Because of the size of the university and the strength of the French and Francophone Studies program, it offers multiple sections of all three of the introductory courses and a variety of intermediate and advanced courses in language, culture, literature and film every semester. While the program is relatively large for a department of French and Italian (around 100 majors and 200 minors), the class sizes are small (18-30 students per class) and the faculty are easily accessible. Unlike in many departments, each majoring student is assigned a faculty advisor who can help him/her choose courses, identify and fund an appropriate study abroad program, pursue research opportunities and devise a post-graduation plan.
The Department of French and Italian was one of the first departments in the country to offer courses on French-speaking literatures and cultures from outside of France. It currently has several faculty members who teach courses on French-speaking North Africa, West Africa, the Caribbean and Quebec, and on the cultural production of the millions of recent immigrants (and their descendents) in France. The Department of French and Italian is an innovative department that strives to offer a variety of courses each semester to fit students' diverse interests and professional goals.
spencer.4@osu.edu
(614) 292-8485
355 Hagerty Hall
In browsing the alumni update pages of the bi-annual alumni newsletter, you will find that French majors go on to become doctors, lawyers, professors, teachers, business people and scientists. Most are double majors in another discipline, from international studies to marketing to molecular genetics. There are few things more practical than good writing and communication skills, which language majors possess in abundance. French is an official language in twenty-nine countries around the world and is spoken in yet more, many of which have emerging economies where opportunity abounds. French could be your passport to a career in international business, international law, international aid, diplomacy or tourism.
People who look at the same problems through different lenses will make us better in the long run. -Dr. David Muller, Dean for Medical Education, Mount Sinai
Courses throughout the undergraduate curriculum are enriched by the use of media and Internet resources such as online newspapers, magazines, YouTube, music CDs and videos, television programs, and through videoconferencing with French speakers around the world. As students progress, they choose from a variety of intermediate- and advanced-level language, culture, literature and film courses. Students are encouraged to study abroad through a summer program, a semester-long stay or a year-long study abroad experience.
French is applicable in a variety of settings in the United States and abroad. Mastery of French allows students to consider careers in education, government, business, print and electronic media, scientific and medical research, and trade and tourism industries. Many employers are eager to hire graduates who are fluent in French because their businesses involve French speakers.
(614) 292-1667
186 University Hall
230 North Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-6961
100 Denney Hall
164 Annie & John Glenn Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
