French

Major Related
Resources

Department of
French and Italian
Ballantine Hall 642

Career Related
Resources

Career Resource
Library
625 North Jordan Avenue
Phone: 855-0576
Career Development Center
Arts and Sciences
Career Services
625 North Jordan Avenue
Phone: 812-855-0576

IUB Libraries Career Resources
Foreign Languages Careers
10th Street & Jordan Avenue
Phone: 812-855-0100

Description of Major

Courses offered by the Department of French and Italian demonstrate the diverse nature of the French program. After completing the requirements in basic language instruction or placing into upper-level courses, students choose from a variety of classes in literature, grammar, composition, conversation, linguistics, phonetics, or culture/civilization. Course content ranges from French Medieval minstral verse to post-colonial African cinema.

Skills & Knowledge Developed in this Field of Study

Students who study French gain the ability to speak, read, write, and listen in the French language. They also gain knowledge of French literature and culture, skills in understanding the structure of language, and a greater appreciation of foreign cultures in general. The Department offers courses on the culture and literature of French-speaking countries outside of France as well, such as those of West Africa and the Carribean. French majors also have the opportunity to study abroad, which is an excellent personal and academic learning experience.

Minors and Second Majors that Expand Career Options with this Major

Business, journalism, international studies, telecommunications, political science, public and environmental affairs.

Career Options

Careers Specific to the Bachelor's Degree

An obvious career choice for French majors is to become a teacher, but this is certainly not the only option available. While a number of French majors still choose to enter secondary education as a career, a large percentage of majors pursue careers in other fields such as publishing, translation, tourism, and Foreign Service.

Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's Degree

French majors, with various minors or double major combinations, have entered the fields of business, public relations, journalism, telecommunications, politics, and public and environmental affairs. Some students have also used their language skills to enter government employment, the military, or organizations such as the Peace Corps.

Careers that Normally Require a Graduate Degree

Teaching at the college and university level requires a graduate degree. French majors also go on to law school or graduate programs in library or political science, in order to pursue careers in these fields.

Employment Opportunities

Job Outlook

In this era of increased globalization, applicants with foreign language skills have a definite advantage. The job outlook is best in internationally oriented work such as business, social or government services, and public relations.

Salary Information

Beginning salaries for French graduates are as variable as the possible career paths for this major.

Potential Career Growth

Varies throughout the possible career fields, but the potential is excellent.

Placement Statistics for IU Graduates with this Major

Not available.

High School Preparation

French courses in high school help advance a student through the French major more quickly, but students can also start with beginning French and still complete a French major in four years.

Special Opportunities

1) Study abroad programs offer students the opportunity to study in France or Quebec for a summer, semester, or academic year. IUB sponsors a year-long program in Aix-en-Provence and a semester for business-oriented students in Rouen. Our co-sponsored programs include a summer and a semester in Paris, a semester in Rennes, and a summer in Quebec City.

2) The Department offers an honors program which allows gifted students to pursue independent reading and research which culminates in a senior-year honors project.

Noted Alumni

We are proud of our alumni, who have gone on to successful careers in various fields. For example, Jesse D. Rosensweet,(BA '91), received a jury award at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival for directing the short film The Stone Folly. Robert Jelani Eddington, (BA '96), practices international law in New York and is also a theatre pipe organist who has toured throughout the world. Kelly O'Neal, (BA '96), is a legislative correspondent on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Krya Himmelbaum, (BA '97), is a professional dancer and singer in musical theater productions in New York.