Department of French

The French major includes courses exploring the language, literature, and culture of France and the Francophone world. Students should select appropriate courses in consultation with their advisors and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, particularly with reference to their overall academic and career goals.

Entering French majors are generally expected to qualify for placement in Intensive Advanced French or higher.

Required Courses

1 Linguistics (in the French or Linguistics Departments--some courses count toward the General Education requirement in Social Science)

4 courses of one second language (intensive track recommended) (For exemptions, see the note below)

10 French courses (unless lower placement requires additional language study), consisting of:

• 2 Intensive Advanced (FREN-111 & FREN-112)
• 2 Gateway to Culture/Literature (FREN-250 & FREN-251)
• 6 Upper-Division Electives including at least one from the pre-1800 Literature group, one from the post-1800 Literature group, one from the Culture and Civilization group, and one from the post-advanced Language group (including courses in Linguistics, History/Development of the Language, Performance, and French for Professional Purposes). A minimum of 4 of the 6 upper-division electives must be at the 300-400 levels. At least two of these 300-400 level courses must be taken at Georgetown.

Note: French majors who complete the Business Coursework Program, the Pre-Medical Program, or a second major are exempt from the second language requirement.

Overseas Studies

French majors are normally required to study in a French or Francophone university during their undergraduate years in the context of a one-semester, full-academic year, or intensive summer program. Georgetown offers excellent programs at the University of Lyon III, the University of Strasbourg, the Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris, the Universities of Paris (Sweet Briar and CUPA Programs), and at universities in Switzerland, Belgium, French Canada, and Francophone Africa--all of which require direct matriculation and must meet the overseas studies standards and guidelines established by the Office of International Programs.

The French Department also sponsors a six-week summer study program in Tours, France and an eight-week summer business program in Paris. See the Summer Study Abroad section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more information.