A History and Sociology of Black Populations in France



For a few years, Black populations in France have been the subject of much interest and debate among social scientists, historians, public intellectuals, politicians, etc. This class will delve into the history and the sociology of people from Caribbean and African descent in metropolitan France, from the 18th century up to nowadays.

Discussions will take shape around the following themes: race and republicanism; cultural representations of the "Other"; experiences of World wars; anticolonialism; the historical conditions of racial marginalization in metropolitan societies; identity, diaspora and the role of global culture flows; immigration and transnational ties since the 1960s, the contemporary debates around racism and antiracism in the French society.

In addition to providing students with the basic historical framework and theoretical tools to understand these aspects of French history and society, the comparative aspect of this class will encourage students to think outside of national and “exceptionalist” categories. Comparative perspectives with Great Britain and the United States will be explored.



Required Coursepack: A Coursepack will be available for purchase at the College bookstore