French for Undergraduates

Where might studying French take you? Paris, of course, but also Hanoi, Rabat, Québec, Fort-de-France, Dakar, Algiers, Port-Novo, and many other cities around the world. French is the only language other than English that is spoken on five continents, making it the gateway to many countries and cultures, and to the study of many other languages. French and Francophone cultures have long and rich histories, tempestuous ones as well, whenever ongoing struggles for freedom and equality by France’s colonies seeking independence echoed those of the French Revolution. These struggles served as the backdrop and motivation for innovative political theories, outstanding literary and artistic works, and foundational works of philosophy and theory. Authors have been writing in French for more than a millennium, works about love, about religion, about politics, and about human folly and human heroism. Working with our faculty and in our programs abroad such as EDUCO in Paris, you can study any of these subjects as you develop your language skills and prepare yourself for life as a citizen of the world. 

For information about placement, testing, and transfer of credit, please visit our placement page.

We expect our undergraduate majors to demonstrate:

• An understanding of the artistic, cultural, political, and social movements within the interdisciplinary field that includes various methodologies (visual and iconographical analysis, semiotics, social history, material science, ecocriticism, etc.) and theoretical models (critical theory, feminism, Marxism, materiality, cultural memory, postcolonialism, etc.) throughout history
• Critical inquiry and analytical writing in English and the target language
• The ability to conduct independent research and collaborate creatively within broader regional and global contexts
• The breadth of knowledge needed to identify, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate cultural theories within specific cultural contexts and theoretical frameworks
• An awareness of the ethical implications of one’s own work within the academic community and society
• Mastery of a Romance language –French, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish – at the second year level or higher

Inquiries of a general nature can first be directed to the Undergraduate Coordinator, Cal Hile.  Students who wish to major or minor in French are advised to consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Julia Chang, who admits students into the major and assigns a faculty adviser after taking into account a student’s interest, preparation, and career goals.

Julia Chang's office hours are listed on the Department Directory and Office House page

• Click here to download the French Major registration form.
• Click here to download the French Minor registration form.

The French major prepares students to engage with French and Francophone cultures. Along the way, students will develop proficiency in spoken and written French, while acquiring critical reading and thinking skills.

Requirements for the major:

Eight courses for a minimum of 3 credits each focusing on the French and Francophone world at the 2095 level or above, five of which must be taught in French. All of these courses must be offered or crosslisted under the FREN rubric. These courses must include:

1. FREN 2310 – Introduction to French and Francophone Literature and Culture
2. Four courses at the 3000 level or higher, of which one must be at the 4000 level, and of which at least two should be conducted in French.
3. At least one of these courses must be on the Francophone world beyond France.

Please note that:

• Students may declare the major any time after completing FREN 2095.
• Students are also encouraged to study abroad: up to three courses from an institution other than Cornell University (such as EDUCO in Paris) may be counted toward the French major, provided that 50% of the content of these courses deals directly with France or the Francophone world. (Merely being taught in French is not, on its own, a sufficient criterion for a course taken abroad to count for the French major.) 
• The minimum grade for a course to be applied to the French major is B-.
• S/U grades are not allowed in courses applied to the French major.
• These requirements will apply to students signing up for the major after July 1, 2026

The French minor is designed to give students pursuing other majors the opportunity to engage with and reflect upon French and Francophone literary, philosophical, and visual cultures.

Requirements for the minor are five courses focusing on the French and Francophone world at the 2095 level or higher. 

Please note that students may apply up to two courses from abroad or from another institution toward a French minor. Courses from an institution other than Cornell University (such as EDUCO in Paris) may be counted toward the French minor, provided that 50% of the content of these courses deals directly with France or the Francophone world. (Merely being taught in French is not, on its own, a sufficient criterion for a course taken abroad to count for the French minor.) Remember that you cannot apply more than two courses taken abroad to the Minor.

• The minimum grade for a course to be applied to the French minor is B-.
• S/U grades are not allowed in courses applied to the French minor.

Please refer to the French section of the Romance Studies Course Offerings list. See our departmental course roster here.

Completing the French, Italian, or Spanish major with Honors allows students to do independent study on a topic they choose, to work closely with a faculty adviser, and to write a researched critically analytical paper.  For information about completing your major with Honors, please click on the following links:

Guide to the Honors Program and Honors Program Application

For inquiries about study abroad programs, please visit these pages.

• Cornell in Paris (EDUCO) 
• CIEE: Paris, Open Campus