In its full range of courses, the French section of the Modern Languages Department offers a program that balances language, civilization, and literature. In language, we seek to develop student proficiency in the four areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Courses at all levels are designed to provide continued opportunities to use the language in a variety of modes and settings, on campus and abroad. In addition, the French faculty believes that a multifaceted study of another culture sensitizes students to realities other than their own, encourages them to become more understanding of cultural differences at the same time as they are developing an appreciation for the literature and language which evolves from another culture.

The department offers a number of study abroad opportunities. Individual faculty members accompany groups of students to France and overseas territories like Martinique during the January term to teach such courses as French Culture and Society, Paris Old and New, French Cinema, Culture and Society of Martinique, and Paris in Literature among others. Through its affiliation with ISEP, the college has exchange programs with several universities in France and in the Francophone world. The college also offers an exchange program with the University of Nice that is fully funded by a scholarship.

Study Abroad Courses in France

Thanks to our own exchange programs and our association with the International Students Exchange program (ISEP), students have numerous options for study abroad. A few of these include universities in Le mans, Angers, Besancon, Nice, Montpelier, Aix-en-Provence, and St. Etienne.

Below is a sample of language and culture courses that are available at all French universities.

The minimum prerequisites for all courses taught in France are FREN 232 Becoming Better Speakers: Conversing in French and FREN 240 Becoming Better Readers: Reading and Writing in French or permission of the department.