Bachelor of Arts in French, Francophone and Italian Studies
Why study French and/or Italian?
Speakers of French and Italian span five continents. French is spoken by over 220 million people. Italian is spoken by over 65 million people. By 2050, it is estimated that there will be over 750 million French speakers, 80% of whom will live in Africa, becoming the world’s most spoken language. French and Italian are the international languages of cooking, fashion, theater, the visual arts, dance and architecture. Thousands of US companies do business with Italy and the Francophone world. In an increasingly mobile and interconnected planet, the study of language, literature and culture has never been more crucial for our students’ success. It provides students with a competitive edge in an increasingly internationalized workplace; for example, four out of five new jobs in the US are created as a result of foreign trade. Above all, learning a second language enables a greater understanding of other cultures while enhancing your own.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of Admissions website.
French and Italian Programs
The department offers the major in French, an option in Italian, and an option in French and Italian studies. Prospective majors should consult the department during or before the second semester of the sophomore year.
Students pursuing a major in French or an option in Italian are encouraged to take courses in European studies, European history, art history, and philosophy, as well as English and foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics. Students often combine a major in French or the option in Italian with majors in business, humanities, journalism, the sciences, premedicine, or prelaw.
Language majors are useful in a variety of careers. The study of languages, literatures, and cultures enhances personal growth and broadens professional horizons, allowing fuller participation in an increasingly global community.
First- and Second-Year Preparation
The normal course progression for first- and second-year students considering a major in French is FREN 110, FREN 120, FREN 230, and FREN 240. FREN 230 and FREN 240 may be replaced by FREN 234. Eligible students are encouraged to enroll in honors sections of third-semester French (FREN 231) and fourth-semester French (FREN 241).FREN 301 is the prerequisite for all other 300-level courses. FREN 326 is the prerequisite for all 400-level courses. The normal course progression for first- and second-year students considering the option in Italian is ITAL 110, ITAL 120, ITAL 230, and ITAL 240. Eligible students are encouraged to enroll in intensive sections of first-semester Italian (ITAL 155) and second-semester Italian (ITAL 156).
Requirements for the B.A. Major
French Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Semester Proficiency | ||
| Majors must complete courses to gain fourth semester language proficiency. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major. | ||
| Fourth Semester Proficiency. Satisfied by: | ||
| FREN 240 | Intermediate French II | 3 |
| or FREN 241 | Intermediate French II, Honors | |
| or FREN 234 | Intermediate French I and II | |
| French Core Knowledge and Skills | ||
| Majors choosing this option must complete the following courses | ||
| FREN 301 | French Written and Oral Communication 1 | 3 |
| FREN 326 | Introduction to French Literature | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| French Electives | 21 | |
| Complete a total of seven courses from the following list. Three of these seven courses must be at the 400-level and above. Study-abroad transfer credit for FREN 375 and FREN 376 will count as one 400-level requirement out of the three required 400-level or above courses. Majors may include two courses taught in English within the department, when available. | ||
| Paris, City of Lights and Legends | ||
| Applied French Grammar and Composition I | ||
or FREN 352 | Business French/Le Français Professionnel | |
| Business French/Le Français Professionnel | ||
| Intermediate French Conversation | ||
| Advanced French Conversation | ||
| France and the French | ||
| Global Cultures: The French Connection | ||
| Survey of French Culture I | ||
| Survey of French Culture II | ||
| La France d'Aujourd'Hui | ||
| French-Speaking World (Outside France) | ||
| Francophone African Literature | ||
| Studies in French Culture: _____ | ||
| The Story of French | ||
| French Inside Out | ||
| French Literature of the Middle Ages | ||
| French Literature of the Renaissance | ||
| Identity, Absolutism, and Power in France, 1589-1715 | ||
| French Literature of the Eighteenth Century | ||
| French Literature of the 19th Century | ||
| French Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Studies in French Literature: _____ | ||
| Science-Fiction and Fantasy in French | ||
| Studies in Film: _____ | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Capstone | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Directed Readings in French | ||
| Honors in French | ||
| Studies in Film: _____ | ||
| Capstone Seminar in French and Francophone Language, Literature, and Culture | ||
Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Please see your advisor about this opportunity.
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 30 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 18 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Italian Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| French and Italian Major Prerequisite | ||
| Majors must complete courses to gain fourth semester language proficiency. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major. | ||
| Fourth Semester Proficiency. Satisfied by: | ||
| ITAL 240 | Intermediate Italian II | 3 |
| Italian Core Knowledge and Skills | 9 | |
| Majors choosing this option must complete courses as indicated in following areas: | ||
| Composition and Conversation. Satisfied by: | ||
| Composition and Conversation | ||
| Advanced Composition and Conversation. Satisfied by: | ||
| Advanced Composition and Conversation | ||
| Italian Literature. Satisfied by one course (3 hours) chosen from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Italian Literature and Textual Analysis | ||
| Directed Readings in Italian 1 | ||
| Graduate Directed Readings in Italian 1 | ||
| Required Electives | 15 | |
| Satisfied by five courses (15 hours) chosen from the following: | ||
| Cinematic Rome | ||
| Mafia Movies | ||
| Italian Food Culture | ||
| Italy and the Italians | ||
| Studies in Italian Culture: _____ | ||
| Cinematic Rome, Honors | ||
| Italian Literature in Translation: _____ | ||
| 19th and 20th Century Short Stories | ||
| 19th and 20th Century Poetry | ||
| Studies in Italian Cinema | ||
| 19th and 20th Century Novels | ||
| Studies in Italian Literature: _____ | ||
| Directed Readings in Italian | ||
| Graduate Directed Readings in Italian | ||
| Capstone | ||
| ITAL 480 | Studies in Italian Literature: _____ | 3 |
- 1
One approved 3-credit course offered by another department or program and with significant content related to Italian culture (300-500 level) may be counted toward the Italian BA Option.
Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Please see your advisor about this opportunity.
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 24 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
French and Italian Studies Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Semester Proficiency | ||
| Majors must complete courses to gain fourth semester language proficiency. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major. | ||
| Fourth Semester Proficiency. Satisfied by: | ||
| Intermediate French II | ||
or FREN 241 | Intermediate French II, Honors | |
| Intermediate Italian II | ||
| French and Italian Studies Core Knowledge and Skills | ||
| Majors choosing this option must complete courses as indicated in following areas: | ||
| French Grammar and/or Composition. Satisfied by one of the following: | ||
| French Written and Oral Communication 1 | ||
| Applied French Grammar and Composition I | ||
| Business French/Le Français Professionnel | ||
| French Conversation. Satisfied by one of the following: | ||
| Intermediate French Conversation | ||
| Advanced French Conversation | ||
| Italian Grammar and Composition. Satisfied by two courses (6 hours): | 6 | |
| Composition and Conversation | ||
| Advanced Composition and Conversation | ||
| French Literature. Satisfied by two courses: | ||
| Introduction to French Literature | ||
And an additional course chosen from the following: | ||
| Francophone African Literature | ||
| Studies in French Culture: _____ | ||
| French Literature of the Middle Ages | ||
| French Literature of the Renaissance | ||
| Identity, Absolutism, and Power in France, 1589-1715 | ||
| French Literature of the Eighteenth Century | ||
| French Literature of the 19th Century | ||
| French Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Studies in French Literature: _____ | ||
| Italian Literature. Satisfied by one course (3 hours): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Italian Literature and Textual Analysis | ||
| French Culture. Satisfied by one course (3 hours) chosen from the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of French Culture I | ||
| Survey of French Culture II | ||
| La France d'Aujourd'Hui | ||
| French-Speaking World (Outside France) | ||
| Studies in French Culture: _____ | ||
| Italian Culture. Satisfied by one course (3 hours) chosen from the following: | 3 | |
| Italy and the Italians | ||
| Studies in Italian Culture: _____ | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Directed Readings in French | ||
| Honors in French | ||
| Studies in Film: _____ | ||
| Capstone Seminar in French and Francophone Language, Literature, and Culture | ||
| Studies in Italian Literature: _____ | ||
Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Please see your advisor about this opportunity.
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours
Satisfied by 30 hours of major courses.
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Sample 4-year plans for the BA degree in French and Italian are available here: French & Francophone Studies, Italian Studies, or French, Francophone and Italian Studies, or by using the left-side navigation.
Departmental Honors in French
Undergraduate students may graduate with honors in French by completing 6 hours of FREN 499, intensive honors tutorials on limited areas of French or Francophone literature or culture. Consult the department early in the junior year. To begin honors work and to graduate with honors, students must have minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in French.
Departmental Honors in Italian
Undergraduate students may graduate with honors in Italian by completing 3 hours of ITAL 499 and one approved 3-hour course in a relevant field in addition to the 24-hour requirement for the option. Consult the department early in the junior year. To begin honors work and to graduate with honors, students must have minimum grade-point average 3.5 in Italian.
Summer Language Institute in Paris
The department conducts a 4-week summer institute in Paris focusing on French language and culture. Students take courses in intermediate and advanced French language at L’Etoile, a private language institute in the center of Paris. Before the stay in Paris, students spend four days touring Normandy. Some scholarship aid is available. Consult the department or the Office of Study Abroad for information.
Summer Program in Florence, Italy
The department conducts a 4- or 8-week summer program for elementary, intermediate, or advanced students of Italian. Students take courses in language and culture at an institute where all instructors are native speakers. Students live with Italian families and usually have weekends free to travel. Consult the department or the Office of Study Abroad for information.
Semester and Year Programs in France
A semester program is available in cooperation with CIDEF, the language institute of the Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers. Consult the department or the Office of Study Abroad for information.
Year-long programs at French institutions are available through the International Student Exchange Program. Consult the Office of Study Abroad.
Semester Program in Rome, Italy
The department conducts a semester program in Rome for elementary, intermediate, or advanced students. Students take courses in Italian language and culture in a private language institute. All instructors are native speakers, and students live in shared apartments with other students at the institute. Consult the Office of Study Abroad for information.
Semester Program in Florence, Italy
The department conducts a semester program in Florence for elementary, intermediate, or advanced students. Students take courses in Italian language and culture in a private language institute. All instructors are native speakers, and students live with Italian families. Consult the Office of Study Abroad for information.