{"id":8790,"date":"2026-02-09T15:56:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/?page_id=8790"},"modified":"2026-04-22T12:39:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T16:39:23","slug":"french-and-francophone-studies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/majors-and-minors\/french-and-francophone-studies\/","title":{"rendered":"French and Francophone Studies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-bates-office-dimp-association\"><div class=\"dimp-ctas dimp-floating-ctas\"><div class=\"wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-garnet-button with-arrow\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/french-francophone-studies\">Visit the full French and Francophone Studies site<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"is-style-academic-introduction\">The Department of French and Francophone Studies focuses on developing French language proficiency while exploring the histories, cultures, and societies of the French-speaking countries around the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.3%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Drawing on film, literature, theater, graphic novels, and pop culture, courses in this department focus on decolonization and anti-racism within this subject. All courses are taught in French, except in the case of some courses cross-listed with other departments or programs, giving students ample exposure to the language as they fine-tune their French skills.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"contact-information\">\n<h5>Contact Us<\/h5>\n\t<p class=\"address\">Indya Childs, Academic Administrative Assistant<br \/>\n9 Andrews Road<br \/>\nRoger Williams<br \/>\n<span class=\"address-email\"><a href=\"mailto:ichilds@bates.edu\">ichilds@bates.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p><div class=\"bates-contact-info-social-grid\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">What You Will Learn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_A-900x300.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with speech bubbles, stack of paper, and pencil\" class=\"wp-image-10284\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_A-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_A-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_A-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_A-200x67.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_A.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Strong written and oral expression in the French language<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_B.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with people, books on a shelf, and magnifying glass\" class=\"wp-image-10285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_B.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_B-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_B-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_B-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_B-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To explore a diversity of experiences in Francophone cultures<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_C.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with people, globe, and trifold map with marker\" class=\"wp-image-10286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_C.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_C-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_C-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_C-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_C-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To engage directly with Francophone communities through study abroad, internships, and community-engaged learning<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_D.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with magnifying glass, open book, and computer\" class=\"wp-image-10287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_D.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_D-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_D-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_D-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_D-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to evaluate the credibility and reliability of information across different media, platforms, and sources<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_E.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with stack of books, concentric circles, person, and open notebook\" class=\"wp-image-10288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_E.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_E-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_E-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_E-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_E-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To engage thoughtfully with the cultural experiences of others<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_F-900x300.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with people, speech bubble, academic building, and graduation cap\" class=\"wp-image-10289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_F-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_F-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_F-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_F-200x67.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/04\/French_F.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Significant research skills via prolonged mentorship with faculty<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax\" style=\"min-height:400px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-9120 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/french_2.webp)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Life After Bates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>French and Francophone studies majors graduate from Bates with strong cross-cultural and analytical skills which are valued across a wide range of careers, including journalism, law, international finance, museum curation, and global community engagement. Recent majors have embarked on successful jobs in media, psychology research, the film industry, and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-garnet-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8df115c7a0f8fb228d46aa9dc18029e2\">94%<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and\/or attending graduate school \u2014 settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-lightgray-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><em>\u201cI was able to take my French major and spin it into international business. After Bates, I went into investment banking at a French investment bank. I really built on that and am now running an international business for a U.S.- based financial media company. I really got that foundation to say, okay, what are some of the building blocks of a career?