French

We are equally committed to critical theory, and we actively encourage students to pursue interdisciplinary work in areas such as philosophy, history, art history, anthropology, film studies, women and gender studies, postcolonial studies, queer theory, music, comparative literature, and political science.
 
Our course offerings allow students to engage with contemporary debates in multiple fields, and are often structured around theoretical questions, literary genres, or historical periods. In addition, the Program organizes lectures and colloquia in tandem with the Henri Peyre French Institute throughout the year. These events provide a forum through which faculty and students exchange ideas with a wide variety of international scholars.

Students in French receive five-year Graduate Center Fellowships which allow students to focus solely on coursework in their first year. In the second, third and fourth years, Fellows teach one course each semester at a CUNY college. In the fifth year, they participate in CUNY’s Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program or a similar initiative  As a result of these assignments, students are able to gain experience as teachers as well as scholars.

The Graduate Center also provides considerable opportunities for professional development, offering workshops to assist doctoral students in presenting conference papers, publishing work, applying for fellowships, and finding academic employment. Recent graduates of our program have accepted positions at Williams College, Syracuse University, Colby College, Drexel University, Bennington College, University of South Carolina, and Southern Methodist University.