21G.312 Basic Themes in French Literature and Culture: French Food and Culture

How can French gastronomy help us gain insight into French identities? Topics studied in the context of religion, society, art, science, technology and politics and include fundamentals of French culinary traditions, regional food and eating, the history and use of ingredients, and the form and meaning of cuisines and meals in French society.

21G.346 Topics in Modern French Literature and Culture: Language and Power

This advanced subject offers sociolinguistic perspectives on debates that relate to language, culture, politics, identity, and ideology in France and the Francophone world. Throughout the semester, we will explore the spread of the French language across the globe from medieval times and the colonial era to the present day. We will explore linguistic features and cultural contexts of domestic and global varieties of the language. Students will analyze how societal shifts influence usage, and how language reflects national and cultural identities. As we investigate the language ideologies that have prevailed in France since the foundation of the French Academy in 1635, we will consider how standardization contributes to social inequality. Finally, the course will address the status of French in the age of globalization and increasingly multilingual societies. Through a combination of readings, discussions, and project work, students will (1) develop conceptual knowledge in the field of sociolinguistics with a focus on language ideologies, policy, language variation and change, language contact, and multilingualism; and (2) enhance linguistic proficiency in French, with a specific emphasis on the academic register both in speech and writing. Instruction is conducted in French, and no prior background in linguistics is necessary.

21G.348 Global Paris: Black Paris

“Black Paris” will focus on the histories and contemporary lives of people of African descent in the French capital city. The course will explore the reasons and manner of migration of these populations to France from the United States, the Caribbean, and the continent of Africa, and it will examine in detail the status and impact of these populations on contemporary Paris. Issues to be discussed include immigration, assimilation, integration, and citizenship. Students will investigate other aspects of Paris to gain a deeper understanding of the city, such as the characteristics of each of the 20 districts. They will be encouraged to pursue research related to their interests such as the role Paris plays in science, commerce, industry, culture, and entertainment. They may also research the biographies of influential figures such as Josephine Baker, Léopold Sédar Senghor, or Maryse Condé, or conduct a comparative study between Paris and a major American city such as New York. Taught in French.

A note regarding the enrollment policy of the Global Languages: Enrollment limited to 18 for pedagogical reasons. Preference will be given to pre-registered students, including pre-registered undergraduates who were cut from the same class the previous semester due to the enrollment cap. Please note that you have to attend the first day of class to maintain your preference level. In case of over-enrollment, preference will be given in the following order: declared majors, declared minors, declared concentrators, first-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.

21G.312 Basic Themes in French Literature and Culture: Science, Mysteries, and the Francophone World

This interdisciplinary course is perfect for intermediate and advanced learners who want to improve their French through exciting, real-world topics. Each week, you’ll explore a new mystery, invention, or debate from the Francophone world — from the scientific breakthroughs of Marie Curie and Louis Pasteur to modern issues like artificial intelligence, genetic editing, and environmental justice in Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe.

You will work with films, articles, podcasts, and creative projects while learning to express your ideas in French with confidence and clarity. Topics include women in science, ethical dilemmas in medicine, futuristic inventions, and the role of culture in how we understand science. Whether you love history, technology, or storytelling, this course invites you to explore science through a cultural lens — and expand your French along the way. Taught in French.

21L.S89 Special Subject: French Modernity

This course will study literary movements in French and Francophone traditions, starting with what’s conceived as the beginning of French modernity in the 19^th century. Readings will include the poetry of Baudelaire, Rimbaud, and Hugo for romanticism and its aftermath, a novella (Sarrasine) by Balzac, and a novel by Camus (L’étranger) or a play by Beckett (Fin de partie) for existentialism. Négritude and Francophonie will be represented by selected short texts by Aimé Césaire, Léopold Senghor and other