Culture and Society in Contemporary France

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Lecture) This course examines major cultural and historical aspects of contemporary French society (e.g. the social system, the Fifth Republic, feminism, the role of Paris). The theoretical approach is comparative (e.g. Roland Barthes, Richard Hoggart, and E.T. Hall). Course material is presented through several media (e.g. songs, comics, film, political speeches). As they learn about diverse and iconic elements of French culture, students are given opportunities to develop their reading, speaking and writing skills. Requisite Courses: FREN-2105, or placement test, or the former FREN-1111, or the former FREN-1112, or permission of the instructor [prerequisite(s)].