The French program at UW–Madison offers students opportunities for cultural and literary learning about the French-speaking world through dynamic, in-class experiences and extracurricular components such as the French House, an immersion residence hall and cultural center, and with French and Francophone cultural events in and around Madison.
Students intending to major in French or complete the certificate enter the program at the appropriate level depending on their language proficiency. If you have previous experience in the French language, please refer to Testing and Evaluation Services to register for the placement test.
The majority of UW–Madison French majors or certificate students complete their requirements through a combination of courses taken on campus and abroad with a UW–Madison-sponsored program.
Students have the option to take a class for Honors at almost all levels. For more information, please see the department website and/or consult the undergraduate advisor.
For information on teacher training in French, see the School of Education section in the Guide.
For courses in French literature in translation, see the Literature in Translation course listing.
How to Get in
Students can declare a French major at any time. For more information, please see the department website and/or consult the undergraduate advisor.
Students declared in the French certificate may not be declared in the French major at the same time. Students who do wish to declare this major must first cancel their declaration in the certificate.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| Language | Complete the third unit of a language other than English. |
| L&S Breadth | Complete: • 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and • 12 credits of Social Science; and • 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science. |
| Liberal Arts and Science Coursework | Complete at least 108 credits. |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level. |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | Complete at least 120 credits. |
| UW-Madison Experience | Complete both: • 30 credits in residence, overall, and • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit. |
| Quality of Work | • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison |
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Introductory Course (Prerequisite)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRENCH 228 | Intermediate Language and Culture | 3-4 |
Total Credits
To complete the French major, 24 credits are needed beyond the introductory course (prerequisite). Please note that only one course taught in English may count towards the French Major.4
Required Courses in French/Francophone Literature and Culture
Complete the Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRENCH 271 | Literature, Comics, and Film in French | 3-4 |
| FRENCH 321 | Medieval and Early Modern French Literature 5 | 3 |
| FRENCH 322 | Modern French and Francophone Literature 5 | 3 |
| FRENCH 347 | Knights, Priests and Peasants: France 800-1789 5 | 3 |
| or FRENCH 451 | ||
French/Francophone Literature and/or Culture Course Numbered 400 or Above
Complete One course from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRENCH 420 | Topics in French: Study Abroad | 1-6 |
| FRENCH 430 | Readings in Medieval and Renaissance Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 431 | Readings in Early Modern Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 449 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 451 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 461 | French/Francophone Literary Studies Across the Centuries | 3 |
| FRENCH 462 | French/Francophone Cultural Studies Across the Centuries | 3 |
| FRENCH 464 | Literature and Medicine in French-Speaking Cultures | 3 |
| FRENCH 465 | French/Francophone Film | 3 |
| FRENCH 467 | Aspects of Contemporary French Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 567 | Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Literary Studies | 3 |
| FRENCH 568 | Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Cultural Studies | 3 |
| FRENCH 569 | Critical Approaches to Literature and Culture: French and Francophone Perspectives | 3 |
| FRENCH 626 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 630 | The Age of Reason | 3 |
| FRENCH 631 | 17th-Century French Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 633 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 636 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 637 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 639 | 17th-Century Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 645 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 647 | The 20th-Century French Novel | 3 |
| FRENCH 653 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 665 | Introduction to Francophone Studies | 3 |
| FRENCH 672 | Topics in Literature and Culture | 3 |
| FRENCH 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| FRENCH 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| FRENCH 691 | Thesis | 2 |
| FRENCH 692 | Thesis | 2 |
Additional French/Francophone Literature and/or Culture Course
