French and Francophone Studies
Language competency is a life skill and a career asset. Salve Regina University's bachelor's degree in French and Francophone studies 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
Salve Regina's French and Francophone studies 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 deepen their understanding of cultural differences and similarities, exercise their responsibilities as global citizens and promote meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Students who major in French and Francophone studies are required to 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 Salve Regina's world languages education program, which prepares them to apply for Rhode Island teacher certification for grades K-12.
Program Spotlight: International Employment
Vouloir, c'est pouvoir. Where there's a will, there's a way.
This is what Casey Donahue '18 and Megan Parham '19 told themselves after graduating from Salve Regina. Both had the desire to become English teaching assistants in France, and both were given the opportunity to do so through the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). Run by the French Ministry of Education, TAPIF gives recent graduates the chance to work in France for seven months teaching English to French students of all ages.
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 Regina
Whether they pursue graduate programs or enter the workforce in such fields as business, international relations, medicine, law, teaching or government service, Salve Regina 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
- International marketing
- Journalism
- Nonprofit organizations
- Diplomat
- FBI agent
- Foreign service officer
- International business executive
- International development worker
- International relations specialist
- Peace Corps volunteer
Major in French and Francophone Studies (B.A.)
Students complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn the bachelor's degree: 49-51 credits of core courses, 36-44 credits of elective courses and 33 credits (11 courses) in the major.
Required course:
- FRN310: French and Francophone Cultural Analysis
Students choose from an approved list of French and linguistics courses to reach the 11-course requirement. Two courses taken in English can count toward the major, and students are required to take at least one departmental French course during their senior year.
Minor in French and Francophone Studies
6 courses | 18 credits
Required course:
- FRN310: French and Francophone Cultural Analysis
Students choose from an approved list of French and linguistics courses to reach the six-course requirement. One course taken in English can count toward the minor.