116-027 French, Foreigners, and Aliens: Culture and Identity in Contemporary France

Note

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

116-007 French I: Cultural Perspectives and 116-008 French I: Language in Context II or 116-015 Post-beginners French IIB or equivalent

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The range of topics to be covered are French identity, assimilation and integration of the regions, colonisation and de-colonisation, 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

A 30-minute seminar paper, and an essay of 2000 words, and a 1-hour class test (document analysis).

Prescribed Texts

Materials prepared by the department.

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