Requirements for the Minor

Download checklist for the minor

The addition of a French and Francophone Studies minor creates the opportunity for students
to continue their course of study beyond the required language sequence (FR125, FR126,
FR127). The minor in French and Francophone Studies promotes the acquisition of superior
language skills along with an opportunity to explore the richness of French and Francophone
cultures via a set of multidisciplinary approaches.

Minor Requirements:
A minimum of 6 courses is required to complete the minor 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 5 additional courses, including 128 or 131. Students who begin in either
128 or 131  need to take 5 additional courses. Students who enter the minor from Colby in
Dijon may count FR240D toward the minor.

An independent study cannot take the place of a course selected to fulfill requirements for the
minor.
Up to two courses from study abroad in a French-speaking country may be transferred toward
the minor.

5 courses, after the completion of the language sequence (FR125-126-127):
• FR128 or FR131
• Two courses at the 200 level: FR 231, FR2XX (French or Francophone)
*• Two courses at the 300 level: FR3XX (French or Francophone)

6 courses, beginning at the 200 level:
• FR231
*• FR2XX: two ADDITIONAL courses at the 200 level (French or Francophone)
• FR3XX: 3 courses at the 300 level (French or Francophone)

*Required as of the class of 2026.
One course at either the 200 or 300 level must be focused on a non-European French-speaking country.

Overview of Coursework for minor in French and Francophone Studies:
• FR128 builds reading skills and broadens cultural background with a literary and media
component. Students, who complete this course, will have a good foundation for more
advanced analysis of various print and visual texts in addition to stronger oral and written skills.
• FR131 is a culture-based course with a strong oral and compositional component that fosters
students’ abilities to debate and write about major issues. By completing this course, students
will be able to transition to any of our 200-level courses with stronger language skills.
• FR231 is an advanced grammar and composition course that all our minors and majors must
complete. By requiring this course for the minor, we maintain a key component of our overall
curriculum focused on the acquisition of advanced skills in oral and written French.
• Additional Courses at the 200 level: our course offerings at the 200 level include: the history
of French and Francophone culture, advanced skills in critical and cultural analysis, film studies,
theater, environmental studies, and hands-on learning.
• Coursework at the 300 level: our course offerings at the 300 level are principally cross-
disciplinary and treat a broad range of topics on the French-speaking world.