Minor Advisor: Catherine Clark

 

 

In light of the importance of foreign languages in today's international world of science, engineering and management, the HASS Minor gives undergraduates a unique opportunity to combine a degree in science or engineering with a Minor in French. The HASS French Minor offers students who have already reached an intermediate level of proficiency (third semester or above) an opportunity to pursue more advanced study of French language, literature and culture. Note that French I and II do not count toward the Minor.

The Minor Program in French consists of six subjects, typically distributed among the following three tiers, depending on your level of language competence and the approval of the Minor Advisor. Unlike other Minor Programs in HASS, the Minor Advisor for languages can, at his or her discretion, approve a minor in which MIT subjects comprise a minimum of one third of the subjects of the program. However, this exception to the general HASS Minor Requirement is only allowed in those cases in which students have received transfer credits equal to four subjects through study abroad in a country where the language of the minor is the dominant tongue. Please consult the MIT bulletin or the FL&L web page or subject offerings.

Tier I: Two language subjects or fewer depending on demonstrated level of competence:

21F.303/373 French III; HASS-H (HASS-D Language Option)
21F.304/374 French IV; HASS-H (HASS-D Language Option)

Tier II: Two or three subjects from the intermediate subjects in French language, literature and culture: 21F.308-21F.315 (with the exception of 21F.314).

Current Offerings:
21F.308 Writing (Like the) French; HASS-H
21F.310 French Conversation: Intensive Practice; HASS-H
21F.311 Introduction to French Culture; HASS-H (HASS-D, Category 1)
21F.312 Basic Themes in French Literature and Culture; HASS-H
21F.315 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Contemporary French Society; HASS-H

Tier III: Two or three subjects from the following advanced subjects in French literature and culture: 21F.052, 21F.053, 21F.054J, 21F.068J, 21F.320-21F.347, 21H.142.

Current Offerings:
21F.052 French Film Classics (taught in English); HASS-H
21F.068J The Invention of French Theory: A History of Transatlantic Intellectual Life since 1945 [WGS.234J]; HASS-H (taught in English)
21F.071 Freedom of Expression in Contemporary Europe; HASS-H
21F.320 Introduction to French Literature; HASS-H
21F.321 Childhood and Youth in Francophone Cultures (New); HASS-H
21F.325J New Culture of Gender: Queer France [WGS.233J]; HASS-H
21F.341 Contemporary French Film and Social Issues; HASS-H
21F.346 Topics in Modern French Literature and Culture; HASS-H
21F.347 Social and Literary Trends in Contemporary Short French Fiction; HASS-H
21H.142 The Age of Reason: Europe in the 18th and 19th Centuries; HASS-H (HASS-D, Category 5), CI-H (taught in English)

Note: Students who have taken the following subjects that are no longer offered can count these subjects towards their minor:
21F.018 Topics in Bilingual / Bicultural Studies
21F.050J French Literature in Translation
21F.051 Topics in French Film
21F.053 Understanding Contemporary French Politics; HASS-S, CI-H
21F.054J France 1660-1815: Enlightened, Revolution, Napoleon; HASS-H
21F.345 Contemporary French Theater: Traditions and New Trends; HASS-H

 

Your French Minor and Your G.I.R.S.

Of the six subjects required for the minor, at most five can count toward satisfaction of the eight-subject Institute HASS Requirement. Of these five, only one can count toward the HASS Distribution requirement.
You can Minor and Concentrate in the same field.

1. You may not use your junior- senior Pass/Fail option for any of your minor subjects.

3. There is a $50 late fee if you have not filed your Minor Completion form by the end of the third week of the semester in which you intend to graduate.

Note for students who entered MIT prior to Fall 2010:
HASS-D Language Option: Because the Institute regards competence in foreign language as a fundamental value, students may substitute one language subject at the level III or IV (Intermediate Level) for one HASS-D subject. Intermediate Level foreign language subjects taken at MIT will automatically count toward the HASS-D requirement; no petition is necessary. Students do NOT need to enter the HASS-D Lottery to choose the HASS-D Language Option. The two remaining HASS-Ds may be chosen from any two of the five HASS-D categories.

Contact the Academic Administrator, Andrea Wirth, with any other questions:
awirth@mit.edu
14N-310 or x3-4550

Paperwork Procedure

1. Pick up a HASS Minor Application form in 14N-305, 4-240, 7-104, or 11-120.
2. Fill it out in consultation with the Minor Advisor. Distribute copies of the application to your Major Advisor, the HASS Academic Administrator, and the FL&L main office.
3. When you complete all of your minor subjects, bring the white copy of your grade report (as well as a copy of your proposal) back to your Minor Advisor. You will need his/her signature and that of the FL&L Section Head to certify that you have completed your minor program.