French and Italian Programs

The department offers the major in French, an option in Italian, and an option in French and Italian studies. Prospective majors should consult the department during or before the second semester of the sophomore year.

Students pursuing a major in French or an option in Italian are encouraged to take courses in European studies, European history, art history, and philosophy, as well as English and foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics. Students often combine a major in French or the option in Italian with majors in business, humanities, journalism, the sciences, premedicine, or prelaw.

Language majors are useful in a variety of careers. The study of languages, literatures, and cultures enhances personal growth and broadens professional horizons, allowing fuller participation in an increasingly global community.

First- and Second-Year Preparation

The normal course progression for first- and second-year students considering a major in French is FREN 110, FREN 120, FREN 230, and FREN 240. FREN 230 and FREN 240 may be replaced by FREN 234. Eligible students are encouraged to enroll in honors sections of third-semester French (FREN 231) and fourth-semester French (FREN 241). FREN 300 is the prerequisite for all other 300-level courses, although FREN 300 and FREN 375 may be taken concurrently. FREN 326 is the prerequisite for all 400-level courses. The normal course progression for first- and second-year students considering the option in Italian is ITAL 110, ITAL 120, ITAL 230, and ITAL 240. Eligible students are encouraged to enroll in intensive sections of first-semester Italian (ITAL 155) and second-semester Italian (ITAL 156).

Requirements for the B.A. Major

French Option

Majors must complete courses to gain fourth semester language proficiency. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major.  

• Fourth Semester Proficiency. Satisfied by: FREN 240/ 241.

French Core Knowledge and Skills

Majors choosing this option must complete courses as indicated in following areas:

• Intensive Review of French Grammar. Satisfied by FREN 300.
• Phonetics. Satisfied by FREN 310 or 500.
• Introduction to French Literature. Satisfied by FREN 326.
• Applied French. Satisfied by FREN 350 or 352.
• Intermediate French Conversation. Satisfied by FREN 375.
• French Literature Required Electives. Satisfied by 3 courses (9 hours) from courses numbered FREN 423-FREN 470: 

FREN 432 Francophone African Literature
FREN 450 French Literature of the Middle Ages
FREN 455 French Literature of the Renaissance

FREN 460 French Literature of the Seventeenth Century
FREN 462 French Literature of the Eighteenth Century
FREN 465 French Literature of the Nineteenth Century
FREN 470 French Literature of the Twentieth Century

• Required Electives. Satisfied by 2 courses (6 hours) from FREN 376, FREN 410, FREN 420, FREN 430, FREN 431, FREN 440, FREN 480, FREN 530, FREN 592, FREN 593, FREN 600.

Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Please see your advisor about this opportunity.

Major Hours & Major GPA

While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:

Major Hours
Satisfied by 30 hours of major courses.

Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major. 

Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.

Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.

Italian Option

French and Italian Major Prerequisite. Majors must complete courses to gain fourth semester language proficiency. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major.

• Fourth Semester Proficiency. Satisfied by: ITAL 240.

Italian Core Knowledge and Skills. Majors choosing this option must complete courses as indicated in following areas:

• Composition and Conversation. Satisfied by ITAL 300.
• Advanced Composition and Conversation. Satisfied by ITAL 315.
• Italian Literature. Satisfied by 2 courses (6 hours) chosen from the following: ITAL 301, *ITAL 302, *ITAL 495, or *ITAL 695.
  *Permission of the Italian adviser may be required prior to enrollment
• Required Electives. Satisfied by 4 courses (12 hours) chosen from the following courses:

ITAL 335 Italy and the Italians I (3)

ITAL 336 Italy and the Italians II (3)

ITAL 405 Italian Literature in Translation: _____ (3)

ITAL 410 19th- and 20th-Century Short Stories (3)

ITAL 420 19th- and 20th-Century Poetry (3)

ITAL 430 Dante’s Masterpiece (3)

ITAL 440 Italian Renaissance and Early Modern Literature (3)

ITAL 465 19th- and 20th-Century Novels I (3)

ITAL 466 19th- and 20th-Century Novels II (3)

ITAL 502 Dante’s Divine Comedy I (3)

ITAL 503 Dante’s Divine Comedy II (3)

ITAL 495 Directed Readings in Italian (3)

ITAL 695 Studies in Italian Literature (3)

Special permission of the Italian adviser may be required prior to enrollment.

Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Please see your adviser about this opportunity.

Major Hours & Major GPA

While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:

Major Hours
Satisfied by 24 hours of major courses.

Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major. 

Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.

Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.

French and Italian Studies Option

Majors must complete courses to gain fourth semester language proficiency. These hours do not contribute to the minimum number of hours required for the major.

• Fourth Semester Proficiency. Satisfied by FREN 240/ 241 and ITAL 240.

French and Italian Studies Core Knowledge and Skills. Majors choosing this option must complete courses as indicated in following areas:

• French Grammar and/or Composition. Satisfied by: FREN 300, FREN 350, or FREN 352.
• French Conversation. Satisfied by: FREN 375 or FREN 376.
• Italian Grammar and Composition. Satisfied by 2 courses (6 hours): ITAL 300 and ITAL 315.
• French Literature. Satisfied by 2 courses: FREN 326 and an additional course chosen from the following: FREN 432 - FREN 480.
• Italian Literature. Satisfied by 2 courses (6 hours): ITAL 301 and ITAL 302.
• French Culture. Satisfied by one course (3 hours) chosen from the following: FREN 410, FREN 420, FREN 430, FREN 431, FREN 440, FREN 592, or FREN 593.
• Italian Culture. Satisfied by 1 course (3 hours) chosen from the following: ITAL 335 and ITAL 336.

Majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Please see your adviser about this opportunity.

Major Hours & Major GPA

While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:

Major Hours
Satisfied by 30 hours of major courses.

Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major. 

Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.

Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.

Graduation Plans

With careful planning and commitment to a full-time course load, you can graduate in 4 years. Download a sample 4-year plan for French, Italian, or French and Italian studies.