91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ

French Department

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the French major, a student will have demonstrated that they are able to:

  • execute a sustained research project;
  • choose and define an interesting topic from the major field;
  • develop and pursue a rigorous method appropriate to the research topic;
  • independently investigate that topic with the support of an advisor;
  • demonstrate a broad knowledge of their research area and contextualize their own research within it;
  • analyse literary texts, including through close reading;
  • use appropriate secondary sources as part of a literary analysis;
  • produce original work;
  • read, write and understand French;
  • write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project;
  • present, discuss and defend their work orally.

The primary assessment tool for learning in the major at 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ and the level of student achievement in the major area is the senior thesis; the junior qualifying examination, which assesses a student's readiness for thesis, provides a secondary assessment tool. For more information on the thesis and the Junior Qualifying Exam, see Degree Requirements.