Each year courses and seminars are offered in all historical periods of French literature, as well as in literary theory, cultural studies, Francophone studies, and language pedagogy. Our program is designed to allow well qualified students to complete the M.A. in three semesters, and all other requirements for the Ph.D. except the dissertation in four more semesters. Well prepared students can therefore obtain their Ph.D. degree five years after entering the program at the pre-M.A. level.
Fellowships are available for high-ranking incoming students and also advanced dissertators.
The department has a number of teaching assistantships which are granted on the basis of a candidate's previous academic record, knowledge of French, and seriousness of purpose in pursuing the Ph.D. For those students who have no teaching experience, a carefully supervised in-service training program is provided, which is particularly valuable for future career placement. The department has a residential French House adjacent to Madison's picturesque Lake Mendota. The House supports a wide variety of scholarly and cultural activities, including lectures by international scholars and writers, colloquia by faculty and graduate students, and regularly scheduled festivities. A graduate symposium held each spring allows students to gain experience in giving scholarly lectures. Mellon Fellows and persons holding other major national grants in French are invited to bring them to our program.