2025-2026 University Catalog 
    
    Dec 05, 2025  
2025-2026 University Catalog

Romance Languages major, with a French emphasis, leading to a BA degree


Talented and dedicated faculty engage students in the study of the languages, literatures, and cultures of the diverse populations that once spoke the Latin of the Roman Empire. Majors in Spanish and French learn to speak a second language fluently, explore the history and culture of its speakers through coursework and study abroad, and gain expertise in the literary arts by reading and analyzing texts produced from the medieval to the post-colonial periods.

Students may combine two languages in a Romance Language major, as well as study Italian and Portuguese language and culture. The affiliated Latin American and Caribbean Studies program provides the intellectual excitement of an interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of multicultural societies that speak French, Portuguese and Spanish.

The department strongly recommends a study-abroad experience of at least one semester, and preferably one academic year.

Students interested in using Portuguese or Italian in combination with French or Spanish for the Romance Languages major should consult with the appropriate faculty member (or department head).

French Electives 200-Level or Above


Choose one French course numbered 200 or above. The department head may approve any one Romance language literature, film, or culture course taught by Romance Languages faculty toward this requirement.

French Electives 300-Level or Above


Choose four additional French courses numbered 300 or above, except FREN 493 .

Secondary Language Electives


Complete one of the following sequences in a secondary language:

Spanish Sequence


The intermediate level or its quivalent in Spanish (SPAN 162  or SPAN 164 ) and one of the following three pairings:

Portuguese Sequence


PORT 163  and two 200-level Portuguese courses.

Italian Sequence


ITAL 163  and two 200-level Italian courses.

French Assessment Exam


Completion of the French Assessment Exam (FAE), a four-skills assessment, in winter term of senior year.

Study Abroad


The department strongly recommends a study-abroad experience of at least one semester, and preferably one academic year.

Total Major Requirements 36 credits