U-FREN-AB - French Studies (AB)

Students majoring in French will acquire a considerable degree of competence in the written and spoken language as well as knowledge of the literature and culture of France and the French-speaking world. 

The department offers a wide array of courses in language, literature, and culture, and strongly encourages interdisciplinary work in French through courses emphasizing the relation between literature, the arts, history, and society. A major in French is an excellent portal to a variety of careers in the humanities, the economic world, government, and science, and to a lifetime of global awareness and cultural reflection. An honors thesis option is available, including the possibility for theses interweaving two fields for students pursuing double or second majors. Students interested in majoring in French should consult the director of undergraduate studies.

Departmental Graduation with Distinction

Qualified students may apply for Graduation with Distinction. The application deadline is preregistration for the fall semester of the senior year. Students must find an appropriate faculty advisor to oversee the honors project. The thesis may be written in the language best suited to its likely audience, but students pursuing graduate study in a Romance studies field must write the thesis in the language of the area of study. Further information may be obtained from the director of undergraduate studies or the assistant to the director.

Study Abroad

Students are strongly urged to study abroad since this is the best way to achieve language proficiency and to acquire knowledge of a country’s culture. Courses taken abroad count toward the core and/or related courses as follows:

• Department-Administered Programs

  • Duke-in-France. Major: All courses may be counted toward the major, as long as the courses are approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Courses may cover a variety of topics related to Francophone or Romance Studies. Courses with unrelated content, such as biology or math taught in French, will not be granted.

• Duke-Administered Summer Programs (Office of Study Abroad)

  • Duke-in-Aix-en-Provence. French 212A Intensive Intermediate French Language and Culture counts as two courses toward the major.

  • Duke-in-Paris. Major: Two courses may be counted toward the major.

  • Duke-in-Provence. Major: One course may be counted.

• Non-Duke Administered Semester Programs

  • Major: A maximum of two courses per semester may be counted toward the major.

• Non-Duke-Administered Summer Programs

  • Major: One course may be counted toward the core-course requirement.

Website: romancestudies.duke.edu/undergraduate/majors/french-francophone-studies