French Majors

The French Major provides two concentrations:

It’s important to plan your course selection carefully to meet both the core requirements and any additional criteria for your specific career goals. If you have any questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to consult with your academic advisor.

1. French Literature

This concentration in French and francophone literature provides a focus on the study of literary works and criticism. To successfully complete this major, you’ll need to fulfill specific course requirements in different categories. 

Core Requirements (30 credits):

• Literary Foundations (3 credits)
  • FREN 31100 – Advanced French Grammar
  • FREN 31200 – French Oral and Written Expression
  • FREN 32100 – French Translation
• Intermediate Courses (6 credits)
  • FREN 34100 – Survey of French Literature from the Middle Ages to the End of the 17th Century
  • FREN 34200 – Survey of French Literature from the 18th Century to the Modern Period
• Advanced Courses (21 credits)
  • FREN 33500 – French Culture I
  • FREN 33600 – French Culture 2
  • FREN 33700 – Contemporary French Culture
  • FREN 34300 – Medieval and Renaissance French Literature
  • FREN 34400 – 17th-Century French Literature
  • FREN 34600 – 18th-Century French Literature
  • FREN 34800 – 19th-Century French Literature (1800-1850)
  • FREN 34900 – 19th-Century French Literature (1850-1900)
  • FREN 35000 – 20th-Century French Literature to 1930
  • FREN 35100 – French Literature from 1950 to the Present
  • FREN 35300 – Survey of Francophone Literature
  • FREN 36000 – French Literature: Special Topics
  • FREN 36100 – Middle Ages and the Renaissance: Special Topics
  • FREN 36300 – The 18th Century: Special Topics
  • FREN 36500 – The 20th Century: Special Topics
  • FREN 37500 – Seminar in French Literary History
  • FREN 49100 – Honors Course in French
  • FREN 49500 – Indep Study

Teaching Focus (for those planning to teach in grades 7-12): If you’re considering teaching, you will need to complete an additional 3 credits in Second Language Acquisition. You can choose from FREN 399, 495, or SEDC 212 or SEDC 712.

2. French Language and Civilization

This concentration provides a balanced mix of language proficiency and cultural understanding. By selecting courses from different groups, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of French language, literature, and civilization.

Core Requirements (30 credits):

• Expression (12 credits)
  • FREN 22000 – Advanced French Conversation
  • FREN 27500 – Selected Masterpieces of French Literature
  • FREN 31100 – Advanced French Grammar
  • FREN 31200 – French Oral and Written Expression
  • FREN 32100 – French Translation
• Group B: (0-9 credits)
  • FREN 24100 – Early French Civilization: From Gothic to Revolution
  • FREN 24200 – Modern French Civilization: From Revolution to Present
  • FREN 25100 – French Literature and the Arts
  • FREN 25200 – From Symbolism to Surrealism in French Literature
  • FREN 25300 – Modern French Theatre: Theory and Practice
  • FREN 25400 – Film and the French Novel
  • FREN 25500 – New Approaches to Modern French Literature
  • FREN 25600 – Dream and Image
  • FREN 25700 – Literary Cross-Currents
  • FREN 25800 – French Poetry in Translation
  • FREN 25900 – French Theatre in Translation
  • FREN 26000 – French Novel in Translation (1600-1900)
  • FREN 26100 – Modern French Novel in Translation (1900-Present)
  • FREN 26200 – Perspectives on Women in French Literature
• Group C: (9-18 credits)
  • FREN 33500 – French Culture I
  • FREN 33600 – French Culture 2
  • FREN 33700 – Contemporary French Culture
  • FREN 34100 – Survey of French Literature from the Middle Ages to the End of the 17th Century
  • FREN 34200 – Survey of French Literature from the 18th Century to the Modern Period
  • FREN 34300 – Medieval and Renaissance French Literature
  • FREN 34400 – 17th-Century French Literature
  • FREN 34600 – 18th-Century French Literature
  • FREN 34800 – 19th-Century French Literature (1800-1850)
  • FREN 34900 – 19th-Century French Literature (1850-1900)
  • FREN 35000 – 20th-Century French Literature to 1930
  • FREN 35100 – French Literature from 1950 to the Present
  • FREN 35300 – Survey of Francophone Literature
  • FREN 36000 – French Literature: Special Topics
  • FREN 36100 – Middle Ages and the Renaissance: Special Topics
  • FREN 36200 – The 17th Century: Special Topics
  • FREN 36300 – The 18th Century: Special Topics
  • FREN 36400 – The 19th Century: Special Topics
  • FREN 36500 – The 20th Century: Special Topics
  • FREN 37500 – Seminar in French Literary History
  • FREN 49500 – Indep Study

Important Note: You have the flexibility to choose either FREN 241 or FREN 335 (but not both) and either FREN 242 or FREN 336 (but not both) to count towards the major.

Click HERE for the French undergraduate course catalog. To see current course offerings and descriptions, click here. If you have any questions, please contact the French Advisors