French
Director of undergraduate studies: Thomas C. Connolly; Language program director: Candace Skorupa; french.yale.edu
The Department of French has two distinct but complementary missions: to provide instruction in the French language at all levels of competence, and to lead students to a broad appreciation and deep understanding of the literatures and cultures of France and other French-speaking countries.
The major in French is a liberal arts major, designed for those who wish to study French-language literatures, arts, and cultures in depth. The department offers courses devoted to authors, works, and literary and cultural movements that span ten centuries and four continents. The curriculum also includes interdisciplinary courses on relations between literature and other areas of study such as history, law, medicine, religion, philosophy, politics, business, translation, and the arts. Majors are encouraged to explore all periods and genres of literature in French, as well as a wide variety of critical approaches.
Excellent knowledge of a non-English language and a mature, informed appreciation of a non-English literature and culture can open doors to numerous professions. The French major provides ideal preparation for careers in a range of fields from law and diplomacy to journalism, teaching, academia, publishing, business, and the arts. Recent graduates have gone on to selective law schools, medical schools, and graduate programs in French and Comparative Literature. Others work in business, government, primary and secondary education, and a variety of nongovernmental agencies and international organizations.
French can be taken either as a primary major or as one of two majors, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS). Regulations concerning the completion of two majors can be found in the Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, "Two Majors."
Course Numbering
Group A courses (FREN 1000–1599) This group consists of courses that focus on all levels of language acquisition. Preregistration is required for all Group A courses except FREN 1250 and FREN 1450. FREN 1210 (single-semester L1 and L2) is offered only during the fall term. For this reason, students placed into L1 or L2 who were not enrolled in a fall-term course will have to wait until the next fall to enroll. For further details, students should consult Candace Skorupa, the language program director (LPD).
Group B courses (FREN 1600–4999 taught in French) This group contains more advanced courses that are taught in French and count toward the major. FREN 1600 and FREN 1700 are gateway courses that prepare students for courses numbered 2000 and above. Courses numbered FREN 1800–1999 are advanced-level professional language courses. The 2000–2999 range contains courses devoted to broad, general fields defined by century or genre; the 3000–4999 range contains courses devoted to specific topics within or across those general fields.
Group C courses (FREN 2000–4999 taught in English) This group comprises courses taught in English, although readings may be in French or English. Two courses from this group may be counted for credit toward the standard major.
Language Placement Procedures
The departmental placement exam in French is accessible online. Dates and information for the exam will be available on the French department website, in the Calendar for the Opening Days of College, and on the Center for Language Study website. Placement exam results remain valid for one year.
Students with previous exposure to French but who have not yet studied French at Yale should take the departmental placement exam to ascertain their current level of proficiency, including students who have participated in a non-Yale French language program.
Students who have earned superior scores on standardized tests may be able to enroll in a course designated L5, and should consult with the DUS for further information. The department generally recommends that advanced students of French take the departmental placement exam to be directed to the most appropriate courses. Students who earned a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement exam, a score of 6 or 7 on the advanced-level International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, a rating of C1 on the CEFR European test, or an A or B on the GCE A-level exam are normally placed into a course at the 1500 level and above.
Prerequisite
The prerequisite may be fulfilled by taking FREN 1500, which should be taken during the first or second year. In consultation with the DUS, students may instead choose to select a course numbered 1600-4999 to fulfill the prerequisite. Prospective majors are encouraged to take at least one literature course numbered 1700 or above before the end of the second year.
Requirements of the Major
See Links to the attributes indicating courses approved for French major requirements.
