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Program Overview

Master your French language skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking — and study all aspects of French and Francophone culture, such as art, literature, history and film.

The study of French at Agnes Scott explores all aspects of the culture, such as language, art, literature, history, and film. Because of this broad-based knowledge, students in the French program gain a well-rounded, inclusive education that allows them to apply their knowledge to future academic or professional careers.

Creative thinking and an independent analytical approach are standard in the French classroom. Students are also encouraged to spend a semester or a year abroad to expand their knowledge of French and Francophone cultures. Courses of foreign study recently selected by students included French literature and the culture at the Sorbonne, French linguistics and literature at l’Université Catholique l’Ouest at Angers and African economics and the French language in Sénégal.

French major students look ahead and listen while sitting in class.

What You'll Learn

All courses offered by the French program are designed to develop students’ proficiency in understanding, speaking, and writing French and to foster a knowledge of French and Francophone cultures. Upper-intermediate and advanced courses are devoted to literature written in French and the social, political, and historical contexts of its production. You'll gain:

  • grasp the complexity of diverse, postcolonial identities in French and Francophone cultures
  • appreciate connections between the French language, French/Francophone literature and the other fine arts, including fashion
  • demonstrate the ability to use French language skills in a professional environment

Program Highlights

Hands-on, Experiential Learning Opportunities

From spending a semester abroad to spending a week studying the Enlightenment in France, students have incredible opportunities to supplement their classroom study with real-world experiences.

Campus Involvement

Many French students are members of the French Club and French Honor Society, whose missions are to share French and Francophone culture with members of the Agnes Scott community. The organizations sponsor an annual French film series, as well as other community-wide events.

Accessibility to a Native Speaker

Every year the program is joined by a teaching assistant from a French-speaking country, whose responsibilities include working alongside members of the full-time faculty in grammar classes and teaching intermediate conversation. The teaching assistant offers Agnes Scott students an incredible opportunity to receive expert instruction.

Meet the Faculty

photo of professor John D'Amico

John D'Amico

Visiting Assistant Professor of French

Julia Knowlton

Julia Caroline Knowlton

Adeline A. Loridans Professor of French

Philip A. Ojo

Professor of French

Working in French

With a degree in French, you will gain a broad understanding of the scope of the French language and culture, as well as become proficient in French.

Those who study languages are able to move into a number of different sectors due to the transferable skills acquired. One of the more popular careers is teaching, while another common career path that language graduates will follow is translation and interpretation. However, other industries that welcome language graduates are the media, PR, finance, banking, tourism, consulting, or business. The communication skills acquired during a languages degree are highly sought after by many employers and can be applied across many sectors.

  • Digital Media Coordinator
  • ESOL Teacher
  • Bi-lingual Service Representative
  • High School French Teacher
  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Translator

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