The graduate program in French, one of several in the Department of Romance Languages<br>and Literatures, offers students outstanding opportunities to work in the French and Francophone<br>literary and cultural traditions, alone or in combination, leading to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree.<br>After the first two years of graduate study, students receive practical training in teaching both<br>language and literature courses. (See Section VII of this document.)<br>The French literature faculty is committed to interdisciplinary work, including philology,<br>history, philosophy, psychoanalysis, film studies, literary theory, and literary history. Students are<br>encouraged to situate literature in the broad context of cultural productions, ranging from the<br>canonical to alternative modes. Graduate students in the French program are required to take at<br>least two full years of course work, demonstrate solid competence in French (through additional<br>language and translation study when necessary), and take at least one literature course in an<br>additional modern language (see IV: Requirements). Each graduate student takes a first-year exam<br>allowing the section faculty to evaluate progress toward the doctorate and advise the student on<br>future course work and emphases. Each student takes the Ph.D. General Exam, covering all periods<br>of French literature. Within this required framework, the Harvard program offers students the<br>freedom to work in a range of periods, genres, and theoretical emphases, and to formulate their<br>individual study programs with the help of their advisors, around their specific interests. While<br>students take courses chiefly with members of the Department, they may also participate in courses<br>and seminars with faculty working in related areas in the Departments of Comparative Literature,<br>History, Fine Arts, Visual and Environmental Studies, Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality<br>Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and others.<br>The normal period of time for completion of the Ph.D. is about seven years, five of which<br>are fully funded through standard financial aid from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with<br>any additional years funded through teaching, loans, or competitive grants. Starting in 2013, students<br>receive as part of their financial aid package an additional year of tuition and health fees. At some<br>point in the program, most students have the opportunity to spend time abroad.