Francophone, Italian and Germanic Studies: French and Francophone Studies, BA
French and Francophone Studies introduces students to the full span of historical and cultural traditions from France and the French-speaking world. Language courses from introductory to advanced promote linguistic fluency and cultural competency, and upper-level seminars explore a range of topics pertaining to language, literature, culture, history, visual arts, and media.
The department strongly encourages study abroad and sponsors a summer program in France (Penn Summer in Tours), as well as semester/year programs in Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, and Cameroon.
The minimum total course units for graduation in the FIGS major is 32. Double majors may entail more course units.
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Elective | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors 1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| FIGS 1000 | Seeing Differently: Transcultural Approaches to Francophone, Italian, and Germanic Studies | 1 |
| FREN 0400 | Intermediate French II | 1 |
| FREN 1000 | Advanced French | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| At least 4 c.u. of electives must come from among the three following categories with a minimum of 1 in each: | 4 | |
| Advanced Language | ||
| Advanced French Grammar and Composition | ||
| Advanced French Conversation and Composition | ||
| French Phonetics | ||
or FREN 2170 | French Phonetics | |
| Advanced Intensive French Composition and Conversation | ||
| Advanced French Language and Culture | ||
Advanced French language course at an approved study abroad program | ||
| Advanced French: Translation | ||
| History and Culture Surveys | ||
| French History and Culture to 1774 | ||
| French History and Culture 1789-1945 | ||
| Contemporary France | ||
or FREN 2280 | Contemporary France | |
| Le français dans le monde/French in the World | ||
| Literature and Film Surveys | ||
| Masterpieces of French Cinema | ||
| Perspectives in French Literature: Love and Passion | ||
| Perspectives in French Literature: The Individual and Society | ||
| Francophone Literature and Film | ||
| French Seminars 3000 Level or Higher | 2 | |
| Literary Translation: Theory and Practice | ||
| Humor and Comedy in French and Francophone Culture | ||
| Topics in French Culture | ||
| Medieval Literature | ||
| The Enlightenment | ||
| French Literature of the 19th Century | ||
| Crime and Punishment: Hugo’s Les Misérables in Context | ||
| Paris: lire la ville, écrire la ville | ||
| Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Animal Words, Animal Worlds: Introduction to Zoopoetics | ||
| Horror Cinema | ||
| French & Italian Modern Horror | ||
| The French Novel of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Modern French Theater | ||
| Paris in Film | ||
| Francophone Postcolonial Cultures | ||
| French Caribbean Thought & Literature | ||
| The remaining 3 CU can come from any combination of: 2 | 3 | |
| First-Year Seminars | ||
| Laughter and Tricky Topics | ||
| Decolonizing French Food | ||
| The Fantastic Voyage from Homer to Science Fiction | ||
| Additional courses taught in French at the 1000-level or higher, including: | ||
| French for Business I | ||
| French for Business II | ||
| From West Africa to West Philadelphia: Creating Community in the Francophone Diaspora | ||
| Paris during the German Occupation and its Places of [Non-]Memory | ||
| Paris during the German Occupation and its Places of [Non-]Memory | ||
| Women’s Writing in French: 19th-21st Centuries | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Courses taught in French at approved study abroad programs | ||
| Major-related courses in FIGS or other departments | ||
| Coursework in another foreign language relevant to the student's interests | ||
| Total Course Units | 32 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
The remaining 3 c.u. of electives can be any combination of:
- Additional courses taught in French at the 1000-level or higher.
- Courses taught in French at approved study abroad programs.
- FREN 3999: Independent Study.
- FREN 4000: Honors Research Project.
- Major-related courses taught in English, either in FIGS or in other departments.
- Coursework in another foreign language relevant to the student’s interests.
- First-Year Seminars counted retroactively.
Honors
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.4 in the Major.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| FREN 4000 | Honors Thesis | 1 |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.