Major and Minor in French
A French Studies major assures exceptional competence in French, allowing students to work extensively and closely with literary and cultural artifacts that language makes possible. Building on their linguistic proficiency consolidated in the language program, majors expand that proficiency to a wide variety of French texts. This training exercises and assures our students' ability to analyze texts and contexts, as well as to conceive, articulate, and defend an original idea.
French Studies minors reap similar benefits, albeit to a lesser extent, by attaining linguistic proficiency and taking at least two 4000-level courses.
Language Courses for the Major and Minor
Students begin the program at the level most appropriate for their linguistic proficiency. Contact Prof. Andrea Javel (andrea.javel@bc.edu) for guidance about placement.
French Studies majors and minors may begin their program with Conversation, Composition and Reading I (FREN2209) or II (FREN2210).
Major Requirements
30 Credits (10 three-credit courses), which must include:
12 credits (4 three-credit "foundation" courses) chosen from among the following categories:*
- FREN3303 French Writing Workshop
- FREN3305 Wordplay: From the Stage to the Page
- FREN3306 Narrative and Identity: The Story You Tell Yourself
- FREN3307 Great Books in French
- FREN3308 Building Fluency: Adv Lang Practice
- FREN3309 French Cultural Studies
*Note that the specific titles of the courses that fall within these "foundation categories" change from year to year (though not the course numbers); however, students can only take one course in each category.
12 credits (4 advanced courses) in French language, literature, or culture at the 4000 level or above.
6 credits (2 elective courses) to be chosen among the following:
- FREN2209 and FREN2210
French Conversation, Composition and Reading I and II (as entry-level courses only) - Additional courses in French Studies at the 3000 or 4000 level
- Related courses with departmental permission
Notes and Conditions
French Studies majors are required to enroll in at least one advanced course (4000 level or above) each semester of their senior year, regardless of whether they have completed the ten-course requirement for the major.
1-credit practicum courses do not count for the major.
Maximum total transfer credit toward the major from study abroad: 15 credits (5 three-credit courses) for one year of study; 9 credits (3 three-credit courses) for one semester of study. No RLL credit will be granted for courses abroad conducted in English taken during a semester or academic year program.
Credit toward the French Studies major will be granted for courses taken abroad
(1) conducted in French; (2) of a sophistication and level of expectations appropriate for our program; (3) directly related to analysis of French-speaking peoples’ cultural production. Students taking courses in other disciplines are encouraged to seek credit for those courses in the appropriate departments.French Studies majors who transfer 9 credits (3 three-credit courses) or more from study abroad or elsewhere outside the department must take their remaining courses towards the major in the department.
Students who do not study abroad may take up to two courses related to their major program of study outside the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, with departmental permission.
Approval for summer courses taught by Boston College faculty, including courses abroad, will be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Undergraduate Studies in consultation with the French Studies section.
Minor Requirements
18 Credits (6 three-credit courses), which must include:
6 credits (2 foundation courses) chosen from among the following categories:*
- FREN3303 French Writing Workshop
- FREN3305 Wordplay: From the Stage to the Page
- FREN3306 Narrative and Identity: The Story You Tell Yourself
- FREN3307 Great Books in French
- FREN3308 Building Fluency: Adv Lang Practice
- FREN3309 French Cultural Studies
*Note that the specific titles of the courses that fall within these "foundation categories" change from year to year (though not the course numbers); however, students can only take one course in each category.
3 credits (1 advanced course) at the 4000 or 7000 level
9 credits (3 elective courses) to be chosen among the following:
- FREN2209 and FREN2210 French Composition, Conversation and Reading I and II (as entry level courses only)
- Additional Courses at the 3000 or 4000 level in French
Notes and Conditions
French Studies minors must enroll in at least one advanced course (4000 level and above) during their senior year, regardless of whether they have completed the six-course requirement for the minor.
One-credit practicum courses do not count for the minor.
Maximum total transfer credit toward a minor from study abroad: 9 credits (3 approved three-credit courses) for one year of study; 6 credits (2 approved three-credit courses) for one semester of study. No RLL credit will be granted for courses abroad conducted in English taken during a semester or academic year program.
Credit toward the French Studies major will be granted for courses taken abroad
(1) conducted in French; (2) of a sophistication and level of expectations appropriate for our program; (3) directly related to analysis of French-speaking peoples’ cultural production. Students taking courses in other disciplines are encouraged to seek credit for those courses in the appropriate departments.French Studies minors who transfer 9 credits (3 three-credit courses) or more from study abroad or elsewhere outside the department must take their remaining courses towards the minor in the department.
All courses for the French minor will normally be in French, though one relevant course taught in English may be counted toward the minor with permission from the French Section.
Approval for summer courses taught by Boston College faculty, including courses abroad, will be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Undergraduate studies in consultation with the French section.