The University of Maine: Department of Franco American Studies



Current Course Listings \| Research \| Minor in Franco American Studies

Franco American Studies: (18 credits)

In New England, and particularly in Maine, citizens of French Canadian and Acadian descent comprise approximately 35 percent of the population. The long-neglected story of this ethnic community represents a crucial element in the history and the current social dynamic of Maine and the Northeast, and constitutes a cultural bridge to French Canada, particularly the neighboring provinces of Quebec and the Maritimes.

Franco American Studies is an interdisciplinary program that explores the French cultures of the United States and Canada, emphasizing the people of Franco American heritage in Maine and the Northeast region. It studies Franco American culture within the broader context of American ethnic communities and other French-speaking people worldwide. The curriculum is designed to teach the Franco American past and present: topics of study include problems of identity, the politics of language, literature, historical struggles, women's issues and experience, economic structures, and the role of family.

The program offers a minor in Franco American Studies as well as courses at all levels. Students who wish to minor in Franco American Studies complete eighteen credits, including FAS 101, and at least 3 other core courses, a selection of "Related Courses" from the list below and a capstone experience. For more information, contact the Franco American Studies Office, 213 Little Hall, at (207) 581-3791.

Core Courses

FAS 101 Introduction to Franco American Studies
FAS 220 Topics in Franco American Literature in English
FAS 230 Franco American Women's Experience
FAS 329 Topics in Franco American Studies
FAS 420 Autobiography and Cultural Identity
FAS 440 Franco American Civilization
FAS 442 French Language of North American
FAS 458 History of French Canada and Franco Americans
FAS 459 Colonial Canada

Related Courses

ANT 221 Introduction to Folklore
ANT 422 Folklore of Maine and the Maritime Provinces
FRE 203 Intermediate French I
FRE 204 Intermediate French II
FRE 297 French (May-Term)

If you wish to declare a minor in Franco American Studies, you will need to fill in a declaration/change of minor form. We have a digital copy of this form in PDF format. All fields that do not need to be signed are able to be filled in on your computer. The form can be downloaded here. Once the form is filled out, please print out the form, sign the applicable fields of the form, and send it to the Franco American Studies department. The mailing address for the Franco American Studies department can be found under the contact us section of the website. Please note: you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view this form. The software can be downloaded from their website at http://www.adobe.com. Alternatively, you may download the Microsoft Word format of this form by clicking here.