What does it mean to be French today? Is the French nation truly “one and indivisible,” as its ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity suggest? In this course, we examine the tensions between republican principles and the lived realities of contemporary France through its politics, social conflicts, and cultural practices. Beginning with the legacy of the French Revolution and the structure of modern French politics, we will explore questions of national identity, immigration, and secularism, as well as the evolving boundaries of belonging in French society. The course will also consider the feminist movement and the politics of protest before concluding with France’s role on the global stage and its complex relationships with Europe, America, and the wider world.

Tuesdays | 4 weeks, October 27 - November 17 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
In person and simulcast