French Studies
The French program offers students a wide range of courses designed to provide the basis for the study of our French heritage. Our course offerings comprise a variety of fields: French as a language system (including Business French); critical approaches to literature; teaching and learning French (including teaching with a new technology); and the study of both French and Quebec Literatures.
For students wishing to pursue a program leading to a high level of competence in French, we offer two series of language courses: FSL courses for non-specialists; and FRE courses for specialists, maximizing contact with instructors and using modern methods.
Honours Bachelor of Arts
Program Plans
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- Interpreter
- Travel & Tourism
- Creative Writer
Admission Requirements
Regional Requirements
Admissions RequirementsLife in French Studies
Buzz Around Campus
After completing her PhD in theoretical linguistics at U of T in 2001, Mihaela Pirvulescu felt something was missing. So she found the necessary component to make her research more satisfying by incorporating youngsters into the mix and they now inform practically all aspects of her life.
Is it ça va or quoi de neuf? For a native French speaker, the choice is easy; an unconscious lightning-quick assessment of the social situation, its level of formality, and the image the speaker wishes to portray. Yet for a student learning the language, even a simple greeting can be fraught with the potential of social censure.
In his new book, La révolution du magazine au Québec, Adrien Rannaud demonstrates how one of Quebec’s first magazines both reflected and advanced literature and culture over its run from 1919 to 1960, and how its impact is still evident today.
Sample Courses
This course explores topics in Quebec theatre, from the 19th century to the present day. Students will apply previous knowledge in literature, and their oral and written competences in French to the study of a variety of plays.
How are marriage, family life, adultery, forbidden love represented in French literature? How do French authors handle various types of love such as passion, unrequited love, and jealousy in light of the gendered social pressures of their times?
An examination of the history of French Canada, particularly its culture, political community, and language.
Other Programs to Consider
Italian
The Italian program at U of T Mississauga is designed to provide a comprehensive study of the many facets of Italy, a country whose culture continues to be a significant force in the shaping of Western civilization. Literature and cinema courses are organized around major figures, movements or genres, as well as Italian life and civilization.
History
History is an ancient discipline, but its modern practitioners are often by necessity interdisciplinary and are frequently positioned at the crossroads of the humanities and social sciences. The curriculum is also characterized by sets of thematic emphases that include imperialism, colonialism and nationalism, culture and society, religion, the environment, source criticism, labour, gender, ethnicity, war and politics.
Functional French
The Functional French minor is ideal for students seeking a level of linguistic and cultural competence necessary for using the French language in professional Francophone environments.