French Studies, BA
French Studies majors immerse themselves in the language, literature of France.
You will work toward linguistic proficiency in French, honing your basic vocabulary and progressing toward sophisticated communication, verbal and written. In time, you will engage with the language through the works of great French writers like Voltaire, Proust, and Camus. You will develop greater critical thinking and problem-solving and have the option to combine your language study with other valuable experiences, such as studying abroad, coding, leadership opportunities, and internships. At the culmination of your study, you will create an original project that draws on your learning experiences.
Throughout your journey, you will receive highly personalized instruction from our faculty. We are here to equip you for whatever future you envision!
Learn More About Our Program
Get to know our well-respected faculty and their academic specialties. Or explore internship opportunities and an array of study abroad possibilities.
CURRICULUM
After successfully completing levels 1–3, students will be able to...
- Understand and produce speech in a variety of personal and social contexts; initiate and sustain conversations about multiple topics in the past, present and future tenses.
- Read and comprehend texts with varied subject matter, multiple points of view and verb tenses.
- Write prose that includes description and narration on a variety of topics with varied vocabulary.
- Provide interpretations and supporting ideas.
- Exhibit understanding and demonstrate knowledge of cultural, geographical, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of other societies.
- Demonstrate an ability to see the world from multiple perspectives and become aware of themselves as members of the global community.
Students graduating with a language/literature major or minor are expected to be able to:
- Converse with other speakers of the target language on a variety of topics.
- Read and understand expository prose.
- Write coherent, grammatically correct essays on a variety of topics.
- Be familiar with the culture, history and literature of the countries whose language is under study.
- Engage in literary analysis (using the correct literary terminology, grammar, stylistic requisites) by writing clear and well-organized compositions.
Career Options
Saint Mary's Testimonials
“The faculty at Saint Mary's definitely changed my life. There was a lot of support that I don't think I would have found in a larger college setting. They grew to know me and what I was capable of and I felt like there was a definite kinship that developed where however much effort I gave in my classes, my teachers were also supporting my goals.”
Amanda Benson, '06
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