French and Francophone Studies

At a Glance

I’m interested in this field of study. Can you tell me more about it?

The Department of French and Francophone Studies at Scripps partners with our colleagues at Claremont McKenna and Pitzer to form one intercollegiate program. In this field of study, you can be mentored by professors specializing in multiple disciplines, including postcolonial studies, film, environmental studies, holocaust studies, enlightenment theater, North African studies, Caribbean studies and Canadian studies. If you’re curious about French and wish to begin a new language, or want to continue honing your French skills, this is the place for you!

What are some courses appropriate for first-year students interested in exploring this field of study?

If you place into a language course, you may begin with FREN 1, FREN 2 or FREN 33. If you’re more advanced, you can enjoy analyzing texts and film in FREN 44, as well as in our introduction to French and Francophone studies, which allows you to interact with all the faculty in our program and prepare for study abroad.

If I decide to major or minor in this field, are there certain courses that need to be taken in a specific sequence?

Many of our majors begin in FREN 1, FREN 2 and FREN 33, which are prerequisites to the major. You officially begin the major at FREN 44, which is followed by FREN 100 and then by other upper-division courses.

Can students who major or minor in this field complete a second major or minor (as a double major or a major/minor combination)? If so, what are some common pairings?

Yes, absolutely! Recent French majors and minors have also studied politics, health sciences, biology, environmental studies, art history, and American studies. Recent French majors have produced theses on topics such as maternal mortality in Haiti, the politics of French and English language use in Algeria, the observations of stress in bird species, and on an internationally funded desalination project in Senegal.

What other useful information should I know about this field of study?

Learning French opens many doors to adventure, both in the US and internationally. Courses in this major train you to effectively use the spoken and written language, research and analyze cultures of the French-speaking world, and to translate those skills to various professional fields. Our study abroad programs are transformational and often inspire students in the career choices.

Scripps Catalog link to specific requirements for the major/minor:

https://www.scrippscollege.edu/departments/french-studies

Link to profiles of faculty who teach in this field:

https://www.scrippscollege.edu/departments/french-studies

The French Placement Exam

All students wishing to enroll in French-language courses must take the Language Placement Test. The test is offered online and can be taken during the summer before fall registration and at any time during the academic year. Only those students who have had no more than one semester of high school French are exempt from taking this test and may enroll in French 1 (Introductory French) directly. Placement test results are valid for one year; thereafter the test must be retaken. Students who place into French 44 may satisfy the language requirement by passing a French Proficiency Exam administered by the faculty of the Intercollegiate French program. Passing the French Proficiency Exam will allow students to enroll in Upper Division French courses. All other students will satisfy the language requirement by passing French 33 or equivalent. Students are strongly encouraged to fulfill the language requirement in an uninterrupted sequence. In all cases, however, the language requirement must be completed by the end of the first semester of the senior year.

Course Catalog

Study Abroad in France (Montpellier, Nantes, Paris, Strasbourg), Belgium, Madagascar or Senegal

Study Abroad is considered an integral part of the French and Francophone Studies curriculum at Scripps, and all students of French are strongly encouraged to complement their Claremont curriculum with at least a semester stay in France, Belgium, Senegal, or Madagascar. All coursework taught in French completed abroad in the latter programs satisfies the requirements for the major or minor in French and Francophone Studies, except for most language courses. We will accept only one studio art course as well. Students must also complete at least French 44 prior to going abroad. We strongly recommend however, that students also take French 100 which will prepare them more fully to take courses in French abroad. It is also strongly recommended that students intending to go abroad take a French course every semester prior to leaving, regardless of their incoming level. Thus, first-year students entering the French curriculum at the 44 level will have completed all major/minor requirements upon their return.

