The Wake Forest University Department of French Studies is committed to innovative, engaged teaching and to excellence in research. Our faculty represent scholarly areas of specialization in French and Francophone literature and cultural studies, in film, and in linguistics. Our department has a major and a minor, a concentration in French for Business, and well-established faculty-led study abroad programs in Tours and Dijon.

The French Studies faculty are dedicated teachers and mentors who are invested in the success of our students. In our department, all faculty – from the most senior professors to the junior faculty who joined our department most recently – teach courses at all levels, from elementary French to our major/minor core courses and seminars. The success of beginning French students is as crucial to our departmental identity as that of students in our capstone seminars. Student engagement and mentoring are at the heart of our vision for the department.

We firmly believe that the study of global languages and cultures is a hallmark of a quality liberal arts education. Knowing another language is key to understanding social, historical, and political events in their contexts. In particular, our program aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop the linguistic and intercultural skills that enable exploration of the French and Francophone world, to engage in critical thinking, and to hone their analytical skills.

The department has a wonderful sense of community. I made friends with my fellow students and found important mentors in French Studies professors.

Julia Mroz, French Studies minor (’20)

Statement of Inclusive Excellence

I gained an understanding of the way that learning another language is learning another culture. This minor has meant the opportunity to step outside of my national context into a truly global one. It has provided me with the opportunity to transform not only my perspective on the francophone world, but on the entire world.

Alexander Holt, French Studies minor (’20)

@WFU students, do you still need a course that fulfills your Division II requirements? French Studies will offer FRT 210, "Culture on the Move in Global Francophone Cities," this spring! Taught in English, the course will explore intersections of culture and movement in francophone cities around the planet. Engaging primarily with films and literary texts—accompanied by other media like photographs and graphic novels—, we will navigate cities such as Montreal, Port-au-Prince, Paris, Dakar and Hanoi, among others. Please email Prof. Tierney with questions! #wfu #wfustudents #wfufrenchstudies

During their week in Paris last month, the #WFUDijon group had the opportunity to get together with three @wfuniversity alums, former French Studies majors who now live in Paris. As undergraduates, all three also participated in the @wfustudyabroad program in Dijon.

Thanks to these young professionals for connecting with current students to talk about their career trajectories, and for sharing some of their favorite spots in Paris: Adam Dingman (2018), who just earned his Master’s in International Relations and Economic Diplomacy at HEIP-Paris (Hautes Études Internationales & Politiques) @heip_politics; Sarah Dancy Blackburn (2020), who works at Insigniam as a consultant; and Christopher Williams (2021), who is an account executive at PlayPlay. Merci beaucoup !!

#deacsabroad 🇫🇷 #lifeafterwake

Join us this week for two public film screenings of Marinette, on Tuesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00 PM in ZSR Auditorium.

Students: sign up on The Link (link in bio)

This movie is based on the real-life story of Marinette Pichon, "one of the world`s greatest stars of football, having held for almost two decades the record for the number of goals and caps for the French team (men/women combined) before becoming a FIFA legend by being the first French player to have a career in the US. The film follows her fight to spread awareness on women`s rights in sport."

Director: Virginie Verrier, France, 2023 (95 min)

This film is a part of Young French Cinema, a program of Unifrance and Villa Albertine.

#wfu #wfufrenchstudies

Join us for a presentation by Fulbright FLTA Enzo Chopin! He will explore the intercultural dimensions of Franco-American culinary diplomacy, drawing on his MA thesis research on White House state dinners during the Cold War era. Come learn about this fascinating topic! Thursday, October 3, at 4:00pm in Greene 311. #wfu #wfufrenchstudies

Interested in one of our amazing study abroad programs? Come to this information session to hear more about our programs in Dijon (fall) and Tours (summer). Former participants and faculty leaders will be there to answer your questions! Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 4pm in Greene 320. #wfu #wfufrenchstudies #wfudijon #wfutours

This Thursday, September 19, 12:00-4:00 pm in Benson 401:

Stop by our table at the WFU Study Abroad Fair to learn about study abroad options in France for summer (Tours) & fall (Dijon)!

The WFU programs in France have something for everyone, from those currently in French 111 or 113, to prospective and current French majors and minors!
#deacsabroad #wfufrenchstudies #wfutours #wfudijon