The major in French and Francophone studies introduces students to world cultures and history and prepares them for our interconnected, global future. The program cultivates students’ cultural sophistication and their skills in language, communication, analysis, and argument. The major combines advanced language study with courses in three areas of concentration: linguistics, literature, and film. After placement exams, students begin their language study freshmen year while also taking a Gateways to French and Francophone studies course, taught in English, which introduces them to Francophone cultures from across the world and to the way we study them. Students go on to study advanced French grammar, communication, and composition, and they can take language electives in phonetics, advanced oral communication, advanced writing (journalistic and literary prose), and the language and culture of business in France. They continue to hone their language skills in elective courses in linguistics, literature, and culture, most of which are taught entirely in French. Courses in linguistics cover sociolinguistics, the history of the French language, the structure and sounds of the language, and Old (medieval) French. Courses in literature do not confine themselves to the contemplation of aesthetics, but rather pose philosophical and historical questions (“What is human nature?” “What new world did revolutionaries imagine?” “How do immigrants represent their new lives?”). They cover all periods, including the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Classical Period, Enlightenment, Modernity, and Postmodernity. A number of courses focus on Francophone material from Africa, the Caribbean, and Quebec. Courses in cinema, from its first moments to the present, are also offered. We encourage students to study abroad on one of the programs offered through the Learning Abroad Center. Students must complete the Gateways course, at least four 3xxx-level courses totalling 12 credits, and the senior project on the UMN TC campus, but they can transfer a great deal of coursework from programs abroad. We accept appropriate coursework from the Montpellier Integrated or Intensive Language programs, the Montpellier Advanced Summer program, the Paris CIEE program, the Senegal MSID program, and the National Student Exchange to a university in Quebec. However, students must consult with an advisor in the Department before committing to one of these programs. Many students combine a French studies major with another CLA major in the arts, humanities, social sciences, or sciences. Students have also successfully combined a BA in French with degrees in other colleges, including the Carlson School of Management, the College of Design, the College of Education and Human Development, the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Science and Engineering, and the College of Food, and Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences. These students choose French as a second major, rather than a minor, because it allows them to reach a higher level of language proficiency while achieving a depth of cultural understanding that is not possible in the shorter program.

Complete the introductory 4-semester French language sequence or its equivalent. Note: Students must formally declare a major within the department before completing the majority of the major elective requirements.

CLA BA degrees require 4 semesters or the equivalent of a second language. CLA BA degrees require 18 upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the French Studies BA is FREN. Majors must complete a Gateways course (15xx) and a minimum of 10 upper division FREN courses for 30 credits, plus a senior proj. At least 4 of the 10 upper division FREN courses (not counting the senior project) must be taken in the Department of French at the UMN-TC campus. Up to 18 credits of 3xxx-level coursework from study abroad programs sponsored by or affiliated with the University of Minnesota may be counted towards the major. FREN 15xx must be taken on the UMN-TC campus or through the May-term Abroad "Gateways" program sponsored by the Department. Students completing the senior project must do so on the UMN-TC campus. Students may earn a BA or a minor in French, but not both. All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First Year Experience course sequence.