The standard major The standard major consists of ten term courses numbered 1600 or above, including a one-term senior essay (see below). One of these ten courses must be FREN 1700 which should be completed early in a candidate's studies, or, in consultation with the DUS, an equivalent course in French from the 2000–4999 range; at least four must be Group B courses numbered 2000 or above. Majors may count no more than two courses in the FREN 1800–1999 range. No more than two courses conducted entirely in English (Group C) may count toward the major. With prior approval of the DUS, a maximum of four term courses taught outside the Yale Department of French but bearing directly on the student's principal interest may be counted toward the major. Up to two of these may be taken in other departments at Yale, and up to four may be taken as part of a year or term abroad, or summer study abroad program. However, the combined number of courses from other departments and from study abroad may not exceed four. The DUS may grant exceptions to this limit for students who spend two academic terms in an approved study abroad program. Relevant first-year seminars may count toward the major, with permission of the DUS.
The intensive major The intensive major is designed for students who wish to undertake a more concentrated study of literature and culture in French. It is recommended for students considering graduate study in French or in a related field. The intensive major consists of twelve term courses numbered 1600 or above, including a one-term or two-term senior essay (see below). At least five courses must be from Group B numbered 2000 or above. The requirement of FREN 1700 (or an equivalent 2000–4999 course), and the stipulations for courses in the 1800–1999 range, courses conducted in English, and courses taken outside the department are identical to those for the standard major.
Period requirement A minimum of one of the ten courses toward the major, or one of the twelve courses toward the intensive major, must deal predominantly with materials from the period preceding 1800. The pre-1800 course may be either a Group B course (taught in French) or a Group C course (taught in English). This requirement applies to all French majors, including those who opt for the standard or intensive translation concentration.
Translation concentration Students may elect to pursue the translation concentration within the French major. Translation concentration majors are expected to take a minimum of two courses in French translation as two of the ten credits required for the standard major, or as two of the twelve credits required for the intensive major. Within the department, this requirement can be fulfilled by taking FREN 3010 and FREN 3012. For their senior requirement, translation concentration students undertake a literary translation project of similar length to the senior essay (see below).
Credit/D/Fail No more than one course taken Credit/D/Fail may be applied toward the requirements of the major (excluding the senior essay requirement).
Outside credit Courses taken at another institution or during an approved summer or term-time study abroad program may count toward the major requirements with the approval of the DUS.
Senior Requirement
All majors must write a senior essay showing evidence of careful reading, appropriate research, and substantial independent thought. Essays may be written in either French or English and must be prepared under the direction of a ladder faculty member in the Department of French. Students planning to pursue advanced work in French after graduation are encouraged to write their senior essay in French.
Students writing a one-term essay enroll in FREN 4910 in the senior year. A one-term essay may be written in either the fall or the spring term and should be approximately thirty pages in length. A preliminary statement indicating the general area to be addressed and the name of the adviser must be submitted to the DUS by April 14, 2025 (fall-term essay), or November 3, 2025 (spring-term essay). A one-page prospectus and bibliography are due September 12, 2025 (fall term), or January 23, 2026 (spring term). A rough draft must be submitted to the adviser by October 27, 2025 (fall term), or March 23, 2026 (spring term). An electronic copy of the final essay should be sent to the French department registrar by November 28, 2025 (fall term), or April 20, 2026 (spring term).
Students electing a two-term essay must select their subject and adviser before the end of the junior year and enroll in FREN 4930 and FREN 4940 during the senior year. The essay should be around sixty pages in length. A preliminary statement indicating the general area to be addressed and the name of the adviser must be submitted to the DUS by April 14, 2025. A one-page prospectus and bibliography are due September 12, 2025. Students must submit an initial rough draft to their adviser by January 23, 2026, and a complete draft by March 23, 2026. An electronic copy of the final essay should be sent to the French department registrar by April 20, 2026.
Translation concentration majors undertake a literary translation project from French into English of similar length to the senior essay, working with a member of the French department ladder faculty. The senior translation project should include a critical introduction, of a length to be determined by the student in consultation with the directing faculty member. The same submission dates as for the one-term essay and the two-term essay apply to the senior translation project. Translation concentration students should sign up for FREN 4920 for the single-term senior translation project or for FREN 4950 and FREN 4960 for the two-term senior translation project, in the fall and spring terms respectively. Materials submitted for the senior translation project cannot be the same as the materials submitted for any translation courses that count toward a major at Yale College.
