More than 1,000 UNCW students enroll in French language, culture, literature and film courses each year.
Many students choose to major or minor in French. But others choose to take a few courses to strengthen their knowledge and skills of the foreign language for fields like history, philosophy and religion.
Students in the French language program are encouraged to take advantage of one of UNCW's study abroad programs. Students who choose to partake in these enriching experiences travel throughout the French-speaking world. They can choose to study in France, Quebec or Senegal.
The curriculum in French and Francophone Studies reflects that French is understood in 55 countries and spoken by more than 300 million people across 5 continents.
Students can choose to study the following programs
Dr. Scott Juall
French Section Coordinator
Email
World-famous Jean-Michel Cousteau met with UNCW students in 2018.
Please contact:
Dr. David Spieser-Landes
Faculty Advisor to the UNCW French Club
Email
Office: Leutze 282
"I took my first French class at UNCW my Sophomore year, thinking it would just fulfill the language requirement for graduation. The French Department had other plans for me though, and through their sincere encouragement and relaxed learning atmosphere, I was able to gain the confidence to continue my studies in French by studying abroad in Paris for a semester and double majoring (French and Environmental Studies). I am currently teaching English at a high school in rural France, loving every minute of it." - Casey 2014
"As a double major in French and chemistry, I interned as a research associate in a Structural Motility Group at the Curie Institute in Paris. I worked on sub-cloning, crystallogenesis, and purification of the Myosin XVIII protein. Being a French major enabled me to communicate with my co-workers who were Francophone and spoke little to no English. This experience enriched my use of the language in the scientific field. Nevertheless, spending a semester in Paris meant daily interaction with the language, culture, and history. This allowed me to see the multiple dimensions of France. I have formed amazing friendships and wonderful memories in this culturally rich country. I hope to continue working in a research lab and apply to Medical School in the future," Reem, May 2014
"I'm thankful every single day that I studied French and that I did so at UNC-W. Since graduating in 2013, I've landed a job as a television producer and presenter that I never would have gotten without the communication skills I learned in the French department and through the work I did while living in France. Learning a second language opens your mind up to a second way of thinking, and it also helps you never take your natural English skills for granted! I have also taught and tutored French at various times so I can pass on my (sometimes manic) love of the French language to the rest of the world. French is more than a language, it's truly part of who I am, and I have the fantastic French department at UNC-W to thank for that," Ryan 2013
"My second major was chemistry. I'm currently doing a 2 year post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. I am working in a retrovirology lab that studies retroviral budding, specifically HIV-1. I will be applying to medical school soon for the 2015 season and I hope to become an M.D. I'm also coaching swimming for a local club team, keeping up with my music (playing in a community orchestra), and staying busy for the 2 years that I have off between school....I'm keeping up with my French, using it mainly to read and converse with French coworkers. French was a huge part of my career at UNCW and has given me the opportunity to meet various wonderful professors, learn amazing cultural things, and most importantly give me a different perspective," Henry 2013
"My name is Cristina Benavides and I graduated from UNCW in 2013, with a minor in French. As an undergraduate student, my French skills definitely came in handy while I was studying abroad in Morocco. Since graduation, I have been working as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in Brooklyn, NY. I am working to improve public education in a poverty-stricken neighborhood of Brooklyn. Most of the population in the neighborhood are immigrants who can't speak English well or at all. Many immigrants in Brooklyn come from French speaking countries of the Caribbean or Africa. Even while working in a national service position, I have learned that being able to speak French is an asset."
"After graduating with a degree in Marketing and French in 2007, I moved to the south of France in Grasse and worked in Marketing for a Perfume company. I then moved to New York where I started working at Balenciaga, a French Luxury Fashion designer, owned by Gucci Group. I spent 5 years there and was promoted 4 times to be Wholesale Account Executive. I traveled to Paris about 10 times a year selling each collection. That entire time, I was the only person on the US sales team that spoke French. Just recently I was promoted to US Sales Director for Proenza Schouler, an American Luxury Fashion company. I still travel to Paris often and use my French language skills daily. Being able to speak French allowed me to grow in each position quickly and form relationships with the French teams and clients. I am so thankful for my time spent studying abroad in Paris and how it prepared me for my career," Elizabeth, 2007.
