Bachelor of Arts in French Studies

Develop solid French-speaking skills and immerse yourself in French and Francophone cultures with the Bachelor of Arts in French Studies in Temple University's College of Liberal Arts. This 123-credit undergraduate degree program helps you gain broad intellectual and interpersonal skills applicable across multiple fields and in the international workforce. 

The French Studies BA curriculum emphasizes the discovery and study of French and Francophone cultures while enabling students to achieve intermediate French proficiency. Interdisciplinary by design, the program focuses on understanding France and the Francophone world across multiple subject areas and topics, integrating courses from other departments to provide a broad scope of perspectives. Majors collaborate with students across degree programs in the College of Liberal Arts to study French and Francophone art, film, history, literature, media and music, and they can continue the conversation outside of class in the college’s French Club. Students gain a broad understanding of French-speaking places, peoples, and practices.  

Attain intercultural awareness and crucial communication and critical thinking skills that make you competitive with employers in today’s global marketplace. You’ll graduate with competencies that provide career opportunities across a variety of industries.

Why study French studies in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple?

• Student-faculty ratio: Small class sizes mean you’ll receive one-on-one training with accessible and engaged faculty.
• Interdisciplinary curriculum: You’ll have the option to customize your learning pathway and develop interpersonal and intellectual skills applicable across multiple careers.
• Experiential learning: As a French Studies major, you can study abroad for real-world application of your language skills and understanding of French and Francophone culture. The French Club provides opportunities for the program’s close-knit community of learners to speak French and discuss related topics in one-on-one and group settings.
• Funding opportunities: Scholarships for study abroad programs and funding through assistantships are available.
• Student support: You can receive free language tutoring through the Student Success Center.   

Learning Outcomes 

Graduates of the French Studies BA will

• achieve a knowledge of the major cultural trends in France and/or the Francophone world (e.g. literary, cinematic, artistic), 
• possess a knowledge of major epochs and periods in French and/or Francophone region history,
• interpret literature and/or film with reference to the political or social contexts from which they arose, 
• identify, access and make effective use of primary and secondary sources in French,
• write clearly on a variety of topics in various formats, 
• speak French at the intermediate level and be able to use the language in a culturally specific and appropriate manner, 
• read an array of non-technical texts written in French through the intermediate level, and
• demonstrate knowledge of the written expression in French that demonstrates a firm grasp of the basic grammar of the language, and an intermediate level in the use of its structures and vocabulary.

Classes & Curiculum

Students will complete 123 credits of coursework in the French Studies Major. Classes students can expect to take in the fall semester include

• Introduction to French III, 
• Intermediate French, 
• French Composition I and II, and 
• Two elective courses.

French Studies Minor

Discover the influence that French culture has through its major epochs and history, continuing to export important literary, cinematic, artistic and philosophical works. The curriculum differs from a minor in French by expanding courses beyond language skills, and the program is a foundation for a career in education or combined with your major to establish an international specialization.