Our French Studies Major
What can a French degree do for you?
Fall in love with language all over again as a French major or minor at Susquehanna.
Courses are taught in French so you'll become proficient and comfortable speaking and writing as you earn your degree.
You'll sharpen those skills through fun activities and clubs on campus and by studying abroad through our Global Opportunities program.
Majors can study in semester-long programs in one of four French cities, while minors can also choose from shorter programs restoring a medieval castle or learning language and culture in the French countryside. Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors, like applied linguistics and international studies, help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.
Immerse yourself in language and culture while pursuing a French degree at Susquehanna.
Our professors will help get you career-ready through courses in French literature, contemporary France, cinema and other current topics. You can also pair your love of language with another interest and pursue a double major.
You'll have opportunities to practice your French outside of class and learn what makes the French culture so alluring through:
- Weekly language tables
- French Club activities including trips to museums, theaters and other venues
- Journée de la Francophonie, a Day of French Speaking, a community outreach and education program that brings local high school students to campus
- Study abroad through Susquehanna's award-winning Global Opportunities program
Teaching French at the elementary, secondary or collegiate level is a rewarding career path for many majors. Don't want to teach? Here are some other careers where you can use your degree:
- Translator focusing on written work in the publishing industry or government
- Interpreter for the United Nations, NATO or an embassy
- Teaching English in a French-speaking country
- Employee of a multinational company, non-government organization (NGO) or charitable organization
Modern Language Major. Students with a major in French, German, Italian or Spanish complete at least 28 semester hours above the 201 level with grades of C- or better. Students placed at the 300 level complete 24 semester hours at the 300 and 400 levels with grades of C- or better. At least one course in the target language must be at the 400 level. The Independent Study (542) in all languages may also be counted toward the major and minor. French, Italian and German require one related history course. Spanish requires one course in Latin American history. All majors complete the capstone, which is composed of two elements: (1) a 400-level course in the language of study to be taken after completing a semester abroad, typically during senior year; and (2) a language proficiency evaluation (FRNC-599, GERM-599, ITAL-599, SPAN-599), which they must pass in their final semester. This second part of the capstone is evaluated on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
All of the modern language majors require one semester of study abroad in a country where the language of study is spoken. Most students majoring in a language also have a second major. Almost any other major on campus can be combined with language studies. After returning from a year or semester of study abroad, majors must take at least one regularly scheduled 300- or 400-level language course at Susquehanna before graduating.
For a major in French, students complete FRNC-202, FRNC-301 and FRNC-302, one course in French or European history, a semester abroad in a French-speaking country; and the capstone, which is composed of two elements: (1) a 400-level course typically taken during the senior year and (2) a language proficiency evaluation in their final semster.
For a major in German, students complete GERM-202 and 24 semester hours at the 300- and 400-level; one course in European history; a semester abroad in a German-speaking country; and the capstone, which is composed of two elements; (1) a 400-level course typically taken during the senior year and (2) a language proficiency evaluation in their final semester.
For a major in Italian, students complete ITAL-202 and 24 semester hours at the 300- and 400-level; one course in European history; a semester abroad in Italy; and the capstone, which is composed of two elements; (1) a 400-level course typically taken during the senior year and (2) a language proficiency evaluation in their final semester.
For a major in Spanish, students complete SPAN-202, SPAN-301, SPAN-302; a course in Latin American history; a semester abroad in a Spanish-speaking country; and the capstone, which is composed of two elements: (1) a 400-level course typically taken during the senior year and (2) a language proficiency evaluation in their final semester. Finally, majors complete one course in each of the three geographical areas where Spanish is most widely spoken; Spain, Spanish America and the United States.
Minor in French, German, Italian or Spanish. Students minoring in French, German, Italian or Spanish complete, with grades of C- or better, 16 semester hours above 201. Students placed at the 300 level complete 12 semester hours at the 300 level with grades of C- or better.
Teaching Certification. Susquehanna offers teaching certification in French, German, and Spanish, and students preparing for such certification must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA in the major. Coursework required by the state of Pennsylvania for admission to the teacher certification program includes successful completion of ENGL-100 Writing and Thinking or equivalent course, at least 3 semester hours in British or American literature, at least 6 semester hours of mathematics coursework (or other courses which satisfy the Central Curriculum Analytical Thought requirement), and at least one 40-hour externship.
Education course requirements for secondary education are EDUC-101 Introduction to Education and Society, EDUC-102 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education, EDUC-250 Educational Psychology, EDUC-260 Introduction to Special Education, EDUC-270 Instruction of Exceptional Students, EDUC-330 Technology in Education, EDUC-350 English Language Learners, EDUC-380 Instructional Design, EDUC-422 Methods of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Teaching Foreign Languages, EDUC-479 Principles of Learning and Teaching in Secondary Education, EDUC-483 Differentiated Instruction and Classroom Management in Secondary Education, and the EDUC-500 Student Teaching package (EDUC-501, EDUC-502, EDUC-503, and EDUC-600). In addition, students pursuing certification in French and German satisfy all of the usual requirements for those majors.
Department: Modern Languages
Associate Professor of Spanish
meixell@susqu.edu
570-372-4258
Department: Langs., Lits. & Cultures
Associate Professor of German
kolb@susqu.edu
570-372-4712
Department: Modern Languages
Associate Professor of French
palermo@susqu.edu
570-372-4257
Department: Modern Languages
Associate Professor of Italian
rodgers@susqu.edu
570-372-4693
Department: Modern Languages
Assistant Professor of Spanish
dorta@susqu.edu
570-372-4505
Department: Modern Languages
Assistant Professor of Spanish
kellym@susqu.edu
570-372-4267
Department: Modern Languages
Assistant Professor of Spanish
severyn@susqu.edu
570-372-4265
Recent graduates have gone to graduate school at:
Columbia University
George Washington University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
University of Kentucky
University of Maryland
Villanova University
Fellowships
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
Fulbright Scholars Program
Recent graduates are employed at:
Bayer AG
Billings Bilingual LLC
Congressional Quarterly Inc.
Corporation for National & Community Service (AmeriCorps)
Moravian Academy
Teach for America
United Nations
Villanova Theatre at Villanova University
Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia
Study Abroad Programs for French Majors
Aix-en-Provence
Take courses in French literature or an introduction to international business.
Paris
Take courses in French literature or an introduction to international business.
Rennes
Internships and student-teaching options are available.
Strasbourg
Excursions in and around France broaden your experience.
Dakar, Senegal
Choose between coursework in development studies or language and culture in French, English and study the Wolof language.
Brussels, Belgium
Study the present and the past at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
Contact Us
Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
514 University Ave.
Selinsgrove, Pa. 17870
Phone & Email
Daryl Rodgers, department head
570-372-4693
rodgers@susqu.edu