The French and Francophone Studies Department sees language as fundamental to the study of literatures and cultures. Committed to helping students attain proficiency in the language sequence (FREN 101-204), the Department strives at all levels to introduce students to the rich and complex endeavors of literary and cultural analysis. Operating study abroad programs in Mali and Paris, we provide opportunities for using and enhancing these skills in situ, broadening horizons while also training students in one of the world’s major languages. Our programs in literary and cultural studies are appropriate for students wishing to do advanced work in French or who hope to use French language or important critical skills in future careers or studies.
Requirements:
Language Courses:
Language courses 101, 102, 103, 204 are a sequential series of courses designed to prepare the student in the basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through the study of grammar, literature, and culture, and/or to provide the foundation for pursuing advanced work in language and literature. French 206 and 309 are designed to develop the student's spoken and written mastery of the language through compositions and intensive oral work based on cultural and literary topics. Admission to these courses is determined either by appropriate high school CEEB or Carleton placement test scores, or by completion of the previous course in the sequence with a grade of C- or better.
Literature Courses:
We examine literary works for both their aesthetic and human values. Our literature courses have a number of goals: to refine and expand students' students’ linguistic ability, to broaden their cultural understanding, to improve their ability to engage in literary analysis, to enhance their knowledge of literary history and criticism, and to help students better understand themselves and the human condition. In our discussions, we address universal themes and concerns, but we also try to uncover what is peculiarly French or Francophone about the works.
Requirements for an Arts and Literature Track:
The Arts and Literature Track consists of intensive work in language, and literature, and may include courses in film or other arts. All courses in the Arts and Literature Track are conducted in French.
Sixty-nine credits beyond French 204 including:
1. Core courses: French 309, Beyond Words: The Fine Art of Writing in French
Literary and Cultural Studies 245, Introduction to Critical Methods: Structure, Gender, Culture, (usually taken in the junior year)
2. Fifty-four credits in departmental electives. Students should generally begin with courses at the 200-level (French 206, 240, 241, 243, etc.), but at least thirty-six credits at the 300-level (French 309 and French 400 do not count in this category).
All courses conducted in French on the Paris and Mali programs may be applied to this category, as long as the requisite number of 300-level credits is attained.
3. Integrative Exercise: During their senior year students will expand and deepen an essay in French from one of their advanced courses in the major. Normally, but not always, the director for this project will be the professor from that course. This essay may be completed during any term, but must be finished early in the spring term, when an oral presentation (in English) of the work will be presented.
Requirements for a Cultural Studies Track:
The Cultural Studies Track is interdisciplinary in nature: students will take courses in French and Francophone literature and other media, but also in such fields as history, art history, political science, etc. Courses outside the department will generally not be taught in French.
Sixty-nine credits beyond French 204 including the following (please note that any given course will not count in more than one category):
1. Literature and language: At least five French language or literature courses, four of which must be at the 300-level, and one of which must be French 309, Beyond Words: The Fine Art of Writing in French
2. At least one course in cultural studies: Such as: 243, The Urban Periphery/Negotiated Cultures; 249, Paris Program: Myth, Reality and Palimpsest; 250, Mali Program; Film and Society in Mali; 349, Paris Program: Myth, Reality and Palimpsest
3. At least one course in history or methodology: Such as: LCST 245, Introduction to Critical Methods: Structure, Gender Culture, FREN 251, Mali Program: Negotiating the Past: The Challenges of Nation-building in Mali; HIST 234, France in the Making, 987-1460; HIST 237, The Enlightenment
4. Elective courses: Up to three additional courses in FREN or from other departments or programs (see pre-approved courses under the concentration in French and Francophone Studies), with director’s approval.
5. Capstone seminar: This senior seminar (usually, but not always, French 395) is an advanced interdisciplinary seminar focused on a particular topic and the methodology used for its study.
6. The Integrative Exercise: During their senior year students will expand and deepen an essay in French from one of their advanced courses in the major. Normally, but not always, the director for this project will be the professor from that course. This essay may be completed during any term, but must be finished early in the spring term, when an oral presentation (in English) of the work will be presented. Although the initial paper may have been written in English, the essay for the integrative exercise will be in French.
A special major in Romance Languages (a combination of French and Spanish language and literature) is available by petition therough the Academic Standing Committee.
Concentration: See separate section for French and Francophone Studies Concentration.
Programs Abroad: Participation in a Carleton or in another approved foreign study program is highly recommended for students majoring or concentrating in the above areas. The department operates programs in Paris and in Mali, but non-Carleton programs are available, too. Students interested in study abroad should consult the section on international off-campus programs, and discuss alternatives with faculty in French and with the Director of Off-Campus Studies.
