French and Francophone Studies

Here, you’ll learn by doing. With hands-on opportunities in one of the world’s most multicultural cities, you’ll gain the skills and experiences employers seek. And in addition to the big city energy of New York, you’ll have a tight-knit, supportive campus community, eager for you to thrive.

The French and Francophone studies curriculum is taught by experts across multiple departments including art history, English, anthropology, medieval studies, and philosophy. 

Beyond the fundamentals of French language and culture, you might dive into specific areas with courses like Discovering French Cinema, where you’ll explore the themes that make a film uniquely French, or Francophone North Africa, where you’ll examine how North African writers have experimented with genre under colonization.

Our location in the heart of New York City means you’ll have the opportunity to intern with top organizations including the United Nations and French film festivals. You’ll also have the chance to study abroad through one of our 100+ programs.

As a French and Francophone studies major, you’ll graduate with a proficiency in the language, preparing you for roles in any field where bilingual skills are essential. You’ll also be uniquely prepared to pursue advanced study in areas such as foreign languages, international affairs, and law.

Plus, you can connect with alumni through the Fordham Mentoring Program to receive one-on-one guidance and advice for your career.

At Fordham, you’ll use AI as a tool to enhance your learning. Our program will equip you with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI in the workforce. As a French and Francophone studies major, you might use AI for basic transcription or examine French data sets used to train AI models, preparing you for high-growth roles in areas like linguistic data analysis. 

You’ll also be able to earn credentials and paid micro-internships through IBM SkillsBuild’s Getting Started with AI course. All Fordham students and graduates have access to AI training through RamConnect, the University’s alumni and experiential learning platform.

Above all, you’ll learn skills that can’t be replaced by AI, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and emotional intelligence.