French and Francophone Studies

Note: French is not accepting new students as of Fall, 2024.
At Simmons, you'll learn advanced language skills and speak eloquently about subjects ranging from civilization to literature.

Students in the library

Avez-vous une passion pour la langue et la culture françaises?

Our students are eager, intuitive and hard-working, expanding their understanding of French culture through in-depth courses and independent learning.

We encourage our students to develop their global perspective through study abroad opportunities. Our students go on to successful careers in fields such as education, writing, marketing and law.

The major consists of at least 32 semester hours of advanced language, literature, and civilization courses, including 20 semester hours of core requirements. Students are encouraged to improve their language skills through study abroad. They can count up to 16 credits of coursework towards the French and Francophone Studies major taken in one of the approved study-abroad programs. Upon return from study- abroad, students are expected to complete at least 4 credits towards the major at Simmons. Otherwise, students are expected to take all classes for the major at Simmons with the possibility of transferring courses by petition and only in cases of extreme hardship. The department reserves the right to deny a transfer of credit from any institution, including Colleges of the Fenway offerings.

Eight semester hours of advanced work in language

FREN202 Intermediate French II 4
FREN245 Conversation and Composition 4

Four semester hours of Francophone civilizations, selected from:

FREN310 Inside France: Studies in French Culture 4
FREN311 Contemporary Issues in France 4
FREN314 Topics in French and Francophone Cinema 4
FREN316 Outside France: Perspectives from the French Speaking World 4

Four semester hours of introduction to Francophone literature:

FREN265 Francophone Short Stories 4
FREN266 The Quest for Identity: The Self and The Other in the French Literary Tradition 4

Eight semester hours of advanced work in language, literature and culture, selected from:

FREN322 French Theater: the Actor & the Script 4
FREN326 The City As Text: Paris and Its Literary Representations 4
FREN395 Seminar: Special Topics in French 4

Eight semester hours of elective courses in language, literature, or civilization.

Students beginning the sequence for the major at the 245 level must still complete a total number of 32 credits.

Recommendations: Proficiency in a second modern language beyond the intermediate level is strongly recommended for all French and Francophone Studies majors.

Capstone experience:

Majors in French and Francophone Studies will start fulfilling the capstone requirement by taking a 300 level literature or civilization course either during their junior year or Fall semester of their senior year. After taking the class, students will write a research paper in the language studied, and give a formal presentation to faculty and students in the Department

The minor in French and Francophone Studies consists of five courses above the 201 level to be distributed as follows:

FREN202 Intermediate French II 4
FREN245 Conversation and Composition 4
One civilization course
One literature course
Two electives

We encourage our students to tailor the French major to fit their interests. Simmons offers many dual-major and minor options. Your advisor will help you develop the best path to meet your personal and professional goals.

Students are encouraged to study abroad but are expected to take a minimum of 12 semester hours of departmental offerings in French at Simmons.

Internships and study abroad are a key component of the French major. In a cultural center like Boston, there are myriad opportunities to build your skills, résumé, and networking relationships with organizations in the city and beyond. Our students have worked in the following institutions as interns:

  • French Cultural Center in Boston
  • Brookline High School 

So you know that Simmons is a great place to be, you've learned about our programs, maybe even come for a visit...now you're ready to apply! Let's get started.