The general purpose of the major program is to educate
students to think and perceive rationally and critically. This will include
reading and thinking, learning about literary and cultural movements and making
connections between the primarily aesthetic literary artifacts of the culture
and its political, social and economic history.
Through the new Emerson
Foreign Language Laboratory, students are trained to use new learning and
technology media at all language levels to allow them to communicate
effectively in the world. Likewise, they are encouraged to prepare themselves
philosophically and practically to make linkages between the major and other
academic disciplines.
The student majoring in French will learn about
the world of ideas and letters, past and present. This training requires at least one semester
study abroad; one year is recommended. The cohesive, integrated program of foreign language, culture and
literature courses ensures maximum proficiency in the target language.
All resident French majors are required to
spend at least two years in the Maison
Française. One of these must be the year following their academic year in France to
maintain fluency in the language skills acquired abroad.