French Studies and French (PhD)

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Program Description

The joint PhD program in French Studies and History is designed for students interested in combining a multidisciplinary approach to the study of France and the Francophone world with broad graduate training in European history. Students pursuing the degree may wish to prepare for careers of research and teaching in a history department and/or a French department, with a specialty in French culture and civilization.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See French Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
FREN-GA 2957		4
HIST-GA 3603	Approaches to Historical Research and Writing I	4
IFST-GA 1610	19th Century France	4
IFST-GA ----	IFS Social Sciences course	4
"Literature of the field” courses in the History Dept. (1 or 2)		4-8
20th Century French History course		4
IFST-GA 3720	Research Seminar: French Studies 1	4
Electives
Electives 2		44
Total Credits		72

¹

In the research seminar, students write the research paper (normally of 30 to 35 pages) required for this joint degree.

²

Students are encouraged to take elective courses in both departments as well as other relevant departments, such as the French Department, and to avail themselves of IFS summer courses in Paris.

Additional Program Requirements

Language Requirement

Students in the joint PhD in French Studies and French are required to possess near-native writing as well as oral skills in French. A second foreign language is not required, but may be desirable for many students. 

Qualifying Exam

Students must pass the PhD Qualifying Examination, which is normally taken in the fall semester of the third year. The examination consists of a written part (two take-home essays on French Studies topics associated with the student’s principal area of research) and an oral examination devoted to one reading list on 19th-century literature and another on 20th-century literature. 

Dissertation

Students must draft a dissertation prospectus during the spring of the third year, present it to the IFS Doctoral Workshop, and defend it before an examination committee whose members will expect them to situate their work vis-à-vis the most relevant scholarly literature in their field. The committee for the examination consists of three faculty members: one is the student’s major adviser; the other two are normally readers of the dissertation.

Finally, students must write and orally defend a doctoral dissertation. GSAS regulations govern the form of the oral defense, which is held once the writing of the dissertation is completed.

Departmental Approval

All Graduate School of Arts & Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
FREN-GA 1101	Proseminar / Textual Analysis	4
IFST-GA 1610	19th Century France	4
FREN-GA	French General Elective	4
	Credits	12
2nd Semester/Term
IFST-GA 3720	Research Seminar: French Studies	4
French General Elective		4
French General Elective		4
	Credits	12
3rd Semester/Term
IFST-GA 9500	Topics (Summer Research Seminar at NYU Paris)	4
IFST-GA	Summer General Elective in French Studies at NYU Paris	4
PhD Elective		4
	Credits	12
4th Semester/Term
IFST-GA 3720	Research Seminar: French Studies	4
FREN-GA 1012	Teaching French as a World Language	1-4
FREN-GA or IFST-GA	French or French Studies General Elective	4
	Credits	12
5th Semester/Term
IFST-GA	French Studies General Elective	4
FREN-GA	French General Elective	4
FREN-GA or IFST-GA	French or French Studies General Elective	4
	Credits	12
6th Semester/Term
FREN-GA	Qualifying Examination Workshop Recommended
PhD Elective		4
PhD Elective		4
	Credits	8
7th Semester/Term
FREN-GA	Prospectus Workshop Recommended
PhD Elective		4
	Credits	4
	Total Credits	72

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GA 4747) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Master major canonical texts in French and Francophone regions from 1800 to the present; secondary literature in their chosen field; and pertinent theoretical frameworks necessary to analyze literary texts and cultural movements.
2. Complement disciplinary knowledge in literary history with mastery of methodologies and conceptual frameworks from history and other disciplines in the social sciences.
3. Have the ability to locate printed and manuscript sources in libraries, archives, and databases; to read them critically; to marshal them into clear and convincing arguments that make an original contribution to the field; and to impart one’s ideas orally and in writing, in works that are of sufficient quality for publication and conference acceptance.
4. Possess teaching skills in French and French Studies or adjacent fields and familiarity with the workings of the academic world (publication routes, conferences, professional trajectories, etc.).
5. Be in a position to obtain a tenure-track position, a post-doctoral fellowship, or another job (within or outside academia such as in the public humanities) after completing their dissertation.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.