Major in French & Francophone Studies

The major consists of 12 French courses 1000 and above. 

All courses must be taken in French, with the possible exception of Major-related courses.

Required Courses

At least 50% of the courses for the major must be taken at Penn. (Courses taken in the Penn Summer Abroad in Tours, France program count as 'taken at Penn.')

Advanced Language: Choose One

(Must be taken in the department at Penn)

French 1212: Advanced Grammar and Composition

French 1214: Advanced Composition and Conversation

History & Culture: Choose Two

(At least one course must be taken in the department at Penn)

French 1226: French History & Culture Until 1789

French 1227: French History & Culture 1789-1945

French 2280: Contemporary France

French 3290: French in the World

Literature & Arts: Choose Two

(Both must be taken in the department at Penn)

French 1230: Masterpieces of French Cinema

French 1231: French Literature: Love and Passion

French 1232: French Literature: Focus on the Individual and Society

French 1233: Francophone Literature and Film

Electives

Seven (7) additional french courses are required for the completion of the major; five (5) must be taken at the 3000-level. Of the five 3000-level courses, at least two (2) must be completed in the department at Penn. Up to three French courses may be completed on study abroad programs. The remaining two (2) credits may be major-related or French courses, taken either at the 1000-, 2000-, or 3000-level. All courses, except major related, must be taught in French. 
NB: French courses taught in English (e.g., French 2500) can only count toward the major as major-related courses.

Research Requirement

All French Studies majors will be required to complete a research paper of 12-15 pages in French with bibliography and notes. Students can choose to do this in any 3000-level course taken at Penn during the senior year, and should consult with the instructor, who will certify that the student has completed the research requirement. One copy of the paper must be submitted to the Undergraduate Chair before the major certification is approved for graduation. 

DECLARING THE MAJOR

Prospective majors must schedule a meeting with Dr. Scott Francis, Undergraduate Chair, to review the requirements and possibilities within the French & Francophone Studies major.

Students must also fill out the Declare/Update Field of Study form which is located on the PATH Forms page. The Undergraduate Chair will review your official request and the Office of the Registrar will process it within two weeks.

 

Requirements Prior to 2016 (to be utilized by students graduating in Spring 2016)

Required Courses

French 212 or 214: “Advanced Grammar and Composition” or “Advanced Composition and Conversation” or equivalent

French 221 or 222: “Perspectives in French Literature,” the former focused on passion, the latter on the relationship between individual and society

French 226: “French Civilization from its Beginning to 1789”

French 227: “Modern France from 1789-1945”

Elective Courses

Eight (8) additional french courses are required for the completion of the major; six (6) must be taken at the 3000-level. Of the six 300-level courses, two (2) must be completed in the department at Penn. Four French courses may be completed on study abroad programs. The remaining two (2) credits may be major-related or French courses, taken either at the 200- or 300-level. All courses, except major related, must be taught in french. At least 50% of the courses required for the major must be taken at Penn.
NB: French courses taught in English (e.g., French 250) can only count toward the major as major-related courses.

Research Requirement

All French Studies majors will be required to complete a research paper of 12-15 pages in French with bibliography and notes. Students can choose to do this in any 300-level course taken at Penn during the senior year, and should consult with the instructor, who will certify that the student has completed the research requirement. One copy of the paper must be submitted to the Undergraduate Chair before the major certification is approved for graduation.