Graduate Program in French Studies

Our graduate program is the home of advanced studies on French and Francophone literatures, cultures, and societies. Faculty expertise encompasses many fields from the Middle Ages to the present, in several French-speaking countries and regions of the world. Students receive training and guidance in literary and cultural theory, critical methods, research and teaching applications of information technology, modern linguistics, narratology, hermeneutics, socio-cultural and psychoanalytic interpretation. Focal areas of research include the historical interactions between French-speaking cultures, questions of gender and race, and relations between writing, drama, cinema and philosophical thought.

Additional Resources: Lectures by invited speakers, Annual French Film Festival of Providence, films and conferences, extensive University library collections, exchange programs with the Universities of Lyon and Burgundy, computer facilities and study areas in Rochambeau House.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Admission requirements: GRE: General Test required. Writing sample required (in French). Language requirement: Applications must include an audio recording demonstrating candidate's oral French (five to eight minutes maximum) with a short personal introduction and reading of a short text. Applications should be completed in English, except for the writing sample and audio recording.

Completion Requirements:

A.M.: Strong proficiency in the French language, substantial knowledge fo French literature, two years of course work, reading knowledge of a foreign language other than French, master's thesis. Under most circumstances, the A.M. is only awarded as part of the Ph.D. track.

Ph.D: Sixteen Courses at the 1000 and 2000 levels ( including two mandatory courses: History of the French Language and Methods of Foreign Language Teaching), departmental tutorials, relevant courses in other departments. Also required: two foreign languages other than French at the intermediate level or one at an advanced level, two semesters of teaching, preliminary examination during third year, dissertation and oral defense.

Application Deadline: January 1.

Application: ONLINE APPLICATION

Awarded Degrees: AM French Studies, PhD French Studies

For additional information please visit the Graduate School website