BA in French Language, Literature & Culture
The Bachelor of Arts in French fosters deep engagement with cultural production of the French-speaking world and encourages students to hone their critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Many students combine a major in French with fields such as anthropology, political science, fine arts, art history or other languages.
Courses cover a variety of topics including poetry and literature, music, cinema, history, politics and the media, as well as all aspects of language learning. Upper-level courses focus on literature and culture and refine writing and analytical skills.
Departmental Honors in French
Motivated seniors have the opportunity to pursue special honors in French Language, Literature and Culture by writing a 30-35-page thesis in French on a topic of their choice. A committee consisting of French faculty considers applications and makes recommendations.
Interested students can submit an application in the fall semester of their senior year. Accepted students will complete their theses during the spring semester.
Requirements:
- GW’s general special honors requirements
- A minimum 3.75 in classes for the French major
- An application consisting of a proposal, an annotated bibliography, a brief questionnaire and a graded paper from a previous French class are due in Fall semester (check with faculty for specific deadlines). Details are discussed at a mandatory orientation meeting at the beginning of Fall semester.
- Completion of Fren 4920W (Senior Honors in French) with a grade of A- or higher during Spring semester under the supervision of an advisor.
"The French major is a gem. The proseminar was the course I looked forward to attending every week, and its intimacy made each and every one of us feel special."
Annabel de Braganca
BA '11, French and International Affairs
Course Requirements
This Bulletin covers the degree requirements for students matriculating in the current academic year. Students who matriculated before the current year can find their requirements in the relevant archived Bulletin.
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Program-specific curriculum:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite courses | ||
| FREN 1001 | Basic French I | |
| FREN 1002 | Basic French II | |
| FREN 1003 | Intermediate French I | |
| FREN 1004 | Intermediate French II | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses for the major | ||
| FREN 3100 | Introduction to French Literature | |
| FREN 4910 | Advanced Studies in French Culture | |
| Electives | ||
| 24 credits in courses numbered 2005 and above*. 12 of these credits must be in French literature and culture. 6 credits must be in FREN courses in the 4000 range. With the approval of the advisor, 6 credits can be taken in a related field. | ||
| Elective courses taken in certain abroad programs transfer to GW with only 2.5 credits. In such cases, the student should confer with the departmental advisor regarding any steps that must be taken. | ||
*AP credit for FREN 2005 allows students to place into higher-level FREN courses, but those credits do not count toward the total required for the major.