French Language and Literature

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) program provides advanced academic development in either literature or linguistics, as well as outstanding training in research and communication skills in French, preparing students for doctoral studies and careers in such fields as teaching, government administration, and communications.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students receive rigorous research training in either literature or linguistics, culminating in original research for their doctoral thesis. While primarily training students for academic careers at the university or community college levels, the PhD in French can also lead to employment opportunities in editorial work and professions outside academia.

Quick Facts

Master of Arts

Program Description

The Master of Arts program is both a self-contained program and the first stage towards doctoral studies. It has two objectives:

• to allow students to develop a thorough knowledge of the discipline through a program of coursework in French linguistics and

• to develop an aptitude for research.

It is a 12-month program for full-time students; the program is available on a part-time basis.

At the beginning of their program, students meet individually with the Associate Chair, Graduate in order to determine course selection with the objective of ensuring that the student has a well-rounded program and broad knowledge of the discipline.

Field: French Linguistics

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of French Language and Literature's additional admission requirements stated below.

• B+ average standing or better, with at least B+ in French. A B+ average does not automatically lead to admission.

• Competence in French.

• Concentration in French linguistics, with a minimum of seven full courses, or equivalent, in French. A minimum of three of the seven full courses, or equivalent, should be in the proposed area of study (i.e., linguistics).

• Admission is based upon the evidence of the supporting letters and the applicant's academic record.

Program Requirements

• Prerequisite work, if necessary.

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • FRE1103H Séminaire de linguistique I : Phonétique et phonologie (0.5 FCE);

  • FRE1104H Séminaire de linguistique II : Syntaxe (0.5 FCE);

  • FRE1141H Séminaire de linguistique III : Linguistique expérimentale et linguistique de corpus (0.5 FCE);

    • 2.5 FCEs from the regular graduate offerings; or

    • 2.0 FCEs and FRE5001H Research Essay (0.5 FCE), a mémoire of approximately 35 pages; or

    • 1.5 FCEs and FRE5000Y Research Essay (1.0 FCE), a 65- to 75-page mémoire.

• Students must maintain a B average in order to be recommended for the degree and must obtain a minimum of mid-B in the Research Essay if taken. Students must also obtain a minimum of mid-B for the graduate seminars in linguistics (FRE1103H, FRE1104H, and FRE1141H).

• Up to 1.0 FCE may be taken outside the department, with the permission of the Associate Chair, Graduate.

• Normally, part-time students take the graduate seminars in linguistics during Year 1.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Master of Arts

Program Description

The Master of Arts program is both a self-contained program and the first stage towards doctoral studies. It has two objectives:

• to allow students to develop a thorough knowledge of the discipline through a program of coursework in French literary studies and

• to develop an aptitude for research.

It is a 12-month program for full-time students; the program is available on a part-time basis.

At the beginning of their course of study, students meet individually with the Associate Chair, Graduate in order to determine course selection with the objective of ensuring that the student has a well-rounded program and broad knowledge of the discipline.

Field: French Literature

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of French Language and Literature's additional admission requirements stated below.

• B+ average standing or better, with at least B+ in French. A B+ average does not automatically lead to admission.

• Competence in French.

• Concentration in French literature, with a minimum of seven full courses, or equivalent, in French. A minimum of five of the seven full courses, or equivalent, should be in the proposed area of study (i.e., literature). Applicants may request that up to 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) of the 5.0 FCEs in the discipline come from cognate disciplines upon the department’s approval.

• Admission is based upon the evidence of the supporting letters and the applicant's academic record.

Program Requirements

• Prerequisite work, if necessary.

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • FRE1202H Séminaire de littérature 1 : théorie (0.5 FCE)

  • FRE1203H Séminaire de littérature 2 : période (0.5 FCE)

  • FRE1204H Séminaire de littérature 3 : genre (0.5 FCE)

    • 2.5 FCEs from the regular graduate course offerings; or

    • 2.0 FCEs and FRE5001H Research Essay (0.5 FCE), a mémoire of approximately 35 pages; or

    • 1.5 FCEs and FRE5000Y Research Essay (1.0 FCE), a 65- to 75-page mémoire.

