Programs & Courses

Overview

Our programs in French and Italian Studies offer a broad exposure to language, literature, and culture. A comprehensive language sequence at the 100, 200, and 300 levels will develop your linguistic competence in oral and written expression, as well as introduce you to Francophone or Italian cultures around the world. Further, the Department places a strong emphasis on communicative skills, thereby building your confidence should you wish to study abroad. We hope you will choose to take advantage of our excellent programs in Paris, Rome, and Nantes, where you will be able to earn credits toward your degree.

As you progress in your studies, you will have the opportunity to study French or Italian literature from the Middle Ages to today, taking both survey and seminar classes. Specialists in the field will present important literary works along with their relevant historical and cultural contexts. You will also have a chance to discover the thriving discipline of Francophone literature, coming from regions such as the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America. Our Italian program is attentive to Italy’s rich regional diversity and we offer students the opportunity to study at the UW Rome Center.  In addition, students are encouraged to participate in such departmental functions as conversation groups and events organized by the French and Italian Clubs, and the annual graduation celebration.

We believe that your immersion in the linguistic, cultural, and literary richness of the French- and Italian-speaking worlds will broaden your personal horizons and make you better-informed citizens of the world. Further, your mastery of French or Italian will open many doors to you professionally. Recent graduates of the Department of French and Italian Studies have found challenging and rewarding careers in tech, teaching, international relations, and the arts.

We very much hope that you will join the growing community of French and Italian students at the University of Washington.  Please take the time to browse through our web site or come visit us in Padelford Hall, C-254.

A bientôt! A presto!

Undergraduate Programs

We offer two distinct programs of study. Please click on the appropriate link for the details about the program of your choice.  Information about advising, internships, career planning, and scholarships is available in the Resources section.

Graduate Programs

The Department of French and Italian Studies offers French at the graduate level:

Courses

Each quarter we offer a variety of courses in French and Italian studies.  These include courses on literature and culture in addition to language instruction.  To view current and upcoming courses, please visit the Courses section. We also have information on Registration/Credit Policies and Placement.

Summer Study

We offer language courses over the summer, where students can complete a 5 credit language course in one summer term (approximately 4 weeks).  Summer quarter is a great time for students from other universities, local high school students, graduate students, and the general public to gain access to often high-demand courses.  Non-UW students can visit the UW Summer Quarter web page to learn more about how to enroll. 

Study Abroad

We offer a vibrant study abroad program with several destinations.  Please visit the Study Abroad section to learn about these programs.

High School Programs

Many area high schools also participate in the "UW in the High School Program" (UWHS).

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