French and Francophone Studies

Degree Options: Major, Minor
Locations: Lincoln Center, Rose Hill
Visit the French Department

The French Studies major is for committed Francophiles with an independent streak and the passion to see their ideas through.

French flag in front of building - LG274 million French speakers worldwide in 2014, and over 700 million are expected by 2050! Be one of them and learn a language spoken on five continents.

French Studies is an individualized, interdisciplinary course of study based in the Languages and Cultures Department. Working closely with a faculty advisor, you will design a rigorous course of study that fits your passions and ambitions.

Here at Fordham, majoring in French goes beyond the classroom as you will find many opportunities to immerse yourself in French in a rich and diverse Francophone cultural presence right here in New York City. You can also choose from a wide range of study abroad programs and spend a semester or a year studying and living in a Francophone country.

We draw on a long Jesuit tradition of scholarship on and respect for the world's diverse languages and cultures, virtually all of which are in New York City. From cultural events to people on the streets, New York City is your classroom for learning French.

You'll learn more than French area studies here. You'll also study philosophy, theology, economics, mathematics, ethics, science, and the performing arts through Fordham's common core curriculum, the centerpiece of our liberal arts education.

We want you to excel in your field and as a human being.

  • As a French Studies major, you take 10 required courses and electives. It’s an individualized, interdisciplinary major, so tailor a track to fit your interests. Here is a selection of tracks pursued by students in the past:

    • French and Visual Arts/Theater
    • French and Religion/Theology
    • French and Women’s Studies
    • France and Europe
    • France and Modernity
    • Francophonie (Middle East/Maghreb)
    • Francophonie (Africa)
    • Francophonie (Global)

    We have two Language Learning Centers for solo studying or collaboration with classmates:

    • Language Learning Center at Rose Hill: a state-of-the-art, multi-use, interactive digital language laboratory with 54 self-contained computer stations equipped with the most up-to-date audio, recording, and film viewing technology.
    • Olga M. Ficarra/Francis J. Morison Language Laboratory at Lincoln Center: a multi-use, interactive, computer-based facility with 25 student work stations equipped with CD, audio, video, and DVD capabilities.

    Study Abroad

    We highly encourage you to spend a summer, semester, or year studying in a Francophone country.

    Explore Paris’s art, literature and culture—and receive credits toward your French degree—in the summer study class “The Flâneur in Paris,” taught by Prof. Andrew H. Clark.

    Find many other ways to immerse yourself in Francophone language and culture through Fordham’s International and Study Abroad Program. Choose from a wide range of courses taught in French.

    Student Clubs

    • La Société Francaise (Lincoln Center) exposes you to the French and Francophone cultures of New York City through programs and activities.
    • Le Cercle Français (Rose Hill) encourages you to speak French and socialize with your fellow Francophiles through food, movies, current events, and celebrations. 

    Honor Society

    Pi Delta Phi, the national honor society for outstanding undergraduate and graduate scholarship in French language and literature, has an active chapter at Rose Hill.

  • The New Wave Arrives!
    Francophone Middle East
    Le Flâneur à Paris
    Women on the Margins in 19th-C France
    Contemporary French Philosophy
    Postcolonial Representations
    Culture & Science in France
    Québecois Literature
    Francophone African Cinemas
    France & the Global Enlightenment

  • With advanced proficiency in speaking and writing French, as well as an extensive literary and cultural preparation, you will be well-equipped to earn advanced degrees in various fields and pursue a wide range of careers. Wherever French is spoken, there may be a role for you.

    Our graduates have earned advanced degrees in:

    • French Studies
    • Comparative Literature
    • International Affairs

    They attend professional schools in:

    • Law
    • Journalism 
    • Social Work
    • Education

    Career opportunities will be open to you in the US, Europe and Africa, in fields as varied as:

    • Finance
    • Publishing
    • Nonprofit

    Our career services tap Fordham’s ties with more than 3,500 companies. We offer:

    • Post-graduation career search
    • Resume development, Interviewing practice
    • Networking skill development
    • Hands-on case-study sessions with industry executives
    • Field-specific advising/coaching

    You also get access to our powerful (and Fordham-loyal) network of alumni, who want to see you succeed as they have.

Learn More About the French and Francophone Studies Degree

Visit the French Department