Culture Fest
Enjoy performances and sample foods representing different parts of the world at Ohio Wesleyan's annual Culture Fest, hosted by Horizons International with support from the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs.
French Major
By mastering the French language, students can take advantage of the many transformative experiences that await them throughout the French-speaking world. Students in OWU's French program discover exciting and compelling ways to combine their French studies work with other fields of study, especially through OWU Connection grants, Travel-Learning Courses, study away opportunities, international internships, and more.
About the Major
The French program at Ohio Wesleyan University trains students to understand, read, write, and speak the French language; appreciate the language's role and place throughout the world; analyze and interpret cultural documents with rigor and precision; pursue meaningful educational and professional opportunities throughout the French-speaking world; and communicate effectively across cultures and differences.
The French program at OWU excels in both French-language and cultural training. Language and culture are taught in tandem at beginning, intermediate, and upper levels alike. Furthermore, the French studies program works closely and personally with students to design personalized and guided experiences throughout the French-speaking world.
Every student in French at OWU can pursue OWU Connection experiences combining their interest in the French-speaking world and with another major by the fifth semester of language and cultural study.
Think Big
Undergraduate research, performed under the mentorship of expert faculty, is a central component of The OWU Connection.
We emphasize intellectual curiosity, creativity, initiative, and synthesis. OWU provides opportunities, including traveling abroad, for you to explore an existing problem or develop a totally new avenue of exploration. You can work with a faculty mentor and apply for grant funding—and present your research at the Spring Student Symposium.
Go Global
Travel-Learning Courses combine classroom study with travel to areas of the world where you may study the issues discussed in class in the settings where those events are occurring. French classes have traveled to Paris, France to expand their study of French literature.
Other travel-learning options include semester-long programs and Theory-to-Practice Grants.
Get Real
Build your experience and connections to the professional world with internships and OWU-funded grants that help you put theory into practice.
Every French major spends a semester in a French-speaking country, where they deepen and refine their language skills.
The French Life
Julia Stone studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, living with a local host family.
Inspired Teaching
OWU faculty are outstanding scholars and researchers—and passionate teachers. They will push you, challenge you, inspire you, and work with you on your own research and creative projects.
They can even pack a 3-minute lecture with ideas, insight, and imagination. Check out our unique I³ lectures.
Highlights
Language Learning Center
The Language Learning Center (UN 213) offers language students a space to read, study, work on projects with classmates or attend language tutoring sessions supported by the WLC department. Advanced students and/or native speakers can apply to become language tutors with faculty endorsement.
Film Festival
The French Program has hosted several Tournée Film Festivals, featuring films from the Francophone world with English subtitles. Admission is always free and open to the public. Post-screening discussions with OWU faculty and students follow the films.
Graduate Outcomes
Boluwatife Ogunye '24
Bolu is an Ohio Wesleyan University graduate in HHK (General) and French. At OWU, she was involved in health and wellness programs, campus fitness initiatives, and peer mentoring for first-year students, promoting community engagement and well-being. She now works full-time as a Public Health Associate with AmeriCorps in Columbus, Ohio, supporting public health and government administration initiatives.
A Look at French
Faculty Led Research & Travel— Dr. Lewis Cusato Leads Trip on French Culture and the History of Imperialism, Theory-to-Practice Grant, 2018
Faculty Led Research & Travel
Dr. Lewis Cusato Leads Trip on French Culture and the History of Imperialism, Theory-to-Practice Grant, 2018
Research with Global Experts— French students meet with Martinican artist Laurent Valère in 2014.
Research with Global Experts
French students meet with Martinican artist Laurent Valère in 2014.
Faculty Research— Dr. Lewis Cusato studies immigration in Marseille, France, in 2016.
Faculty Research
Dr. Lewis Cusato studies immigration in Marseille, France, in 2016.
Students Present Original Research on Cultural Questions— French Students Present at the Spring Symposium, 2016
Students Present Original Research on Cultural Questions
French Students Present at the Spring Symposium, 2016
Honors in French— Dr. Mary Anne Lewis with Onyinye Okoli (honors student in French and Genetics, 2016).
Honors in French
Dr. Mary Anne Lewis with Onyinye Okoli (honors student in French and Genetics, 2016).
Exploring the French-Speaking World, Trip to Martinique and Guadeloupe— Arrival at the Aimé Césaire International Airport in Martinique (Creole Cultures in the French West Indies Theory-to-Practice Grant, Spring 2014)
Exploring the French-Speaking World, Trip to Martinique and Guadeloupe
Arrival at the Aimé Césaire International Airport in Martinique (Creole Cultures in the French West Indies Theory-to-Practice Grant, Spring 2014)
Faculty Mentored Research on Language, History, and Culture— Museum of Immigration, Paris, France, 2018
Faculty Mentored Research on Language, History, and Culture
Museum of Immigration, Paris, France, 2018
Department Contact Info
Location
University Hall 212
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Office hours: 8:30 am -12:00 pm
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Office hours: 8:30 am -12:00 pm
P 740-368-3667
E wlc@owu.edu
E wlc@owu.edu
Department Contact
Chair: Eva Paris-Huesca
Associate Professor in the Department of World Languages & Cultures – Spanish; Global Scholars Program Co-Director
University Hall 212B | 740-368-3685 | eeparish@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Angelina Amato
Academic Assistant in the Department of World Languages & Cultures
University Hall 212A | 740-368-3667 | amamato@owu.edu
Associate Professor in the Department of World Languages & Cultures – Spanish; Global Scholars Program Co-Director
University Hall 212B | 740-368-3685 | eeparish@owu.edu
Academic Assistant: Angelina Amato
Academic Assistant in the Department of World Languages & Cultures
University Hall 212A | 740-368-3667 | amamato@owu.edu