Advising
All students in the major are encouraged to take as many advanced courses as possible from all historical periods, covering as many genres and critical approaches as possible. As stipulated above, majors are also required to take at least one course dealing predominantly with pre-1800 materials. Candidates for the major should contact the DUS as early as the beginning of the sophomore year and no later than the fall term of the junior year. Students planning to study abroad or to petition for completion of two majors should contact the DUS during the sophomore year.
Special Divisional Major The department will support the application of qualified students who wish to pursue an interdisciplinary course in French studies. Under the provisions of the Special Divisional Major, students may combine courses offered by the French department with courses from other departments. Close consultation with the relevant departmental advisers is required. Candidates for the Special Divisional Major should consult the DUS in French by the fall term of the junior year.
Study abroad Majors are encouraged to spend a term or a year abroad, for which appropriate course credit may be granted. With prior approval of the DUS, summer study abroad may also receive course credit. Further information may be obtained from the Center for International and Professional Experience, from Yale Study Abroad, from the French Department's Study Abroad Coordinator, Constance Sherak, and from the DUS.
Combined B.A./M.A. degree program Yale College undergraduate students of distinguished ability and extraordinary commitment who are interested in pursuing advanced research in French and Francophone literatures may undertake graduate work for the simultaneous award of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees after eight terms of enrollment. See Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, “Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.” Interested students should reach out to the DUS prior to the sixth term of enrollment and consult the B.A./M.A. section on the French department’s website.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite FREN 1500 or equivalent as approved by the DUS
Number of courses Standard major and translation concentration—10 term courses numbered 1600 or above (including senior essay); Intensive major and translation concentration—12 term courses numbered 1600 or above (including senior essay)
Specific course required FREN 1700 or equivalent as approved by the DUS
Distribution of courses Standard major—at least 4 courses in Group B numbered 2000 or above; no more than 2 courses numbered FREN 1800–1999; no more than 2 courses conducted in English; one pre-1800 course; Intensive major—same as standard, plus 1 additional Group B course numbered 2000 or above; Translation concentration (both standard and intensive)— same as standard major with a minimum of two translation courses
Substitution permitted With prior approval of DUS, up to 4 term courses outside French Department, as specified
Senior requirement Standard major—one-term senior essay in French or English (FREN 4910); Translation concentration—one-term literary translation from French into English (FREN 4920); Intensive major—one-term (FREN 4910) or two-term senior essay in French or English (FREN 4930, FREN 4940); Translation concentration, Intensive major—one-term senior translation from French into English (FREN 4920) or two-term literary translation from French into English (FREN 4950, FREN 4960)
Prerequisite
- FREN 1500 or equivalent
Requirements
No more than 2 courses may be taken in English
No more than 2 courses numbered FREN 1800-1999 may count toward the requirements for the standard or intensive major
Standard major
10 courses (10 credits) numbered 1600 or above, including the senior requirement, but not the prerequisite
Intensive major
12 courses (12 credits), numbered 1600 or above, including the senior requirement, but not the prerequisite
- FREN 1700 or equivalent
- 5 courses in Group B numbered 2000 or above
- 1 pre-1800 course
- FREN 4910 or FREN 4930 and FREN 4940
Translation concentration (standard major)
- same as the standard major with the addition of
- 2 translation courses
- FREN 4920 (senior translation requirement)
Translation concentration (intensive major)
The major in French is a liberal arts major, designed for those who wish to study French-language literatures, arts, and cultures in depth. The department offers courses devoted to authors, works, and literary and cultural movements that span ten centuries and four continents. The curriculum also includes interdisciplinary courses on relations between literature and other areas of study such as history, law, medicine, religion, philosophy, politics, business, translation, and the arts. Majors are encouraged to explore all periods and genres of literature in French, as well as a wide variety of critical approaches.
