Baldessin Precinct Building (110), Ellery Crescent, ANU,
Canberra ACT 0200
What is French Studies?
French Studies teaches and analyses the language,
societies and cultures of France and selected Francophone (French
speaking) societies. It offers students a different cultural perspective
on many subjects of world concern.
The School of Language Studies offers French courses
at eight different levels, from beginners to advanced . New students
with prior knowledge sit a placement test before enrolling in order
to determine the appropriate language level of entry. All French
courses integrate language learning with culture, politics, literature
and topical issues in contemporary French speaking societies. Audio
and visual materials as well as IT facilities are used at all levels.
In addition to the standard French courses, the Program offers optional
courses in later years that focus for example on literature, France
in Europe and Africa, film, the Francophone Pacific etc. (Topics
may change from year to year depending on staff availability) .
All courses are taught in French, and all student work is done in
French.
French:
World Language and Culture
People of many nationalities besides the French
themselves speak French; it is one of the languages of the Pacific
region, of North America and of much of Africa. France is influential
in the European Union and is an official language in all international
organisations. It has given us eminent philosophers, writers, and
painters since medieval times as well as leading film directors
in the modern period.
In the Australian context, France has major business interests,
particularly in the mining and viticulture sectors, and increasingly
in electronics, banking and finance, while French-Australian collaboration
in scientific and industrial research is strong and growing. The
ANU has exchange agreements with several French and Francophone
Universities, and there are scholarships available from the French
government to students who choose to study in a Francophone environment
for part of their degree.
A Wise Choice for Your Career and Intellectual Challenge
France is one of Australia's largest trading partners.
Its economic power gives France a key role within the European Community,
in Africa, and in the Pacific. Broad communication and language
skills, as well as an understanding of the history, politics, economy
and culture of French-speaking countries, combined for example with
economics, law, international relations, the arts or the natural
sciences are attractive to employers operating in areas such as
international law, business, international relations, sciences and
technology, media, tourism and the arts.
The ANU offers various specialised Bachelor of
Arts programs, e.g. BA (European Studies), BA (International Relations),
and many Combined Degree programs, e.g. Arts/Commerce, Arts/Law,
or Arts/Asian Studies. In all of these French has much to offer.
French Studies Program