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.

Master of Arts in French and Francophone World Studies

The Master of Arts program in French and Francophone World Studies provides a sound general knowledge of French and Francophone literatures and cultures, and an in-depth knowledge of specific areas with concomitant critical and research methodologies to resolve problems of literary criticism, history, and scholarship.

Learning Outcomes

  • mastery level of competence and proficiency in spoken and written French. Ability to change between languages and registers with ease as well as express sophisticated ideas in both English and French;
  • ability to perform a formal analysis of literary texts from a variety of genres, including narrative, poetry, theater and those situated at the limits between traditional notions of genre as well as the visual arts;
  • knowledge of the various periods and subfields of French and Francophone literature from the Renaissance to the present, including major literary, cultural and historical movements, and the relationship between France and its (former) colonies;
  • understanding of Critical Theory and its potential use for analyzing objects of study from a variety of media; and
  • ability to think critically and make sustained and convincing arguments in relation to scholarship in the field, as well as express original opinions and thinking, as evidenced in a body of scholarship such as final papers or a dissertation.

Want to get started?

Learn more about the program, including courses, curriculum, and requirements here.

Doctor of Philosophy in French and Francophone World Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in French and Francophone World Studies provides a sound general knowledge of French and Francophone literatures and cultures, and an in-depth knowledge of specific areas with concomitant critical and research methodologies to resolve problems of literary criticism, history, and scholarship.

Learning Outcomes

  • mastery level of competence and proficiency in spoken and written French. Ability to change between languages and registers with ease as well as express sophisticated ideas in both English and French;
  • ability to perform a formal analysis of literary texts from a variety of genres, including narrative, poetry, theater and those situated at the limits between traditional notions of genre as well as the visual arts;
  • knowledge of the various periods and subfields of French and Francophone literature from the Renaissance to the present, including major literary, cultural and historical movements, and the relationship between France and its (former) colonies;
  • understanding of Critical Theory and its potential use for analyzing objects of study from a variety of media; and
  • ability to think critically and make sustained and convincing arguments in relation to scholarship in the field, as well as express original opinions and thinking, as evidenced in a body of scholarship such as final papers or a dissertation.

Want to get started?

Learn more about the program, including courses, curriculum, and requirements here.