Admission to this program has been suspended. Any students wishing to study French can now opt to complete a major in Global Studies, with a focus on the French language and a region where French is spoken.

The Major in French and Francophone Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the French-speaking world. It is designed to provide students with a solid background in the cultural history of France and the Francophone countries. Students combine language, literature, history, culture, and skills courses in the French and Francophone Studies program with elective courses offered by other related programs at Catholic University. They also add an immersion experience through study in a French-speaking country. Students are encouraged to supplement their studies with courses dealing with France and the Francophone world in areas such as Anthropology, Art, Drama, History, Media Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, and Sociology.

Students interested in the major in French and Francophone Studies should contact the academic advisor, Dr. Cybèle Arnaud to devise a study plan.

Curriculum

The French and Francophone Studies major entails 12 courses:

  • 3 intermediate and advanced language courses:
    • FREN 104, 203, 204 (203 and 204 can be taken out of sequence)
  • 2 gateway seminars:
    • FREN 300, 301 (can be taken out of sequence)
  • 1 practical skills course, such as:
    • FREN 303: French for the Professions
    • FREN 401: French for Business
    • FREN 402: Translation in Theory and Practice
    • MLL 495: Modern Languages Internship
  • 1 topics research seminar, such as
    • FREN 302: Topics in French and Francophone Society and Culture
    • FREN 488: Special Research Seminar (can be repeated with different topics)
  • 1 Senior Thesis Seminar:
    • FREN 489
  • 4 elective courses that are pre-approved by the advisor. No more than 2 can be taught in English.

Please note that students who place out of one of the language courses (104, 203, and 204) will enroll in additional elective courses.

Education Abroad

French and Francophone Studies Majors are required to spend a semester studying abroad in a French-speaking country. All credits earned abroad are eligible for transfer if the student is enrolled in affiliated programs.

FREN 300 and FREN 489 must be taken at Catholic University.

Under special circumstances may students petition that the study abroad requirement be waived.

Interdisciplinary Course Work

French and Francophone Studies Majors are strongly advised to complete the course work for the Certificate in European Studies or to consider a minor or a second major in a related discipline, such as Art, Drama, History, International Business, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, or Politics.