Requirements for the Minor

Requirements for Minor in French and Francophone Studies:

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)
• One course at the 300 level: FR3XX (French or Francophone)
• Elective at the 200 or 300 level (in French or English*): an additional course completed on campus and focused on a field of French and Francophone culture at an advanced level.

6 courses, beginning at the 200 level:

• FR231
• FR2XX: one ADDITIONAL course at the 200 level (French or Francophone)
• FR3XX: 3 courses at the 300 level (French or Francophone)
• Elective at the 200 or 300 level (in French or English*): an additional course completed on campus and focused on a field of French and Francophone culture at an advanced level.

*Elective in English:

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

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 Course 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.
• Elective at the 200 or 300 level (in French or English): an additional course completed on campus and focused on a field of French and Francophone culture at an advanced level will allow our minors to develop interest in a particular area they have encountered in previous coursework or explore a new area by electing a course offering in our department or another department at the College.