French-speaking communities exist in many parts of the world, including Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific. This diversity is reflected in the French and Francophone Studies Department curriculum, which is designed to promote understanding and awareness of the language, literatures, and cultures of the French-speaking world. Upon graduating, majors and correlates in French have obtained internships and teaching assistantships in French-speaking countries, and have earned advanced degrees in such fields as business, comparative literature, cultural studies, education, law, and medicine. Many French majors pursue a double-major with Art History, Economics, English, Hispanic Studies, or one of the physical sciences.
At Vassar, employment opportunities exist for qualified students to be drill instructors for Elementary French, or academic interns who hold conversation classes and offer tutoring. All native or non-native speakers of French are invited to participate in the drill instructor try-outs which are held annually in September. The two academic interns are senior French majors selected by the Department.
Students of French may apply for prizes awarded each Spring. They should address a letter, preferably in French, to the Department Chair. The following prizes are awarded on the basis of merit and financial need:
The Florence Donnell White Prize established in honor of Florence Donnell White, Professor of French for 39 years (1908-1947). "For students or graduates of Vassar wishing to pursue their studies of French in France, or, when that is not practical, in a French School, such as Middlebury in this country or in Canada."
The Gabrielle Snyder Beck Prize established in memory of Mrs. Beck, a member of the class of 1895, who was French. The prize is intended for "students on JYA programs in France" or for "students who wish to study in France during the summer, to earn academic credit towards a Vassar degree."
The Dorothy Persh for Summer Study in French established by the late Ms. Dorothy Persh, a student and friend of the department (1983-1992). The prize is intended to help students of all classes who want to further their studies in France or a French-speaking country or, if this is impossible, at Middlebury College or a similar institution, "where French will be used in the living conditions as well as the classroom."