French Major

Associate Professor Lewis Cusato

“Language, aside from its character as a grammatical skeleton bequeathed by tradition, is at the same time a living body experience of a people’s form of life.” — Americo Castro

The curriculum in French is designed to develop oral and written communicative skills in French and to impart a critical and creative appreciation of the culture, civilization, and literature of the areas where the language is spoken. Students majoring in French are required to participate in an approved program of study abroad. They should make an appointment with their French professor prior to going abroad in order to select an appropriate program and to choose courses that will count toward the major. Students minoring in French also also encouraged to study abroad. Detailed information concerning billing and financial aid is available in the Office of International and Off-Campus Programs.

Learning Objectives

By the time students graduate with a French major, they will:

Exhibit strong speaking, reading, listening and writing skills in the target language that enable them to function in an environment where French is used exclusively;
Show awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the francophone world;
Present interpretations of, and arguments about, cultural texts from the francophone world that are based on scholarly research, logic, and close reading skills, and that acknowledge and treat opposing viewpoints;
Demonstrate understanding of ways in which societal structures influence power relations and cultural production;
Have cultivated the ability and willingness to explore and understand varying beliefs and diverse backgrounds as related to the francophone world.

Major Requirements

A minimum of nine courses (≥ 0.7 credits each) above the FREN 111 level. No more than two courses numbered below FREN 300 may be counted toward the major. Up to three courses may be transferred from an approved, semester-long study abroad program and up to two courses from an approved summer program abroad. Normally, no more than one independent study or directed readings (FREN 490, FREN 491) may be applied to the major. Only in exceptional cases, and with departmental approval, may a student take fewer than 6 courses in residence (at Ohio Wesleyan).