Currently, students may study abroad on the following approved semester programs:

Paris: Middlebury College Program
Paris: Sarah Lawrence College Program
Paris: Hamilton College Program
Paris: IFE Paris Field Study and Internship Program
Montpellier: University of Minnesota
Nantes: Institute for International Education of Students (IES)
Strasbourg: IFE Strasbourg Field Study and Internship Program
Brussels, Belgium: IFE Brussels Field and Internship Study Program
Fort Dauphin, Madagascar: School for International Training (SIT) Biodiversity Program

Co-Curricular Activities

The French Corridor in Scripps’ residence halls invites students to speak French with the residing native French Teaching Assistant and with each other. Space in the French Corridor is limited, and members commit to building community through inclusive, group-based activities for students of French throughout the year. Corridor members will organize activities such as group dinners and a weekly film series.

The members of the Corridor form the core of the French Club. Any student of The Claremont Colleges is welcome to join the French Club by signing up with the French Assistants at Scripps or CMC. In addition, weekly French language tables meet in the Malott Commons (SC), Collins (CMC).

CORRIDOR APPLICATION: If you are interested in participating in the language corridor, complete the application here: https://scrippscollege.formstack.com/forms/french_language_corridor_application

If you have any questions, contact Rebecca Ballinger, Foreign Languages Coordinator, rballing@scrippscollege.edu.

Francophone Studies Major

The Francophone Studies Major requires a total of 8 courses, plus a thesis written in French. FREN44 (if applicable/ or equivalent) and FREN100 are required courses. FREN44 and FREN100 must both be taken at the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps in order to count towards the Francophone Studies Major. At least half of the coursework for a Major in Francophone Studies must be taken at the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps. The Francophone Studies Major requires Study Abroad in a Francophone country. Up to four course credits for Advanced-Level French courses taken during Study Abroad may count towards the Francophone Studies Major. Only one Studio Art course, taken abroad and taught in French, may count towards the Major. Any course taken at Pomona College will count as one of the 4 courses which may be taken outside of the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps. The Francophone Studies Major requires a thesis, which must be written in French.

Francophone Studies Dual Major

The Francophone Studies Dual Major allows students to combine their work in Francophone Studies with another discipline such as media studies, art history, sociology, psychology, environmental studies, politics, economics, history, etc. The Francophone Studies Dual Major requires a total of 8 courses above French 33. They include FREN44 (if applicable/or equivalent) and FREN 100. FREN44 and FREN100 must both be taken at the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps in order to count towards the Francophone Studies Dual Major. At least half of the coursework for the Francophone Studies Dual Major must be taken at the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps. Students may double count two courses between their respective disciplines when pursuing a Dual Major. The Francophone Studies Dual Major requires Study Abroad in a Francophone country. Up to four course credits for Advanced-Level French courses taken during Study Abroad may count towards the Francophone Studies Dual Major. Only one Studio Art course, taken abroad and taught in French may count towards the dual Major. Any course taken at Pomona College will count as one of the 4 courses which may be taken outside of the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps. The Francophone Studies Dual Major requires a single thesis on a topic that combines the disciplinary approaches of both Majors. The dual thesis may be written in English, although the student is encouraged to write in French, second reader permitting.

Francophone Studies Double Major

A student who satisfies the requirements of two Majors is said to have a double Major. The difference between a double and a dual major is that instead of writing one single thesis that counts toward both Majors, students completing a Double Major write two separate theses, one for each Major. The thesis for the Francophone Studies Major must be in French. Students pursuing the Francophone Studies Double Major may double count two courses between their respective disciplines.

Francophone Studies Minor

The Francophone Studies Minor requires a total of 6 courses above French 33 (or equivalent). These six courses must include FREN44 (if applicable/or equivalent) and FREN100. FREN44 and FREN100 must both be taken at the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps in order to count towards the Francophone Studies Minor. At least half of the coursework for a minor in Francophone Studies must be taken at the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps. Although the Francophone Studies Minor does not require Study Abroad work, any student taking Advanced-Level courses taught in French in a Francophone country, may count up to three course credits towards the Francophone Studies Minor. Only one Studio Art course taken abroad and taught in French may count towards the minor. Any course taken at Pomona College will count as one of the 3 courses which may be taken outside of the Intercollegiate Program in French at CMC, Pitzer and Scripps.