Franco-American Relations

Catalog description

In this course, students will examine the history of Franco-American relations and the ways in which the two countries have addressed various political and social topics that have defined their respective societies. Although France is the oldest ally of the United States, the relationship between the two countries has not always been easy. Some of the reasons for the occasional disaccord between the two include differing political and social ideologies; various views of corporatism and consumerism; different concepts of national identity and cultural diversity; and competing visions of their respective political and cultural roles in the world. These sources of tension have contributed to the popular perception that among the United States? many allies, France might be the least allied. And yet the relationship persists and continues to be vaunted by the two countries. In this course, we shall examine why. Pre-requisite MLFR 202.