majors (French Language Learning, French Language and French Linguistics, French Language and Literature) and two minors (French Language and French Studies).

Majors

French Language Learning (FRE): The 200-level mandatory course FSL226H1 introduces students to strategies for autonomous learning in French as a Second Language. Courses at the 300 and 400 levels build on knowledge and skills first introduced in FSL226H1 and provide students with more analytical approaches to French language learning, in its both synchronic structure and historical evolution. They encourage students to learn about the richness of culture across the French-speaking world and improve writing skills for subsequent advanced study.

What can I do with a program in French Language Learning? Career paths include:

  • provincial and federal government civil service 
  • language teaching 
  • media, public relations, journalism, publishing, editing, copywriting, technical writing 
  • translation and interpretation 
  • bilingual customer service

Linguistics (FRE): 200-level mandatory courses initiate students into the analysis of contemporary French and its historical development. 300-level courses break the discipline of linguistic analysis into its chief component parts. 400-level courses initiate students to research in a variety of areas including formal linguistics, bilingualism, second language acquisition, and language contact.

What can I do with a program in French Linguistics? Possible career paths include:

  • provincial and federal government civil service
  • health professions such as speech pathology, speech therapy, audiology
  • language teaching
  • computer applications in speech & text recognition, programming
  • media, public relations, journalism, publishing, editing, copywriting, technical writing
  • translation and interpretation
  • bilingual customer service

Literature (FRE): 200-level mandatory courses introduce students to concepts, methodologies, and critical tools elaborated vis-à-vis further literature and theory that serve as the framework for other literature courses dedicated to the history of French literature and its cultural and social contexts. 300-level courses encourage students to explore sophisticated primary and secondary sources from disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives. 400-level courses initiate students to research. The actual content of most 400-level courses varies considerably according to the instructor. Students should consult the French Studies Undergraduate brochure (www.french.utoronto.ca/undergraduate) for content specific to a given year.

What can I do with a program in French Literature? Possible career paths include:

  • provincial and federal government civil service
  • language teaching
  • media, public relations, journalism, publishing, editing, copywriting
  • library and information sciences
  • foreign services/affairs, international development
  • translation and interpretation
  • bilingual customer service

Minors

The French Studies minor allows students flexibility to choose from a variety of topic courses conducted in French, based on their interests. Students can either concentrate in French Literature or French Linguistics, or take a combination of courses in both areas.

The French Language minor focuses on improving non-native speakers’ French language proficiency (grammar, reading, writing, oral French, etc.) for personal or professional purposes.

What can I do with a program in French language? Career paths include:

  • provincial and federal government civil service
  • bilingual opportunities within the foreign service or the border services agency
  • bilingual customer service
  • bilingual private sector positions

Students enrolled in two or more French programs are allowed to double-count only 1.0 credit towards their French programs.

Important Policies re French as a Second Language (FSL) Courses

The following policies must be respected when registering for French courses. Failure to do so may result in students being automatically withdrawn by the Department from the course in which they are registered:

  1. Determining the appropriate level of your first French course: The Department places students in the language course appropriate to their level of linguistic competence based on the results of its Placement Test.  Given that 100, 200, 300 and 400-level FSL courses correspond to levels of competence in French and not to years of study, a student may be recommended to enroll in a course at a higher level than his/her year of study. The Placement Test, available at https://uttf.artsci.utoronto.ca/login, is mandatory for all students who wish to register in an FRE or FSL course for the first time (except true beginners with no knowledge of French who may enroll directly in FSL100H1). The Test can be taken only ONCE and the results of the first test will prevail in the event of multiple attempts. Ideally, the Placement Test should be taken in the term preceding the one in which students wish to register in (e.g., for a course starting in September, students should take the Placement Test in the summer term, prior to their registration date on ACORN and before the beginning of classes). Students will receive their results by email shortly after taking the test. Self-placement is not allowed in the Department of French. The administration reserves the right to conduct an additional test if in doubt about a student's undeclared proficiency in French.
  2. Sequencing: Students are reminded that they must take FSL courses in the appropriate sequencing (100>200>300>400).
  3.  Auditing: No auditing is allowed in FSL courses.

Study Elsewhere Programs

For more information, please go to https://www.french.utoronto.ca/undergraduate-program/study-elsewhere or email: french.elsewhere@utoronto.ca

Quebec and France

Students who have completed at least one year of full-time studies and wish to study abroad for one or two semesters should contact the University of Toronto Centre for International Experience Office, or consult their website. Students may request credit for a course offered by the Department of French, subject to the general rules for eligibility.

Third-Year Study Elsewhere

In order to be permitted to participate in this program, a student must satisfy the following requirements: have 1) an overall average of at least 70% in courses completed in second year; and 2) an average of 70% in at least two French (FRE) courses required in a Major or Specialist program.

Transfer Credits

  • For FSL Courses:
    Students may apply for transfer credits for language courses taken at any accredited or degree-granting university in Canada or abroad; this is done through the Office of the Faculty Registrar. In order to be recommended for transfer credits, students should arrange, before returning to Toronto, for the university in which the course(s) were taken to send an official transcript of their results directly to the Office of the Faculty Registrar.
    As soon as possible upon their return from the program, students who wish to obtain a transfer credit are required to book an appointment to take the placement test at the Department of French. They should call 416 926 2302 or email french.secretary@utoronto.ca. They must qualify for entry in the next language course above the level of the one for which they desire the credit. Students must enroll in the course recommended by the placement test results. No self-placement is allowed.
  • For FRE Courses:
    Transfer credits for studies in areas other than language may be requested directly upon return through the Office of the Faculty Registrar and will be processed in the normal way. It is recommended that a Letter of Permission and pre-approval of proposed courses be requested through the Office of the Faculty Registrar well in advance of departure from Toronto. Students are reminded that only courses taken at accredited universities or degree-granting institutions will be considered for credit.

Exclusions and prerequisites: Students must abide by all requirements stated in the exclusions and prerequisites to register in a course. Students who do not have the prerequisites for a given course must obtain the permission of the Department prior to registration. The Department will assess the students’ admissibility to the course in consultation with the instructor. For FSL courses, exclusions ensure that students follow the best progression in language learning.

Further Information: The French Studies Undergraduate Brochure, available online at www.french.utoronto.ca/undergraduate, contains more detailed information concerning the courses and programs listed below.

Associate Chair, Undergraduate: Room 227, Odette Hall, 50 St. Joseph St., 416-926-2312, french.undergradchair@utoronto.ca

Undergraduate Counsellor: Room 226, Odette Hall, 50 St. Joseph St., 416-926-2333, french.undergraduate@utoronto.ca

General Enquiries: Room 210, Odette Hall, 50 St. Joseph St., 416-926-2302, french.secretary@utoronto.ca