French and Francophone Studies

French and Francophone Studies students acquire knowledge of the languages, literatures, and cultures of France and French-speaking countries. Majors and minors gain cross-cultural understanding and global competence that prepare them for successful lives of leadership and service.

Through our commitment to do work in French at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced language courses, students develop, practice and maintain the skills to read, write, speak, and understand French. Courses on the literatures and cultures of French-speaking communities in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and North America instill in students an appreciation of Francophone cultures in their diversity.

In keeping with the broader liberal arts mission of the college, the department trains students in the skills of both critical analysis and written and oral argument, as well as understand critical interdisciplinary connections with Africana Studies, the Humanities, Global Literary Theory, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Film and Media Studies, Art History, History. We strongly encourage all students to study in a French-speaking country. To that end, students have the opportunity to study in the college’s own Davidson in France program.