Department of French & Francophone Studies

Selections of French bread and cheese, artfully displayed

A selection of French bread and cheese served to students from professor Kathryne Corbin's Matters of Taste class (FREN 254) and professor Kimiko Suzuki's Advanced Japanese class (JNSE 201) at a cross-cultural dinner. Photo by Paola Nogueras.

Professors Kathryne Corbin ad Kimiko Suzuki address students at a dinner table

Professors Kathryne Corbin and Kimiko Suzuki address students participating in a cross-cultural dinner. Students discussed the promotion and boundaries of nation and identity by governments and cultural ministries, and debated the legitimacy of national dishes and structured socializations related to meals in various contexts. Photo by Paola Nogueras.

Students in line to serve themselves at a dinner offering French and Japanese cusine

Students from professor Kathryne Corbin's Matters of Taste class (FREN 254) and professor Kimiko Suzuki's Advanced Japanese class (JNSE 201) participated in a cross-cultural dinner to consider the frameworks to define the concepts of nation and national dish as well as social customs around the table. Students discussed the promotion and boundaries of nation and identity by governments and cultural ministries, and debated the legitimacy of national dishes and structured socializations related to meals in various contexts. Photo by Paola Nogueras.

A student is holding an apple close to her nose with her eyes closed, and another student in the background is doing the same with a red bell pepper

With their eyes closed, students from professor Kathryne Corbin's Matters of Taste: France and its Culinary Culture class (FREN 254) handle fresh produce during a sensory workshop. Photo by Patrick Montero.

Kathryne Corbin with two students participating in a sensory workshop by handling fresh produce with their eyes closed

Kathryne Corbin with two students from her Matters of Taste: France and its Culinary Culture class as they participate in a sensory workshop. French 254, “French in English,” is the only course in the Department of French & Francophone Studies that is offered in English. Photo by Patrick Montero.

Students around a table participating in a sensory workshop, holding scent vials and fresh produce

Students from professor Kathryne Corbin's Matters of Taste: France and its Culinary Culture class (FREN 254) explore why food is so central to French culture and the ways cuisine intersects with questions of gender, identity, class, and politics in the context of French society. Photo by Patrick Montero.

Professor Koffi Anyinefa addressing students in the VCAM

Professor Koffi Anyinefa addressing students in his Intermediate French Class (FREN 004). Student posters were displayed in the VCAM as part of "Our Tour de France: An Exhibit on Some Amazing French Cities & Regions (sans Paris!)." Photo by Patrick Montero.

Posters on display in the VCAM as part of the French exhibit displaying interesting findings about different regions of France

Posters showcasing interesting and insightful findings about a city or region in France, displayed in the VCAM as part of "Our Tour de France: An Exhibit on Some Amazing French Cities & Regions (sans Paris!)." Posters were created by students in Professor Koffi Anyinefa's Intermediate French Class (FREN 004). Photo by Patrick Montero.

Two students presenting a poster on Lyon in the VCAM

Students from Professor Koffi Anyinefa's Intermediate French Class (FREN 004) presenting their poster about Lyon for "Our Tour de France: An Exhibit on Some Amazing French Cities & Regions (sans Paris!)." This exhibit was shown in the VCAM, and the posters displayed interesting and insightful findings about a city or region in France. Photo by Patrick Montero.

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.

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