COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master’s program in French Literature and Culture at Leiden University is structured across two semesters and offers students considerable flexibility to tailor their studies according to their interests. The program consists of four courses and an MA thesis. Students may select two courses directly from the French Literature and Culture program and then choose two additional courses from a range of options. These may include further courses within French Literature and Culture, courses from the broader MA in Literary Studies, a course on literary subjects in another MA, or even courses from the MA in Linguistics: French Language and Linguistics. Students may also opt for Masterlanguage courses, though these are typically 5 or 6 EC instead of the standard 10 EC. For those seeking an interdisciplinary approach, the university also offers a combined program in Literary Studies and Linguistics with a French focus, which is particularly recommended for students who intend to pursue the Educational Master afterwards. This track includes two Literary Studies/French courses, two Linguistics/French courses, and a thesis in Literary Studies/French. Additionally, the program incorporates cultural courses in collaboration with the French Language and Linguistics specialisation. These courses explore French cultural and linguistic politics and address interdisciplinary themes such as plurilingualism, diglossia, “verlan,” and creole languages, providing a platform where literature and linguistics intersect. Beyond the core curriculum, students are encouraged to broaden their horizons by choosing courses from other tracks within the MA in Literary Studies, thereby gaining a wider academic perspective. This flexible and interdisciplinary design enables students to deepen their expertise in French literature and culture while also exploring related fields, making the program both comprehensive and adaptable to individual academic and professional goals.