Complete One course from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRENCH 211 | French Literary and Interdisciplinary Studies 4 | 3-4 |
| FRENCH/AFRICAN 216 | Modern and Contemporary Francophone Topics 4 | 3 |
| FRENCH 248 | Ethnic Studies in the French/Francophone World(s) 4 | 3 |
| FRENCH 285 | Rebellious Women from the Global South 4 | 3-4 |
| FRENCH 288 | Doctors without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) 4 | 3 |
| FRENCH 298 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
| FRENCH 299 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
| FRENCH/INTL BUS 313 | Professional Communication and Culture in the Francophone World | 3 |
| FRENCH/INTL BUS 314 | Contemporary Issues in Business, Government and NGOs | 3 |
| FRENCH 325 | Visual Culture in French/Francophone Studies | 3 |
| FRENCH 345 | French Fashion and Literature from the Middle Ages to Today 4 | 3 |
| FRENCH 347 | Knights, Priests and Peasants: France 800-1789 5 | 3 |
| FRENCH 348 | Modernity Studies | 3 |
| FRENCH 350 | Applied French Language Studies | 1-3 |
| FRENCH 361 | Study Abroad: French/Francophone Literature | 2-3 |
| FRENCH 362 | Study Abroad: French/Francophone Civilization | 2-3 |
| FRENCH 420 | Topics in French: Study Abroad | 1-6 |
| FRENCH 430 | Readings in Medieval and Renaissance Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 431 | Readings in Early Modern Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH/AFRICAN 440 | African/Francophone Film 4 | 3 |
| FRENCH 449 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 451 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 461 | French/Francophone Literary Studies Across the Centuries | 3 |
| FRENCH 462 | French/Francophone Cultural Studies Across the Centuries | 3 |
| FRENCH 464 | Literature and Medicine in French-Speaking Cultures | 3 |
| FRENCH 465 | French/Francophone Film | 3 |
| FRENCH 467 | Aspects of Contemporary French Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 567 | Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Literary Studies | 3 |
| FRENCH 568 | Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Cultural Studies | 3 |
| FRENCH 569 | Critical Approaches to Literature and Culture: French and Francophone Perspectives | 3 |
| FRENCH 626 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 630 | The Age of Reason | 3 |
| FRENCH 631 | 17th-Century French Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 633 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 636 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 637 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 639 | 17th-Century Literature | 3 |
| FRENCH 645 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 647 | The 20th-Century French Novel | 3 |
| FRENCH 653 | 3 | |
| FRENCH 665 | Introduction to Francophone Studies | 3 |
| FRENCH 672 | Topics in Literature and Culture | 3 |
| FRENCH 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| FRENCH 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| FRENCH 691 | Thesis | 2 |
| FRENCH 692 | Thesis | 2 |
| LITTRANS 209 | Masterpieces of French Literature and Culture 4 | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 249 | Literature in Translation: Nineteenth-Century French Masterpieces 4 | 3 |
| LITTRANS 268 | French Women Writers from the Middle Ages to the Nineteenth Century 4 | 3 |
| LITTRANS 302 | What is Life? Biological Life in Literature and Culture 4 | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 303 | Topics in French Literature and Culture 4 | 3-4 |
Language Course Numbered 300 or Above
Complete One course from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FRENCH 311 | Advanced Composition and Speaking | 3 |
| FRENCH 312 | Advanced Writing Workshop | 3 |
| FRENCH/INTL BUS 313 | Professional Communication and Culture in the Francophone World | 3 |
| FRENCH/INTL BUS 314 | Contemporary Issues in Business, Government and NGOs | 3 |
| FRENCH 316 | Study Abroad: Advanced French Language | 2-6 |
| FRENCH 350 | Applied French Language Studies | 1-3 |
| FRENCH 590 | Introduction to Phonetics | 3 |
Additional French Coursework to Reach 24 Credits
As Needed:
Many French majors will need additional elective credit to reach the 24-credit minimum requirement. Depending on the courses taken from the lists above to meet the other French major requirements, some students may need one or more additional elective course(s) to reach this 24-credit minimum. Courses in French numbered 211–699 are eligible electives.
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all FRENCH and major courses
- 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major, taken in residence1
- 15 credits in FRENCH taken on campus at UW–Madison
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with a French undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.500 GPA for all FRENCH courses and all courses counting in the major
- Complete at least 8 credits, taken for Honors, beyond FRENCH 2712
- Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in FRENCH 681 and FRENCH 682, for a total of 6 credits3
Footnotes
- 1
FRENCH 300 and higher are considered upper-level in the major.
