French Major (B.A.)

Professor Lewis Cusato

“Liberation starts with images dancing in your little head, and you can translate those images into words. And words cost nothing!” — Fatema Mernissi

French at Ohio Wesleyan University trains students to understand, read, write, and speak the French language; appreciate the language’s role and place throughout the world; analyze and interpret cultural documents with rigor and precision; pursue meaningful educational and professional opportunities throughout the French-speaking world; and communicate effectively across cultures and differences. Students majoring in French are required to participate in an approved program of study abroad, with rare exceptions. 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 are 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 French, as well as cultural understanding skills, all of which enable them to function in an environment where French is used primarily;
Demonstrate 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.

Language and culture are taught in tandem at beginning, intermediate, and upper levels alike. Furthermore, French at OWU fosters close and personal work among students, faculty, and staff to design personalized and guided experiences throughout the French-speaking world.

Finally, every student in French at OWU can pursue OWU Connection experiences combining their interest in the French-speaking world and with another major by the fifth semester of language and cultural study.

Major Requirements

A minimum of nine courses (≥ 0.7 credits each) above the FREN 111 level. No more than three 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).