The B.A. in French and Francophone Studies

The major in French and Francophone studies provides an interdisciplinary framework for the study of the history, literature, and culture of France and parts of the world in which French is an important medium of culture. Students explore the history and contemporary applications of concepts such as citizenship, national unity, secularism, and human rights, and explore central issues including universalism/relativism, tradition/modernity, and religion/state as they have developed in France and its colonies/former colonies since the 18th century. Students take a series of required courses that includes Introduction to French and Francophone Studies I and II, French grammar and composition, essential to achieving proficiency in French language, France Past and Present, an introduction to French history and historiography, and a course in francophone or postcolonial French literature (French language literature from Africa, the Caribbean, Canada, or that bears on the history and legacies of colonialism). Having completed these courses they take electives that include courses in related departments/programs, e.g. history, anthropology, political science, women's studies, human rights, art history, to fulfill the interdisciplinary portion of the major. To ensure methodological focus these courses should be taken within a single field (e.g. history, music, anthropology, or political science), or in relation to a single issue or world region, e.g. West Africa.

Students who are interested in a more traditional French literature/language program should consider the major in French Language and Literature, also administered by the French Department.

Undergraduate Requirements

For a Major in French and Francophone Studies

Program of study: To be planned before the end of the sophomore year with the director of undergraduate studies.

Required courses: a minimum of 33 points beyond completion of the language requirement (FREN W1202) distributed as follows (15 points):

The remaining courses (18 points) are to be chosen from upper-level offerings in French and other disciplines. 9 of these points must be taken in a discipline other than French literature. To ensure focus these interdisciplinary electives must fall within a single discipline or subject area. Courses must be pre-approved by the director of undergraduate studies. One of the advanced electives may be a senior essay written under the direction of a faculty member affiliated with the French and Francophone Studies committee or teaching at Reid Hall. Majors who choose to write a senior essay at Columbia should register for the senior tutorial course in their adviser's home department.

BC3006 is not applicable to either the French Major or the Concentration. Other French Barnard College courses may be taken with the approval of the director of undergraduate studies. The following Columbia French courses are not applicable to the French major (or concentration, outlined below): FREN W1101, FREN W1102,FREN W1105 FREN W1201, FREN W1202, FREN W1206, FREN W1221, FREN W1222, FREN W3131, FREN W3132, FREN W3240

For a Concentration in French and Francophone Studies

Required courses: a minimum of 27 points beyond completion of the language requirement (FREN W1202) distributed as follows (15 points):

The remaining courses (12 points) are to be chosen from upper-level offerings in French and other disciplines. 6 of these points must be taken in a discipline other than French literature. To ensure focus these interdisciplinary elective courses must fall within a single discipline or subject area. Courses must be pre-approved by the director of undergraduate studies.

For further details, please visit the Columbia College web site or the School of General Studies.