The major in French is designed to provide breadth and give students flexible options as liberal arts graduates.  These include graduate studies in language or literature, professional schools, teaching and career skills.

A major in French consists of the completion of at least eleven units above the 205 level in this language.  A major must be enrolled in at least two one-unit courses in French during the senior year.  A period of study abroad is highly recommended.

Included in the required eleven courses, majors must take one language course on the advanced level, one civilization and culture course, and at least one literature course from four of the five periods of literature represented by the courses below:

Middle Ages:  French 421
Renaissance:  French 431
Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries:  French 441
Nineteenth Century:  French 451
Twentieth Century:  French 223, French 461, French 462

French 301 and one other 300-level course are recommended before taking any 400-level course.  The linguistics course (Linguistics 201) may be counted towards the major.

• interested in continuing their studies in graduate school take French 301, 311 or 312 or 315, and one literature course from each of the five period courses, and acquire a working knowledge of another foreign language;
• interested in teaching French take Language 341, Linguistics 201, French 223, 301, 311 or 312, 315, and enough courses in another subject or foreign language to meet licensure requirements for a secondary field.
• interested in business or international diplomacy take French 110, 301, 311 or 312, 315, Business Administration 211 and Political Science 231.
• interested in any of the above complete a period of study abroad (a year, if possible) in a French speaking country.  Students are encouraged to consider the opportunities available through CREPUQ, ISEP and May Term courses, and to consult with a department faculty member and the Director of International Programs about the many options.