French
Director of undergraduate studies: Thomas Connolly; Language program director: Candace Skorupa; french.yale.edu
The Department of French has two distinct but complementary missions: to provide instruction in the French language at all levels of competence, and to lead students to a broad appreciation and deep understanding of the literatures and cultures of France and other French-speaking countries.
The major in French is a liberal arts major, designed for those who wish to study French-language literatures, arts, and cultures in depth. The department offers courses devoted to authors, works, and literary and cultural movements that span ten centuries and four continents. The curriculum also includes interdisciplinary courses on relations between literature and other areas of study such as history, law, medicine, religion, politics, business, translation, and the arts. Majors are encouraged to explore all periods and genres of literature in French, as well as a wide variety of critical approaches.
Excellent knowledge of a non-English language and a mature, informed appreciation of a non-English literature and culture can open doors to various professions. The French major provides ideal preparation for careers in a wide range of fields from law and diplomacy to journalism, teaching, academia, publishing, and the arts. Recent graduates have gone on to selective law schools, medical schools, and graduate programs in French and Comparative Literature. Others work in business, government, primary and secondary education, and a variety of nongovernmental agencies and international organizations.
French can be taken either as a primary major or as one of two majors, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS). Regulations concerning the completion of two majors can be found in the Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, "Two Majors."
Course Numbering
Group A courses (FREN 110–159) This group consists of language courses that lead to courses counting toward the major. Preregistration is required for all Group A courses except FREN 125 and 145. FREN 121 (the stand-alone L2) is offered only during the fall term. For this reason, students placed into L1 or L2 who were not enrolled in a fall-term course will have to wait until the next fall to enroll. For further details, students should consult Candace Skorupa, the language program director (LPD).
Group B courses (FREN 160–449, not including Group C courses) This group contains more advanced courses that are taught in French and count toward the major. FREN 160 and 170 are gateway courses that prepare students for courses numbered FREN 200 and above. Courses in the FREN 180–189 range are advanced language courses. Courses in the 190-199 range are translation courses. Courses numbered 200–449 are advanced courses in literature and culture. The 200–299 range contains courses devoted to broad, general fields defined by century or genre; the 300–449 range contains courses devoted to specific topics within or across those general fields.
Group C courses This group comprises courses taught in English; readings may be in French or English. Two courses from this group may be counted for credit toward the major.
Language Placement Procedures
The departmental placement exam in French is accessible online. Dates and information for the exam will be available on the French department website, in the Calendar for the Opening Days of College, and on the Center for Language Study website. Placement exam results remain valid for one year.
All students who have not yet studied French at Yale (except those who have had no previous exposure to French whatsoever) are expected to take the departmental placement exam. Students who studied abroad over the summer with non-Yale programs must take the placement exam to be eligible to receive credit for their work.
Students who earned superior scores on standardized tests may be able to enroll in a course designated L5. The department strongly recommends, however, that advanced students of French take the departmental placement exam in order to be directed to the most appropriate courses. Students who earned a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement exam, a score of 6 or 7 on the advanced-level International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, a rating of C1 on the CEFR European test, or an A or B on the GCE A-level exam are normally placed into a course at the 150 level and above.
Prerequisite
The prerequisite may be fulfilled by taking FREN 150, which should be taken during the first or second year. In consultation with the DUS, students may instead choose to select a course numbered 200-449 to fulfill the prerequisite. Prospective majors are strongly encouraged to take at least one literature course numbered 170 or above before the end of the second year.
Requirements of the Major
The standard major The standard major consists of ten term courses numbered 160 or above, including a one-term senior essay (see below). One of these ten courses must be FREN 170 which should be completed early in a candidate's studies, or, in consultation with the DUS, an equivalent course in French from the 200–449 range; at least four must be Group B courses numbered 200 or above. Students may count no more than two courses in the FREN 180–199 range (unless they opt for the translation concentration, see below). No more than two courses conducted entirely in English (Group C) may count toward the major. With prior approval of the DUS, a maximum of four term courses taught outside the Yale Department of French but bearing directly on the student's principal interest may be counted toward the major. Up to two of these may be taken in other departments at Yale, and up to four may be taken as part of a Year or Term Abroad or summer study abroad program. However, the combined number of courses from other departments and from study abroad may not exceed four. The DUS may grant exceptions to this limit for students who spend two academic terms in an approved study abroad program. Relevant first-year seminars may count toward the major, with permission of the DUS.
The intensive major The intensive major is designed for students who wish to undertake a more concentrated study of literature and culture in French. It is recommended for students considering graduate study in French or in a related field. The intensive major consists of twelve term courses numbered 160 or above, including a one-term or two-term senior essay (see below). At least five courses must be from Group B numbered 200 or above. The requirement of FREN 170 (or an equivalent 200–449 course), and the stipulations for courses in the 180–199 range, courses conducted in English, and courses taken outside the department are identical to those for the standard major.
Period requirement A minimum of one of the ten courses toward the major, or one of the twelve courses toward the intensive major, must deal predominantly with materials from the period preceding 1800. The pre-1800 course may be either a Group B (taught in French) or a Group C course (taught in English). This requirement applies to all French majors, including those who opt for the standard or intensive translation concentration.
