Concentration Programs
The Department of French Studies offers three standard concentration programs. Please note that the following apply to each concentration: 1) nine courses are required; 2) up to four courses per semester/ year abroad (eg. Brown-in-France) may count for concentration credit.
A. Program in French Literature. The purpose of the concentration is to provide students with a comprehensive view of French and Francophone literature and various types of literary analysis. Both introductory and upper-level courses provide opportunities to explore a particular author, genre, period, or special topic, and to learn and use diverse analytical approaches, including semiotic, philosophical, psychological, feminist and reader-oriented methods of criticism. Prerequisite: FREN 0600. The overall requirement is for a minimum of nine courses. Required courses: one upper-level language course (i.e. 1510 or 1610), 0760, 1000, and 1900 (or 1980) for students writing an honors thesis, see below). Elective courses: at least five (courses numbered 0750, 1010 and higher). Students are encouraged to take 1020 (History of the French Language).
B. Program in French Civilization: The concentration in civilization is designed to help students develop an understanding of French culture, history and contemporary issues, including Francophone countries and cultures. Based in French Studies, the program is interdisciplinary, calling for an integration of elective courses in French Studies and other pertinent departments. Prerequisite: FREN 0600. The overall requirement is for nine courses, with a minimum of seven courses in French Studies. Required courses: one upper-level language course (i.e. 1510 or 1610), 0750, 1900, or 1980 for students writing an honors thesis, see below). Elective courses: six courses, including at least four in French Studies (courses numbered 0760, 1010 and higher). Students are encouraged to take 1020 (History of the French Language) and 1410 (French Culture and Civilization). A maximum of two courses in departments such as Anthropology, History of Art and Architecture, History, Modern Culture and Media, Philosophy, and Political Science may count toward the concentration.
C. Program in French Language: The concentration in language helps students combine advanced proficiency in uses of the language with an understanding of language as a human phenomenon, through work both in French Studies and in other disciplines that, variously, analyze the functioning of language (e.g., Linguistics), use linguistic models to study other fields of human behavior (e.g., Anthropology), or provide other specialized insight (e.g., Semiotics, Philosophy, language pathology). Prerequisite: FREN 0600. The overall requirement is for a minimum of nine courses. Required courses: (a) 1020 (History of the French Language), 1510, 1610; (b) two other courses in French Studies (courses numbered 0750, 0760, 1000 and higher); and (c) one final independent study course to provide a synthesis of the knowledge acquired in various areas of study. Elective courses: three 1000- or 2000-level courses in other departments, to be distributed among at least two of the following categories: anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, semiotics, theory of literature.
Electives for Concentrations in French Civilization and French Language: The following list is more than indicative but may not be complete. Students may suggest any pertinent course to the concentration advisor for possible credit. Not all courses are offered in a given year. Where "pertinent topics" is indicated, please confer with the concentration advisor for approval of specific sections. List of Electives
Concentration Advisor: The Concentration Advisor, Thangam Ravindranathan will be happy to discuss the various concentration programs in French Studies with interested students. She can be reached by e-mail (Thangam_Ravindranathan@Brown.edu), phone (401-863-2740) or in Room 208 during regular office hours.