Excellent knowledge of a foreign language and a mature, informed appreciation of a foreign literature and culture can open doors to numerous professions. The French major provides ideal preparation for careers in a range of fields from law and diplomacy to journalism, teaching, academia, publishing, business, and the arts. Recent graduates have gone on to selective law schools, medical schools, and graduate programs in French and Comparative Literature. Others work in business, government, primary and secondary education, and a variety of nongovernmental agencies and international organizations.
French courses numbered FREN 1000–1599 are courses devoted to language acquisition. Courses numbered FREN 1600–1700 are gateway courses that prepare students for courses numbered FREN 2000 and above. Courses numbered FREN 1800–1999 are advanced-level professional language courses. Courses numbered 2000–4999 are advanced courses in literature and culture. The 2000–2999 range contains courses devoted to broad, general fields defined by century or genre. The 3000–4999 range contains courses devoted to specific topics within or across those general fields.
Language Placement Procedures
The departmental placement exam in French is accessible online. Dates and information for the exam will be available on the French department website, in the Calendar for the Opening Days of College, and on the Center for Language Study website. Placement exam results remain valid for one year.
Students with previous exposure to French but who have not yet studied French at Yale should take the departmental placement exam to ascertain their current level, including students who have taken a non-Yale French language program.
Students who have earned superior scores on standardized tests may be able to enroll in a course designated L5, and should consult with the DUS for further information. The department generally recommends that advanced students of French take the departmental placement exam in order to be directed to the most appropriate courses. Students who earned a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement exam, a score of 6 or 7 on the advanced-level International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, a rating of C1 on the CEFR European test, or an A or B on the GCE A-level exam are normally placed into a course at the 150 level and above.
Certificate of Advanced Language Study
The French Department offers a Certificate of Advanced Language Study to Yale College undergraduates who are not French majors.
Requirements
Non-majors seeking to earn the Certificate of Advanced Language Study in French are required to take four courses beyond the L4 level, at least two of which must be Yale courses designated as L5. Additionally, the French Department requires that a minimum of one of the four required courses be a French Department course in French listed in the FREN 2000-4999 range. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students must achieve a grade of B or above. With the approval of the DUS, one advanced non-L5 course, conducted in the target language, such as an independent study course (graded pass/fail) or a graduate seminar may count toward certification requirements.
The DUS may allow one “language across the curriculum” (LxC) course taught in English to count toward the certification requirements provided the course includes a weekly discussion section conducted entirely in French, and the student completes all readings and assignments in French. The discussion section must enroll a minimum of three students and the course must be designated as LxC in the course description.
The DUS may also approve up to two study abroad courses taught in French to count as electives toward the certificate requirements. If the DUS approves courses taken outside of Yale for inclusion in the certificate requirements, students must take the necessary steps to ensure those courses appear on their transcript.
Credit/D/Fail No courses taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the requirements of the certificate.
Declaration of Candidacy
Students must declare their intention to earn a Certificate on the Declare Major, Concentration within the Major, Certificate page on Yale Hub, as early as possible, but at the very latest, by the 15th of January or September in their last semester at Yale. Once declared, Degree Audit tracks students' progress toward completion of the certificate.
Any questions relating to the Certificate of Advanced Language Study in French should be directed to the DUS or to the French Department Registrar Bethany Hayes.
Faculty of the Department of French
Professors R. Howard Bloch, Dominique Brancher, Ardis Butterfield, Marlene L. Daut, Carolyn Dean, Kaiama L. Glover, Alice Kaplan, Pierre Saint-Amand, Maurice Samuels
Associate Professors Morgane Cadieu, Thomas C. Connolly, Jill Jarvis
Senior Lecturer Lauren Pinzka
Senior Lectors Soumia Koundi, Matuku Ngame, Constance Sherak, Candace Skorupa
Lecturer Nichole Gleisner
Lectors Ramla Bedoui, Léo Tertrain, Rachel Watson
See the Roadmap Library for a visual representation of the major.