The Master of Arts in French and Francophone world studies is offered with an optional French education emphasis.
For more detailed information on graduate degrees in French and Francophone world studies, contact the Department of French and Italian or visit its website.
Learning Outcomes
- Mastery level of competence and proficiency in spoken and written French. Ability to change between languages and registers with ease as well as express sophisticated ideas in both English and French.
- Ability to perform a formal analysis of literary texts from a variety of genres, including narrative, poetry, theater, and those situated at the limits between traditional notions of genre as well as the visual arts.
- Knowledge of the various periods and subfields of French and Francophone literature from the Renaissance to the present, including major literary, cultural, and historical movements, and the relationship between France and its former colonies.
- Understanding of critical theory and its potential use for analyzing objects of study from a variety of media.
- Ability to think critically and make sustained and convincing arguments in relation to scholarship in the field, as well as express original opinions and thinking, as evidenced in a body of scholarship such as final papers.
The Master of Arts program in French and Francophone world studies requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit and is offered with or without thesis.
Thesis students may apply up to 6 s.h. of thesis credit toward the 30 s.h. required for the degree. They must take a written and oral examination on their areas of study and must defend their thesis at the time of the comprehensive examination. The thesis prospectus must be accepted one year before a student defends the thesis.
Nonthesis students must pass a written and oral examination. With permission of the director of graduate studies and the department chair, nonthesis students may earn up to 6 s.h. of the required 30 s.h. outside the department or transfer up to 6 s.h. of coursework completed at another institution.
All M.A. students must complete the following coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FREN:5001 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 2 |
| FREN:5020 | Comparative Stylistics | 3 |
| At least four graduate-level literature or culture courses numbered 5000 or above | ||
French Education Emphasis
The Master of Arts program with French education emphasis requires a minimum of 38 s.h. of graduate credit in French. The program is intended primarily for prospective secondary school and community college teachers. Candidates must pass a final written and oral examination.
All French education emphasis students must complete the following coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FREN:5001 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 2 |
| FREN:5020 | Comparative Stylistics | 3 |
| Courses in French literature numbered 5000 or above (minimum requirement) | 9 | |
Applicants must have completed the equivalent of the University of Iowa undergraduate major in French. They also must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Applicants for fall semester whose application materials are received in the department by January 15 have the best chance to be admitted and receive financial aid. They must submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with their past academic work, a statement of purpose in taking graduate work, and one or more samples of original writing, one of which should be in French, that show their ability to pursue graduate work in French (an honors thesis, term paper, seminar paper, or other course papers).
Teaching assistantships are offered through the department, and University fellowships and scholarships are available through the Graduate College. Contact the Department of French and Italian for details.
Exchange assistantship agreements with the University of Pau and the University of Poitiers provide one year of residence at these universities in France for graduate students.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
French and Francophone World Studies, M.A.
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 30 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| FREN:5001 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 2 |
| FREN:5020 | Comparative Stylistics | 3 |
| Literature or culture course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Spring | ||
| Literature or culture course c | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Literature or culture course c | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 2 | |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Spring | ||
| Literature or culture course c | 3 | |
| Elective course d | 2 | |
| Final Exam e | ||
| Hours | 5 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- a
- Students may complete 38 s.h. of graduate level coursework for the French education emphasis. In addition to fulfilling the requirements for the MA non-thesis, an additional 9 s.h. of coursework in French literature numbered 5000 or above is required. Graduate elective coursework may be reduced by 1 s.h. if students choose to complete the French education emphasis.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Complete at least four graduate-level literature or culture courses numbered 5000 or above.
- d
- May apply 6 s.h. towards the degree from coursework outside the department, including graduate transfer coursework.
- e
- Written and oral exam on areas of study.