French and Francophone Studies

All students wishing to enroll in French language courses must take the Language Placement Test. Only those students who have had no more than one semester of high school French are exempt from taking this examination and may enroll in French 1 (Introductory French). Placement test results are valid for one year; thereafter it must be retaken.

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.

Dual and Double Majors

Many students opt for a double/dual major in French Studies and another discipline (e.g., art, art history, sociology, psychology, European studies, politics, economics, history, etc.) to enhance their diplomas and resumes. In contrast to the double major, the dual major requires only one thesis (which may be written in English, although the student is encouraged to write in French, second reader permitting). Whereas the minor in French Studies allows the student to count only three courses taken in France, the dual major allows the student to count four. Students may also double count two courses toward their respective disciplines when pursuing double or dual majors.

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

Study Abroad is considered an integral part of the French 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 completed abroad in the latter programs satisfies the requirements for the major or minor in French 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 an upper-division course 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
Nantes: Institute for International Education of Students (IES)
Montpellier: University of Minnesota
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

Scripps has a French Corridor in the residence halls where students speak French with the residing native French assistant and with each other. The members of the corridor form the core of the French Club, which organizes activities for French students throughout the year. Any student of The Claremont Colleges is welcome to join the French Club by signing up with the French assistant. In addition, weekly French language tables meet in the Malott Commons (SC), Collins (CMC), and weekly films are shown.

Given the limited space availability, we are interested in students committed to building community within the language corridor and the greater language community through inclusive, group-based activities. Suggested activities include cooking/dinner, movie nights, listening to language-specific music together, discussing political topics related to the language-specific world or a reading club.

CORRIDOR APPLICATION: If you are interested in participating in the language corridor, complete the application and return via email to Rebecca Ballinger, [email protected]. Complete the application here.