French

Degree Type Bachelor of Arts
Department Romance Languages
Academic Division The College
Offerings
The Romance Languages faculty at W&L foster an intellectual and vital interest in the French language itself, to provide students with the skills and motivation to use French in a multiplicity of contexts, and to promote cultural fluency through the examination of literary, historical and cultural texts, as well as other forms of expression.

Why Study French at W&L?

French majors at Washington and Lee learn to speak the language fluently, explore the history and culture of French speakers through coursework and study abroad, and gain expertise in the literary arts by reading and analyzing texts produced from the medieval to the post-colonial periods. Recent students have taken positions teaching in France or working in finance, business, accounting and other fields; others have gone on to competitive graduate programs in French language and history.

Completing the Foreign Language FDR

One of the Foundation and Distribution Requirements at Washington and Lee is proficiency in a foreign language. The Romance Languages Department offers coursework towards language proficiency in French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. 

Opportunities for Students

Romance Languages is affiliated with study abroad programs in most of Spanish America, Portugal and Brazil, Italy, Spain, France and Francophone Africa. An extended study abroad experience sets students on the road to linguistic and cultural fluency and is strongly encouraged by our faculty. Students in French have many opportunities to study abroad. Recent students have studied in Toulouse, Paris, Dakar and Montpellier.

Back in Lexington, language tables such as Table française meet twice a week and are a great way for students to practice languages with W&L’s native teaching assistants and faculty. Students in French are also involved in the Francophone Student Organization, whose aim is to educate the W&L community about French-speaking communities all over the world.

Other opportunities include annual dramatic performances in French and Spanish, Romance Languages Poetry Night and the National Symposium on Theater in Academe.

Students are encouraged to participate in our honors program, which allows engagement in original research with a faculty member on a topic of interest. Completed projects are invaluable assets for graduate or professional school.

Matthew Bailey

Department Head
P: 540-458-8160
E: baileym@wlu.edu

Shirley Richardson

Administrative Assistant
P: 540-458-8821
E: srichard@wlu.edu

Sample Courses

At W&L, we believe education and experience go hand-in-hand. You'll be encouraged to dive in, explore and discover connections that will broaden your perspective.
FREN 111-164

French (Elementary-Adv. Intermediate)

French courses at W&L begin with an emphasis on listening comprehension and speaking, with gradual introduction of reading and writing. Intermediate French comprises extensive grammar review with acquisition of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in the classroom, while Advanced French covers reading and composition skills, with extensive practice in speaking and listening. Students are also acquainted with French life and culture.

FREN 261

Conversation & Composition

Further development of conversational skills and beginning work in free composition, with systematic grammar review and word study in various relevant cultural contexts.

FREN 280

French Civilization & Culture

A study of significant aspects of culture and civilization in francophone countries. Topics may include: contemporary Africa, pre-colonial Africa, West Indian history and culture, and Canadian contemporary issues. Readings, discussion and papers in French further promote the development of communication skills.

FREN 332

Theater, Poetry & Rock 'n' Roll

An exploration of the connections and synergies between various works of modern and avant-garde French theater, poetry and popular music in the 20th and 21st centuries, from surrealism to the absurd to the postmodern. We journey through the magical worlds of Paul Eluard to Fernando Arrabal's theater of cruelty to French hip hop and the dramas of Eric Emmanuel Schmidt.

FREN 285

Contemporary France Through Film

Taught in Toulouse, this course introduces students to the most important issues in modern French society, including immigration, university life, social justice, art, culture and gastronomy. An integral part of the course is connecting the issues examined through film with the urban and social fabric of Toulouse. During their stay in Toulouse, students are also enrolled in an intensive grammar-review course taught by a French professor, accommodating a variety of linguistic levels. Students live with host families and go on two different excursions, to Albi and Carcassonne.

FREN 397

France Under Nazi Occupation

A close examination of life in France under Nazi occupation (1940-44), through documents, texts, songs and films, and of its effect on memory, institutions, political life and French arts. Students study documents and analyses, alone and in groups; reflect on the ethical and strategic choices facing the authorities and individual citizens; and confront their interpretations in class discussions.

Meet the Faculty

At W&L, students enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors who educate and nurture.
Matthew Bailey Department Chair, Professor of Spanish
Bailey teaches Spanish language, culture and literature. His research interests include medieval Spanish literature and culture, and more specifically, medieval epic narrative.
Mohamed Kamara Associate Professor of French; Program Chair, Africana Studies
Professor Kamara holds degrees in French, English and Secondary Education. He teaches French courses in the Department of Romance Languages and heads the university's Africana Studies Program.
Dick Kuettner Adjunct Professor of Romance Languages and Teacher Education; Director, Global Discovery Laboratories
In addition to his responsibilities at the Ruscio Center for Global Learning, Kuettner teaches courses on teaching methods for world languages.
John Lambeth Professor of French
Lambeth teaches courses on 20th and 21st century French language narrative in literature and film. He has researched French culture, Muslim immigration to French countries, and French detective fiction.
James R. Leva Visiting Assistant Professor of French
Stephen P. McCormick Associate Professor of French and Italian
McCormick teaches courses on French language and culture. He also supervises the French study abroad program. He has researched old French epic and medieval/early modern Italian cartography.
Dominica Radulescu Edwin A. Morris Professor of Comparative Literature
Radulescu teaches upper-level French and Francophone literature, theater, and the representations of women, gender, and sexuality in literature. She researches feminist theater and is an award-winning novelist/playwright.
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