The Minor, Major, and Honours programs in French Language, Literatures and Cultures are designed for students with intermediate or higher fluency in French language to develop their appreciation of Francophone literatures and cultures from around the world.
Visit the department website for details on current offerings.
For information on advanced degrees, see graduate French.
Major in French Language, Literatures and Cultures
Students who wish to pursue this program of study must have completed FREN 302 or demonstrated a proficiency level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Upper-level Requirements
- FREN 311 (3) Introduction to Literature in French
- FREN 321 (3) Critical Writing
- FREN 352 (3) French Grammar
- FREN 353 (3) Advanced French Grammar
- FREN 401 (3) Upper-Intermediate French I1
- FREN 402 (3) Upper-Intermediate French II1
1If you are a native or heritage French speaker, or have a proficiency level above B2, you may be exempt from FREN 401 and FREN 402. Please contact FHIS Student Programs Coordinator.
24 credits from the lists of approved courses below, of which at least 3 credits must be taken from each of the Clusters A-B-C-D:
Cluster A -- French Literature and Culture from the Middle Ages to the Revolution
FREN 331 (3) Arts, Cultures and Society from the Middle Ages to the Revolution
FREN 407 (3) Medieval French Literature
FREN 408 (3) Renaissance: Studies in 16th-century French Literature
FREN 409 (3) Ancients and Moderns: Studies in 17th-century French Literature
FREN 410 (3) Enlightenment and Revolution: Studies in 18th-century French Literature
FREN 450 (3) Old French
FREN 484 (3) History of the Book
FREN 485 (3) Early Encounters: Travel Literature and Colonial Writing in French
Cluster B -- French Literature and Culture since the Revolution
FREN 341 (3) Arts, Cultures and Society from Romanticism to the Present Day
FREN 413 (3) Tradition and Modernity: Studies in 19th-century French Literature
FREN 414 (3) The Modern and Contemporary French Novel
FREN 415 (3) French Digital Culture
FREN 416 (3) Contemporary French Literature and Culture
FREN 417 (3) Popular Fiction
FREN 427 (3) French Cinema
FREN 480 (3) French Theory
Cluster C -- Francophone Literatures and Cultures
FREN 330 (3) Introduction to Quebec Literature
FREN 418 (3) African and Caribbean Francophone Literatures
FREN 428 (3) Francophone Cinema
FREN 430 (3) Quebec Literature and Culture
FREN 440 (3) Francophonie: History and Current Debates
FREN 441 (3) Francophone Literatures and Cultures of North America
FREN 442 (3) Cultures of the Francophone World
FREN 443 (3) Postcolonial Studies
Cluster D -- Language and Linguistics
FREN 357 (3) Translation
FREN 370 (3) Introduction to French Linguistics
FREN 451 (3) French Phonetics
FREN 457 (3) Advanced Translation
FREN 460 (3) History of the French Language
FREN 470 (3) Studies in Modern French Linguistics
FREN 472 (3) Morphology and Syntax of the French Language
FREN 474 (3) Lexicology and Semantics of the French Language
FREN 476 (3) French Language and Societies
FREN 477 (3) Contemporary Varieties of French
FREN 496 (3) Research Seminar in French Language and Linguistics
Special Topics
FREN 395 (3-6) Special Topics Abroad
FREN 419 (3) Women’s Writing
FREN 420 (3) Selected Topics in French Literature and Culture
FREN 455 (3) Creative Writing in French
FREN 495 (3) Research Seminar in French Literature and Culture
FREN 498 (3) Directed Reading
Honours in French Language, Literatures and Cultures
Students wishing to enter the Honours program must apply directly to the Major and Honours Advisor in French. Applicants must have:
- at least third-year standing, or be entering Year 3,
- a B+ average in both their French courses and their overall degree program,
- completed FREN 311 and 352,
- completed FREN 401 and 402, or demonstrated a proficiency level of B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Upper-level Requirements
- 6 credits of required courses:
FREN (3) 321 Critical Writing
FREN (3) 353 Advanced French Grammar
- 39 credits from the lists of approved courses in the Major description above, of which at least 6 credits must be taken from each of the Clusters A-B-C-D.
- 3 credits:
FREN 499 (3) Honours Essay
Minor in French Language, Literatures and Cultures
Students who wish to pursue this program of study must have completed FREN 302 or demonstrated a proficiency level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Upper-level Requirements
- FREN 311 (3) Introduction to Literature in French
- FREN 321 (3) Critical Writing
- FREN 352 (3) French Grammar
- FREN 353 (3) Advanced French Grammar
- FREN 401 (3) Upper-Intermediate French I1
- FREN 402 (3) Upper-Intermediate French II1
1If you are a native or heritage French speaker, or have a proficiency level above B2, you may be exempt from FREN 401 and FREN 402. Please contact FHIS Student Programs Coordinator.
12 credits from the lists of approved courses in the Major description above.
Minor in French Language
The Minor in French Language permits students to attain a high level of communicative ability for use in professional and academic contexts. It is intended primarily for students with no or a limited background in French, including those who completed high school French; it is not available to native speakers of French or those whose entry point is FREN 401 (CEFR B2) or higher. These students are instead encouraged to consider completing our other Minor in French, which focuses on language, literature and culture.
Lower-level Requirements
- FREN 201 (3) Elementary French I
- FREN 202 (3) Elementary French II
1Students starting at an introductory level must complete the requirements leading to FREN 201 (6 credits of 100-level French) before taking the courses required for the Minor.
2Students with credit for secondary-school French 12 may not be required to complete FREN 201 and FREN 202, but may instead be permitted to begin at FREN 301.
Upper-Level Requirements
18 credits of required courses:
- FREN 301 (3) Intermediate French I
- FREN 302 (3) Intermediate French II
- FREN 311 (3) Introduction to Literature in French
- FREN 352 (3) French Grammar
- FREN 401 (3) Upper Intermediate French I
- FREN 402 (3) Upper Intermediate French II
6 credits from the following:
- FREN 321 (3) Critical Writing
- FREN 330 (3) Introduction to Quebec Literature
- FREN 331 (3) Arts, Cultures and Society from the Middle Ages to the Revolution
- FREN 341 (3) Arts, Cultures and Society from Romanticism to the Present Day
- FREN 346 (3) French at Work
- FREN 353 (3) Advanced French Grammar
- FREN 370 (3) Introduction to French Linguistics
- FREN 395 (3-6) Special Topics Abroad