CURRICULUM

French and Francophone Studies

The French and Francophone Studies department at HWS offers integrated courses in language, culture and literature that reflect the rich diversity of French-speaking cultures throughout the world.

The French and Francophone Studies department offers a disciplinary major and minor as well as an interdisciplinary major and minor.

Departmental instruction is in French (FRE); except for courses offered in English (FRNE).

Course List

If you'd like to view a full listing of our course options in French and Francophone Studies or any other subject, please visit the Online Course Catalogue.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for the French and Francophone Studies Major (B.A.)

disciplinary, 10 courses

All French courses numbered 226 or above count toward the major. Normally, a student must take FRE 226, FRE 227 (or the equivalent) and an additional eight courses. No more than one French/Francophone departmental course taken in English may count toward the major. The sequence of courses must include: FRE 226, FRE 227, FRE 241 or 244, and FRE 242; two courses from FRE 251, FRE 252, FRE 253; and two 300 level courses, one in the senior year. Upon declaring the major, the student may select a French of Francophone area of concentration. When declaring a major or a minor, students will begin a portfolio that they will formally present spring semester of their senior year.

Requirements for the Traditions Francaises Track for the Major (B.A.)

FRE 226, FRE 227 (or the equivalent) and an additional eight courses. FRE 241 or 244; FRE 251 and FRE 252 (must be completed before the senior year); two other 300 level French courses taught in French, one in the senior year, taken from departmental faculty; one Francophone course at the 200 or 300 level; and two additional courses selected in consultation with the adviser. French majors are strongly encouraged to pursue off-campus study in France or in Senegal.

Requirements for the Parcours Muticulturels Track for the Major (B.A.)

FRE 226 and FRE 227 (or the equivalent); FRE 243; FRE 251 or FRE 252; and FRE 253 (must be completed before the senior year); two Francophone courses at the 300 level, one in the senior year, taken from departmental faculty; one French 200 or 300 level course, and two additional courses selected in consultation with the adviser. French majors are strongly encouraged to pursue off-campus study in Senegal.

Requirements for the French and Francophone Studies Minor

disciplinary, 6 courses

FRE 226 and 227 (or equivalent); FRE 241, 244 or 242; one Francophone course at the 200 or 300 level; and one 200 or 300 level French course. No more than one French/Francophone culture or literature course taught in English may count toward the minor.

COURSES

Our students choose from a variety of introductory and advanced courses, each designed to provide students with an understanding of the language and cultures of French-speaking countries.

Below, you'll find a sampling of some of our most popular French in English classes, as well as suggestions for making French and Francophone Studies a part of your larger interdisciplinary experience at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

FRNE 111 Them and Us: Diversity in Modern France

Analyze the principles on which French civil society is organized, particularly those based on the 1789 Declaration of the rights of men, and how they are affected by the growing resentment against immigration a crisis of national identity. Next, enroll in POL 297 Europe and America, and take an in-depth look at the evolution of US-Europe relations as well as at the similarities and differences in policies and sensibilities.

FRNE 218 Memory, Culture and Identity in French Caribbean Literatures

Learn how to analyze the the problem of identity through a study of Caribbean literary movements and discover Francophone Caribbean culture and society as a literary construction. Then, enroll in ALST 222, Caribbean Literature and Politics, and learn more about Caribbean literature by focusing on the political history of the region.

FRNE 311 Feudal Woman in France, Vietnam and Japan

Examine the role played by women in the shaping of tradition and culture in medieval France, Vietnam and Japan. Expand your knowledge of the underlying theories in feminism and learn how to productively apply feminist analyses to your own work by enrolling in WMST 300 Feminist Theory.