"After graduating from UNCW in 2009 with a Bachelor's in both History and French, the following year I was invited to serve in the United States Peace Corps. I was assigned to the Francophone country of Benin, located in West Africa. From 2010 to 2012, I served as an English teacher in a northern village of Benin and carried out various health and sanitation projects at the rural level. My knowledge of French made possible every daily interaction and facilitated my acquisition of local languages native to Benin. French was also very useful during my travels around Africa which included visits to Togo and Morocco. I currently reside in Durham, NC and work on the project development team of a non-profit global health organization which implements projects in most developing countries in the world. My knowledge and experience with French is essential in communicating with international Francophone partners and the translation of certain key documents," Lauren, 2009
"My French studies have helped me by providing me with the opportunity to live and work in France. Living in France helped me to grow in so many ways professionally and personally. I now teach high school French in Charlotte, N.C. Studying French has enriched my life!" M, 2010
"My French studies have helped me advance in my career in myriad ways. In almost every film I have been in, or worked on someone in the crew or actor has been to France, studied French, or is from France. In that sense having French in my arsenal has been invaluable in the most simple form of striking up conversation and making a connection with someone. My experience studying abroad, and doing an internship with ABB Reportage forced me to step outside my comfort level...It's the only way to get your foot in the door in this business and now I am pretty much fearless because of my experience in Dijon." GiGi
"Studying French has opened a new world for me. Living and working in France, I have the opportunity to wake up every morning and discover something new: a new food, a new friend, a new place, a new word, or a new experience. Everything has the possibility to change the way I think of the world and myself." J, 2009
"Living in Nantes has done so much more for my French than I could have ever imagined. Learning from a book is one thing, but when you go to the Sunday market to buy vegetables, or get asked directions to the chateaux and are are only able to communicate in French, you learn so much more. I have formed amazing friendships and met incredible people from every continent and completely different cultures. Through this multicultural experience, I have gained so much more than friends and amazing stories. This trip has given me insight into the world outside of the United States which has surprisingly been more rewarding than walking through the streets at Le Mont Saint Michel or eating lunch in the gardens of Versailles. It has been the best time of my life," Joseph, 2011
"Majoring in French was the best decision I ever made. It has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me," G 2012
Davis accepted a position with Fidelity Investments in Cincinnati, OH. She graduated as a double major in French and Finance in May 2011.
Pi Delta Phi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. It is represented at public and private colleges and universities throughout the US, Paris and Aix-en-Provence. Nu Kappa is UNCW's chapter and was established in 2003. It is the 321st chapter of the Society.
Pi Delta Phi recognizes students' outstanding achievement in French language and literatures of the French-speaking world.
Probaínomen Diakritoi Philogálatoi-means Avançons, amis fidèles de la culture française which means: forward, faithful friends of French culture.
Students at UNCW who meet the Society's membership requirements are invited to join. Members of Pi Delta Phi are eligible to apply for one of the Society's generous scholarships for summer study abroad. Consult the National Pi Delta Phi website for more information.
For questions about the Nu Kappa chapter, contact the Faculty Advisor, Eric Tessier.
