Students of French at Hendrix aquire the linguistic competency, cultural literacy, and critical thinking skills that enable them to succeed in a variety of professions both in the United States and abroad.

Fulfilling the Core Language Requirement

Our goals for students of French at Hendrix who complete the first-year sequence include the achievement of beginner's proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding spoken French. Students at this level also aquire a basic knowledge of French and Francophone culture.

The French Minor

Our goals for French minors include the achievement of intermediate proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding spoken French. Students at this level also aquire an expanded knowledge of French and Francophone culture, and an ability to analyze texts--both written and visual, as well as other forms of media (the plastic arts, music, etc). Additionally, French minors are encouraged to examine how cultural differences help determine political, economic and social institutions.

The French Major

Our goals for French at Hendrix include the achievement of advanced proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and unstanding spoken French. A host of curricular and co-curricular opportunities enable French majors to achieve high levels of linguistic and cultural competency--opportunities such as inhabiting the maison française, attending the French table, viewing French and Francophone films on campus, teaching French to youngsters at local elementary schools, studying abroad in a French or Francophone country, and more. After achieving linguistic proficiency, French majors pursue study of French and Francophone cultures and literature. Eligible French majors may also choose either to write a Senior Thesis or to take a Capstone exam--both of which allow them to consolidate and further refine their research and writing skills.