Romance and Classical Studies

Overview

"My love of France, the French language, "things French" in general, is equalled only by my abiding interest in history. I've made the decision to continue my graduate studies, but I haven't yet chosen which field to pursue "

If this dilemma has been yours, the difficult choice is no longer necessary. The Department of Romance and Classical Studies and the History Department at Bowling Green State University have joined forces to create a unique program of study leading to the simultaneous granting of two master's degrees, in French and in History. Designed to combine the cultural benefits of study abroad with the guidance and academic support of the graduate faculty on campus, ours is a three-year program.

During the first year, students study at the Université François-Rabelais in Tours, France, or at the Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada.
During the second and third years, students complete their studies on the home campus in Bowling Green, Ohio. Students receive substantial financial support for all three years.

A Glance at the Institutions

Bowling Green State University is a major state-assisted institution of approximately 18,900 students (2,700 of whom are graduate students) and nearly 700 full-time faculty. BGSU offers 165 undergraduate degree programs, 13 master's degrees in 65 fields, and 14 Ph.D. programs in more than 60 areas of specialization. The 1300-acre main campus is located some 20 minutes south of Toledo, 90 minutes from Ann Arbor and Detroit, and 2 hours from Columbus and Cleveland.

Welcoming each year more than 26,000 students, the Université François-Rabelais is located on the banks of the Loire in the heart of Tours, capital of one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of France. Tours is less than two hours by train from Paris.

Founded in 1852, the Université Laval is one of the largest and most respected institutions of higher learning in Canada. This oldest of French language universities in North America is internationally recognized as a cultural center of la Francophonie. Quebec City has been designated a "World Heritage Town" by UNESCO because of its historical background and architectural setting.

Requirements

Upon admission, students choose to pursue one of two programs: Plan I (the thesis option) or Plan II (the non-thesis option).

Plan I: Students choosing this option must successfully defend a thesis related to both fields. A maximum of 6 hours of thesis research may be credited toward the two degrees combined: 3 hours in FREN 6990 and 3 in HIST 6990. The thesis is supervised by a committee of four faculty members drawn equally from the Department of Romance and Classical Studies and the History Department. The thesis director may be a member of either department.

Plan II: Students opting for this plan must complete the exit requirements of each department: in Romance and Classical Studies, a special research project; in the History Department, a comprehensive examination. 

Under either plan the degree candidate will earn a minimum total of 54 credit hours, distributed so as to satisfy the basic core requirements of both master's programs. Certain courses outside the core will "overlap" and count toward both degrees, thus allowing timely completion of the program. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in each discipline is required.

Contact

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and a strong background in French. An undergraduate French major is preferable. French minors with time spent in a French-speaking country will be considered. The GRE is required. The three letters of recommendation should address linguistic competence along with the candidate’s ability to do research and to write cogently both in English and in French. Applicants should also submit evidence of ability to do research, such as a copy of a seminar paper.

For more information or to apply, contact:

Dr. Deborah Schocket, Graduate Coordinator (French)
Department of Romance Languages
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio 43403-0215
(419) 372-2667
E-mail: ma-french@bgsu.edu

or

Michael Brooks, Graduate Coordinator, Department of History
E-mail: mebrook@bgsu.edu      Phone:  (419) 372-2030

We admit qualified applicants as their files are completed. It is therefore best to apply as early as possible, preferably before February 15. Students opting for study in Quebec must meet the requirements of the Université Lavalís FLS Program as well as those of BGSU. Upon admission to our program, you will need to apply on your own to Laval, so you should submit your materials February 1st.