Program

The Departments of French at Haverford College and Bryn Mawr College offer a unified program and a variety of courses and two major options. The purpose of the major in French is to lay the foundation for an understanding and appreciation of French and Francophone cultures. Course offerings are intended to serve both those with particular interest in French literature, literary theory and criticism, as well as those with particular interest in French and French-speaking countries from the perspective of history, culture, arts and political science. A thorough knowledge of French is a common goal for both orientations, and texts and discussion in French are central both to the program focusing on French history and culture (interdisciplinary concentration) and to the literary specialization (literature concentration).

In the 100-level courses, students are introduced to the study of French and Francophone literatures and cultures, and special attention is given to the speaking and writing of French. Courses at the 200-level treat French and Francophone literatures and civilizations from the beginning to the present day. Four 200-level courses are devoted to advanced language training, with practice in spoken as well as in written French. Advanced (300-level) courses offer detailed study either of individual authors, genres, and movements (literature concentration) or of particular periods, themes, and problems in French and Francophone cultures (interdisciplinary concentration). In both tracks, students are admitted to advanced courses after satisfactory completion of two semesters of 200-level courses in French.

Students in all courses are encouraged to make use of the Language Learning Center. In French 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, the use of the laboratory and intensive oral practice in small groups directed by a department assistant form an integral part of the course. French majors find it valuable to supplement the work done at Haverford and Bryn Mawr by study abroad, usually during the junior year.

All students who wish to pursue their study of French must take a placement examination upon entrance at Haverford. Those students who begin French have two options:

• intensive study of the language in the intensive sections (the sequence 001 and 002 Intensive Elementary; 005 Intensive Intermediate and 102 Textes, Images, Voix II, or 005 and 105 Directions de la France contemporaine),
• or non-intensive study of the language in the non-intensive sequence (001-002; 003-004; 101-102; 101-105; 103-102 or 103-105). In either case, students who pursue French to the 200 level often find it useful to take as their first 200-level course either 212 Grammaire avancée or 260 Stylistique et traduction.

Although it is possible to major in French using either of the two sequences, students who are considering doing so and have been placed at the 001 level are encouraged to take the intensive option.
           

Both departments also cooperate with the Departments of Italian and Spanish in the Romance languages major.

The Major and the Minor

Requirements in the major subject are:

1. French and Francophone Literature: French 005-102, 005-105, 101-102 ,101-105; French 212 or 260, four semesters of 200-level literature courses (including the required 213), three semesters of 300-level literature courses, and one semester Senior Conference (Fall semester). Thesis writers take two 300-level courses, the Fall semester Senior Conference and complete a thesis (Spring semester) in French.
2. Interdisciplinary Studies in French: French 005-102, 005-105, 101-102 ,101-105; French 212 or 260; two 200-level courses in the French Department (e.g. French 255, 291 or 294 or other comparable courses abroad), and two 200-level courses selected by the student outside the Fench Department which s/he will integrate coherently in his/her individual program of study; French 326 (Etudes avancées de civilisation); two 300-level coourses outside the French Department; thesis in French or English at the 300 level; two 200- or 300-level French literature courses, with one of these courses chosen at the 300 level; and the two-semester Senior Conference.
3. Both concentrations: all French majors are expected to have acquired fluency in the French language, both written and oral. Unless specifically exempted by the department, they are required to take French 212 or 260. Students may wish to continue from 212 to 260 to hone their skills further. Students placed at the 200 level by departmental examinations are exempted from the 100-level requirements. Occasionally, students may be admitted to seminars in the graduate school.

Honors

Undergraduates who have excelled in French by maintaining a minimum grade of 3.7 may, if invited by the department, write an honors thesis during the second semester of their senior year. However, the approval and subsequent writing of such a thesis do not guarantee the award. Departmental honors may also be awarded for excellence in the oral comprehensive examination at the end of the senior year.

Minor Requirements

Requirements for a French minor are French 101-102 ,101-105, 103-102 or 103-105; French 212 or 260; and four 200-level or 300-level courses. At least one course must be at the 300-level.

A.B./M.A. Program

Particularly well-qualified students may undertake work toward the joint A.B./M.A. degree in French. Such a program may be completed in four or five years and is undertaken with the approval of the department and of the dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Bryn Mawr College.

 

Teacher Certification

The Department of French offers a certification program in secondary teacher education. For more information, see the description of the education program at Bryn Mawr College.