French and Francophone Studies

About French

Undergraduate Program

French is one of the top five languages spoken around the world today, spanning the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas along with the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions. Our courses initiate students into various modes of French cultural production and analysis, preparing them to study abroad. Such experiences enable them to pursue careers in international business, medicine, law, diplomacy, and the arts.

Graduate Program

Our graduate program in French Studies prepares students for teaching, research, and public humanities, as well as for alternative career paths. Graduate students interested in French and Francophone studies have the opportunity to complete coursework, pursue Mentored Teaching and Professional Experiences, and develop research projects that span a variety of periods, genres, geographies, and disciplines while benefitting from pedagogical and professional training, close collegial relationships with faculty and students, and generous financial support

Study Abroad

Our summer, semester and year-long study abroad programs in Nice, Toulouse, Paris, and Dakar enable students to deepen their understanding and appreciation of French culture by taking courses in the French university system, living with French families, shadowing doctors in French hospitals, holding internships in French businesses, and traveling extensively.

French Connexions

The French Connexions Cultural Center at Washington University in St. Louis aims to promote student interest in France, the French language and francophone culture and literature. The Center at Washington University in St. Louis has been elected to the Centers of Excellence of the Embassy of France. Currently housed at 22 major U.S. research universities, the Centers of Excellence support the French Embassy’s presence in the academic world, enabling the embassy to share experience, develop trans-Atlantic relationships and reflect upon the influence of French on U.S. campuses. Members receive both annual financial support and project-based support to fund a wide variety of activities. French Connexions was launched by founding director Lionel Cuillé, teaching professor of French in the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures in Arts & Sciences.

Undergraduate Program

Cross-Cultural Communication: Language Learning at Home and Abroad

We use the communicative method of language teaching enhanced with authentic cultural materials, enlivened with multimedia approaches, and reinforced with frequent revision for maximum oral and written proficiency, preparing you for one of our many summer or semester study abroad opportunities.

Disciplinary Dialogues: Modes of Cultural and Artistic Expression

Our faculty covers all eras and areas of French and Francophone language, literature, and culture, from the Middle Ages to the present, specializing in literature’s interconnections with philosophy, historiography, politics, the sciences, and the arts.

The Francophone World: Expanding Horizons

We help prepare you for professions in international business, medicine, law, and diplomacy, providing you with applicable knowledge and transferable skills, including historical and cultural background, cultural and textual analysis, and oral and written language.

Careers & Outcomes

Check out what recent graduates have done, and explore career center resources to chart your path.

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Graduate Program

Our Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, one of the most active in the country, offers highly qualified students the opportunity to earn Doctoral degrees in all areas of French and Francophone literary and cultural studies. Our students receive generous funding and benefit from our faculty's expertise.

In and out of classes, we strive to create an open, innovative, and supportive environment for the development of graduate students in diverse fields. The program studies literature and culture in an interdisciplinary and multicultural context, with attention given to all periods, genres, and approaches. The program gives you and your advisor considerable freedom to plan a course of study that corresponds to your needs and interests.

Our faculty’s fields of expertise combine the study of French literature and culture (including Francophone regions of Africa, the Caribbean, and North America) with interdisciplinary approaches from comparative arts through digital and medical humanities and translation studies. We encourage students to take courses outside the department that complement the French program and to forge relationships with our affiliate faculty. You also have the opportunity to work with members of other departments and programs by participating in our research and reading groups for faculty and graduate students and by attending our events, including many prestigious guest speakers and occasions unique to the St. Louis region made possible in part by our cultural center, French ConneXions.

Explore our Graduate Program in French

Professor Tili Boon Cuillé

“I hope my students take away a love of culture and a curiosity about other people’s perspectives that will inspire them to explore further, travel further, think circumspectly, and have the courage to put themselves in situations in which their informed perspectives can have an impact in whatever professional venue they choose,” said Tili Boon Cuillé, Associate Professor of French and Comparative Literature and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Comparative Arts at Washington University in St. Louis.

Click here to read the full article from The Teaching Center.

Our Community

Our faculty’s fields of expertise combine the study of French literature (including Francophone regions of Africa, the Caribbean, and North America) with the arts and sciences as well as with theory, politics, and film.

Our Faculty

Study Abroad

The Department and the University strongly encourage all students of foreign language to study abroad, both to improve their linguistic skills and to benefit from the experience of living in another culture. To permit students at virtually any level to participate, the Department sponsors a number of programs abroad. Students can select programs for summer, semester, or year-long study that award Washington University degree credits. Some of the programs are specialized and intended for students in Spanish and Business or French and pre-med. On the graduate level, the Department participates in two exchange programs based in Paris.

Study Abroad Details

Student Resources

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Undergrad Research

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Placement Exams

for French, Italian, and Spanish

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French Awards

The Richard L. Admussen Award for Best Honors Student in French

Mr. Richard L. Admussen passed away in 1991; a victim of leukemia. He was an esteemed professor in the Department of Romance languages for 17 years and had served as chair of the Department of Romance Languages from 1978-79. The Admussen Award is an annual prize for the best Honors student in French.

The Roberta J. Luery Award for Undergraduate Study in France

This travel award was established by the Luery family in memory of their daughter, Roberta Luery. Roberta was killed in a car accident on the way back to Washington University in August 1998 to begin her senior year. She had been on a study abroad program in France during her junior year and had a very positive experience while there. The establishment of this award has served as an instrument for many other students to benefit from the generosity of Roberta's family and friends.

The Elizabeth Schreibre Award in French for Excellence in Teaching

The Elizabeth Schreiber Award in French for Excellence in Teaching was set up by Faculty members of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures in memory of Professor Emerita Elizabeth T. Schreiber.

Prof. Schreiber spent over 40 years teaching French at Washington University. She began teaching in 1945, and continued as a part-time instructor after her retirement in 1977. Faculty members wanted to honor her memory by recognizing outstanding Teaching Assistants in French with this award.

The Isidore Silver Critical Essay Prize

Awarded by faculty to a graduate student in French for an essay or dissertation chapter.

The Isidore Silver Service Award

Awarded by faculty to a graduate student in French for outstanding service to the department.

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