314
Studies in Contemporary French and Francophone Culture 
Reid
Spring 2002
Classroom:  STV 220
Office:  STV 215
Office Hours: M/W 10-12 and by apt.
Phone: 438-7894
e-mail: jhreid@ilstu.edu
homepage: http://lilt.ilstu.edu/jhreid/conversation/   

This course: 

• teaches students to:

  • do in-depth research on the web and elsewhere into contemporary French and francophone culture (including society) as well as into its relation to American culture

  • make coherent presentations of complex cultural texts

  • enter into critically sophisticated discussions of culture by learning to use a methodology of interpreting (and teaching) culture that focuses on the cultural significance of specific cultural objects, practices, and perspectives

• provides the opportunity to improve spoken French through extensive group discussion

     The class will be structured by a collaboration between professor and students in choosing:

• the 4-5 general categories of cultural subjects to be discussed over the course of the semester

• how classroom time can best be used    

     Each student will make class presentations based on in-depth research into a significant cultural topic.  These may be centered on articles on French culture or on cultural theory.   Each student will:

• find two in-depth articles, one about a topic in French culture, another about the same topic in American culture, at least a week and a half before the day of the presentation.  The second article may be in English. 

• provide a 10 question study guide on the two articles or on methods of teaching the material in the two articles during the class preceding the presentation.  Send me a copy by e-mail so I can make suggestions. These questions will:

  • emphasize questions of comparative culture.

  • take into account multiple perspectives on the topic

• do in-depth research on the French cultural topic, which goes well beyond the article (on the web, in the library.  see the bibliography in Français)

• prepare a 15-20 minute presentation that will focus on your overall research into the topic

• make an appointment with me to get feedback on improving the organization and content of the presentation

• give the presentation

     Each student will write a research paper on a significant topic of contemporary culture (undergraduate 8-10 pages, graduate 12-15 pages).  This topic may also be the topic of a presentation.

• Prospectus

• First Draft

• Final Draft

What is culture and how can we interpret it?

Jan. 15  Introduction to course; Choice of subject matter for presentations.

Jan. 22  Les Français 1-54:  American perspectives on France/French perspectives on France:  space and time.

Jan. 29  Les Français 55-80, 191-200:  French perspectives on France:  human nature, dominant values, the body, écoles, collèges, lycées
Feb. 2 Turn in Prospectus for Term Paper; Prospectus Guidelines

I  Elever les enfants en France:
Feb. 5 Presentation I (Caryn et Anna), Les Français 81-111:  Structures of the Family:  Childhood, Socialization, Escape

II Les pays francophones:
Feb. 12 Presentation II: Le Maroc (Evi et Karin), Les Français, 127-47, French Family Today; Social Structures:  Traditional French Society  

Feb. 19 Presentation III: Côte d'Ivoire (Christelle),  Les Français 201-209, 148-57,  Social Structures:  Rights, laws, courts

Feb. 26 Presentation IV:  L'Algérie (Erin), Les Français 158-182 Social Structures:  Government, Administration 

Mar. 5 Presentation V:  Le Québec (Anna), Les Français 182-190, 210-18,  Social Structures:  Administration; Economy. Le Canada; Montréal.  France Régions/Communes; France Départements
Mar. 7 Turn in First Draft of Term Paper

Spring Break

III L'Union Européenne:
Mar. 19 Presentation VI (Kim et Erin), Les Français  218-234  Social Structures:  France and the European Union

IV Société et culture française:
Mar. 26  Presentation VII:  "La Religion" (Karin), Les Français 254-73, Symbols:  Religion

Apr. 2 Presentation VIII:  "From Rap to Rai in the Mixing Bowl Beur Hip-Hop Culture in Urban France" (Guest Speaker, Valérie Orlando); Les Français 112-126, Demography and State Intervention 

Apr. 9 Presentation IX:  "Les Immigrés maghrébins" (Evi), Les Français 235-53 French Society Today

Apr. 16 Presentations X:  "Le Cinéma français" (Kim), Les Français 274-87 Culture and Intellectual Life

La globalisation et la France:
Apr. 23 Presentations XI (Christelle), 309-27 The French and Americans

Apr. 30 Presentations XII (Caryn),  Les Français 288-308, 328-330, Leisure, Conclusion
 
May 3  Turn in Final Draft of Term Paper

May 6, 5:30  Final Exam

Books on Reserve:

Heusinkveld, Paula. ed.  Pathways to Culture. Yarmouth, ME:  Intercultural Press, 1997.

Hadley, Alice Omaggio, Teaching Language in Context.  Boston:  Heinle & Heinle, 2001.

Carroll, Raymonde.  Evidences invisibles.  Paris:  Seuil, 1987.

Final Grade: