Exploring French Society after 1945
| Engaging with history, culture, politics and intellectual life in contemporary France, this course crafts visions to understand key aspects of French society. We seek out to examine radical transformations through three specific cultural clusters. The first one addresses the Algerian War and the massive political, institutional and cultural upheavals that it brought along. Then, we move to France’s integration into the European Union, and the many challenges, notably around identity, sovereignty, citizenship, and globalization. Lastly, the course focuses on the French brand of feminism, what defines and confronts it on political and cultural grounds. For example, rethinking gender, labor division, or laïcité. The course uses fiction works, films, and essais to explore the vast area of ideas that shape France’s modernity. Students are expected to develop skills in cultural analysis as well as criticl reading and composition. In French. |
Required readings:
Laurens, Camille. Celle que vous croyez (2016)
Mauvignier, Laurent. Des Hommes (2009)
File of documents and essays related to the three clusters
Recommended readings:
Materials will be provided in class
Prerequisite:
One of FREN 220, FREN 221, FREN 223 or permission of the instructor
Language of instruction: French