French 5

What does it mean to be French in the 21st century? Why should this question be asked? The program will explore the controversies concerning French unity that are currently taking place in France, not only in political terms but primarily as a conception of language and culture. The background to these controversies will also be explored by looking into contemporary debates and what feeds into them from the recent past. To this end, the subject will draw on a range of material from popular culture such as songs, advertisements, news articles, comics, TV shows, sport as well as French cinema and literature to explore and analyse the way in which this identity has been negotiated by individuals or groups of individuals at different points in time. Parallels and contrasts will be made with the various policies and initiatives taken by successive governments to promote national unity and patriotic sentiment (from street names to museums, the army and the republican school). The way this myth of unity was initially construed will also be discussed in the light of key national and international events.

• 1Improve reading and listening skills through a variety of authentic materials
• 2Demonstrate further developed skills in terms of narrative competencies in oral and written form
• 3Use complex sentences and moods other than the indicative (subjunctive, gerund, present and past participles)
• 4Explain discourse structure with a particular focus on argumentative competencies in oral and written forms
• 5Consolidate and increase their autonomy in their study of the French language and of French-speaking cultures throughout the world.