For more detailed information on graduate degrees in French and Francophone world studies, contact the Department of French and Italian.

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 or a dissertation.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in French and Francophone world studies requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit, including credit earned for the MA degree.

The PhD takes at least three years of graduate study, including at least one year spent in residence at the University of Iowa. Students must pass a comprehensive examination and make a successful oral defense of their dissertation.

Requirements for the PhD with a major in French and Francophone world studies include the following.

Course List

Course #	Title	Hours
FREN:5001	Introduction to Graduate Study	2
FREN:7000	Thesis (6 s.h. minimum)	6
A 5000-level course or one above that in critical theory approved by the director of graduate studies		3

Students must possess fifth-semester or equivalent proficiency in an additional language other than French. They are required to spend at least one year teaching as graduate assistants in the department.

An MA in French is prerequisite to admission to the PhD program in French and Francophone world studies. However, successful completion of an MA in French does not necessarily qualify a student for doctoral study.

Applicants 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 Jan. 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 (a 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.

The PhD program is designed to prepare students for research, teaching, and professional service normally required of college and university faculty members.

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, PhD

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)

Academic Career
Any Semester		Hours
72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; typically 30 s.h. of graduate transfer credits taken for the master's from an accredited institution allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b
Doctoral students must possess fifth-semester or equivalent proficiency in a foreign language other than French and are required to spend at least one year teaching as a graduate assistant in the department.
	Hours	0
First Year
Fall
FREN:5001	Introduction to Graduate Study	2
FREN:5000	Teaching and Learning Languages c, d	3
Elective course d		3
Elective course d		3
	Hours	11
Spring
Critical Theory course e		3
Elective course d		3
Elective course d		3
	Hours	9
Second Year
Fall
Elective course d		2
Elective course d		3
Elective course d		3
	Hours	8
Spring
Elective course d		3
Elective course d		3
Elective course d		2
	Hours	8
Third Year
Any Semester
Dissertation Prospectus f
	Hours	0
Fall
Comprehensive Exam g
FREN:7000	Thesis h	2
	Hours	2
Spring
FREN:7000	Thesis h	2
	Hours	2
Fourth Year
Fall
FREN:7000	Thesis h	1
	Hours	1
Spring
FREN:7000	Thesis h	1
Final Exam i
	Hours	1
	Total Hours	42

a

Students entering with fewer that 30 s.h. of coursework from the master's degree must work with their faculty advisor to complete the needed appropriate graduate coursework.

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

Teaching assistants are required to take FREN:5000.

d

Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate level elective coursework and sequence.

e

Must be a 5000-level or above course approved by the director of graduate studies.

f

Defend prospectus by end of third year.

g

Typically completed during third year fall semester; consists of three four-hour examinations followed by an oral examination.

h

Complete a minimum total of 6 s.h.

i

Dissertation defense.