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Welcome to the
Website of the URI French &
TMD Program
URI French and TMD Facts
France is one of the world leaders in the luxury
fashion market. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program in
Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design may earn a second degree in
French (Bachelor of Arts). Students must complete the requirements for
both degrees.
With careful planning, no extra semesters are required. Students who
double major in French and TMD are strongly encouraged to participate
in a study abroad program experience and/or a professional internship
in France or in another Francophone country. The Office of
International Education and the respective departments help students
arrange semester-long programs with affiliate universities and
institutes. In addition, URI students may study fashion at the University
of Fashion's four week Summer Session in Lyon, France
(courses taught in English). Students who graduate with double
degrees in French and TMD
are well prepared to compete in the global fashion industry.
Read What the
Students Think:
Both
of my passions emerged as a teenager when I began to study French.
Somehow I just couldn't get enough of French! I loved to learn the
language, I watched movies, listened to music, learned whatever I could
about the culture and society. But when it came time to fill out
college applications, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to
study apparel design. I was stuck on design and vintage clothing, and
my love of French wasn't going to sway my decision. But it was always
in the back of my mind. In fact, I ended up at URI because I
couldn't imagine going to an art school where language studies wouldn't
go past an intermediate level. And once at URI, my very first class was
oral expression with Prof. Durand. Within a week, he managed to
convince me that doing a dual degree was entirely possible and really
quite simple. And he was right. During my four years at URI, I was able
to finish both degrees, study abroad in France, help in the Historic
Textile and Costume Collection and finish a tailor shop apprenticeship
with Nordstrom in Providence. What I most love about my college
studies, is that I was able to mesh my varied interests: language,
literature, sociology, philosophy, film studies, design, historic
costume and practical apparel construction. And the professors in both
departments were endlessly helpful. Both fields have given me something
practical to carry with me the rest of my life. I now have the ability
to express myself in two languages on topics as diverse as
existentialism, music, psychology, politics, agriculture and film. And
I was able to work with Peace Corps in francophone Guinea with an
assurance that many struggle to acheive. Knowing the language
beforehand gives you the opportunity to create more lasting
relationships and help people more readily on a technical level. You
can gain the trust of people more easily and also appear more
knowledgable and professional in whatever field you enter. As for my
textile and apparel background, nothing is more basic to a people's way
of life than clothing and textiles. In many areas it is the one truly
expressive art form they use on a daily basis; and tailors and weavers
are found in every village. My time in Guinea motivated me to keep
French an integral part of my life and solidified my desire to return
to URI to continue studies in textile conservation.
Rachel Lomonaco
TMD/French Dual
Degree (URI Class of 2005)
I
decided to become a dual degree major in French and TMD during my first
French class taken at URI. I had taken French throughout high school
and needed to fulfill my language requirements for my already decided
major, Textiles, Merchandising and Design. It was an idea proposed to
me by my professor and I decided to take up the opportunity. I met with
Professor Durand and we sat down to discuss some future opportunities.
I realized that France has not only made a major impact in fashion, but
it is the fashion capital of the world. Deciding to major in French
along with a TMD major seemed like a great combination. Fashion is
worldwide industry and having a second language behind me, especially
French, is wonderful asset to obtain. For future opportunities such as
studying abroad or working post graduation, having this dual major will
allow me to have the option of going to English or French speaking
countries. I am planning to study abroad in Orleans to better my
comprehension and speaking of the French language. I think that knowing
a second language is extremely beneficial, especially in an industry so
highly international.
Per
my decision to dual major in a foreign language and TMD, I have
received a lot of support and help from my professors in making sure
that I am fulfilling all of my requirements. The URI French &
Francophone Studies Program works well along with my TMD requirements.
To any students who are considering dual majoring in a language
combined with TMD, or any other major, it is a wonderful opportunity
and a great advantage for any individual.
Christine Gayant
Current TMD/French
Major
Because
of the number of free and professional electives built into the
TMD program, I found it very easy to complete my minor in French.
The
freedom to choose the classes that I wanted to take outside my major
even allowed me to spend a semester studying in Paris, France, long
regarded as the fashion capital of the world, in the spring of my
junior year and still graduate in four years. While I was in
Paris,
I took a class on 20th Century Fashion, which included visits to
multiple textile and fashion museums, as well as to such famous
fashion locals as Rue de Faubourg St Honoré, a street lined in
boutiques offering the wares of most major Parisian designers. In
my
experience, the two areas of study also intersected in more subtle
ways; for instance, my knowledge of French has always assisted me in
correctly pronouncing a variety of fabric and designer names. I
only
graduated from URI a few months ago, so I am as yet unsure how
much I
will use my French professionally. Perhaps one day I will have a
job
that requires me to attend Paris Fashion Week, or the Premiere Vision
textile show, and then my skills in French will surely be an
asset.
Even if I never have need of speaking French in my future
career, I
will still be glad to have studied it, if only for the wealth
of
culture which it has allowed me to explore. I feel that good
designers
can always benefit from new inspirations, and one of my favorites
is
the architecture and atmosphere of new places, and I have found my
knowledge of French to be greatly beneficial when traveling.
Sarah Smith
BS in TMD with a Minor in French (Class of 2006)
THE BA/BS IN FRENCH
& TMD,
DON'T LEAVE URI WITHOUT THEM!
To become a French
& TMD double major,
no paperwork, no
office visits, no hassle, just write to adurand@uri.edu and that's it!
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