Major Requirements

The major in French and Francophone Studies consists of a minimum of 10 courses. These courses should reflect both geographical breadth and historical depth; students must consult with a faculty member when planning the course of study in the major. Two courses in a related discipline may normally count as one of the 10 courses in the major; one of the two may be taught in a language other than French. All majors are required to take at least one 300-level seminar in the senior year and complete the FFS capstone. Advanced Placement courses may not be applied toward the major.

Senior Seminar

Complete at least one course from the following:

Course List

Code	Title
FRE 359	(Re)Framing (In)Justice in French and Francophone Film and Literature
FRE 360	Independent Study
FRE 373	Close-up on the Enlightenment: Film, Text, Context
FRE 377	Colon/Colonisé: Récits de l'Expérience Nord-Africaine
FRE 378	Voix francophones des Antilles
FRE 379	Documenting the Genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda

Capstone

Fluent and correct use of the language is essential to the completion of the major. All senior majors are required to complete a capstone experience that serves to synthesize and reflect upon their work in the major as described below:

1. All majors must assemble a portfolio of their work in the major and discuss it at the end of the second semester of their senior year. The portfolio contains a personal statement on the student's experience and intellectual growth in French and Francophone studies and other components such as papers from courses taken at Bates or abroad, a journal of a study-abroad program or travel experience, audio and/or video recordings to show progress in oral proficiency, as well as acquisition of analytical skills to interpret cultural production and socio-historical practices. After submission, majors schedule an oral defense of the portfolio (normally 20-30 minutes in length), which takes place with all members of the faculty in French and Francophone studies.
2. All majors must complete one of the following, all of which fulfill the [W3] requirement. Some portion of any of these options must be included in the portfolio for discussion:
   1. a senior thesis (FRE 457 Senior Thesis, FRE 458 Senior Thesis), which may be one-semester, two-semester, or honors. The thesis represents a sustained, scholarly work in the discipline, written in close consultation with a faculty member from the department. Honors candidates register for both FRE 457 and 458.
   2. an oral history project (FRE 457 Senior Thesis, FRE 458 Senior Thesis), which consists of a series of interviews with Francophone interlocutors, which are transcribed, edited, and presented at the Mount David Summit, and archived at Bates and in local repositories. These documentary projects, beyond interviewing, recording, and editing, entail an extended reflection on the process and an analysis of the final product.
   3. a second 300-level seminar taken either in the junior or senior year.
3. All majors participate in a regularly scheduled portfolio workshop series in which they discuss skills developed in French and Francophone cultural studies, focusing on critical thinking, communication, and equity and inclusion, share their progress in the capstone requirements, and work toward the completion of their personal statement required in their portfolio.

Courses Taken Outside of Bates

Advanced Placement courses may not count toward the major. Students majoring in French and Francophone studies are strongly encouraged to study abroad in a country appropriate for their area of interest. Normally majors receive a maximum of three credits for one semester of study and five credits for two semesters of study in a recognized program. Students must obtain approval from the department chair in order for their course to count toward the major in the discipline; otherwise, credit is not guaranteed. Students normally may transfer up to two credits for course work equivalent to courses offered by the Department of French and Francophone Studies. Students need to obtain approval from a faculty member in the department in order for their courses to count toward the major; otherwise, credit is not guaranteed.

Pass/Fail

No courses beyond FRE 235 Advanced French Language and Introduction to Film Analysis may be taken Pass/Fail for credit toward the major.

Restricted Declarations

Students who have declared the French and Francophone Studies major may not declare the following:

• French and Francophone Studies minor
• Franch and Francophone Studies (C034) GEC
• Post/Colonial Issues in French and Spanish (C032) GEC

Other Considerations

None.