Department of French

The Department of French, one of five departments in the new School of Modern Languages, enjoys an outstanding reputation and has a strong intake of highly qualified and well-motivated students. With around 140 undergraduate students in each year, as well as postgraduates researching for higher degrees, there is a thriving culture of teaching and research. Staff have specialist interests across the range of areas that make up the field of French studies, and are active in scholarly associations at national and international level. The Department runs the Centre for the Study of Literary and Visual Cultures in France in collaboration with the Department of History of Art.

The Department offers a broadly based but flexible curriculum. At its core is a well-established language teaching programme. We expect, and achieve, high standards in language work, as well as in the study and analysis of authors, historical periods, cultural trends, linguistics, and contemporary political and social issues. We welcome all students who are interested in and committed to studying French. There is an active student French Society which arranges regular cultural and social events.

Departmental announcement

The Department regrets to announce the death on 30 April 2009 of Professor Michael Freeman, formerly Ashley Watkins Professor of French until his retirement in January 2008. Professor Freeman made a hugely distinguished contribution to the profession and will be very sadly missed by colleagues and students alike. An announcement will be made in due course about a memorial event. Follow this link to the UOB obituary by Professor John Parkin, and follow this link for details of Joie de vivre in French Literature and Culture: Essays in Honour of Michael Freeman, edited by Susan Harrow and Timothy Unwin (Amsterdam/New York: Rodopi, 2009)