French
- Degree Type Bachelor of Arts
- Department Romance Languages
- Academic Division The College
- Offerings Major Minor
French majors at W&L learn to speak the language fluently, explore the history and culture of French speakers through coursework and study abroad, and gain expertise by reading and analyzing French texts from the medieval to the post-colonial periods.
French
Recent students have taken positions teaching in France or working in finance, business, accounting and other fields; others have gone on to competitive graduate programs in French language and history.
Completing the World Language FDR
One of the Foundation and Distribution Requirements at W&L is proficiency in a world language. The Romance Languages Department offers coursework towards language proficiency in French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.
Opportunities
Romance Languages is affiliated with study abroad programs in most of Spanish America, Portugal and Brazil, Italy, Spain, France and Francophone Africa. An extended study abroad experience sets students on the road to linguistic and cultural fluency and is strongly encouraged by our faculty. Students in French have many opportunities to study abroad. Recent students have studied in Toulouse, Paris, Dakar and Montpellier.
Back in Lexington, language tables such as Table française meet twice a week and are a great way for students to practice languages with W&L’s native teaching assistants and faculty. Students in French are also involved in the Francophone Student Organization, whose aim is to educate the W&L community about French-speaking communities all over the world.
Other opportunities include annual dramatic performances in French and Spanish, Romance Languages Poetry Night and the National Symposium on Theater in Academe.
Students are encouraged to participate in our honors program, which allows engagement in original research with a faculty member on a topic of interest. Completed projects are invaluable assets for graduate or professional school.
Staying Involved Through Spring Term
Abroad and on campus, W&L alumni donated their time and shared their knowledge and experiences to enhance several Spring Term courses.
W&L’s Elly Dyer ’26 Selected for Teaching Assistant Program in France
Dyer is looking forward to gaining classroom experience in France before pursuing a career in education policy.
W&L’s Chuck Rutberg ’26 Selected for Teaching Assistant Program in France
Rutberg is looking forward to building on his French language skills before pursuing a career in the federal government.
The Language of Humanity
Professor of French Mohamed Kamara describes his interconnected teaching, scholarship and service.
W&L Outcomes: Caroline Linen ’25
One of the Class of 2025 valedictorians, Linen will work as a medical assistant for a year while interviewing for physician assistant programs.
The Ultimate Teammate
Four sets of twins on W&L varsity sports teams share what it’s like competing side-by-side with their siblings.
Mohamed Kamara to Deliver Lecture in Honor of His Appointment to the H. Laurent Boetsch Jr. Term Professorship in International Education
Kamara’s talk, “Reconceptualizing Humanitarianism,” will be held Nov. 13 in Hillel 101.
W&L’s Tess Deyerle ’24 Selected for Teaching Assistant Program in France
Deyerle will teach English to French public school students before pursuing a career in special education.
Washington and Lee Names Four Faculty Members to Endowed Professorships
These faculty have been recognized for their outstanding teaching, scholarship and service to the university.
W&L’s Kristina Roney Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
The assistant professor of French will utilize the scholarship to perform research in Paris.
W&L French Professor Publishes New Book
Mohamed Kamara’s book titled “Colonial Legacies in Francophone African Literature” hits bookshelves Dec. 15.
The Art Of: The Narrative
Writer and director LaKeisha Fleming ’95 is the founder of Vision 2:2 Productions.
Meet the Faculty
At W&L, students enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors who educate and nurture.
Mohamed Kamara
Department Head and Professor of Romance Languages; Campus Muslim Student Advisor
- P: 540-458-8475
- E: kamaram@wlu.edu
Professor Kamara holds degrees in French, English and Secondary Education. He teaches French courses in the Department of Romance Languages and also teaches in the university’s Africana Studies Program. As faculty advisor to campus Muslim students and the W&L African Society, he is a member of the Religious and Spiritual Life staff in the Department of Student Engagement and Leadership.
Matthew Bailey
Professor of Romance Languages
- P: 540-458-8160
- E: baileym@wlu.edu
Bailey teaches Spanish language, culture and literature. His research interests include medieval Spanish literature and culture, and more specifically, medieval epic narrative.
Dick Kuettner
Adjunct Professor of Romance Languages and Teacher Education; Director, Global Discovery Laboratories
In addition to his responsibilities at the Ruscio Center for Global Learning, Kuettner teaches courses on teaching methods for world languages.
Stephen P. McCormick
Medieval and Renaissance Studies; Associate Professor of French and Italian
McCormick heads W&L’s Medieval and Renaissance Studies Program and teaches courses on French language and culture. He also supervises the French study abroad program. He has researched old French epic and medieval/early modern Italian cartography.
