Gain an understanding of Francophone cultures and learn a new language in a communicative and intercultural way through a variety of real-life contexts and subject areas. You’ll master the French language with guidance from Carthage’s Target Language Experts — native French speakers who bring energy and authenticity to their classes. Majors also study abroad in a French-speaking country for at least a semester.
The French program at Carthage immerses students in the culture, history, and language from the first day of class. They’re guided by dedicated professors and Target Language Experts, who bring authenticity to their teaching as native speakers from French-speaking countries like Lebanon, Canada (Quebec), Senegal, and France.
Courses are designed to cultivate skills for the workforce, and all majors study abroad in a French-speaking country for at least a semester.
You will be able to discuss what you’re learning not only in class but also on field trips, at the French table, at film festivals, and with other students in French Club.
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<img src="/live/image/gid/55/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,68,300,368/37707_IMG_7042.rev.1683637981.jpg" alt="Claire Bromley" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="300" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “My relationships with Carthage faculty have been some of the highlights of my college years. It’s so much easier to engage in class when you know your professor. It’s also great to be able to say hello or grab coffee when you see your former professors around campus.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2407-claire-bromley">Claire Bromley</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/44/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1770,1740/34181_Georgia-Fox-23.rev.1649966013.jpg" alt="Georgia Fox ?23" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/44/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1770,1740/34181_Georgia-Fox-23.rev.1649966013.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/44/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1770,1740/34181_Georgia-Fox-23.rev.1649966013.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1770" data-max-h="1740" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I have really amazing relationships with my professors. They care so much about my success and go to great lengths to help me achieve my goals.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1810-">Georgia Fox</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/55/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,34,300,334/37708_8066_163701665847155.rev.1683638018.jpg" alt="James Ritchhart" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="300" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I did a J-Term study tour to Costa Rica, spent three months studying French abroad in France, wrote a research paper on the decolonization of Senegal, and I performed a French play directed by Professor Pascal Rollet.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2409-james-ritchhart">James Ritchhart</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
Courses you’ll take
All classes in the major are taught in French. Here’s a sampling of required and elective offerings:
French Conversation
The French-Speaking World: Social, Political, and Economic Issues
The French-Speaking World: Cultural and Intellectual Life
If you test into a course and then earn a “C” or better, you can earn up to 12 free retroactive credits. That’s three times more than you’ll get from any AP or college-level class that offers college credit!
Beyond the Classroom
J-Term
During Carthage’s popular J-Term, faculty have led study tours to French-speaking parts of the world (France, West Africa, Guadeloupe).
Student organizations
French Club and the French Lunch Table give students more chances to build cultural and linguistic fluency, while the International Friendship Society promotes diversity and cultural awareness on campus. Top students can also join Alpha Mu Gamma, a national honor society for foreign languages.
Even if they’ve never taken a French class, those who plan to major or minor in it at Carthage can compete for a Modern Languages Scholarship. Awards cover up to $27,000 per year.
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