Department of Modern Languages
French Studies
To become a French Studies major all students must have completed the Intermediate level of study or its equivalent. The usual entry course is FRS 301-302 (Advanced French: Composition and Advanced French: Conversation). It may at times be more appropriate for a student to enter directly into FRS 303-304, the Introduction to French Literature sequence. A member of the French faculty can advise you as to the best course with which to begin your major studies.
A total of eight courses at the 300 or 400 level in French are required to complete the major. Students are strongly encouraged, however, to continue to take courses in the language throughout the period up to graduation. Students may also occasionally take a French course offered in English translation for major credit if s/he does all written work in French.
All majors are required to complete a semester of overseas study in a French-speaking country. A summer program of appropriate length and content may be substituted. Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a full year. The French program includes the courses listed below. These are offered, however, on a rotating basis, usually with no more than two 400-level courses being offered in any given semester. If you have an interest in or need for a particular course, you might want to discuss that with a member of the French faculty. While we cannot guarantee that any one course will be available when you would like it, we do take student input into account as we plan semester schedules. FRS 303/304 (Introduction to French Literature) or permission of the instructor are required to be admitted into any 400-level course in French.
Senior Project
All majors must complete a project during their senior year. Students have several options to fulfill this requirement. They may take comprehensive examinations, consisting of both written and oral sections. Those students with a GPA in the major of at least 3.4 or with permission of the departmental faculty may choose to do a thesis on a literary or cultural topic or a translation of a work into English with an introductory essay written in French. Performances or exhibits with appropriate written documentation, as well as pedagogical or computer-related projects may also be considered in consultation with the faculty.
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