French Undergraduate
French Undergraduate Studies
Overview
French & Francophone Studies at UNC-CH offers students a complete language program which includes elementary, intermediate, and advanced language, conversation, composition, phonetics, and global varieties of French. In addition, it offers a series of courses given entirely in English with General Education or Major / Minor credit. A full complement of upper-level courses in literature, film, linguistics, professional French, and cultural studies is also offered each year. Students can participate in a wide choice of study abroad programs (summer semester and full year), including the UNC in Montpellier Programs.
French & Francophone Studies at UNC-CH provides students with a comprehensive education in the linguistic, literary, cinematic, philosophical, and cultural traditions of France and the francophone world, including indigenous, Afro-descendant, Asian, and other cultures. Our majors and minors obtain well-grounded critical knowledge of the literatures, languages, and cultures across the French-speaking world, often through collaborative research with faculty, with the goal of promoting greater self-awareness and encouraging responsible participation in the global 21st century. Qualifying French majors can pursue an Honor’s Thesis with one of our faculty members. Beyond the classroom, the French program offers students exciting opportunities in internships; directed and independent research experiences; a graduate conference in Romance Studies; film series, guest speaker events, an active French Club, and a French Honor Society (Pi Delta Phi).
French & Francophone Studies at UNC-CH offers an undergraduate major and a minor. The primary focus of instruction is on communication, with the goal of developing the greatest possible capability in comprehending and producing the target language, whether spoken, written, or in building socio-cultural competency. Our skills-based courses emphasize the use of language in realistic settings, and our content-based courses complement the language-learning experience with practice in an authentic context or by learning academic subject content.
Major
The gateway course for the major in French and Francophone Studies is FREN 255, 260 or 262. The requirements consist of nine courses between FREN 255, 260, or 262 and FREN 699.
ONE course in grammar and composition:
- FREN 300 Review Grammar and Composition
SEVEN additional courses above FREN 204, which must include:
- At least one course focused on French and Francophone contexts up to 1789
- At least one course focused on French and Francophone contexts since 1789
- At least four courses taught in French
Students interested in French and francophone studies should consult the undergraduate advisor for French and francophone studies. Students who plan to teach in public high schools should also see the School of Education for information on teacher certification.
Minor
Students unable to undertake a full 9-course French major program may register for a French minor, which will appear on the student’s UNC-CH transcript. The minor consists of FREN 300 and four additional courses numbered above FREN 204, excluding FREN 308, FREN 401, FREN 402, FREN 601, FREN 692H. At least two courses (six hours) must be above 300. This option also is available to students in some professional schools.
All Courses
Click on a class for more information, visit UNC’s catalog page.
French Undergraduate Support
What Our Students Are Saying
Che Sokol
French
Current Graduate Student
“My experience as an exchange instructor at Université Paul Valéry in Montpellier, France has not only improved my French language fluency and given me teaching experience in a different education system, but also helped me foster academic relationships. Through this opportunity, I’ve been able to attend Mediterranean film festivals, access scholarly archives, and make social connections that have reinvigorated my research. The mentorship and support of ROMS faculty and administration has been integral to my development as a teacher and researcher.“
Aditi Kharod
French
Undergrad Alum
“I had an amazing experience taking French classes in this department. All the faculty are so helpful and kind, while pushing students to measurably improve their language skills. I was successfully able to live and study in Geneva, Switzerland for three months during my junior year with the skills I was taught at UNC from the ROMS faculty, and I’m currently a graduate student who will study at Sciences Po Grenoble for the next two semesters taking advanced courses in both English and French. This would not have been possible without the UNC French department and its incredible faculty, including Dr. Dorothea Heitsch, Dr. Nina Furry, Dr. Jessica Tanner, and especially Dr. Valérie Pruvost.“
Learn more about Language Placement and UNC’s Language Requirements.
Be sure to explore opportunities for:
Study Abroad
The Department of Romance Studies strongly encourages all of its students, and especially its majors and minors, to participate in a study abroad experience. Study abroad opportunities are available in a variety of locations for a summer term, a semester, or a full year.
Research
The Department of Romance Studies offers a gateway for research in the Humanities, including the various fields that make up Romance Studies. Research activities include the Honors Thesis, summer research fellowships, or engaging in mentoring projects with professors which lead to opportunities to present papers at conferences or for publication in the University’s undergraduate research journal.
Independent Studies
Independent studies courses (FREN 395, ITAL 395, PORT 396, or SPAN 395) allow students to undertake research on topics that are not available through normal course offerings. Independent studies courses may not be offered simply because a student cannot get into a class or due to difficulties a student may have in their scheduling of classes.
Awards & Honors Societies
Romance Studies has multiple awards and maintains three chapters of National Honor Societies for its students.