French and Francophone Studies

French and Francophone studies offers a rigorous education focused on critical thinking and analysis. Students build their global expertise studying French and Francophone intellectual traditions, including language and linguistics, literature, history, culture, philosophy, and theory.

Working with faculty from across the French-speaking world, our students reach a high level of language proficiency and knowledge of one of the world’s most dynamic cultural traditions. We also incorporate material from related fields and topics including literary history and theory, philosophy, social and cultural theory, gender and sexuality, historiography, visual arts and film, music, popular culture, and politics.

French and Francophone studies is ideal not only for students intending to pursue an advanced degree in the field, but also for those interested in careers in fields in which expertise in French is directly relevant or a valuable complement: government and public service, communications and journalism, research, public health, the hospitality industry, fashion, business, international relations, translation and interpretation, as well as high school and community college teaching.