Chair: Professor Cheick (Cherif) Keita (T1, T3); Professor Dana Strand (T2)

The French and Francophone Studies department focuses on study of language, literature, and culture, and operates programs in both France and Francophone Africa. Students achieve a high level of language proficiency, as well as a mastery of critical skills in literary and cultural analysis. Students can take French to fulfill their general language requirement and may also go on to earn a Certificate of Advanced Study. A Romance Languages and Literatures special major is also offered jointly by French and Spanish, and is available by petition.

Can I major in it? The Department offers a major with two tracks: the French literature track focuses on the study of literature and film, representing a wide range of periods and traditions; the Cultural Studies track is an interdisciplinary course of study engaging the entire Francophone world while including such fields as history, art history, political science, and others. Students can also complete a concentration in French and Francophone Studies.

Topics explored: French language, literature, and culture.

How to get started: First-year students should take the appropriate French language course(s) in order to complete the basic language sequence before moving on. Students who have tested out of the language sequence are invited to enroll in courses beyond French 204; usually a 206, 210, 240, 241, or 243 would be considered appropriate.