2021
Chunn, Megan; Gardner, Brian; McLaughlin, Julia; Olson, Jenessa; Straubel, Caroline; Todd, Anna; Vigueras, Montserrat; Wiesler, Ava; Woodard, Bray
2020
Cowen, Emma; Elliott, Jess; Johnson, Jenna; Mireles, Nick; Moschouris, Vasilios; Raynor, Sabrina; Romero, Natalia; Ward, Austin; Westaway, Mackenzie; Dr. Christina Lord (Honorary member)
2019
Arroyo, Brandon; Aul, Alea; Cooper, Mckenzie; Drian, Marie-Pierre; Dudding, Emma; Ellington, Maret
2018
Beattie, Julia; Carollo, Brianna; Dare Gainey, Emily; Darnell, Meredith; Etim-Barbosa, Itorobong;Field, Chloé Harris, Jordi; Joyce Jr. Charles; Juliano, Ryan; Oneal, Katie; Rogaski, Maria; Smith, Robyn; Weick, Madeleine
2017
Baxter, Emily Zelene; Cooper, Victoria Leigh; Delavigne, Lauren Denise; Hilaire, Stephanie A.; Kent, Mary Hannah; Lowdermilk, Lyndsay Nicole; Martin, Rebecca Minu; Satterwhite, Reagan Hope; Sheridan, Meredith Adams; Woollen, Kaitlyn Marie; Hammouda, Yanis Ben (Honorary Member)
2016
Arellano Zameza, Pamela; Hearn, Ashley Sarah; Manz, Madeleine Taylor; Marguerat, Justine Melodie; Nelson, Danielle Christine; Newman, Stephanie Nicole; Panasiak, Natalie Elizabeth; Shear, Sydney; Smith, Amanda Kasie; Wilson, Juliane Pauline; Honorary Dr. Spieser-Landes, David
2015
Bartlett, Ana Zabriskie; Doubleday, Margaret Allison; Fontaine, Jonathan Alec; Hanson, Laura Elizabeth; Hernandez, Keyla Nohemy; Kaiser, Nicole Ellen; Milford, Bethany Hope; Miszkiewicz, Molly Marie; Pate, Ashley Christine; Pennachio, Stephanie Ann; Regan, Seth Austin; Russo, Jordan Hart; Torcasio, Mackenzie L.; Wytko, Christina Kelley
2014
Honorary Dr. Greta Bliss, Sarah Hildreth, Carlos Medina, Amber Nicole Morris, Andrew Steven Pierce
2013
Skylar Freeze, Erin Gallagher, Sophia Gray, Reem Hakeem, Katlyn Kenned, Danielle Lovejoy, Alexi Marti, Jennifer "Lauren" Pegram, Ryan Qualliotine, Jordan Russo, Emily Shawcross, Jon Tompkins
2012
Sarah Deming, Kylie Koch, Morgan Lang, Rachel Moody, Brian Proulx, Logan Reisenbigler, Kirstyn Schaefer, Alexa Tahan, Berney Wren.
Honorary: Dr. Amy Kirschke and Dr. Viebeke Olson
2011
Alyssa Bulpett, Joseph Chambers, Amy Choi, Brendan Coffey, Heather Cornman, Kemp Holler, David Wimberley Howell, Helen Landon, Courtney A. Kimbrough, Elena Kon, Alison Goldstein, Michelle Montpetit, Danielle Rode, Eduardo Sanchez.
2010
Kristin Black, Anne Chickering, Mallory Crumpler, Alyse Kaszubski, Jillian McCarthy, Alexander William Moore, Evan Raynolds, Kasey Richardson, Megan Sage, Emily Smith, Davis Ann Talton, Ryan Trimble, Catherine Wilson.
Honorary: Dr. Raymond Burt, Ms. Caroline Hudson, and Dr. Joan Willey
2009
Chris Krause, Emma Meyer, Alexis Hall, Arielle Hubbard, Sarah Price Slaughter, Belinda Staten, Lethia Williams.
2008
Lauren McAskill and Brittany Milam
2007
Lauren Apple, Georgiana Burton, Elizabeth Dawsey, Robert Ferencak, Abby Michenfelder, Elana Nunez, Rachel Ripley-Moffitt, Crystal Styles, Elizabeth Wilson.
2006
Joy Andrews, Lindsey Ammons, Caroline Brock, April Brohawn, Jade Clark, Heather Curtis, Anis Hage, Amanda Hannon, Ralph Harris, Julian House, Brooks Lancaster, Emily Lepolt, Jennifer Litchfield, Page Lowry, Wayne Montoya, Madhvi Patel, Michaela Michaela Vezenkova, Amber Wenderlich.
