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The Department of French and Romance Philology offers a major and concentration in French, as well as a major and concentration in French and Francophone studies. Students who are primarily interested in French literature should consider the major in French. Students who are interested in French history and civilization, and in the literature and culture of the Francophone world, should consider the major in French and Francophone studies. The major in French and Francophone studies provides an interdisciplinary framework for the study of the history, literature, and culture of France and parts of the world in which French is an important medium of culture. Students explore the history and contemporary applications of concepts such as citizenship, national unity, secularism, and human rights, and explore central issues including universalism/relativism, tradition/modernity, and religion/state as they have developed in France and its colonies/former colonies since the 18th century.
The Committee on Admissions selects women of proven academic strength who exhibit intellectual voracity and strong potential for further scholarly growth. In addition to school records, recommendations, writing, and test scores, we carefully consider candidates' talents, abilities, interests, and personal history. While admission is highly selective, it is also holistic; no one criterion or score determines acceptance. We consider each applicant in terms of her personal qualities, her intellectual capacity, and the rigor of the curriculum she has pursued, as well as her potential for achieving at Barnard. We review each applicant in the context of her school, community, and individual story.
Barnard's general education requirements cover a wide range of subjects: literature, the social sciences, language and the arts, lab sciences, and quantitative areas. For this reason, you should acquire a strong foundation in high school, taking courses from the core academic subjects: math, science, English, history, and foreign language.
English Language Requirements
Applicant must have IELTS score of 7.0 or higher or TOEFL score of 600 or above on the written test, and 100 or above for the Internet-based test.