Translation concentration Students may elect to pursue the translation concentration within the French major. Translation concentration majors are expected to take a minimum of two courses in French translation as two of the ten credits required for the standard major, or as two of the twelve credits required for the intensive major. Within the department, this requirement can be fulfilled by taking FREN 191 and 192. Students who opt for the translation concentration may in this case take up to four courses numbered 180–199, rather than the standard two courses. For their senior requirement, translation concentration students undertake a literary translation project of similar length to the senior essay (see below).
Credit/D/Fail One required course taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the major (excluding the senior essay requirement).
Senior Requirement
All majors must write a senior essay showing evidence of careful reading, appropriate research, and substantial independent thought. Essays may be written in either French or English and must be prepared under the direction of a ladder faculty member in the Department of French. Students planning to pursue advanced work in French after graduation are encouraged to write their senior essay in French.
Students writing a one-term essay enroll in FREN 491 in the senior year. A one-term essay may be written in either the fall or the spring term and should be approximately thirty pages in length. A preliminary statement indicating the general area to be addressed and the name of the adviser must be submitted to the DUS by April 15, 2024 (fall-term essay), or November 1, 2024 (spring-term essay). A one-page prospectus and bibliography are due September 13, 2024 (fall term), or January 24, 2025 (spring term). A rough draft must be submitted to the adviser by October 28, 2024 (fall term), or March 24, 2025 (spring term). Two copies of the final essay are due in the department by November 29, 2024 (fall term), or April 21, 2025 (spring term).
Students electing a two-term essay must select their subject and adviser before the end of the junior year and enroll in FREN 493 and FREN 494 during the senior year. The essay should be around sixty pages in length. A preliminary statement indicating the general area to be addressed and the name of the adviser must be submitted to the DUS by April 15, 2024. A one-page prospectus and bibliography are due September 13, 2024. Students must submit an initial rough draft to their adviser by January 24, 2025, and a complete draft by March 24, 2025. Two copies of the final essay are due in the department by April 21, 2025.
Translation concentration majors undertake a literary translation project from French into English of similar length to the senior essay, working with a member of the French department ladder faculty. The senior translation project should include a critical introduction, of a length to be determined by the student in consultation with the directing faculty member. The same submission dates as for the one-term essay and the two-term essay apply to the senior translation project. Translation concentration students should sign up for FREN 492 for the single-term senior translation project or for FREN 495 and 496 for the two-term senior translation project, in the fall and spring terms respectively. Materials submitted for the senior translation project cannot be the same as the materials submitted for any translation courses that count toward a major at Yale College.
Advising
All students in the major are encouraged to take as many advanced courses as possible from all historical periods, covering as many genres and critical approaches as possible. As stipulated above, majors are also required to take at least one course dealing predominantly with pre-1800 materials. Candidates for the major should make contact with the DUS as early as the beginning of the sophomore year and no later than the fall term of the junior year. Students planning to study abroad or to petition for completion of two majors should contact the DUS during the sophomore year.
Special Divisional Major The department will support the application of qualified students who wish to pursue an interdisciplinary course in French studies. Under the provisions of the Special Divisional Major, students may combine courses offered by the French department with courses from other departments. Close consultation with the relevant departmental advisers is required. Candidates for the Special Divisional Major should consult the DUS in French by the fall term of the junior year.
Study abroad Students are encouraged to spend a term or a year abroad, for which appropriate course credit is granted. With prior approval of the DUS, summer study abroad may also receive course credit. Further information may be obtained from the Center for International and Professional Experience, from Yale Study Abroad, and from French Department's Study Abroad Coordinator, Constance Sherak.
Combined B.A./M.A. degree program Yale College undergraduate students of distinguished ability and extraordinary commitment who are interested in pursuing advanced research in French and Francophone literatures may undertake graduate work for the simultaneous award of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees after eight terms of enrollment. See Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, “Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.” Interested students should reach out to the DUS prior to the sixth term of enrollment and consult the B.A./M.A. section on the French department’s website.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite FREN 150 or equivalent as approved by the DUS
Number of courses Standard major and translation concentration—10 term courses numbered 160 or above (including senior essay); Intensive major and translation concentration—12 term courses numbered 160 or above (including senior essay)
Specific course required FREN 170 or equivalent
Distribution of courses Standard major—at least 4 courses in Group B numbered 200 or above; no more than 2 courses numbered FREN 180–199; no more than 2 courses conducted in English; one pre-1800 course; Intensive major—same as standard, plus 1 additional Group B course numbered 200 or above; Translation concentration (both standard and intensive)— same as standard, except minimum of 2 translation courses and no more than 4 courses numbered FREN 180–199
Substitution permitted With prior approval of DUS, up to 4 term courses outside French Department, as specified
Senior requirement Standard major—one-term senior essay in French or English (FREN 491); Translation concentration—one-term literary translation from French into English (FREN 492); Intensive major—one-term (FREN 491) or two-term senior essay in French or English (FREN 493, 494); Translation concentration, Intensive major—one-term senior translation from French into English (FREN 492) or two-term literary translation from French into English (FREN 495, 496)
Prerequisite
- FREN 150 or equivalent
Requirements
No more than 2 courses may be taken in English.
