Senior Seminar: France: A Multicultural Society?

The "headscarf" affair of 2003 demonstrated once again just how controversial the notion of cultural pluralism remains in France. Using an historical and sociological approach, we will examine the sources of French unease over such public displays of "private" difference. Topics will include: France's colonial past and immigration; different forms of socio-political mobilization around ethnic and religious "identities" in France; measures adopted by the French to combat ethnico-racial discrimination. Sources will include sociological texts, articles from French press, websites, films. This seminar will include an important research component. (Open to French Senior Majors, other students by waiver). 3 hrs. lect./disc.