Skip to main content.
  • Faculty + Staff
  • Alumni/ae
  • Families
  • Students
Bard
  • Bard
  • Academics sub-menuAcademics
    • Academics
      • Programs and Divisions
      • Structure of the Curriculum
      • Courses
      • Requirements
      • Academic Calendar
      • Faculty
      • College Catalogue
      • Bard Abroad
      • Libraries
      • Dual-Degree Programs
      • Bard Conservatory of Music
      • Other Study Opportunities
      • Graduate Programs
      • Early Colleges
  • Admission sub-menuAdmission
    • Applying
      • Apply Now
      • Financial Aid
      • Tuition + Payment
      • Campus Tours
      • Meet Our Students + Alumni/ae
      • For Families / Para Familias
      • Join Our Mailing List
      • Contact Us
      • Link to Instagram @bardadmission
  • Campus Life sub-menuCampus Life
    • Living on Campus
      • Housing + Dining
      • Campus Resources
      • Get Involved on Campus
      • Visiting + Transportation
      • Athletics + Recreation
      • Montgomery Place Campus
      • Current Students
      • New Students
  • Civic Engagement sub-menuCivic Engagement
    • Bard CCE The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) at Bard College embodies the fundamental belief that education and civil society are inextricably linked.

      Take action.
      Make an impact.

      • Get Involved
      • Engaged Learning
      • Student Leadership
      • Grow Your Network
      • About CCE
      • Our Partners
  • Newsroom sub-menuNews + Events
    • News + Events
      • Newsroom
      • Events Calendar
      • Press Releases
      • Office of Communications
    • Special Events
      • Commencement + Reunion
      • Fisher Center + SummerScape
      • Family and Alumni/ae Weekend
      • Athletic Events
    • Join the Conversation
      • Link to Facebook @bardcollegeny  Link to Twitter/X @bardcollege   Link to Instagram @bardcollege  Link to Threads @bardcollege  Link to YouTube @bardcollege

  • About Bard sub-menuAbout Bard
    • About Bard College
      • Bard History
      • Campus Tours
      • Employment
      • Visiting Bard
      • Support Bard
      • Inclusive Excellence
      • Sustainability
      • Title IX and Nondiscrimination
      • Board of Trustees
      • Bard Abroad
      • Open Society University Network
      • The Bard Network
  • Give
  • Search
French Studies Program
Main Image for Requirements and Courses

Requirements and Courses

French Menu
  • Requirements + Courses
  • Faculty
  • Intensives
  • Study Abroad
  • News + Events
  • Resources
  • Home
The program allows students to choose one of three areas of specialization:
French and francophone literature; civilization, culture, and history; and translation. For students beginning the study of French, an intensive program (one semester of study followed by four weeks in France) is offered every spring.

Requirements

  • Moderation and Graduation
    Prior to Moderation, students must take at least 20 credits of courses that are accredited by the French Studies Program, or must have reached the equivalent level of fluency. Over four years, students must take 13 program-accredited courses (52 credits), including the 8-credit Senior Project. At least six of the 13 courses must be conducted entirely in French.

    After Moderation, a student is required to take one French Studies course per semester (at least two of which should be at the 300 level, in French). By the time of graduation, a student should also have completed two courses in French history. Students are strongly encouraged to spend a semester abroad during their junior year. Students moderating in French Studies will also complete a Senior Project.
  • The Second Focus
    Students who wish to pursue a second focus in French Studies must complete at least six courses in the program, four of which should be taught in French. No more than two of these courses can be cross-listed in French Studies but taught in English. At least one of the courses taught in French should be an advanced “content” course, not a language course—examples include courses entirely devoted to French literature, history, or culture.

    It is recommended that students take Advanced Conversation and Composition before taking the French “content” course.

Courses

Core courses in French Studies include 106 Basic Intensive French; 201 Intermediate French I; 202 Intermediate French II; 203 Intermediate French III, 215 French Translation, 220 French through Film, 240 Survey of French Literature I and II, and 270 Advanced Composition and Conversation.

Courses


Sample Program of Study

First Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

• FREN 106 (12 credits)
• FYSEM I (fall)
• FYSEM II (spring)

• FREN 201
• FREN 215
• HIST 146 
• Moderation (spring)

• FREN 240
• FREN 270
• PS 225
• LIT 315 

• Sr. Project I (fall)
• Sr. Project II (spring)
• FREN 354
• HIST 3117

Bard College
30 Campus Road, PO Box 5000
Annandale-on-Hudson, New York 12504-5000
Phone: 845-758-6822
Admission Email: [email protected]
Information For
Prospective Students
Current Employees
Alumni/ae 
Families
©2025 Bard College
Quick Links
Employment
Travel to Bard
Site Search
Support Bard
Bard IT Policies + Security
Bard has a long history of creating inclusive environments for all races, creeds, ethnicities, and genders. We will continue to monitor and adhere to all Federal and New York State laws and guidance.
Like us on Facebook
Follow Us on Instagram
Threads
Bluesky
YouTube