A dynamic program strong in cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary research and teaching

The Department of French and Italian offers courses leading to the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy in French and Francophone World Studies. Our program has a cross-disciplinary nature with related units across campus and within the area of French and Francophone Studies. Our alumni and current students represent a variety of cultural backgrounds from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, from Europe to North America, North and sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.

Graduate students in French and Francophone World Studies benefit from the expertise of a nationally and internationally known faculty. Courses are available in the traditionally recognized historical periods of French literature, as well as in various literary genres, critical theories, and cultural studies. The Department provides a rich variety of courses in Francophone literatures and cultures from the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, North and sub-Saharan Africa, Québec, the literatures of immigration in France as well as in Cinematic Arts and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. We have specific strengths in Interdisciplinary studies in the areas of Early Modern Studies, Ecological criticism, Memory and Trauma Studies, Cinema, Francophone and Postcolonial Studies, History, and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Courses in Arabic and Swahili reflect the dynamism of our program and bring new strengths in cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary research and teaching. For example, our Ph.D. students may create their own individual program of interdisciplinary studies by forming an Ad Hoc committee with members from other departments on campus. In recent years, students’ Ad Hoc committees have included faculty from the departments of Art and Art History, Cinematic Arts, Dance, English, History, Journalism, Religious Studies, Women’s Studies and the Law School.

Emphasis on language proficiency, composition, and stylistics remains integral to the literature-centered M.A. program.

Interdisciplinary Research and Activities

Besides course offerings in the Humanities in other departments, students may take advantage of the rich interdisciplinary opportunities offered by the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies. The French and Italian Forum, our lecture series, is another venue for graduate students to hear presentations by national and international scholars and meet writers from the world-renowned  International Writing Program. The Forum also gives students the opportunity to present their doctoral research, prepare for conferences and job interviews. We also encourage students to publish articles and book reviews in respected journals in the field of French and Francophone Studies.

Extensive one-on-one contact between faculty and students, our required course “Introduction to Graduate Study” on pre-professional training and acculturation prepare students for successful academic careers.