The French concentration is designed to give students a solid foundation in the French language and expose them to the history and culture of many countries in the Francophone world. With faculty specializing in pedagogy, linguistics and literature, the French section offers students the ability to pursue advanced studies in a wide array of fields. Some French majors have gone on to study law, French, art history, philosophy, while others 2 are working for a wide variety of employers from the Center for American Progress to the Michelin corporation.
Our students come from diverse backgrounds: some have studied French in High School others have started here at UNCA. We welcome double majors from the natural sciences, the humanities and the social sciences. Students concentrating in French are also encouraged to participate in our Study Abroad Program; students have studied in a variety of countries, such as Guadeloupe, Morocco, France, Switzerland and Senegal.
The French concentration offers a wide variety of courses in French language, literature and civilization. In small upper-division classes, topics of permanent human significance are discussed and related to personal interests. Through the experience of a culture, language and literature — closely linked historically to their own — students are able to gain distance and awareness, stretch their intellectual horizons and at the same time prepare for careers. The department encourages travel and study abroad and helps students apply for Fulbright and other scholarships to France and admission to graduate schools.