Global Studies and Languages

French and Francophone Studies

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Overview

With over 220 million speakers in 29 countries and 5 continents, French speaking countries play a significant role in the world economy. Students emerge from our classes linguistically and culturally prepared for today's increasingly fluid world.

Our curriculum is designed to offer rich opportunities to all students, from the elementary level to the most advanced courses. The expertise of the French group includes language pedagogy, literature, intercultural studies, critical theory, French politics and society, gender and queer studies, Modern French history, film studies, visual culture, Francophone African Studies, and cultural anthropology.

The diversity of our course offerings and the personal attention in small group classes create engaging and rewarding experiences for each student. Our classes are an excellent preparation for participation in programs such as MISTI France, Belgium and Switzerland, and January Scholars in France (a unique award for our most deserving students).

Spring 2019 Course Offerings
Tier I
21G.301 French I
21G.302   French II
21G.303   French III
21G.304   French IV
Tier II
21G.308   Writing (like the) French
21G.311   Introduction to French Culture
Tier III
21G.054   France: Enlightenment and Revolution
21G.026/326   Global Africa: Creative Cultures*
21G.341   Contemporary French Film and Social Issues
21G.346   Topics in Modern French Literature and Cultures: North America through French Eyes
The course offers an analysis of the keen interest shown by France and the French in North American cultures since the eighteenth century. France contributed to the construction of both Canadian and American nations, but has also constantly defined its identity by way of praising or criticizing North American cultures. The course will trace this ambivalent relation, exploring various themes such as liberalism, entertainment and the media, trade and cultural goods, transatlantic intellectual encounters, translation, etc. The course will use materials drawn from literature (e.g. Tocqueville, Céline, Beauvoir, Dubois), cinema (e.g. Tati, Chomet) and also comics, TV shows and series as well as political debates (from anti-globalization movements in France to the 2016 presidential election).

*Taught in English, with a 13-unit French language option (21G.326) for French minors or majors. Requires additional assignment in French.

Looking ahead:

Fall 2019
Tier I
21G.301   French I
21G.302   French II
21G.303    French III
21G.304   French IV
Tier II
21G.308   Writing (like the) French
21G.312   Basic Themes in French Literature and Culture
Tier III
21G.049 French Photography
21G.342   French Pop Music (NEW)
21G.348   Global Paris

Requirements

MIT students have interests and prospects that span the globe. The academic programs offered by Global Studies and Languages—concentrations, minors, and majors— offer undergraduates the opportunity to combine a degree in any STEM-related field with in-depth language and cultural studies. MIT Global Studies and Languages offers a Major, Minor, and Concentration in French.

Major
Advisor: Bruno Perreau (Click here to email)
A major in French, through advanced-level coursework in Francophone literature and cultures, brings students to a high level of proficiency in the language. The program:

Requires 11 subjects (138 units) beginning at French III
- 6 of these subjects overlap with the 8-subject HASS GIR
- The 5 remaining subjects count as units beyond GIR
  - A typical major in French provides 66 units beyond GIR
May include a pre-thesis (21G.THT) and thesis (21G.THU) for up to 18 units of the 138 units in the major. Note:
- The pre-thesis and thesis are reserved for students who have completed advanced-level coursework in a particular language group and demonstrate outstanding competence in the particular field of study

French Major Degree Chart
Sample Roadmap French Major

Sample Roadmap Double Major French and Nuclear Science and Engineering

Double Major Worksheet

Double Major Application Instructions

Minor
Advisor: Sabine Levet (Click here to email)
A minor in French leads students who have already reached an intermediate level of proficiency (above French II) into a more advanced study of the language and culture. The program:

Consists of 6 subjects arranged in 3 levels of study starting at French III or higher*
- 5 of these subjects overlap with the 8-subject HASS GIR. The remaining 6^th subject counts for 12 units beyond GIR

A student can concentrate and minor in the same field.
*Please note that French I & II do not count towards the Minor. They do count towards the Concentration.
MInor in French: MIT Bulletin
Sample Roadmap French Minor and Nuclear Science and Engineering Major
SHASS Minor Guidelines and Procedures

Concentration
Advisor: Sabine Levet (Click here to email)
There are several concentration options, depending on whether the focus is language or literature and culture.

If a student’s incoming level is French I:

4 subjects, French I through French IV are required to complete the concentration

If a student’s incoming level is French II or above:

3 subjects at French II or above are required to complete the concentration

An upper-level concentration may include three subjects, such as French III or French IV and/or intermediate to advanced classes taught in French. Certain subjects offered in English that pertain to French/Francophone studies may be applied towards fulfilling certain concentration requirements; please see the concentration advisor for approval.

For the online HASS Concentration Form, click through to studentformsandpetitions.mit.edu
Current Brochure

Study Abroad

Study Abroad
Advisor: Sabine Levet (email )
You may also consider spending a summer, a semester, or a year abroad. Credits received from most accredited programs will count towards your major, minor or concentration if you consult with the Study Abroad Advisor in French prior to your departure.

January Scholars in France
A two-week undergraduate IAP program that provides cultural immersion in Paris.

MIT-France
Part of MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI)

MIT-Belgium
Part of MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI)

MIT-Switzerland
Part of MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI)

MIT Global Education and Career Development Office : General information about study abroad. All forms related to study abroad and scholarship information available.

Activities

Global France Seminar

The MIT Global France Seminar aims to bring together MIT faculty, instructors, and graduate students
from across disciplines interested in the study of French and francophone cultures around the world. The
seminar series is free and open to the public.

http://mitgsl.mit.edu/mit-global-france-seminar

January Scholars in France

January Scholars in France gives MIT undergraduate students a tutored cultural immersion in Paris
during IAP, focusing on French arts, letters, theater, and history.

http://jsf.mit.edu/

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French and Francophone Studies

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Global France Seminar

January Scholars in France