French and Francophone Studies Major
The program in French and Francophone studies at Fordham is multidisciplinary in its focus and examines political, social, historical, and cultural (art, literature, film, media) practices in the French language from the medieval period to the present. With specialists in anthropology, critical theory, cognitive studies, film studies, journalism, humanitarian studies, literary studies, race studies, translation, and visual culture, and affiliated faculty in art history, English, history, medieval studies, philosophy, and women, gender, and sexuality studies, the program in French and Francophone studies is committed to preparing students to engage critically in French with the most significant ideas, issues, and questions in France and the francophone world, whether in the past or today. The study of class, climate, colonialism, identity, gender, immigration, race, sexual preference, and their intersectionality are integral and critical parts of the curriculum in the French and Francophone studies program.
CIP Code
05.0124 - French Studies.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FREN 1502 | Intermediate French II 1 | 3 |
| FREN 2001 | French Language and Literature 1 | 3 |
| FREN 2600 | France: Literature, History, and Civilization 2 | 4 |
| FREN 4111 | French and Francophone Studies Capstone Seminar 3 | 4 |
| One pre-modern course 4 | 4 | |
| Five upper-level elective courses 5 | 20 | |
- 1
Students who place out of either FREN 1502 Intermediate French II and/or FREN 2001 French Language and Literature will replace them with an upper-level elective course(s).
- 2
A prerequisite for all 3000-level courses.
- 3
This course is open only to French and Francophone Studies majors, and must be taken in the 4th year of study.
- 4
See below list of courses that fulfill this requirement.
- 5
Any course with the subject code FREN, numbered above 2001, may fulfill this requirement.
Note: FREN 4001 Reading French Theory does not apply towards the major.
Pre-Modern Courses
Courses in this group have the FFPM attribute.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COLI 3462 | Sympathy and Sensibilite | 4 |
| COLI 3463 | Diderot | 4 |
| COLI 3464 | Medicine and Literature in Ancient Regime | 4 |
| COLI 3519 | Writing and Rewriting Seduction | 4 |
| COLI 4412 | Representing Art in Literature | 4 |
| FREN 3030 | What Is Writing? The Inscription of Culture From Page to Screen | 4 |
| FREN 3040 | Changing Climate, Changing Culture | 4 |
| FREN 3100 | Medieval French Literature | 4 |
| FREN 3101 | Word and Image in Medieval France | 4 |
| FREN 3102 | Notre Dame de Paris: The Cathedral in Art, Literature, Culture, & History | 4 |
| FREN 3103 | Medieval Other, Modern Ethics: Christians, Muslims, and Jews in Medieval France | 4 |
| FREN 3175 | French Renaissances | 4 |
| FREN 3225 | Hollywood's Holy Grail: Medieval French Literature on the Screen | 4 |
| FREN 3290 | Early Authors Modern Theory | 4 |
| FREN 3301 | France and Global Enlightenment | 4 |
| FREN 3333 | Tableaux: Art and Theater: 1700s | 4 |
| FREN 3340 | Amazones, Salonnières, and Révolutionnaires: Women writers in Ancien Régime France | 4 |
| FREN 3453 | The Flaneur in Paris | 4 |
| MVST 3225 | Hollywood's Holy Grail: Medieval French Literature on the Screen | 4 |
Courses numbered lower than 1502 will not count toward the major. The French and Francophone studies major prepares students with a thorough knowledge of French/Francophone culture with a concentration on a particular target area or track. A list of courses in French can be found here.
About the Major
In addition to gaining a thorough understanding of French/Francophone cultures, majors will also be expected to have achieved fluency and correct use of the language in their spoken as well as written presentations and work. The majority of courses will be taught in French. Students wishing to take courses outside of the department should provide their adviser with a copy of the course's syllabus for pre-approval before registering for the course.
AP and IB Credit
When AP or IB credits are awarded as equivalent to FREN 1502 Intermediate French II, these credits will be applied toward the core language requirement and, as elective credits, toward graduation, but they will not be applied toward the major or the minor in that language.
Study Abroad
A maximum of four courses taken abroad for one semester and a maximum of five courses taken abroad for one year may apply toward the French and Francophone studies major. These courses must be approved by the French and Francophone studies major advisor prior to studying abroad.
Students cannot apply to study abroad programs without consulting French faculty first and discussing their program options. It must be noted that some study abroad courses require an advanced proficiency level before applying.
French and Francophone Studies Senior Year Presentation
French and Francophone studies majors will be required to complete a questionnaire and participate in a senior roundtable during the spring of their senior year. The presentation will give closure and provide an assessment of the student's progress, their critical and linguistic aptitude in French, as well as their intercultural competence.
French Senior Thesis
Students who have maintained a 3.67 GPA average in French are eligible to write a Senior Thesis under the supervision of a French faculty advisor. Students must secure the approval of a French faculty advisor before the end of their junior year.
Upon completion, students will receive one of the below transcript notations:
- avec mention: satisfying work
- avec mention bien: above average work
- avec mention très bien: excellent work
- avec mention haute distinction: work of superior intellectual quality
Want to learn more about the French and Francophone studies program?
Please visit our always-updated French and Francophone studies program website.
Availability
The major in French and Francophone studies is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill and Fordham College at Lincoln Center. Students in Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies may major in French and Francophone studies only if they receive the approval of their advising dean and/or department, and their schedules are sufficiently flexible to permit them to take day courses at the Rose Hill or Lincoln Center campuses.
Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.