France and America: Two Perspectives on Democracy, Freedom and the Modern Social and Politcal…

Catalog description

France and America, currently two of the world's most advanced industrialized nations, are similar in many respects with regard to how they conceptualize and practice freedom, the duties of citizens and government, human rights, capitalism and other matters that pertain to modern life. There is much in America's history that is rooted in ideas that stem from the Enlightenment in 18th century France. At the same time, French views on matters like freedom, the obligations of government to the citizenry and the like often differ markedly from those held by Americans. This course will examine those similarities and differences and attempt to explain them through lectures, readings, discussions and presentations. Restrictions/Requirements: Course conducted in English.