• Students must maintain a B average in order to be recommended for the degree and must obtain a minimum of mid-B in the Research Essay if taken. Students must also obtain a minimum of mid-B for the graduate seminars in literature (FRE1202H, FRE1203H, and FRE1204H).

• Up to 1.0 FCE may be taken outside the department, with the permission of the Associate Chair, Graduate.

• Normally, part-time students take the graduate seminars in literature during Year 1.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy is necessary preparation for a career in higher education in Canada and abroad which will include teaching and research at an advanced academic level. The PhD includes a combination of advanced seminars, field examinations, a high amount of embedded professional experience in teaching and research, and the presentation of the results of a significant contribution to the discipline in the form of an original dissertation.

The PhD program engages students in a program of study and research in the field of French Linguistics approved by the department. At the beginning of their course of study, students meet individually with the Associate Chair, Graduate in order to determine course selection with a view to ensuring that the student has a well-rounded program and, considered in conjunction with the undergraduate degree, has a broad knowledge of the discipline.

Admission to the PhD program is available via one of two routes: 1) an appropriate master’s degree or 2) direct entry with an appropriate bachelor’s degree with high academic standing.

Field: French Linguistics

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of French Language and Literature's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate master's degree in French linguistics with high academic standing from a recognized university, with an average grade of at least an A– in the applicant's overall program.

• An A– average does not automatically lead to admission.

• A formal application and a sample of written work in French completed as part of the applicant's bachelor's or master's program in French linguistics as appropriate. This written work should be a copy of the MA thesis if available.

• Applicants holding a master's degree must submit a statement of purpose (maximum 500 words) in French that clearly outlines the area in which the applicant intends to pursue research in French linguistics.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they are capable of independent research in French linguistics at an advanced level.

• Admission to all programs for post-graduate degrees is based on the evidence of the supporting letters and the applicant's academic record.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

  • FRE1103H Séminaire de linguistique I : Phonétique et phonologie (0.5 FCE);

  • FRE1104H Séminaire de linguistique II : Syntaxe (0.5 FCE); and

  • FRE1141H Séminaire de linguistique III : Linguistique expérimentale et linguistique de corpus (0.5 FCE) (unless already completed); and

  • FRE1201H Méthodes de recherche (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE).

• Students must maintain an average grade of at least an A– during Year 1 to remain in good academic standing and to continue in the PhD program. With the department's permission, students may take 1.0 FCE outside the department.

• Constitution of thesis committee. Students must submit a form indicating the members of their thesis committee and the provisional title of the thesis. This form must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis and by the two faculty members who will serve on the student’s supervisory committee. Deadline to submit: June 15 of Year 1.

• Thesis topic. Students must register a thesis topic with the department. The proposal must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis and by the two faculty members who will serve on the student's supervisory committee. Deadline to register the topic: September 15 of Year 2.

• Thesis proposal. A written thesis proposal, of 15 to 20 pages plus bibliography, must be submitted one week before the date of the oral field examination in April (see below).

• Language requirements. Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of Old French or of another language (excluding French or English), as approved by the department by the end of Year 1.

• Field examination (written and oral components).

  • Students must pass the field examination in Year 2.

  • By November 15 of Year 2, students will submit a text of 20 to 25 pages (double-spaced) in article or thesis chapter format, which outlines the state of current research in the primary domain of the dissertation. This text will form the basis of the short article (to be submitted by March 1) and will be assessed as Pass/Fail.

  • By March 1 of Year 2, students must successfully complete a document in the format of a short article which represents a pilot study or a theoretical puzzle in the field of study driven by data gathered by the student.

  • A student may not proceed to the oral part of the field examination until the written part has been successfully completed. In the case of a failure, the full supervisory committee will meet with the student in order to discuss the weaknesses that caused the failure and to make specific recommendations concerning the student's program. The committee may recommend that the written part of the field examination be retaken in whole or in part within a specific period of time; it may also recommend termination of the student's program.