\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014 Marsha Larned \u201907<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2ab7c3a799664dcab6a3bf35fbf1a0e7\">Selected Places of Employment\/Service<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7293980ecf21423debb4f846f7b3e38f\">\n<li>Bank of America<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sullivan &amp; Cromwell LLP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analysis Group<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refugee Women&#8217;s Alliance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. Navy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teaching Assistant Program in France<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maine Immigrants&#8217; Rights Coalition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teton County Health Department<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guidepoint<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c3d2bfd169d6a9bae4c19f53cab21650\">Selected Graduate Schools<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-836fc58663d40ec1574d8a14704a46fe\">Stanford University School of Medicine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Columbia University Irving Medical Center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Georgetown University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Central Saint Martins \u2014 University of the Arts London<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harvard Business School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f4461396986845ed464b7f2ece582589\">Georgetown University School of Medicine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yale University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tufts University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boston College<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cornell University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-lightgray-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-bates-slideshow2-slideshow swiper-effect-slide is-style-default\"><div class=\"slideshow-toolbar\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"js-open-fullscreen fullscreen-button\" title=\"View full screen\"><\/a><\/div><div id=\"slideshow4466\" class=\"swiper swiper-main has-pagination-progressbar\"><div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two students laugh during an interaction with their professor while playing an improv game in Roger Williams Hall.\" data-id=\"10081\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1727.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1727-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1727-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Two students stand in the doorway dressed in costume pieces during class in Roger Williams Hall.\" data-id=\"10077\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1392.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1392-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1392-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Three students perform a skit for their classmates in Roger Williams Hall.\n\" data-id=\"10083\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_3241.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_3241-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_3241-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor laughs as she watches her students play theater-based games and perform improv during a class in Roger Williams Hall.\" data-id=\"10080\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1658.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1658-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1658-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor engages with their students during a class in Roger Williams Hall.\" data-id=\"10082\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1749.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1749-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1749-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Students in costume pieces laugh and clap as one student celebrates during a game in Roger Williams Hall.\" data-id=\"10079\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1534.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1534-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1534-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Students laugh while performing a skit during a class in Roger Williams Hall.\" data-id=\"10078\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1261.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1261-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/260316_Classroom_Laura_Balladur_1261-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor engages with their students during a class discussion in Pettengill Hall.\" data-id=\"9125\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/181130_Truth_FYS_0440.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/181130_Truth_FYS_0440-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/181130_Truth_FYS_0440-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor addresses admitted students and their families in a Master Class: Paris Revisited seminar during the Admitted Students Reception.\n\" data-id=\"9123\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230414_Admitted_Student_Reception_2086.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230414_Admitted_Student_Reception_2086-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230414_Admitted_Student_Reception_2086-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Three students bind their senior theses together on the steps of Coram Library.\" data-id=\"9122\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230417_Thesis_BIndings_0133.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230417_Thesis_BIndings_0133-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/230417_Thesis_BIndings_0133-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Professors and guest speakers present a panel titled \u201cTeaching as if Their Lives Depend on it: Preparing Students for Bates and Beyond\u201d targeted towards parents and families of Bates students.\" data-id=\"9121\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/170923_Teaching_Panel_0114.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/170923_Teaching_Panel_0114-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/170923_Teaching_Panel_0114-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7aee253ed451432bbb39b803eb057bb0\">Why Study French and Francophone Studies at Bates?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The French and Francophones studies department takes a wholly interdisciplinary approach, delving into sociology, anthropology, rhetoric, and more to give students a well-rounded view on the subject. The majority of students study abroad for one semester or a year in places including Bordeaux, France; Paris; and Rabat, Morocco.&nbsp;In addition, Lewiston has a rich and diverse Francophone population, allowing students to converse with French Canadians and new Mainers from various sub-Saharan Francophone countries and get first-hand exposure to the voices and topics they\u2019re studying.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>I majored in Politics and French with a concentration in Class, Inequity, Poverty, and Justice, and participated in the Bonner Leadership Program through the Harward Center. These academic and community\u2011based experiences shaped my commitment to education as a catalyst for expanding opportunity. As a teacher, I led a study abroad program to France for my high school students. I later transitioned into talent acquisition, focusing on recruiting educators for hard\u2011to\u2011fill roles in public schools. Today, I oversee educator pipeline programs and licensure compliance for DC Public Schools, serving over 50,000 students across 117 schools.<br><\/p><cite>Nathalie Sharp \u201813<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-garnet-bg has-white-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Featured Courses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-gray-light-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c3447d431100b3b4517fc9ee6c141a62\">Meet the Faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a2c7716649da632b844c0f3735a44473\">Faculty in French and Francophone studies hold doctorates from renowned universities and have expertise that spans a wide range of historical and geographical contexts, from early modern France to contemporary Francophone studies. Faculty members have worked across many subject areas, including directing international study programs, leading national scholarly associations, and partnering with Franco-American communities in Maine.