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Objectives

The French Studies concentration is designed to encourage interest in the French language and in French and Francophone cultures. At Cornell, a concentration is the functional equivalent of a minor. It is meant to supplement one's central disciplinary focus. It is indicated on the student's final transcript. Appropriate for all majors, the concentration in French Studies provides students with a coherent interdisciplinary program that allows for a better understanding of French history and culture, as well as Francophone literatures, politics, and societies. It also makes it possible for students to practice and improve their French language skills.

Requirements

To complete a concentration in French Studies, students must first attain proficiency in French. Proficiency can be determined by a placement exam, or achieved by taking a 200-level course in French. For the concentration, students are also required to take the core course, The French Experience (or an approved alternative such as History 356), and three other non-language courses. Students who show a compelling degree of sophistication in the study of French, and/or Francophone cultures may petition to replace the core course with a 300-level course conducted in French or with a 400-level seminar. Please note: only one of the four courses required for a concentration in French Studies can be taken S/U. Faculty advisors for the concentration include:

Registration Form

If you wish to fill out the registration form for the French Studies Program use the link provided below to obtain a printable copy. Graduating seniors must send a Cornell transcript along with their final registration form. Questions regarding the concentration can be addressed to Professor Laurent Dubreuil (ld79@cornell.edu) or Professor John Weiss (jhw4@cornell.edu).

Core Courses

FREN 224 will not be offered during academic year 2008-09. Instead, several classes will serve as possible 'core courses.' You will have the possibility to choose one among the following classes:

COURSES to replace FREN224 for the FRENCH STUDIES CONCENTRATION:

FALL 2008:
FREN 221: “Intro to Textual Analysis,” Staff (3 sections, taught in French)
FREN 339: “The Haitian Experience,” by Prof. Dubreuil (in French)
HISTORY 4621: “The Enlightenment,” by Prof. Kaplan (taught in English) (limited to 15 students)

SPRING 2009:
FREN 221: “Intro to Textual Analysis,” Staff (several sections, taught in French)
FREN 434: “Modern French Philosophy, from Descartes to Derrida,” by Prof. Dubreuil (taught in French)
ART H 362/VISST 362: “Impressionism in Society,” by Prof. Meixner (taught in English)
HISTORY 2**: “French Thought after May 68,” by Prof. Robcis (taught in English)

Suggested Courses

The following list of departments is not meant to be exhaustive, but only to indicate the primary sponsors of courses offered at Cornell that could count towards a concentration in French Studies. To determine whether a course taken at Cornell, in another school, or abroad can be considered for the concentration, please check with and obtain the approval of the program coordinator. View the titles of some courses that have been recently taught in the following departments: