Requirements for the Major

Download: Francophone Studies Major Checklist

The major in Francophone Studies promotes the acquisition of superior language skills along with an opportunity to explore via a set of multidisciplinary approaches the richness of Francophone cultures. Emphasis is placed on developing skills in critical analysis that enhance appreciation of print and visual texts while also broadening and deepening students’ understanding of values foreign to their own.

A minimum of 10 courses in French or 9 courses in French and 1 elective in English* is required for students starting at the 200-level.
-Students who begin their study of French at Colby in the required 125-126-127* sequence need to take 9 additional courses in French (or 8 + 1 elective), including 128 or 131.
-Students who begin in either 128 or 131* need to take 9 additional courses in French (or 8 + 1 elective).

-As of the class of 2027, students who enter the major from Colby in Dijon may count up to three courses toward the major, such as FR132D, FR133D, FR136D or FR240D, in consultation with the director of the Dijon program and approval from the department chair.”

Students majoring in Francophone studies are strongly encouraged (but not required as of the class of 2027) to study abroad in a country appropriate for their area of interest.

Area requirements: courses completed on campus and/or abroad must include:
one course at the 200 level or above focused on early modern France or pre-1800 (such as FR232 and designated 300/400 level courses);
one course at the 200 level or above focused on the Francophone world (such as FR236, FR237, FR238, and designated 300/400 level courses):
one course at the 200 level or above focused on the acquisition of critical tools and methods or application of theory (such as FR223, FR 252, FR256 and designated 300/400 level courses).

*Students majoring in Francophone Studies may select a course taught in English with a significant focus on France and/or the Francophone world. This course treating specific topics and/or theory can be completed in Anthropology, Art, African American Studies, Cinema Studies, Global Studies, Government, History, and Sociology, among other departments/programs. It must be approved in advance by the designated advisor in the department or the chair.

*An independent study cannot take the place of the requirement for majors to take a course in the department each semester.

I. Coursework at the 100 level (first and/or sophomore year): FR125-126-127 OR 128-131

II. Coursework at the 200 level (first and/or sophomore year): FR231 and two other 200-level electives

III. Coursework at the 300 level (sophomore and/or junior year): Courses taken abroad must be approved by the major advisor. This can normally be done via e-mail after the program begins, when students know which courses are offered. Approved courses on non-Colby programs count toward the major, but grades do not count toward the student’s GPA. Up to 3 courses from a semester program abroad—and a maximum of 5 from a year-long program or from two semesters abroad—can be counted toward the major.

IV. Coursework at the 300 and 400 level (senior year): Majors must take at least one course conducted in French each semester; after completing a semester of study abroad, these courses must be numbered 300 and higher. The senior capstone (FR493) may be fulfilled by the seminar section of a 300-level course either in the fall or the spring, with supplementary work authorized by the instructor.