French Language and Literature

French Studies

The French program emphasizes listening, reading, writing, and speaking in all language courses. The department also offers courses in French literature and the literatures of Francophone Africa, Canada, Asia, and the Antilles. At least 80 percent of Kalamazoo College students study abroad, and for students interested in French, there are study abroad opportunities in Strasbourg and Clermont-Ferrand in France and in Dakar, Sénégal.

Coursework and off-campus experiences are complemented by on-campus opportunities that maintain or improve a student’s language skills. Viewing French language films, reading French publications, conversing with classmates and native speakers at the French table, and attending area cultural events are among the opportunities offered.

Faculty members meet students inside and outside the classroom, participate in campus activities, and counsel students regarding career choices in music, high school and college teaching, science, publishing, government, international trade, international banking, non-governmental organizations, and other fields. French majors and minors at Kalamazoo College have traditionally done well in obtaining French government teaching assistantships for teaching English in France after graduation.