About the Program

Immerse yourself in the world and texture of French language, literature, and culture. You will develop a high level of proficiency in spoken and written French while gaining the critical and analytical skills to understand Francophone history, society, film, and political thought. Whether you focus on literary studies, cultural studies, or an interdisciplinary track, you will gain a deep, nuanced understanding of French and Francophone perspectives.

What You'll Study

As a French major, you will develop strong interpretive and analytical skills that prepare you for a variety of careers. Your studies will include: 

• Diverse Fields of Study: Explore a wide range of topics through various approaches, including literary criticism, cultural and intellectual history, political thought, film and media studies, and post-colonial theory.

• Study in Paris: Spend one or more quarters at the Bing Overseas Studies Program in Paris, a cornerstone opportunity for French majors to deepen their linguistic and cultural fluency.

• Demonstrate Your Expertise: In your senior year of the major program, you will complete an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) through the language center as part of your capstone project. An official Proficiency Notation will appear on your Stanford transcript, providing evidence of both oral and written advanced-level language proficiency.