Honorary: Ms. Inge Stites
2005
Fallon Batchelor, Sarah Clayton, Jessica Coleman, Natalie Decleve, Ceri-Louise Frid, Hope Fulton, Jenna Gasper, Debra Garretson, Amber Harrison, Jaimis Huff, Rosemary Lloyd, Daniela Lucaciu, Kelly O'Connor, Doris Benson Ring, Caroline Roberts, Emily Strittmater, Elizabeth Wellons, Katie White, Nicole Zane.
Honorary: Dr. Michael Seidman and Mr. Eric Tessier
2004
Cindy Brewer, Samantha Lesch, Kyle Norwood, Elizabeth Sutherlin, Sandy Tatum.
2003
Michele Bone, Lauren Brown, Amber Creech.
Honorary: Dr. Pascale Barthe, Dr. Scott Juall, Dr. P.J. Lapaire, Dr. James McNab, Dr. Michelle Scatton-Tessier. Dr. Teri Hernandez (inducted into Nu Kappa Chapter)
The name of this Society shall be Pi Delta Phi (Chapter Nu Kappa), the National French Honor Society.
Pi Delta Phi is a national honorary society. The purpose of this society shall be to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and Francophone literatures, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world and to stimulate and to encourage French and Francophone cultural activities.
The motto of this Society is Probaínomen Diakritoi Philogálatoi, which means Avançons, amis fidèles de la culture française or Forward, Faithful Friends of French Culture.
Membership in Pi Delta Phi is open to all provided that each candidate meets the academic requirements of the Society. Membership categories and national dues are determined by the National Executive Board. National dues are paid once at the time of initiation into the Society and entitle the new member to life-time membership.
The insignia pin is the same for regular and honorary members. A certificate given to all members at the time of initiation indicates the category of membership. Blue, white, and red graduation cords are available.
Regular members may vote and represent their chapter at official meetings of the Society. All members may attend national functions.
The term of the Faculty Moderator is indefinite. Duties of the Moderator are: (1) to represent the chapter at its institution and at national conventions; (2) to advise and to support all activities of the chapter; (3) to submit an annual report to the Executive Director; (4) to keep accurate and up-to-date records and make sure that such records and all information of the Society are given to the succeeding moderator.
There shall be chapter meetings of the Society at selected intervals. There shall be an initiation of new members at least once every two years. The chapter shall consult the National Constitution for information regarding the initiation ceremony.
This Chapter Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the chapter members.
Date of this Constitution: February 27, 1996; amended April 15, 2010.
Location: Foyer International des Etudiantes in Paris, France
Dates: Fall 2018 September 2-December 22 Spring 2019 January 27th-June 1st
Deadlines to apply: October 1 for Spring and April 1 for Fall every year
Students can choose between 12 or 15 credits hours of French language study at Cours de Civilisation Francaise de la Sorbonne. The quality of your immersion and your linguistic progress will be monitored and assessed during individual interviews. These interviews are held every two weeks as a part of the "Explorations in French" course.
Explorations in French now has three exciting options for students to choose from:
Students will be given assignments based on the chosen option, personal goals and interests. Such assignments may include:
Location: Rabat, Morocco
Tentative Dates: May 22-June 24, 2022; apply by March 15, 2022
Courses Offered:
This five-week program allows you to discover and study the rich cultures of Morocco. The course integrates classroom instruction and field-based activities.
Immerse yourself in a multicultural society at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, and live the Moroccan lifestyle. Drink mint tea, eat tajines, and discuss Morocco’s regional and global significance with your instructors and your Arabic and French-speaking family!
Embark on a breathtaking tour of Morocco to learn about the intersection of Berber, Arab and French cultures. In the North, walk the thousand-year-old roads of Volubilis and the maze of the medina in Fez.
The second excursion, which takes place in the South, will take you to Marrakech and the High Atlas Mountains. This 5-day trip ends with a camel ride in the Sahara desert after a stop is Ouarzazate.