DC’s French Touch

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This experiential course explores the enduring French influence on the design, identity, and cultural life of Washington, D.C. The syllabus integrates urban history, political philosophy, and Francophone cultural studies to examine the city’s original blueprint as envisioned by Pierre-Charles L’Enfant, its neoclassical architectural heritage, and the dynamic cultural exchange reflected in French art within national collections. Through guided tours, class discussions, and independent research, students will uncover how French aesthetics and Enlightenment ideals shaped the capital. In the latter part of the course, the focus shifts to the present day, exploring the ongoing cultural dialogue between France and Washington through soft power, cultural institutions, gastronomy, language, and communities. This course is taught in English. It does not count for the French major or minor. It is a "City Seminar" - a CALL signature course that uses Washington, D.C. as a living classroom to explore city issues through interdisciplinary perspectives.