French & Francophone Studies
The French & Francophone Studies program is an intercultural and interdisciplinary program featuring courses in language, cultural history, literature and cinema, translation and interpretation, and pre-professional studies. Our language series is focused on developing directly useable communication skills and our program is flexible to allow students to major or minor in French in multiple ways and timelines.
Electives that count toward a degree in French & Francophone studies include courses taught in English, history, political science, religion, art history and communication. Many students also complete independent studies courses to focus on particular areas of interest. Graduates have used their skills in French while pursuing degrees in law, medicine, accounting, nursing, marketing, translation, anthropology and business.
Students are strongly encouraged to pursue opportunities for immersive and experiential learning through study abroad, experiential May Term courses and community-based projects, and to explore ways to incorporate their skills in French with other majors and minors.
OUR STUDENTS IN FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES...
- have studied abroad in Paris, Nice, Senegal, Geneva, Valenciennes and Annecy.
- have completed Honors Theses in French/Francophone language or literature.
- have participated in the Teach for America program.
- have been accepted in the very competitive TAPIF program to teach English in Lyon and Martinique
- have received Fulbright awards
- have pursued graduate programs in art history, comparative literature, anthropology, law
- now work in fields as varied as accounting, human resources, medicine, teaching, music instruction, nursing, education, law, business, health care, veterinary sciences.
OUR PROGRAM
Elementary I (FRE-115) and Elementary II (FRE-125) take you from "bonjour" to a solid, practical foundation in basic French, with emphasis on active and engaged communication skills and an introduction to French and francophone cultures. FRE-115 is taught every fall term. FRE-125 is taught every spring term.
Intermediate I (FRE-235) offers an intensive review of major vocabulary and grammar structures through immersive classroom activities designed to improve communication skills. By the end of the semester, students are able to converse confidently in French, read and write short texts and navigate the web with ease in French. Taught every fall term.
Oral and Written Communication in French (FRE-315) builds upon the language acquisition and cultural exploration of Intermediate French through immersive experiences using films, Netflix series, graphic novels, short plays and creative writing to help students be confident in expressing themselves in multiple contexts. Taught every spring term.
Upper-level courses and Independent Studies courses are topic-based and feature development of specific skills. Recent (and upcoming) courses include:
- Literature and Cinema for Social Justice
- Food, Culture and Identity
- French for Health Care
- Translation and Interpretation Workshop
- French Cultural History
- Francophone Voices
- Cultural Questions Short Films and Graphic Novels in French
- Experiential May Term in Paris: Paris as Living History
- Experiential May Term in Martinique: Writing and Remembering
Study abroad and language immersion opportunities
- Bi-annual May Term trips: Paris in 2023 and Martinique in 2025
- Two direct exchange programs: Valenciennes (France) and Neuchâtel (Switzerland) and other semester or year-long exchange opportunities available
Campus and community opportunities
- French conversation groups, meet-ups, film showings, dinners, apple-picking and other gatherings
- Tutoring available in the Learning Commons
- Exchange students from francophone countries and heritage speakers of French on campus
- Volunteer opportunities at the Catherine McCauley Center with francophone immigrants and refugees
- Chapter of Pi Delta Phi, a French Honors Society
How to major or minor
The French & Francophone Studies Major
- 8 credits of 300 to 400-level courses
- Up to 3 credits may be earned through a term-long direct exchange program
- Up to 2 credits may be earned through May Term courses in France or Martinique
- 1 credit may be earned from a course taught in English from an approved list of courses
The French & Francophone Studies Minor
- 4 credits of 300-400 level courses
- 1 credit may be earned through a May Term course in France or Martinique
- 1 credit may be earned from a course taught in English from an approved list of courses
The Interdisciplinary French & Francophone Studies Major
- 4 courses in French at any level
- A term-long study abroad experience
- 4 electives from courses taught in either English from the list of approved courses
The Interdisciplinary French & Francophone Studies Minor
- 4 courses taught in French at any level
- 3 credits from electives taught in English from the list of approved courses
Questions? Contact Dr. Joyce Janca (jjanca@coe.edu) for more information!