  • The oral part of the field examination is to be taken by April 30 of Year 2. It is based on a 15- to 20-page (double-spaced) "thesis proposal" accompanied by an appropriate bibliography. In the case of a failure, the supervisory committee will meet with the student to discuss the weaknesses that caused the failure and to make specific recommendations concerning the student's program. The committee may recommend that the examination be retaken within a specific period of time; it may also recommend termination of the student's program. If the recommendation is to retake the exam, the student may retake the oral part of the examination once only.

• Meet with supervisory committee. Between the completion of the written field examination, oral field examination, and the Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis, students will meet with the supervisory committee at least once a year and more frequently if required.

• Thesis and Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of French Language and Literature's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized university that includes at least 7.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in French language and linguistics, with an average grade of at least an A– in the overall program. A minimum of five of the seven full courses, or equivalent, should be in the proposed area of study (i.e., linguistics). Applicants may request that up to 2.0 FCEs of the 5.0 FCEs in the discipline come from cognate disciplines upon the department’s approval. Admission is limited to exceptionally qualified applicants.

• An A– average does not automatically lead to admission.

• A formal application and a sample of written work in French completed as part of the applicant's bachelor's program in French linguistics as appropriate.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they are capable of independent research in French linguistics at an advanced level.

• Admission to all programs for post-graduate degrees is based on the evidence of the supporting letters and the applicant's academic record.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 7.5 FCEs as follows:

  • In Year 1, complete 4.0 FCEs. In Year 2, complete 3.5 FCEs. These include:

    • FRE1103H Séminaire de linguistique I : Phonétique et phonologie (0.5 FCE);

    • FRE1104H Séminaire de linguistique II : Syntaxe (0.5 FCE);

    • FRE1141H Séminaire de linguistique III : Linguistique expérimentale et linguistique de corpus (0.5 FCE);

    • FRE1201H Méthodes de recherche (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE).

• Students must maintain an average grade of at least an A– in Year 1 and Year 2 to remain in good academic standing and to continue in the PhD program. With the department's permission, students may take up to 1.0 FCE outside the department in each of Year 1 and Year 2.

• Constitution of thesis committee. Students must submit a form indicating the members of their thesis committee and the provisional title of the thesis. This form must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis and by the two faculty members who will serve on the student’s supervisory committee. Deadline to submit: June 15 of Year 2.

• Thesis topic. Students must register a thesis topic with the department. The proposal must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis and by the two faculty members who will serve on the student's supervisory committee. Deadline to register the topic: September 15 of Year 3.

• Thesis proposal. A written thesis proposal, of 15 to 20 pages plus bibliography, must be submitted one week before the date of the oral field examination in April (see below).

• Language requirements. Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of Old French or of another language (excluding French or English), as approved by the department — by the end of Year 2.

• Field examination (written and oral components).

  • Students must pass the field examination in Year 3.

  • By November 15 of Year 3, students will submit a text of 20 to 25 pages (double-spaced) in article or thesis chapter format, which outlines the state of current research in the primary domain of the dissertation. This text will form the basis of the short article (to be submitted by March 1) and will be assessed as Pass/Fail.

  • By March 1 of Year 3, students must successfully complete a document in the format of a short article which represents a pilot study or a theoretical puzzle in the field of study driven by data gathered by the student.

  • A student may not proceed to the oral part of the field examination until the written part has been successfully completed. In the case of a failure, the supervisory committee will meet with the student in order to discuss the weaknesses that caused the failure and to make specific recommendations concerning the student's program. The committee may recommend that the written part of the field examination be retaken in whole or in part within a specific period of time; it may also recommend termination of the student's program.

  • The oral part of the field examination is to be taken by April 30 of Year 3. It is based on a 15- to 20-page (double-spaced) "thesis proposal" accompanied by an appropriate bibliography. In the case of a failure, the supervisory committee will meet with the student to discuss the weaknesses that caused the failure and to make specific recommendations concerning the student's program. The committee may recommend that the examination be retaken within a specific period of time; it may also recommend termination of the student's program. If the recommendation is to retake the exam, the student may retake the oral part of the examination once only.

