HUM 310: Culture(/s) of France, Kennelly, Winter 2011, Cal Poly

What is (or was) "French"? Is there (or was there ever) a "culture" of France? And how to make sense of the cultural differences between the French and other groups, such as Americans--broadly defined?

After examining France and the French as they are today (and also might have been in the past), successful students should better be able to:

recognize the cultural hurdles to understanding the French, the rich context that forms and continues to problematize Frenchness, and the ways in which cultures can be misinterpreted and better revealed;
appreciate the humanistic implications of focusing on a country and culture and the way in which relationships between various areas can provide perspective on knowledge;
comprehend the value of questioning and learning through synthesis;
gather, evaluate, interpret, and apply information to situations beyond the classroom; and
evaluate data and place it within the broad context of French culture--whether entrenched, emerging, gender- and/or diversity-based.

In keeping with Cal Poly's learning objectives, successful students should also better be able to:

think critically and creatively;
communicate effectively;
work productively as individuals and in groups;
use their knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to society; and
make reasoned decisions based on an understanding of ethics and a respect for diversity.

Required Texts

Bernstein, Richard. Fragile Glory: A Portrait of France and the French

Carroll, Raymonde. Cultural Misunderstandings: The French-American Experience

Morrison, Donald. The Death of French Culture

Platt, Polly. French or Foe? Getting the Most out of Visiting, Living and Working in France

Schedule

3 January: The Imaginary Country (Bernstein); New Year's Wishes for France by French President Nicolas Sarkozy

4 January: The Miracle of the Whole; The Persistence of the Parts (Bernstein); La France profonde; Interactive map of France

5 January: Villages; Paris the Conqueror (Bernstein); Aubagne; Front national; Paris; Discover France with the French People!; Welcome to France!

6 January: Cultural realia assignment

10 January: Home; Conversation (Carroll)

11 January: Parents and Children; The Couple (Carroll); A Child Tells a Story

12 January: Six Codes; French Space (Platt)

13 January: French Time; Street Strangers and Neighborhood Tradespeople (Platt); Traffic patterns (courtesy of classmate Lindsey Sutton).

18 January: Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis

19 January: Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis

20 January: Why do you believe Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis is so popular in France? Read " 'Vert Acres'? France Sees the Joy of Being Stuck in the Sticks " and at least one other review of the film in the mainstream press (either in the USA or abroad). Be prepared to discuss in class on Monday; Paper 1 due

24 January: Blood, Names, and Identity; The R5 and Other Complexes (Bernstein)

25 January: Gallic Shrugs and Other Supposed Imperfections; The Myth of the Anti-American (Bernstein); French language sites; Francophonia; "More to a Smile than Lips and Teeth"

26 January: Friendship; The Telephone (Carroll)

27 January: 'Minor Accidents'; Obtaining Information (Carroll); Obama-Sarkozy meeting (January 2011)

31 January: Misery in the Big Stores; Blame Paranoia (Platt); Perspectives of Molly McFarland, currently teaching in France.

1 February: You and the Bureaucracy; History Matters (Platt)

2 February: Jews, Arabs, and Other 'Foreigners'; In Praise of Frivolity (Bernstein); The Rise of the National Front - France; Marine Le Pen to Head France's National Front Party; Advertisement (AIDES); Perspectives of Alison Bode, who recently returned from France.

3 February: La Haine

7 February: La Haine

8 February: The French Family; School Days (Platt); Perspectives of Carly Fox, currently teaching in France

9 February: The Grandes Ecoles; The Music of Their Tongue (Platt); Social Dynamite

10 February: The Revenge of the Bourgeoisie; The Noble Residue (Bernstein)

14 February: Elegance and Anarchy; A Contentious Solidarity (Bernstein); Serge Gainsbourg; Coluche ; Thierry Le Luron

15 February: Plaisir; Two Dinner Parties (Platt)

16 February: The Logic of French Management; Tricky Wickets (Platt)

17 February: Ressources humaines; Paper 2 due

22 February: Ressources humaines

23 February: A Country Cut in One; The Sardonic Worship of the Political Class (Bernstein); Perspectives of Tayson Bui, currently teaching in France.

24 February: The Way to Power; Above the Laws of the Republic (Bernstein); Les Guignols de l'info; Ecole Normale Supérieure; Ecole Nationale d'Administration; Ecole Polytechnique; Higher Education (France vs. USA) ; Universités et grandes écoles

28 February: Executive Roundup; How the French See the U.S.; Coda (Platt); Perspectives of Pablo Allouard (French student currently studying at Cal Poly)

1 March: The Shadowy Paths of Grandeur; Gaullists and Bonapartists, Presidents and Kings (Bernstein); The Boat and the Bomb; Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior; Sarkozy: A Real Gaullist?; France: The end of Gaullism?

2 March: Entre les murs

3 March: Entre les murs

7 March: Entre les murs

8 March: "The Death of French Culture" (Morrison); Interview of Donald Morrison by Laurel Zuckerman

9 March: "The Trappings of Greatness" (Compagnon)

10 March: Culture(/s) of France?

18 March: Final Examination (Identifications), 4:10-7:00 p.m.; Final Examination Essay Due, 4:10 p.m.

Syllabus: HUM 310

Winter 2011

Culture(/s) of France

Of Potential Interest

Grade Distribution

Required Texts

Schedule