French
The official language of 29 countries, French is also the primary or second language at diplomatic and global organizations such as the United Nations, European Union and World Trade Organization. Our bachelor's degree in French allows students to develop their linguistic skills while gaining an appreciation for the cultures, civilizations and literature of the French-speaking world.
Seek New Experiences
Our program covers all aspects of the language, from spoken discourse to written composition, with a focus on the development of target language grammar and expressions. Additional coursework explores culture and civilization by examining the literature, films and other cultural products of the French and Francophone world within their social, historical and cultural contexts.
We encourage students to seek new experiences that lead to proficiency in the language, exercise their responsibilities as global citizens and promote meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Students who major in French spend at least one semester studying in a French-speaking country, and internships abroad are supported wherever possible.
With just 11 courses required for the major, students have excellent opportunities to combine their study of French with programs such as European history, global business and economics, global studies or political science. Students who are interested in teaching French are encouraged to consider our world languages education program, which prepares them to apply for Rhode Island teacher certification for grades K-12.
Program Spotlight: French Excellence
Casey Donahue ’18 received the French Consulate in Boston’s 2018 Excellence Award, recognizing her as “the most remarkable student in New England for the promotion of study abroad in France.” Donahue studied for a semester at the Catholic University of Lyon. While in Lyon, she stayed with a French family, which supplemented her classroom learning in such a way that she returned with dramatically-improved language proficiency.
Donahue majored in French and completed her master’s degree in international relations at Salve in 2019. She plans to explore opportunities for working and/or studying in France, and her ambition is to one day live in France, perhaps combining her love of the language and culture with her interest in technology and cybersecurity.
Our Faculty
With experience living and studying in countries around the globe, our full-time faculty specialize in French, Italian and Spanish language and culture. We are supported by additional faculty who teach languages such as Arabic, Chinese, German and Portuguese, and we routinely welcome visiting professors from countries such as France, Spain and Venezuela through the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program.
Life After Salve
Whether they pursue graduate programs or enter the workforce in such fields as business, international relations, medicine, law, teaching or government service, our graduates possess the oral and written communication skills needed for success, along with the flexibility to adapt to cultural differences in an ever-changing world.
Our recent alumni are pursuing careers and advanced degrees in fields such as:
- Health care
- Hospitality industry
- International marketing
- Journalism
- Nonprofit organization
- Diplomat
- FBI agent
- Foreign service officer
- International business executive
- International development worker
- International relations specialist
- Peace Corps volunteer
Major in French (B.A.)
11 courses | 33 credits
Required courses (may vary based on language placement):
- FRN205: Intermediate French I
- FRN206: Intermediate French II
- FRN241: Communication and Cultures I
- FRN242: Communication and Cultures II
- FRN305: French Culture and Civilization: The Hexagon
- FRN306: Cultures of the Francophone World
- FRN311: Survey of French Literature I
- FRN312: Survey of French Literature II
- FRN450: Capstone
Students take additional French electives at or above FRN245 to reach the 11-course requirement, with at least one course at or above FRN399. Students are required to take at least one French course during their senior year.
Minor in French
6 courses | 18 credits
Required courses (may vary based on language placement):
- FRN205: Intermediate French I
- FRN206: Intermediate French II
- FRN241: Communication and Cultures I
- FRN242: Communication and Cultures II
- FRN305: French Culture and Civilization: The Hexagon or FRN306: Cultures of the Francophone World
- FRN311: Survey of French Literature I or FRN312: Survey of French Literature II