French Transnational Studies Major

Foundation Course

• FR 250 - Introduction to French Transnational Studies (4 Cr.)

Three-hundred level options (1 required. A second may be taken to satisfy the elective course requirement)

All have FR 250 pre-requisite or IP = Instructor Permission.

• FR 353 - Introduction to Transnational French/Francophone Cinema (4 Cr.)
• FR 357 - Special Topics in French & Francophone Narratives (4 Cr.)
• FR 358 - French Cultures. Interpreting social change in transnational France. (4 Cr.)

Seminar Courses (2 required)

All Seminar courses have FR 250 pre-requisite or IP = Instructor Permission.

• FR 430 - Special Topics in French Literature (4 Cr.)
• FR 433 - Topics in the Study of French and Francophone Cultures (4 Cr.)
• FR 444 - Transnational Environmental Studies in French (4 Cr.)
• FR 451 - Topics in Francophone African Literature & Cinema (4 Cr.)

Elective course options (4 credits required)

• FR 251 - Special Topics in Transnational Studies (2 or 4 Cr.)
• AFR 200 - Introduction to Africana Studies (4 Cr.)
• ARB 230 - Intro to Modern Arab Culture: Dissenting Voices, Liberating Visions (4 Cr.)
• BUS 231 - International Business Environment (2 Cr.)
• BUS 335 - Special Topics in International Business (2 or 4 Cr.)
• COM 342 - World Cinema (4 Cr.)
• COM 357 - Intercultural Communication (4 Cr.)
• COM 405 - Topics in World Cinema (4 Cr.)
• DAN 133 - West African Diasporic Dance I: West African (2 Cr.) , DAN 233 - West African Diasporic Dance II: West African (2 Cr.) , DAN 333 - West African Diasporic Dance III: Hip Hop/Jazz/Tap (2 Cr.)  (2 Cr. each)
• DAN 418 - Reimagine Heritage in USA Concert Dance (4 Cr.)
• EC 271 - International Economics (2 Cr.)
• EC 325 - Economics of Global Food Production (2 Cr.)
• ES 435 - Globalization and Environmental Sustainability (4 Cr.)
• FR 272Y - Intensive Course Abroad (6 OR 8 Cr.)
• HIS 213 - Survey: Becoming East Asia (4 Cr.)
• HIS 238 - Topics in Comparative Colonialism (4 Cr.)
• HIS 243 - Early American Republic 1789-1815 (4 Cr.)
• LAM 236 - Latina Literature across Borders (2 Cr.)
• LIT 325 - Overseas: When World Travelers Write (4 Cr.)
• LIT 392 - Contemporary Literary Theory (4 Cr.)
• PCE 340 - Special Topics in U.S. and International Peace Studies (2 or 4 Cr.)
• PCE 345 - Topics in Peace Studies: Country Study (4 Cr.)
• PSC 121 - Comparative Politics (4 Cr.)
• PSC 257 - Problems in International Political Economy (4 Cr.)
• PSC 497 - Seminar in Theories of International Relations (4 Cr.)
• SOA 238 - Cultures of Contemporary Europe (4 Cr.)
• THE 213 - The World’s a Stage (4 Cr.)
• THE 218 - Theatre for Social Change (4 Cr.)
• THE 272Y - Intensive Course Abroad (5 Cr. or 6-8 Cr.)
• THE 314 - Culture and Community: Topics in Theatre (4 Cr.)
• VMC 103 - Introduction to the History of Art (4 Cr.)
• VMC 110 - Preserving our Heritage (4 Cr.)
• WGS 150 - Women’s Experiences in Global Perspectives (4 Cr.)
• WGS 253 - Haitian History and the Culture of Resistance (4 Cr.)
• WGS 420 - Transnational Feminist Theory and Women’s Activism (4 Cr.)

Semester abroad

IFE is required.

IFE Field Study and Internship - In Brussels, Paris or Strasbourg. Credit for one 300-level seminar toward the major or minor. (16 Cr.) Pre-requisite: FR 250.

IFE Field Study and Internship

The Internships in Francophone Europe program takes place over the course of an 18 week semester in Paris, Brussels, or Strasbourg. Students make use of their French language skills in a work environment with a government agency, business, or nonprofit organization. The semester begins with 5 weeks of intensive interdisciplinary courses, followed by a 12-week full time internship in the student’s field. As part of the internship, students conduct field research, delving into an issue and producing a 30-page independent study in French under the guidance of a French scholar. Courses include: The Foundations of French Politics, Policies and Institutions (4 cr.), Structure, Transformation and Issues in French Society (4 cr.), and Towards a European society (2 cr.). The Internship & Mémoire de stage count for 6 credits. Fall or Spring semester.

Honors in the French Major

Students wishing to pursue honors in French must have a GPA of 3.8 in the major and an overall GPA of 3.7 and must do a presentation on campus describing their internship experience and the findings of their internship research project. 

Senior Thesis

Although it is not mandatory for honors, students are also encouraged to complete a senior thesis. To do so, students must submit to the director of the French program by April 30 of their junior year a proposal outlining their thesis project and naming the proposed thesis director. Upon approval, the student then must enroll in a two-semester (eight credits) senior thesis course. At the end of the fall semester, the thesis advisor will determine whether the project has sufficiently progressed to warrant continuation. If not, the student may receive a grade of pass/no-pass for those credits. No later than three weeks before the end of the spring semester of the senior year, the student will defend the thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members, with at least  two from the French program. The recommendation of the thesis committee will be brought to the French program director and the Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures center director, who must approve all candidates for honors.

Concentration in Secondary Education with Certification in French

Students planning to teach French in secondary schools after graduation should consult with the directors of the programs of French and Education as early as possible in their academic careers for certification requirements in education. For certification requirements, see description under Secondary Education Certification, Grades 7-12 .