Program Overview

French - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Department of French and Italian at CU Boulder enjoys a national reputation and is the only PhD-granting department in the Rocky Mountain region. The department offers courses that cover the historical and geographic range of French and Francophone literature and has an outstanding record of placing its PhD recipients in desirable positions of employment. Our students pursue interests ranging from the Middle Ages to 21st-century literary and cultural studies.

Requirements

Prerequisites

Doctoral candidates should possess excellence in reading, speaking, writing, and understanding spoken French; general knowledge of French literature and civilization; and a sound reading knowledge of one modern language other than English and French.

Program Requirements

The PhD program in French literature consists of coursework, a comprehensive examination, a doctoral dissertation, and an oral defense of the doctoral dissertation.

• Required Courses and Credits: A total of fifteen courses at the 5000 level or above, consisting of:
  • At least eleven courses at the 5000 level and above in French literature and culture.
  • Up to four courses at the 5000 level or above in a related field (e.g., comparative literature, English, Spanish, classics, linguistics, philosophy, film studies, history, fine arts, education) to be determined in consultation with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.
• Total Credit Hours: 45
• Dissertation Guidance: 30 hours (Graduate School requirement)

Language Requirement

A sound reading knowledge of one modern language other than English and French is required. Such reading knowledge must be certified by the student passing a reading examination in the language or by passing coursework either at CU or prior to arrival on campus equivalent to a fourth semester (2120 at CU) college course.

Examination/PhD Comprehensive Examination

The PhD Comprehensive Examination consists of one substantial essay followed by an oral examination. The essay will focus on the dissertation topic. The student will have two weeks to write the essay. Once that essay is written, the Doctoral Committee will conduct the oral part of the examination as a discussion of material covered in the essay, material on the two reading lists, as well as matters pertaining to the general direction of the dissertation and the approach that the student proposes to take therein.

PhD Dissertation

The PhD dissertation must be based upon original scholarship and demonstrate mature scholarship and critical judgment as well as familiarity with the tools and methods of research. It should make a worthwhile contribution to knowledge in the student's special field. The dissertation is normally written in English, but it is also possible to write in French; the language of the dissertation should be approved by the student's committee.

Oral Defense of the Dissertation

After the dissertation has been accepted, a final oral examination on the dissertation and related topics will be held. The examination will be conducted by a five-member committee, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School, which will consist of representatives of areas in which the student has worked. At least one member of the committee will be from outside the student's field of study.

Plans of Study

Typical Five-Year PhD Structure for Students Who Hold an MA in French from CU Boulder

• Apply nine to ten courses (27-30 credit hours) at the 5000 level or above from MA studies.
• Year One: Two seminars in the fall and spring semesters.
• Year Two: Two seminars in the fall semester, and apply up to 15 credit hours from MA in the spring semester.
• Year Three to Five: Five dissertation hours per semester, with the submission of the dissertation prospectus in the final semester.

Typical Five-Year PhD Structure for Students Who Hold an MA in French from Another Institution

• Transfer five courses (15 credit hours) at the 5000 level or above from MA studies.
• Year One: Three seminars in the fall semester, and two seminars in the spring semester, with the transfer of up to 15 credit hours.
• Year Two: Three seminars in the fall semester, and two seminars in the spring semester.
• Year Three to Five: Five dissertation hours per semester, with the PhD comprehensive exam in the spring semester of Year Three, and the submission and oral defense of the dissertation in the final semester.

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in the French language across speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• Exhibit comprehensive and specialized knowledge of French and Francophone literatures, cultures, and civilizations, including expertise in specific research areas.
• Conduct original, self-directed research that contributes significantly to the field of French and Francophone Studies.
• Communicate research findings effectively to scholarly and general audiences in oral and written forms.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach French language and Francophone cultures effectively at various educational levels.