Coming in Autumn 2020: the new French and Francophone Studies Major (pending final approval by the state)

What is it?

A new major program that is similar to the French major but that allows students to take up to four of their ten required courses in English, three of which may be in other departments.

Who is it for?

The French and Francophone Studies major will be of interest to a number of different kinds of students, such as:

• Students who are majoring in one of the following fields: International Studies, History, History of Art, Political Science, Comparative Studies, Film Studies, Near Eastern Languages and Literature, or Philosophy; and who would like to double-count up to 9 credits hours in these fields toward a French and Francophone Studies major also.
• Current French minors who really would like to continue their studies in French but who didn’t think they would be able to fit in a major; by double counting 9-12 credit hours toward another major and/or toward GE requirements, many minors could become French and Francophone Studies double majors. Double your major, double your value.
• Students who are interested in studying French and Francophone cultures and societies from a highly interdisciplinary perspective, be it historical, political, artistic, or other.
• Students who love all things French and Francophone but who don’t necessarily want to take several advanced language course.
• Near-native or native French speakers whose language skills are too advanced for our 3000-level courses and who would therefore like a greater variety of courses to choose from to complete their major.

If I have already declared a French major (or minor) can I easily switch to a French and Francophone Studies major?

Absolutely. All the courses you have taken for the French minor or major will count toward the FFS major. And if you declare the FFS major but end up taking more courses in French than you had anticipated, you can always easily switch to the French major.

Can I only study Francophone cultures in the new major and not in the French major?

No! The name of our current major, “French,” is a bit misleading, because of course you can and will study both French and Francophone cultures, literatures, cinema, etc. in it, just as you will in the French and Francophone Studies major. The “Studies” part in the name of the new major underscores its particularly interdisciplinary nature.

Will study abroad credits count toward the FFS major?

Absolutely. We encourage all our minors and majors to study abroad. See our Study Abroad page.

Who do I see to declare a French minor or major or the new French and Francophone Studies major?

To declare a French minor, please contact our professional advisor, Dr. Andy Spencer and, if you’d like to discuss course choices or study abroad, our faculty minor advisor, Dr. Gloria-Torrini-Roblin.

If you’d like to declare a French or a French and Francophone Studies major, please contact our Chair of Undergraduate Studies in French, Prof. Jennifer Willging.

While you will not be able to declare officially the FFS until this Autumn, you can certainly start to plan your program.