You must take a web-based placement test, based at Brigham Young University and used by many language departments elsewhere, if you have high school credits for French and you wish to continue with French at Davidson.  Information about how to access the test on the web, along with the password you will need to log in to it, is found in the packet sent to you.  Further information about the placement exam scores is on the French placement web page.  If you believe that the suggested placement is unsuitable based on your previous study, you may email Prof.  Frank Jacobus for advice before locking in your course preferences. 

Students who have AP (score of 4 or 5) or IB (score of 6 or 7) credit for French receive credit for FRE 201 and thus have completed the language requirement. They are encouraged to enroll in FRE 211 (Conversation and Composition), FRE 224 (Innocence and Awareness),  or FRE 225 (Rich and Poor) in the fall. (French 224 and 225 focus on themes in French literature.)  Students who have lived in countries where French is spoken and have a good level of written French are invited to consider 300-level courses.

An entering student with no previous instruction in French may complete the language requirement by taking either of the following sequences: French 101, 102, and then 201 OR French 103 (a double, two-credit course) and then 201.

Intensive French: If you plan to go abroad or want to complete your language requirement in one year, we encourage you to enroll in French 103, “Basic Intensive French I & II,” a course designed for beginners who want to immerse themselves in the language. Instead of the usual 3 class hours, it meets 6 class hours per week with additional small group oral practice sessions. Students complete two semesters of French in one and receive two course credits.  Click here for more information regarding FRE 103, Basic Intensive French I & II.   (Go to the second page of the document.)

See descriptions of more basic French courses or visit the French Department web pages, and see information on Davidson's Study Abroad Program in Tours.

Distribution: Many French courses numbered 220-229 or 320-362 satisfy the distribution requirement in literary studies, creative writing, and rhetoric. Consult the information on the schedule page.