The Department of French and Italian provides students with the opportunity to specialize in the oral, written, and visual cultures of France, Italy, and the Francophone world. Recognized nationally and internationally, faculty in the Department focus on three chief areas of study: French and Francophone literature and culture, ranging from medieval fiction, poetry and drama to contemporary literature, literary theory and intellectual history; French language and linguistics, including language pedagogy and second-language acquisition; and Italian language, literature and culture from Dante to the contemporary media. Gifts to the Department of French and Italian provide funding for programs and research as well as help attract and support talented undergraduate and graduate students.