This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2025-26.


Major Requirements

A major in French is a program of study of French language and literature. It consists of a minimum of eight courses at the 300 and 400 levels.

350-Level Electives

  • Two FREN courses at the 350-level are required

NOTE: These courses must be taken before any 400-level literature course. A student who has completed a 400-level course may not take a 350-level survey course.

Advanced Composition, Grammar, and Conversation

400-level Electives

  • Five FREN 400-level electives:
    • two must come from the Pre-1800 (category 1) list
    • two must come from the Post-1800 (category 2) list
Pre-1800 (category 1)

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of FRPR in the course offerings.

Post-1800 (category 2)

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of FRPO in the course offerings.

Additional Regulations

The following regulations apply:

  1. Only 300- and 400-level courses in language and literature may be counted.
  2. No course with a grade of less than C– is credited toward a major. For graduation, the minimum GPA required in courses counting toward a major is 2.00 (C); all departmental courses taken in the major are used to calculate this average.
  3. No more than two departmental courses counting toward a major may be taken in any one term.
  4. Independent study courses are permitted only when the 400-level distribution requirements are met.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the  department page.


Romance Languages and Literatures Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.