Voices of Empowerment in Contemporary France

Catalog description

Students in this course will develop their understanding of cultural issues and challenges in Contemporary France and the Francophone World, while strengthening their communication skills and ability to talk and write about complex social and cultural issues. Students will become familiar with issues in culture and politics, and current debates and challenges that are taking place. Students will read from a variety of essays, articles, literary texts, and from online French news sources. We will develop listening comprehension as we watch broadcasts in French and documentaries. We identify how diverse groups attempt to reframe their position in relation to dominant models of (national) identity. We analyze the strategies they develop when trying to have their voices heard and legitimized. Students develop their skills in understanding complex issues, communicating information, and making and defending an argument (a cause), while simultaneously improving their written and spoken French. Taught in French.