&nbsp;The faculty works closely with students to bring current research into their classroom and demonstrate how rigorous humanities scholarship can address pressing global issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"is-style-grid bates-faculty-profiles-department-list \" style=\"--columnCount:3;--columnWidth:300px;\">\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Laura C. Balladur\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/302-e1706023832707-263x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-5839\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/laura-c-balladur\">Laura C. Balladur<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFrench and Francophone Studies, European Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Alexandre E. Dauge-Roth\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/ADR-profil-286x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-7948\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/alexandre-e-dauge-roth\">Alexandre E. Dauge-Roth<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Professor of French and Francophone Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFrench and Francophone Studies <span class=\"chair-flag-inline\">Chair<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Kirk D. Read\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/new-Kirk-241x300.jpg\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-283\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/kirk-d-read\">Kirk D. Read<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Professor of French and Francophone Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFrench and Francophone Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Mary T. Rice-DeFosse\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/IMG_1589-257x300.jpg\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-3576\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/mary-t-rice-defosse\">Mary T. Rice-DeFosse<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Professor of French and Francophone Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFrench and Francophone Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-parallax\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-9128 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/french_3.webp)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style data-is=\"custom-styles\" class=\"wp-block-bates-page-specific-css-css\">.contact-information h5 {margin-top: 0; !important }<\/style>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-stories-wrap\" data-nosnippet>\n\t\t\t\t<h1>News &#038; Events<\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"aside-stories news-updates is-style-grid\"><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/04\/be-you-bravely-stephanie-kelley-romanos-baccalaureate-speech\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-400x267.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"One Baccalaureate tradition is that the processional passes through archways adorned with prayers, poems, and blessings offered by parents, guardians, and other loved ones. Here the processional, led by President Garry W. Jenkins, makes its way through the Class of 2026 archway on May 30, 2026. (Phyllis Graber Jensen\/Bates College) \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260530_Baccalaureate_1155.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">June 4, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/04\/be-you-bravely-stephanie-kelley-romanos-baccalaureate-speech\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Be You, Bravely\u2019: Stephanie Kelley-Romano&#8217;s Baccalaure&hellip;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">Each year the graduating class at Bates picks a faculty or staff person to offer the Baccalaureate Address. The Class of 2026 selected Professor of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies Stephanie Kelley-Romano.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/04\/picture-story-commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-and-curiosity\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-400x267.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Picture Story: Commencement 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/06\/260531_Commencement_8167.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">June 4, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/04\/picture-story-commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-and-curiosity\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPicture Story: Commencement 2026\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">On Sunday, May 31, 2026, 480 Bates students became Bates alumni, ready to face uncertainty with the support of the lessons they\u2019ve learned at Bates, both in and out of the classroom.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/31\/commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-curiosity-and-community\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-400x300.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Moments from this year\u2019s Commencement captured on May 31, 2026. (Theophil Syslo | Bates College)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-400x300.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-900x674.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-839x628.jpg 839w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-1536x1150.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000-200x150.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/05\/260531_Commencement_2319_3000.webp 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">May 31, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/31\/commencement-2026-into-the-future-with-heart-humanity-curiosity-and-community\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommencement 2026: Into the future with heart, humanity, and &hellip;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">The skies were changeable but the mood was resoundingly upbeat on Sunday, May 31, as 480 members of the Class of 2026 celebrated their Bates graduation surrounded by family and friends, and bolstered by speeches that dwelled on bright promises, both those already delivered and those to come.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><\/section><!-- .aside-stories -->\n\t\t\t<\/div><!--.aside-stories-wrap-->\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Department of French and Francophone Studies focuses on developing French language&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":9119,"parent":7912,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/dimp.php","meta":{"_hide_ai_chatbot":false,"_ai_chatbot_style":"","associated_faculty":[],"_Page_Specific_Css":"","_bates_restrict_mod":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_prepend":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_append":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_append_before_footer":false,"_dimp_site_id":"18","_dimp_override_contact":true,"_table_of_contents_display":false,"_table_of_contents_location":"","_table_of_contents_disableSticky":false,"_is_featured":false,"footnotes":"","_bates_seo_meta_description":"","_bates_seo_block_robots":false,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_id":0,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_twitter_id":0,"_bates_seo_share_title":"","_bates_seo_canonical_overwrite":"","_bates_seo_twitter_template":""},"class_list":["post-8790","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8790"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10490,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8790\/revisions\/10490"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}