21G.312 Basic Themes in French Literature and Culture: Le monde de Lupin: The Netflix Series

In this course, students will further master French speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing skills by watching Netflix’s hit television series « Lupin » and reading excerpts of Maurice Leblanc’s detective novels on which it is based. Taught in French.

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.