French Minor

Traditional Undergraduate

Language study opens the way to understanding and communication with various peoples, cultures, civilizations and literature.

The French minor is perfect for those with a love for French language and culture. It is also helpful for those who are serious about business or world affairs. In today’s increasingly competitive market, international communication is a clear necessity. French is not only the second most widely learned foreign language after English, it is also the sixth most widely spoken language in the world, spoken by more than 300 million people in over 650 countries

Guidance and opportunity

Hiram College believes that immersion is an important part of learning the language. The College invites international students from French-and Spanish-speaking universities to serve as on campus teaching assistants, providing students with opportunities to practice speaking their language of study in real-life, informal situations.

Hiram faculty lead trips to France regularly, which provide students with opportunities to fully immerse themselves in the language and culture, while living with host families. Students can also take shorter study-abroad trips to France and other locations during the 3-week term. One trip examines “The Ethics of Food” in France. Students visit Paris, Provence and Brittany to explore olive groves, vineyards, traditional markets and more.

Students can also join the student-run French Club which organizes French-related activities such as “Pause-Café,” where students, faculty and staff gather to practice their French conversation skills; field trips to the ballet, Cirque du Soleil, French operas, local exhibits and more; social events such as crepe parties; and outreach to local high school French classes.

Ella W. Kirk, Ph.D.

Professor of French
Chair, Modern Language Department

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Related Majors and Minors

Spanish Minor

As the United States continues to evolve, the study of Spanish becomes more and more important. Language study helps students to open the way to understanding and communication with various peoples, cultures, civilizations and literature. It involves performance skills in the foreign language (speaking, reading, writing and understanding) and command of the subject matter (literature, history, language).

Asian Studies Minor

Asian Studies contributes to developing a fuller and more accurate account of world cultures, societies, religious traditions, and national and ethnic identity formation. It also examines the particular ways Asian political, historical, religious, and cultural developments help to articulate their local interests and our interrelated global citizenry. This minor is an excellent springboard from which to launch a meaningful vocation in fields where in-depth knowledge of the socio-historical and cultural contexts of Asian ideas and institutions are essential.

History

The study of history is critical for our understanding of the human experience. Through the study of history, we develop an understanding of who we are, where we came from, how and why our society has changed over time and how humans have interacted with each other and with the natural world. Hiram’s history major prepares students for active citizenship and for informed, thoughtful decision-making throughout their lives.

Ethics Minor

Students pursuing a minor in ethics focus on ethical theory and moral issues to develop their critical thinking and reflection skills. Most importantly, they learn to apply these skills to their major area of study and to service opportunities beyond the classroom. The ethics minor is designed to enhance each student’s education by enriching their awareness of ethical issues and by connecting their awareness to opportunities for action.

Spanish for the Professions Minor

The Spanish for Professions minor emphasizes the circumstances in which students may be expected to use the Spanish language in the workplace. Doctors and nurses, business executives, educators and a variety of other professions are increasingly expected to communicate with diverse constituents, and the Spanish for the professions minor gives Hiram Colleges students a leg up on their competition when entering the workforce.

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