The major in French is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to communicate effectively in French both orally and in writing. The French program further seeks to familiarize students with the most influential literary, philosophical, critical, and cinematographic works in French, properly understood within their cultural and historical context; to introduce them to the major social and political developments that have shaped the Francophone world, including North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean; and to provide them with an understanding of the structure of the French language, attitudes towards its use, and the variation it displays across time, geographical space, and social groups.
Students may also explore Louisiana Creole and Louisiana French in linguistics classes and fieldwork. The junior year and semester abroad programs are integral to the majors in French and are also encouraged for non-majors.
Placement
Entering freshmen can enroll in a French course following the guidelines indicated on this page: https://liberalarts.tulane.edu/departments/french-italian/academics/undergrad/french/placement
Successful completion of French 2030, a passing score on the French proficiency test, a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination, or a score of 640 or better on the College Board examination fulfills the language requirement for graduation.
A total of 10 or 11 courses, 31 or 34 credit hours, is required.
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Five required courses: | 16 | |
| FREN 3150 | Advanced French Through Media I | 3 |
| FREN 3160 | Advanced French Through Media II | 3 |
| FREN 3210 | Topics in French and Francophone Literature | 3 |
| FREN 4010 | French Short Story (Writing Intensive) | 4 |
| FREN 5950 | Special Topics in French (capstone course requiring a final paper/ Fall only) 1 | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| FREN 3060 | Business French | 3 |
| FREN 3140 | French Phonetics | 3 |
| FREN 3170 | French Pop Culture | 3 |
| FREN 3250 | French Society and The Institutions | 3 |
| Electives | 12/9 | |
| Four electives at the 4000 or 6000 level (12 credit hours) are required for single majors | 12 | |
| Three electives at the 4000 or 6000 level (9 credit hours) are required for double majors | 9 | |
- 1
The Senior Seminar is offered in the fall semester only. It is required of all French majors, even those who are double majors. In other words, the Capstone experience is a requirement of the major.
Electives
- Two of the advanced electives must be literature courses.
- For one of the advanced electives, students may substitute a 3000-level course taught in English by the Department (e.g. FREN 3110 French Cinema (3 c.h.) ) OR an advanced course in a related field (e.g. a course in French Art, French History, French Politics).
- A senior thesis written for Honors in French can count as one of these electives.
- 5000-level courses taken abroad that have been approved as counting toward the FREN major are generally included among the Group III electives.
Nota Bene
- FREN 4560/4570 (Internship Studies) does not count toward the major. The typical Internship involves 60 hours of work, carries 1 credit hour and is graded on an S/U basis.
- In order to complete the major, the student must have taken at least five French courses taught on this campus.