French Major
Program Requirements
- Total Units Required: 30 (27 for second majors)
- Grade Requirement: Students must maintain an average of B– or higher and are expected to maintain a B average or better in all French courses. Courses taken Pass/No Pass do not count toward the major.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| FRENCH 3070 | Cultural Expression | 3 |
| FRENCH 3210 or FRENCH 3220 | One "In-Perspective" course | 3 |
FRENCH 3210 | Topics I: In Perspective | |
FRENCH 3220 | Topics II | |
| FRENCH 3600 or FRENCH 3610 | One "Thinking-It-Through" course | 3 |
FRENCH 3600 | Thinking it Through | |
FRENCH 3610 | Thinking It Through II | |
| FRENCH 3700s-3900s | One "In-Depth" course | 3 |
| FRENCH 4XXX | Two 4000-level seminars | 6 |
- *
Students pursuing the major earn the remainder of their credits by taking our rich 3000- and 4000-level elective offerings in French and Francophone literature, language, culture, and related disciplines in Arts & Sciences. Majors may count one course taken abroad toward the satisfaction of their Thinking-It-Through or In-Depth requirement. Students also may count as elective credit toward the major one 3-credit course that is taught in English by a member of the French faculty, either within or outside the department. This course must be at the 3000 level or above and does not replace any specifically required course.
Senior Capstone
Students with a prime major in French, Italian, or Spanish must fulfill a capstone requirement by either obtaining Latin honors (see details below) or completing an advanced undergraduate seminar (4000 level) in their junior or senior year with a grade of B+ or better.
Additional Information
Both 4000-level courses required for the major must be taken at Washington University. All primary majors must complete a capstone experience by achieving a B+ or better in one of the 4000-level seminars.
For more information about the program and language study in general, Washington University Arts & Sciences has produced a video called "Falling in Love With Another Language and Culture."
Study Abroad
We encourage French majors to participate in a study abroad program. Summer programs are available in Paris, Nice, and Senegal, and semester- and year-long programs are available in Toulouse and Paris. Three credits from the Senegal program, and up to 6 credits from each of the others, can count toward the major. Those interested in studying in other historically French-speaking countries should consult the faculty. Students should complete an In-Perspective course prior to attending the Nice, Toulouse, or Paris programs.
Transfer Credits
Students must take 21 of the 30 units required for the major in residence. Courses
not taken at Washington University may count toward the major only with departmental permission.
Writing Intensive (WI) Courses
Students wishing to satisfy the university Writing Intensive requirement within their French major may do so by taking either FRENCH 4110 or FRENCH 4131. These writing intensive courses are not seminars, are not required for the major, and do not replace the major requirements.
Senior Honors
Students who have maintained at least a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.65 through the end of their Junior year are encouraged to work toward Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) in the College of Arts & Sciences, and by maintaining the minimum grade point average through the final semester.
To further achieve Departmental Honors in French, Italian, or Spanish, majors may fulfill requirements of either of two tracks: Honors by Coursework or Honors by Thesis. Recommendations for honors are based on performance and the quality of the thesis or critical essays in addition to the student's cumulative GPA. Honors examining committees will award the student one of three designations: Departmental Honors with High Distinction, Departmental Honors with Distinction, or Departmental Honors.
Contact Info
| Phone: | 314-935-5175 |
| Email: | rll@wustl.edu |
| Website: | http://rll.wustl.edu |