FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES

The French and Francophone Studies program offers a wide range of courses and experiences, both on campus and beyond, that will prepare you for success in our increasingly globalized world.

Our FFS faculty are committed to providing students with an understanding of the French language and expanding their cultural competence through varied classroom experiences, extra-curricular activities, and study abroad opportunities. You can start learning French in introductory courses or further develop your language skills in intermediate, composition and conversation classes. Taught entirely in French, our upper-level seminars cover a wide range of subjects and geographical areas related to the faculty’s expertise in literature, cinema, and cultures of the Francophone world.

WHY FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES?

Stand out

No matter what career you decide to pursue—healthcare, international development, marketing, finance, consultancy, fashion, etc.—your language and intercultural skills will set you apart from most job seekers and drastically increase your marketability.

Explore

Our program aims to give you a complete experience in the Humanities. Your engagement with critically influential texts, films, and thinkers, as well as with contemporary popular culture will allow you to understand and better contribute to the complex world we live in.

Connect

Over 300 million people speak French around the world—and even in (cyber) space! French is the fourth most spoken language in US households. By speaking it, you will be able to better negotiate cultural diversity and relate to people all over the globe and within your community.

FOLLOW THE FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES PROGRAM

CURRENT STUDENT RESOURCES

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2024 20TH & 21ST-CENTURY FRENCH & FRANCOPHONE STUDIES INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM

The French & Francophone Studies Program will be organizing the 2024 20th and 21st-Century French and Francophone Studies International Colloquium, which will take place in Philadelphia, PA on February 22-24, 2024. Learn more here.

WHO WE ARE

Lauren Hurley ’21 CLAS

Lauren Hurley ’21 CLAS is pursuing a PhD in Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Upon graduating from Villanova with a double major in Physics and French & Francophone Studies, she was awarded a Fulbright grant to pursue a master’s in Physics and Energy Engineering at ENS Paris-Saclay. Her FFS degree opened the door to opportunities which she would not have had otherwise, such as taking technical coursework taught entirely in French, working in a top-tier French research lab, and building meaningful relationships with her peers and coworkers. Moreover, the knowledge and skills she acquired from her master’s have helped her tremendously in her PhD work. She is currently researching novel methods for energy efficient computing.

Mattison Gibson '21 CLAS

Mattison Gibson '21 CLAS is currently an assistant English teacher at an elementary school in the Lille region of France. She is finishing her second year working at her school before going on to continue her studies and pursue a master's degree. After graduating from Villanova with majors in both History and French & Francophone Studies, she has utilized her degree to direct English lessons with her students as well as utilize her French language skills while living in northern France.

Bella Stern, 21' CLAS

Bella Stern, 21' CLAS pursued a double major in Psychology (BA) and French & Francophone Studies, with a minor in sustainability. After graduating in the Spring of 2021, she moved to Paris in the Fall to attend Parsons. There, she pursued a master's degree in Fashion Studies, with the plan of staying in Paris, working in set design and styling. Knowing French and studying abroad in Lille before moving to Paris has been integral in her work and acclimation into French culture.