116-234 French, Foreigners, and Aliens: Culture and Identity in Contemporary France

Note

Available as 116-334 at 3rd-year level.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

116-115 or 116-202 or equivalent

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The range of topics to be covered are French identity, assimilation and integration of the regions, the colonisation and de-colonisation of Algeria, early and contemporary immigration in France, immigration policies, North-African migrants, their sons and daughters, racism and anti-racism, nationality and citizenship. On completion of this subject, students should be able to: analyse critically and synthesise coherently the various and often contradictory arguments discussed in the current debate on immigration in France; discriminate among statements of evidence, interpretation, opinion, and fact, regarding the definition and redefinition of the notions of culture, identity, and Frenchness; develop and present coherent arguments to support their own interpretations, opinions and definitions, while acknowledging the contribution of others to their ideas.

Assessment

One seminar paper (30 min.), subsequently written up (1500-2000 words); one essay (2000 words); one one-hour class test (document analysis).

Prescribed Texts

Selected materials available from the Department (photocopied articles).

• Begag A, Béni ou le paradis privé. Paris: Points Seuil, 1987.