← French (French and Italian) (FRENCH)

Hardest courses in French (French and Italian)

Plan ahead for courses where students have earned lower grades.

Lowest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.

Find your fit

10 courses

Ranked courses have at least 100 recorded letter grades.

Third Semester French focuses on oral practice, conversation, grammar review, reading, vocabulary expansion, creative writing, and the study of French and Francophone cultures.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Jacqueline Ebelabena

Jacqueline Ebelabena assigned far too many tedious grammar assignments, with one student reporting seven per day.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Second Semester French covers oral practice, conversation, grammar, reading, vocabulary, and Francophone cultures.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Hugo Torres

The course is not easy but fair, expecting students to put in work while ensuring that effort is rewarding through original lesson plans.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Examines French fashion from the Middle Ages to today through literary texts and visual arts, analyzing clothing as a reflection of aesthetic, social, and gender values.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Anne Theobald

The course included many homework assignments written on paper, a format one student found appealing despite it being old-fashioned.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2024–Spring 2026

First Semester French covers oral practice, conversation, grammar, reading, vocabulary, and Francophone culture.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Melissa Henderson

One student described Melissa Henderson as very lenient when grading tests and homework.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

An introduction to important literary works from the medieval era to the French Revolution, taught in French, covering key writers, texts, and cultural evolution.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Anne Vila

Getting an A required consistent effort, though the workload was never overwhelming. Taking good lecture notes was helpful when writing essays.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

This course improves French proficiency and Francophone cultural understanding through literature, film, advertising, journalism, grammar review, and discussion.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Ritt Deitz

The course required extensive reading, including finishing a book within a two-day window, and mandated attendance with a written insight submitted after every class.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Introduction to important literary works of modernity from the French Revolution to the twenty-first century. Taught in French.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Jennifer Gipson

The course involved thought-provoking conversation and was rated as moderately difficult by a past student who had previously struggled in other classes.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Fourth Semester French covers advanced oral practice, conversation, grammar, reading, vocabulary, creative writing, and Francophone cultures.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Kimberly Rooney

Students were required to complete workbook exercises, which counted toward the grade, though the online component was optional. Clear rubrics were provided for small essay assignments.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Introduction to reading and analyzing literature, comics, and film in French, emphasizing the development of writing skills and close reading techniques.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Gwenola Caradec

The class involved significant work, requiring students to read, participate, and ask questions while being graded on multiple components.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Cultural study of contemporary Francophone Africa's government, organizations, and enterprise, exploring relations with France, the EU, and US while developing bilingual networking and communication skills.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2023–Spring 2026