No more than 2 courses numbered FREN 180-199 may count toward the requirements for the standard or intensive major.
Standard major
10 courses (10 credits) numbered 160 or above, including the senior requirement, but not the prerequisite
Intensive major
12 courses (12 credits), numbered 160 or above, including the senior requirement, but not the prerequisite
- FREN 170 or equivalent
- 5 courses in Group B numbered 200 or above
- 1 pre-1800 course
- FREN 491 or FREN 493 and FREN 494
Translation concentration (standard major)
- same as the standard major with the substitution of
- 2 translation courses
- up to 4 courses numbered FREN 180–199
- FREN 492 (senior translation requirement)
Translation concentration (intensive major)
The major in French is a liberal arts major, designed for those who wish to study French-language literatures, arts, and cultures in depth. The department offers courses devoted to authors, works, and literary and cultural movements that span ten centuries and four continents. The curriculum also includes interdisciplinary courses on relations between literature and other areas of study such as history, law, medicine, religion, politics, business, translation, and the arts. Majors are encouraged to explore all periods and genres of literature in French, as well as a wide variety of critical approaches.
Excellent knowledge of a foreign language and a mature, informed appreciation of a foreign literature and culture can open doors to various professions. The French major provides ideal preparation for careers in a wide range of fields from law and diplomacy to journalism, teaching, academia, publishing, and the arts. Recent graduates have gone on to selective law schools, medical schools, and graduate programs in French and Comparative Literature. Others work in business, government, primary and secondary education, and a variety of nongovernmental agencies and international organizations.
French courses numbered FREN 110–159 are primarily language courses. Courses numbered FREN 160–170 are gateway courses that prepare students for courses numbered FREN 200 and above. Courses in the FREN 180–189 range are advanced language courses. Courses in the 190-199 range are translation courses. Courses numbered 200–449 are advanced courses in literature and culture. The 200–299 range contains courses devoted to broad, general fields defined by century or genre. The 300–449 range contains courses devoted to specific topics within or across those general fields.
Language Placement Procedures
The departmental placement exam in French is accessible online. Dates and information for the exam will be available on the French department website, in the Calendar for the Opening Days of College, and on the Center for Language Study website. Placement exam results remain valid for one year.
All students who have not yet studied French at Yale (except those who have had no previous exposure to French whatsoever) are expected to take the departmental placement exam. Students who studied abroad over the summer with non-Yale programs must take the placement exam to be eligible to receive credit for their work.
Students who earned superior scores on standardized tests may be able to enroll in a course designated L5. The department strongly recommends, however, that advanced students of French take the departmental placement exam in order to be directed to the most appropriate courses. Students who earned a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement exam, a score of 6 or 7 on the advanced-level International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, a rating of C1 on the CEFR European test, or an A or B on the GCE A-level exam are normally placed into a course at the 150 level and above.
Certificate of Advanced Language Study
The French Department offers a Certificate of Advanced Language Study to Yale College undergraduates who are not French majors.
Requirements
Non-majors seeking to earn the Certificate of Advanced Language Study in French are required to take four courses beyond the L4 level, at least two of which must be Yale courses designated as L5. Additionally, the French Department requires that a minimum of one of the four required courses be a French Department course listed at the 200-449 level range. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students must achieve a grade of B or above. With the approval of the DUS, one advanced non-L5 course, conducted in the target language, such as an independent study course or a graduate seminar may count toward certification requirements.
The DUS may allow one “language across the curriculum” (LxC) course taught in English to count toward the certification requirements provided the course includes a weekly discussion section conducted entirely in French. The discussion section must enroll a minimum of three students and the course must be designated as LxC in the course description.
The DUS may also approve up to two study abroad courses taught in French to count as electives toward the certificate requirements. If the DUS approves courses taken outside of Yale for inclusion in the certificate requirements, students must take the necessary steps to ensure those courses appear on their transcript.
Credit/D/Fail No courses taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the requirements of the certificate. (Please note that this rule does not apply to courses awarded a universal pass in Spring 2020.)
Declaration of Candidacy
Declaration of Candidacy
Students must declare their intent to earn a certificate by the last day of add/drop period in their final term of enrollment. This is done on the Declare Major, Concentration within the Major, Certificate page on Yale Hub. Once declared, Degree Audit will track students' progress toward completion of the certificate.
If you have any questions, please contact the French DUS or the French Department Registrar Bethany Hayes.
Faculty of the Department of French
Professors R. Howard Bloch, Dominique Brancher, Ardis Butterfield, Marlene L. Daut, Carolyn Dean, Kaiama L. Glover, Alice Kaplan, Pierre Saint-Amand, Maurice Samuels
Associate Professors Morgane Cadieu, Thomas C. Connolly, Jill Jarvis
Senior Lecturer Lauren Pinzka
Senior Lectors Soumia Koundi, Matuku Ngame, Constance Sherak, Candace Skorupa
Lecturer Nichole Gleisner
Lectors Ramla Bedoui, Léo Tertrain
See visual roadmap of the requirements.