BA in French Studies

Twelve courses with a grade of C or higher are required. Students entering with advanced standing in French must complete a minimum of six principal courses in French at Boston University. Students participating in a Boston University program in France must complete a minimum of four principal courses in French on the Boston campus; two of these four courses must be taken at the 400 level or above following study abroad. Internships taken on study abroad programs may not be credited toward a major in French.

Required Courses

12 courses with a grade of C or higher, distributed as follows:

Four Foundation Courses

• One advanced language course (CAS LF 30x) (cannot be fulfilled by AP score)
• Introduction to French literature (2 courses)
  • CAS LF 350 (poetry, theatre, essay, short fiction)
  • CAS LF 351 (novel)
• Introduction to linguistics (CAS LX 250)

Four LF Literature Courses (400/500 levels)

• At least one focused on a period before 1800 (CAS LF 451, 453, 457, 550, 553, 555, 560, 562, 563, 564, 565, 575)
• At least one focused on a period after 1800 (CAS LF 455, 456, 460, 469, 551, 554, 556, 558, 569, 570, 571, 590)
• Two other CAS LF literature courses at the 400–500 level [choices would be from those listed above]

Four Electives

With at most one elective taught in English, chosen in consultation with the advisor from the following:

• LF courses in language, literature, film, linguistics, and civilization (One of these courses may be at the 300 level; all others must be at the 400 level.)
• LX courses in general linguistics
• Related humanities and social science courses chosen, with advisor’s approval, from areas including comparative literature, history, history of art & architecture, international relations, music, and philosophy (CAS CC 101/102 together count as one course toward this requirement.)

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students may take courses to fulfill their language requirement or courses toward a French major or minor, or toward the joint major in French & Linguistics, in the Boston University Study Abroad programs in Grenoble and Paris. In Grenoble, students enroll in intensive language courses and in university courses covering a broad curriculum. The BU center in Paris offers two programs: the Paris Contemporary Studies Program and the Paris Internship Program. Students in the Paris Contemporary Studies Program select three courses at the Université Paris 8 along with two courses at the center. Students in the Paris Internship Program take three courses at the center followed by an internship placement with accompanying academic work. Opportunities to take courses abroad taught in French are also available in BU’s international program in Geneva, and through exchange programs in Paris in the fields of management and political science. Additional information on these programs is available in the Study Abroad and Internship Programs portion of this bulletin. Students should consult with a faculty advisor to determine which Study Abroad courses may fulfill major and minor requirements.

Placement Examination

A placement test is required of all students whose most recent course in French was taken in high school or at a college other than Boston University and who wish to continue their study of this language here. Information regarding online placement exams is available in the department or on the departmental website.