• Meet with supervisory committee. Between the completion of the written field examination, oral field examination, and the Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis, students will meet with the supervisory committee at least once a year and more frequently if required.

• Thesis and Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy is necessary preparation for a career in higher education in Canada and abroad which will include teaching and research at an advanced academic level. The PhD includes a combination of advanced seminars, field examinations, a high amount of embedded professional experience in teaching and research, and the presentation of the results of a significant contribution to the discipline in the form of an original dissertation.

The PhD program engages students in a program of study and research in French literature approved by the department. At the beginning of their program, students meet individually with the Associate Chair, Graduate in order to determine course selection with the objective of ensuring that the student has a well-rounded program and broad knowledge of the discipline.

Admission to the PhD program is available via one of two routes: 1) an appropriate master’s degree or 2) direct entry with an appropriate bachelor’s degree with high academic standing.

Field: French Literature

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of French Language and Literature's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate master's degree in French literature with high academic standing from a recognized university, with an average grade of at least an A– in the applicant's overall program.

• An A– average does not automatically lead to admission.

• A formal application and a sample of written work in French completed as part of the applicant's bachelor's or master's program in French literature as appropriate. This written work should be a copy of the MA thesis if available.

• Applicants holding a master's degree must submit a statement of purpose (maximum 500 words) in French that clearly outlines the area in which the applicant intends to pursue research in French literature.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they are capable of independent research in French literature at an advanced level.

• Admission to all programs for post-graduate degrees is based on the evidence of the supporting letters and the applicant's academic record.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

  • FRE1202H Séminaire de littérature 1 : théorie (0.5 FCE);

  • FRE1203H Séminaire de littérature 2 : période (0.5 FCE);

  • FRE1204H Séminaire de littérature 3 : genre (0.5 FCE) (unless these courses or their equivalents have already been completed); and

  • FRE1201H Méthodes de recherche (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE).

• Students must maintain an average grade of at least an A– during Year 1 to remain in good academic standing and to continue in the PhD program. With the department's permission, students may take 1.0 FCE outside the department.

• Constitution of thesis committee. Students must submit a form indicating the members of their thesis committee and the provisional title of the thesis. This form must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis and by the two faculty members who will serve on the student’s supervisory committee. Deadline to submit: June 15 of Year 1.

• Thesis topic. Students must register a thesis topic with the department. The proposal must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis and by the two faculty members who will serve on the student's supervisory committee. Deadline to register the topic: September 15 of Year 2.

• Thesis proposal. A written thesis proposal, of 15 to 20 pages plus bibliography, must be submitted one week before the date of the oral field examination in April (see below).

• Language requirements. Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of Old French or of another language (excluding French or English), as approved by the department by the end of Year 1.

• Field examination (written and oral components).

  • Students must pass the field examination in Year 2.

  • By November 15 of Year 2, students will produce a written document of approximately 10 to 15 pages (double-spaced) outlining the major area — the literary corpus, the methodological and theoretical perspectives and approaches — from which the thesis will be derived, together with a thematically organized bibliography indicating the primary and secondary works relevant to this area that the student is expected to know in detail. The "outline of the major area" will form the basis for the written part of the field examination (to be submitted by March 1) and will be assessed as Pass/Fail.

  • By March 1 of Year 2, students must successfully complete a take-home examination designed to test the student's knowledge of the general area of their research; the examination questions are given to students a week ahead of the examination.

  • A student may not proceed to the oral part of the field examination until the written part has been successfully completed. In the case of a failure, the full supervisory committee will meet with the student in order to discuss the weaknesses that caused the failure and to make specific recommendations concerning the student's program. The committee may recommend that the written part of the field examination be retaken in whole or in part within a specific period of time; it may also recommend termination of the student's program.

  • The oral part of the field examination is to be taken by April 30 of Year 2. It is based on a 15- to 20-page (double-spaced) "thesis proposal" accompanied by an appropriate bibliography. In the case of a failure, the supervisory committee will meet with the student to discuss the weaknesses that caused the failure and to make specific recommendations concerning the student's program. The committee may recommend that the examination be retaken within a specific period of time; it may also recommend termination of the student's program. If the recommendation is to retake the exam, the student may retake the oral part of the examination once only.

