Modern Languages - French
French language and culture are globally significant as the second most widely learned after English, with over 200 million speakers worldwide. Renowned for its literature, art, cinema, cuisine, and philosophy, French influences global intellectual and artistic movements. As an official language of major international organizations like the UN and EU, French proficiency is crucial for careers in diplomacy and global governance. France's universities offer academic excellence, enhancing opportunities in tourism, hospitality, fashion, and international business. Through cultural diplomacy, Alliances Françaises promote intercultural understanding, emphasizing French's role in global citizenship and professional advancement in today's interconnected world.
Students can take French courses to count toward their language requirements for the B.A., pursue a minor or a major in French, complete a secondary major in International and Area Studies, or pursue graduate studies in French.
The Modern Languages department provides a diverse range of French courses, access to the Diplôme de français professionnel (an internationally recognized certification of professional French skills), along with scholarships to support minors, majors, graduate studies, and students studying abroad, in particular through the Allison Benson Memorial Scholarship. We also offer opportunities to earn free credits for prior language experience. Join us at our French Language Table to practice your French, engage in conversations, and connect with others.
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FREN 101 - French I Offered Fall and Spring |
Fall 2026 & SPRING 2027: Designed for students with no prior French language experience, or less than one year of prior language study. Students will develop basic language skills and cultural awareness to discuss daily habits, personal information, and communicate in simple everyday situations in French-speaking communities. Conducted in French through speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities.
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FREN 102 - French II Offered Fall and Spring |
Fall 2026 & SPRING 2027: Continuation of French I. Designed for students with one semester of college French or 1-2 years of high school French. Students will build on basic language skills and cultural awareness to relate personal experiences, give recommendations, and interact in uncomplicated situations in French-speaking communities. Conducted in French through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
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FREN 103 - Beginning Accelerated French Offered online, summer, on sufficient demand |
Jump start your French learning, or get a quick review of beginning French concepts, in this accelerated French class. This online course covers the material of French 1-2 (101-102) in a single course, allowing you continue your French journey with French 3 (FREN 201). This course is designed both for motivated beginners and for students wanting a review of foundational French concepts in an active environment, focused on improving your spoken and written French. Students will develop basic language skills and cultural awareness to discuss daily habits, personal information, and communicate in simple everyday situations in French-speaking communities. Conducted in French through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
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FREN 201 - French III Offered Fall and Spring |
Fall 2026 & SPRING 2027: Continuation of French 102. Designed for students with two semesters of college French or 2-4 years of high school French. Enhances skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing to express themselves creatively in French in straightforward social situations. Students engage with and analyze a variety of content including films and short stories. Conducted in French.
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FREN 301 - French IV Offered Fall and Spring
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Fall 2026 & SPRING 2027: Discovering French in America - This course is a continuation of French 3. You will work on improving speaking, writing, reading, and understanding French for intermediate students. You will use your time in class to practice using French in a variety of modes, including conversation, games, presentations, watching French videos, and more. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to converse and present in French, read and engage actively, in writing and orally, with a variety of authentic materials, related to Kansas City, St. Louis and La Nouvelle Orleans.
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FREN 503 - French Composition & Grammar
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Grammar and Composition through reading This course aims at the study of French grammar and writing through reading. This course allows students to strengthen their linguistics skills in French and combines multimodal compositions in a variety of genres (e.g., description, narration, etc.) through the study of texts taken from real-world Francophone contexts with applied learning experiences.
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FREN 514 - Contemporary France
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Fall 2026: What is happening in France today? This course takes a look at contemporary France--culture, cuisine, shopping, politics, sports, and more. Improve your spoken and written French while gaining familiarity with French today. Do research on something that interests you! Appropriate for students who have completed or are currently enrolled in French 4 or equivalent. In French.
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FREN 515 - History of French Culture
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History of Francophone Culture through Food In this French language and culture course, students will analyze and interpret the importance of food and gastronomy and its history in the French and other Francophone cultures while participating in a range of oral and written communicative activities. Through a variety of literary texts from authors; through film clips; and through other multimedia resources, students will recognize the interdisciplinary and pervasive nature of food systems, the food industry, food practices, and food culture.
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FREN 520 - Introduction to French Literature (19th Century to the Present)
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Fall 2026: Discovering French literature - Discover French literature from 1800-present in a variety of genres, including poetry, prose, theater, and film. Appropriate for students who have completed French 4 or equivalent. In French. This course is the best preparation for a 700-level literature course because it helps students learn how to analyze literary texts.
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FREN 711 - 7th century French Literature |
FALL 2026: This course aims at the study of 17th century French literature. It explores the Feminist movement called Les Precieuses through a variety of texts and films. This course is in French.
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FREN 716 - Topics Contemporary French Literature
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Topic: War, trauma, and the self This course explores French literature since 1900 with a particular focus on narratives of war, trauma, and the self. Through poetry, prose, theater, and film, we will discover the developing ways that French authors found to tell stories about themselves and their experiences. This course is in French. It is appropriate for students who have taken at least one course at the 500-level. It counts for the literature requirement for the French major or minor. This course will work on developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills while reading (relatively short) literary texts in French. It is a 700-level course, so we also develop skills in reading secondary sources.
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FREN 720 - Seminar in French Literature & Culture |
FALL 2026: Mixed Voices: Afro-European Identities in Francophone Literature - This seminar explores representations of Afro-French and Afro-European identities in twentieth- and twenty-first-century Francophone literature. Through novels, life narratives, and autobiographical texts, we will analyze themes of racial and cultural hybridity, colonial memory, national belonging, and identity formation. The course highlights marginalized voices in order to examine the place of Black and mixed-race bodies within the French cultural imagination.
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FREN 731 - Advanced French for the Professions |
Working and Living in French This course will emphasize the vocabulary, cultural knowledge, and linguistic skills and tools that you will need in order to succeed by defining the key role of gender, race, and foreignness (or immigrant status) in determining success in (and barriers to) the French work environment, articulate how the histories and hierarchies shape power dynamics inherent to French and Francophone institutions in France and beyond, and examine cultural artifacts depicting French work culture.
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The French Minor requires 6 classes at and above French 3, and must include one literature course at the 500-level (FREN 520, 521 or 530 is recommended). Study Abroad and Retroactive Credit apply toward the French Minor.
- To declare a French Minor, use this form.
The French Major requires 11 classes (33 credits) of French courses at and above French 3, including a required literature course (FREN 520 or 521 or 530), and at least three 6/700-level courses.
A grade of “C” or better or a minimum 2.5 GPA is required in all French courses counted towards the major. Classes for the major cannot be taken Pass/Fail. Two non-transfer courses are required at the 700 level. Study Abroad and Retroactive Credit apply toward the French Major.
The French major with distinction requires 13 courses (39 credits) in French at and above level 3 (FREN 300), including one required literature courses at the 500-level (FREN 520 / 521 / 530 recommended), and at least four 6/700-level courses, and a 3.5 GPA in all courses taken toward the major.
- To declare a French Major, please go to the Arts & Sciences Dean's Office in 107 Calvin Hall, or email them at artsci@ksu.edu.
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