- 2
Study abroad in France or in another French-speaking country is highly recommended, and the 8 credits taken for Honors can be fulfilled through French courses taken abroad at the appropriate level.
- 3
In certain circumstances (particularly when the student is an Honors candidate in two or more departments), two courses in literature or cultural studies numbered 500-599 or 600-699 may be substituted for the Senior Honors Thesis.
- 4
Only one course taught in English may count toward the French Major.
- 5
FRENCH 321, FRENCH 322, FRENCH 347 are rarely given as course equivalents for courses taken abroad. Students majoring in French who do not take these courses prior to studying abroad and who do not receive these equivalents from courses abroad, will need to take them upon their return.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate that they understand and can analyze literary and non-literary texts in French representing a broad spectrum of topics, time periods, and geographical regions (interpretive communication).
- Express themselves effectively in spoken and written French to inform, persuade, and narrate for different audiences of listeners, viewers, or readers (presentational communication).
- Express themselves effectively in spoken and written French to share information, reactions, and opinions related to a broad spectrum of topics and texts (interpersonal communication).
- Recognize and explain cultural artifacts, practices, and perspectives of the French-speaking world including how these cultural elements relate to literary and non-literary texts in French (cultural knowledge).
- Demonstrate a good degree of understanding of lexical, grammatical, syntactic, and stylistic features of the French language (linguistic knowledge).
- Demonstrate awareness of difference and diversity by comparing and contrasting culturally situated beliefs, behaviors, and norms of the French-speaking world with those found in their own culture (cross-cultural awareness).
- Engage in a sustained fashion with the French language, its users, and cultural artifacts in and beyond the classroom, e.g., in their own community, virtual communities, and study abroad (engagement with the French language and culture).
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FRENCH 203 | 4 | FRENCH 204 | 4 |
| Communication A | 3 | FRENCH 248 (meets Ethnic Studies requirement) | 3 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Social Science Breadth | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | Biological Science Breadth | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FRENCH 228 | 3 | FRENCH 211 | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 4 | FRENCH 311 | 3 |
| Social Science Breadth | 3 | Communication B | 4 |
| Electives | 3 | Physical Science Breadth | 3 |
| INTER-LS 210 | 1 | Social Science Breadth | 3 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FRENCH 271 | 3 | FRENCH 321 | 3 |
| FRENCH/INTL BUS 313 | 3 | FRENCH 348 | 3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FRENCH 322 | 3 | FRENCH 465 | 3 |
| FRENCH 590 | 3 | FRENCH 347 | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | Electives | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
The Department of French and Italian encourages our majors to begin working on their career exploration and preparation soon after arriving on campus. We partner with SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science. L&S graduates are in high demand by employers and graduate programs. It is important to us that our students are career ready at the time of graduation, and we are committed to your success.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
Advising Resources
- For information on language proficiency, language placement, retro credits and/or declaring the French Major, please see the French and Italian department website.
- For advising on the French Major or Certificate, please contact the undergraduate advisor.
- For language and international directions advising, please contact the International Directions Advisor in the Language Institute.
Resources and Scholarships
French House
La Maison Française, a francophone (French-speaking) residence hall and cultural center, is managed by the Department of French and Italian. Residence is open to UW–Madison students with the equivalent of a fourth-semester level of French. At least two native French graduate students reside in the house, aiding in conversation and facilitating the use of French. Most residents are Americans: prospective teachers of French, French majors, and students in other disciplines who want to speak French on a daily basis. Applications should be made well in advance. More information is available at uwfrenchhouse.org.
The French House is open to the public for Wednesday dinner and Friday lunch during the academic year.
Clubs and Activities
French
The French Club is a registered student organization run by students involved in the French program and open to any and all UW community members who have an interest in French language and culture. Club members are encouraged to organize and participate in cultural events on campus and in the community. Undergraduates are welcome at scholarly talks and department events on an array of subjects (see department website and the French House website for event details).