French

Why Study French?

More than 220 million people in over 40 different countries speak French. Studying French gives students insight into a diverse array of cultures in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. French is one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and international courts. On a more local level, students studying French at Ole Miss can learn the history of this region, as Mississippi was part of the French colony of Louisiana during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Ole Miss French majors and minors study the language and cultures of the French-speaking world. They have the opportunity to take courses in French literature from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, cinema, linguistics, cuisine, music and more. The language proficiency and cultural understanding they develop make them better-informed citizens of the world, as well as job candidates with highly sought-after skills.

Prospective Students

The UM French Information Sheet provides a summary of our French program and our French program alumni.
The UM French Degree Sheet provides degree requirements and a sample 4-year curriculum plan.

Degree Requirements

Student Resources

Extracurricular Activities

French Club

A group for students who love French, run by students who love French. Two evenings a month, this informal gathering gives students the opportunity to use their French outside the classroom through games, films and group discussions. For more information, contact Marta Chevalier.

French Table

Our weekly informal conversation group: Practice your French, meet new friends, and get to know your instructors over a shared meal. For more information, contact Dr. Sara Wellman.

— Wednesdays 12:00p-1:00p @ the Residential College

Study Abroad

Go Away! We encourage all of our majors and minors to immerse themselves in the study abroad experience. The Study Abroad Office offers dozens of programs in French-speaking countries where students at all levels of French study a variety of linguistic, literary, and cultural topics.

Pi Delta Phi French Honor Society

Pi Delta Phi, the national French Honor Society, recognizes students’ outstanding achievement in French studies. The University of Mississippi’s chapter, Delta Omega, was established in 1966. Every year, faculty invite undergraduate and graduate students who meet the eligibility requirements to join this prestigious society. Members of Pi Delta Phi are eligible to apply for one of the Society’s generous scholarships for summer study abroad. For more information, contact Dr. Anne Quinney or Dr. Sara Wellman.

Faculty

The French faculty at the Department of Modern Languages consists of three tenure-track professors, one instructional professor, and two instructors whose expertises include linguistics, medieval French and Occitan literature, early modern French literature, 19th century French literature, and 20th and 21st century French and Francophone literature and film.

Our French classes feature low faculty-to-student ratios allowing students to work closely with the French faculty.

Contact Information

Basic Language Program: 100 & 200 Level French

Director of Basic French

Alexandre Dubois, Ph.D. Visiting Assistant Professor of French
axdubois@olemiss.edu
Howry 210
662-915-1980

Majors and Minors: 300 & 500 Level French

Undergraduate Academic Advisors
Anne Quinney, Ph.D. Professor of French
aquinney@olemiss.edu
Bondurant Hall C-113
662-915-6695

Sara Wellman, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of French
slwellma@olemiss.edu
Bondurant Hall E-203
662-915-7712

M.A. Students: 500 Level French

Diane Marting, Ph.D.
dmarting@olemiss.edu
Bondurant E-104
662-915-7104

Financial Assistance

Scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships help many students study French. Modern Languages awards scholarships to students of French, the College of Liberal Arts awards additional scholarships, and other financial support is available from the Office of Financial Aid.