French Studies

Professor Rachlin (on leave spring 2020)
Associate Professor Lemoine (on leave fall 2019)
Assistant Professors Curulla, Everett
Visiting Assistant Professor Garrigou-Kempton
 

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 (Montpellier, 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 taught in French 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
• Montpellier: University of Minnesota Integrated Studies
• 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
• Dakar, Senegal: School for International Training (SIT) Arts and Culture 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.

Learning Outcomes of the Program in French Studies

Department Goals and/or Objectives

Goals are broad statements that describe what the program wants to accomplish

1. Speak and understand French at the advanced level, as detailed in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
2. Read and write in French at the Advanced level (ACTFL).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of important issues, past and present, associated with French and Francophone cultures and societies.
4. Discuss in French, both orally and in writing, literary and visual texts or cultural artifacts of the French speaking world.
5. Identify, evaluate and incorporate appropriate sources in research papers, presentations and senior theses.
6. Write an advanced research senior thesis in French (or in English for dual majors) that articulates a clear and convincing argument about texts or cultural artifacts of the target culture.

Student Learning Outcomes

Outcomes describe specific knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes students should demonstrate

SLO1: Speak and understand French at the advanced level, as detailed in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
SLO2: Read and write in French at the Advanced level (ACTFL).
SLO3: Students can synthesize knowledge in Francophone cultural influences.
SLO4: Discuss in French, both orally and in writing, literary and visual texts or cultural artifacts of the French speaking world.
SLO5: Identify, evaluate and incorporate appropriate sources in their research papers, presentations and senior theses.
SLO6: Write an advanced research senior thesis in French that articulates a clear and convincing argument about texts or cultural artifacts of the target culture.

Programs

• Courses in French Studies
• French Studies Major
• French Studies Minor