• Meet with supervisory committee. Between the completion of the written field examination, oral field examination, and the Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis, students will meet with the supervisory committee at least once a year and more frequently if required.

• Thesis and Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of French Language and Literature's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized university that includes at least 7.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in French language and literature, with an average grade of at least an A– in the overall program. A minimum of five of the seven full courses, or equivalent, should be in the proposed area of study (i.e., literature). Applicants may request that up to 2.0 FCEs of the 5.0 FCEs in the discipline come from cognate disciplines upon the department’s approval. Admission is limited to exceptionally qualified applicants.

• An A– average does not automatically lead to admission.

• A formal application and a sample of written work in French completed as part of the applicant's bachelor's program in French literature as appropriate.

• Applicants must satisfy the department that they are capable of independent research in French literature at an advanced level.

• Admission to all programs for post-graduate degrees is based on the evidence of the supporting letters and the applicant's academic record.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 7.5 FCEs as follows:

  • In Year 1, complete 4.0 FCEs. In Year 2, complete 3.5 FCEs. These include:

    • FRE1202H Séminaire de littérature 1 : théorie (0.5 FCE);

    • FRE1203H Séminaire de littérature 2 : période (0.5 FCE);

    • FRE1204H Séminaire de littérature 3 : genre (0.5 FCE); and

    • FRE1201H Méthodes de recherche (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE).

• Students must maintain an average grade of at least an A– in Year 1 and Year 2 to remain in good academic standing and to continue in the PhD program. With the department's permission, students may take up to 1.0 FCE outside the department in each of Year 1 and Year 2

• Constitution of thesis committee. Students must submit a form indicating the members of their thesis committee and the provisional title of the thesis. This form must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis and by the two faculty members who will serve on the student’s supervisory committee. Deadline to submit: June 15 of Year 2.

• Thesis topic. Students must register a thesis topic with the department. The proposal must be signed by the faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis and by the two faculty members who will serve on the student's supervisory committee. Deadline to register the topic: September 15 of Year 3.

• Thesis proposal. A written thesis proposal, of 15 to 20 pages plus bibliography, must be submitted one week before the date of the oral field examination in April (see below).

• Language requirements. Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of Old French or of another language (excluding French or English), as approved by the department — by the end of Year 2.

• Field examination (written and oral components).

  • Students must pass the field examination in Year 3.

  • By November 15 of Year 3, students will produce a written document of approximately 10 to 15 pages (double-spaced) outlining the major area — the literary corpus, the methodological and theoretical perspectives and approaches — from which the thesis will be derived, together with a thematically organized bibliography indicating the primary and secondary works relevant to this area that the student is expected to know in detail. The "outline of the major area" will form the basis for the written part of the field examination (to be submitted by March 1) and will be assessed as Pass/Fail.

  • By March 1 of Year 3, students must successfully complete a take-home examination designed to test the student's knowledge of the general area of their research; the examination questions are given to students a week ahead of the examination.

  • A student may not proceed to the oral part of the field examination until the written part has been successfully completed. In the case of a failure, the full supervisory committee will meet with the student in order to discuss the weaknesses that caused the failure and to make specific recommendations concerning the student's program. The committee may recommend that the written part of the field examination be retaken in whole or in part within a specific period of time; it may also recommend termination of the student's program.

  • The oral part of the field examination is to be taken by April 30 of Year 3. It is based on a 15- to 20-page (double-spaced) "thesis proposal" accompanied by an appropriate bibliography. In the case of a failure, the supervisory committee will meet with the student to discuss the weaknesses that caused the failure and to make specific recommendations concerning the student's program. The committee may recommend that the examination be retaken within a specific period of time; it may also recommend termination of the student's program. If the recommendation is to retake the exam, the student may retake the oral part of the examination once only.

• Meet with supervisory committee. Between the completion of the written field examination, oral field examination, and the Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis, students will meet with the supervisory committee at least once a year and more frequently if required.

• Thesis and Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years