France

History 248

Description:  FYS in France  Fall ‘12

Boyette

Musical Encounters in the Francophone World

Taught in  French, this course will introduce students to the history and culture of Francophone West Africa and prepare them for the field trip to Senegal.

All spring semester students take either French 107 or French 108, determined by the amount of previous language study. Students begin in early January with a two-week residence in Quebec City, with intensive French instruction at Laval University, home stays, and an introduction to Quebecois culture. The group then travels to Rouen where they continue with the 2 units of French language and conversation and take the three other required courses listed below.

In the spring, students on the academic-year program will work closely with the director to find appropriate courses with French students through various departments at the University of Rouen or take independent studies.  These students are expected to design an independent cultural program, including travel. This will, in part, be covered by a stipend from SLU. They will not participate in the excursions for the spring group.

During the month of January, year-program participants engage in a three-week, full-time internship in Rouen. Recent sponsors include attorneys, radio stations, banks, boutiques, public agencies, a veterinarian, and others. Every attempt is made to match the internship assignment to the individual's interests, and requests for specific types of internships can generally be accommodated. The internship is designed to be a challenging personal and intellectual experience.

This course will survey the history of France beginning with the Revolution of 1789 to examine both the changes and the continuity in French society and culture over the past two hundred years. The class will make use of the program location and excursions for a detailed examination of selected topics in French history.

This course will analyze the political forces at work in contemporary France. Topics will include the Vichy Regime, the Fourth and Fifth Republics, the influence of DeGaulle, special interests and labor groups. Students will examine France's political, social and economic policies in its European context.