Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in French Studies
Program Learning Outcomes for the BA Degree with a Major in French Studies
Upon completing the BA degree with a major in French Studies, students will be able to:
- Communicate fluently in spoken and written French at an advanced level, as indicated by the ability to: understand spoken French, converse in French, critically read and translate French texts, and write in multiple genres in French.
- Achieve the cultural literacy necessary for studying abroad or practicing internationally-based professions by demonstrating an understanding of the major social, cultural, and political stakes of the French and Francophone world, past and present.
- Demonstrate an interdisciplinary understanding of French studies through critical investigations of French literature, art, film, and other cultural forms.
- Understand French language and culture not as isolated geographic phenomena, but in the wider context of multicultural exchange and globalization.
- Learn and apply various research skills, including critical thinking and reading skills, theory, and criticism, to French texts (broadly construed) in order to produce new critical insights verbally or in writing.
Requirements for the BA Degree with a Major in French Studies
For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BA degree with a major in French Studies must complete:
- A minimum of 10 courses (30 credit hours) from departmental (FREN) course offerings to satisfy major requirements.
- A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
- A minimum of 60 credit hours outside of major requirements.
- A minimum of 10 courses (30 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.
- A maximum of 4 courses (12 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
Students who are pursuing two majors (i.e., are double majors) and have declared the French Studies major must complete:
- A minimum of 8 courses (24 credit hours) from departmental (FREN) course offerings to satisfy major requirements
- A minimum of 8 courses (24 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.
- A maximum of 3 courses (9 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit. For additional departmental guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
Double majors who drop the other major are required to meet the requirements listed for single majors.
The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the major’s academic advisor, or where applicable, the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the major's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.
Summary
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in French Studies (for single majors) | 30 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in French Studies (for double majors) 1 | 24 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the BA Degree with a Major in French Studies | 120 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements 2 | ||
| Major Literary Works and Artifacts | ||
| Select 2 from the following: | 6 | |
| MAJOR LITERARY WORKS AND ARTIFACTS OF PRE-REVOLUTIONARY FRANCE | ||
| MAJOR LITERARY WORKS AND ARTIFACTS OF POST-REVOLUTIONARY FRANCE | ||
| MAJOR LITERARY WORKS AND ARTIFACTS OF THE FRANCOPHONE WORLD | ||
| FREN 302 | WRITING WORKSHOP | 3 |
| Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 7 elective courses from departmental (FREN) course offerings. 3 | 21 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in French Studies (for single majors) | 30 | |
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Major in French Studies (for double majors) | 24 | |
| Additional Credit Hours to Complete BA Degree Requirements | 24-30 | |
| University Graduation Requirements * | 60 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Footnotes and Additional Information
| * | Includes coursework completed as distribution credit, FWIS, LPAP, upper-level, residency (hours taken at Rice), 60 hours outside of the major (if applicable), and any additional academic program requirements. The “hours outside of the major” requirement may include all of the above university requirements. |
| 1 | Double majors who drop the other major are required to meet the requirements listed for single majors. |
| 2 | The courses taken to satisfy the Core Requirements must be taken at Rice University. It is strongly suggested that these courses be taken as early as possible. |
| 3 | To fulfill the remaining French Studies major requirements, single majors must complete a total of 7 additional courses (21 credit hours) from departmental (FREN) course offerings at the 300-level or above, including at least 3 courses (9 credit hours) at the 400-level. Double majors must complete a total of 5 additional courses (15 credit hours) from FREN course offerings, including at least 2 courses (6 credit hours) at the 400-level. Students are required, with rare exceptions, to take 2 of their 400-level courses in the department. |
Policies for the BA Degree with a Major in French Studies
Enrollment
As many as two French courses taught in English may count toward a major in French Studies. Students who have taken French courses at the 300 and 400 level (except those taught in English) cannot enroll simultaneously or afterward in 200-level French courses for credit. Students with diplomas from French-speaking institutions must consult with the department before enrolling in courses, and all majors and prospective majors must have their programs of study approved by an undergraduate advisor.
Students who arrive at Rice with AP credit in French of '4' or '5,' or who have passed the International Baccalaureate with a '6' or '7' in French, can immediately enroll in all courses at the 300 or 400 level without taking a placement exam. All other students are required to take the placement exam administered by CLIC and will be assigned to courses in accordance with their level.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. The Office of Academic Advising maintains the university’s official list of transfer credit advisors on their website: https://oaa.rice.edu. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic program’s transfer credit advisor when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Departmental Transfer Credit Guidelines
Students pursuing the major in French Studies should be aware of the following departmental transfer credit guidelines:
- For single majors, no more than 4 courses (12 credit hours) of transfer credit from U.S. or international universities of similar standing as Rice may apply towards the major. For double majors, no more than 3 courses (9 credit hours) of transfer credit from U.S. or international universities of similar standing as Rice may apply towards the major.
- Requests for transfer credit will be considered by the program director (and/or the program’s official transfer credit advisor) on an individual case-by-case basis.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Classical and European Studies website: https://ces.rice.edu/.
Opportunities for the BA Degree with a Major in French Studies
Academic Honors
The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate’s academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work. Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.
Honors Program
The Honors Program in French Studies is meant to recognize outstanding French majors and to offer an opportunity to complete a senior thesis in close collaboration with a French Studies faculty member. The program provides seniors with the opportunity to develop individual research projects culminating in the Honors thesis.
Study Abroad Opportunities
We strongly encourage students to spend time studying in a francophone country, and to that end the faculty and the Rice Study Abroad Office will help them select an appropriate program.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Classical and European Studies website: https://ces.rice.edu/.
See https://humanities.rice.edu/student-life for tables of fellowships, prizes, and internships/practica that may be relevant to this major.