Introduction to French Culture
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this introductory course examining French social and political history through fiction, films, essays, newspaper articles, and television, taught in French. Topics include the legacy of the French Revolution, the growth and consequences of colonialism, the role of intellectuals in public debates, the impact of the German Occupation, and the modernization of the French economy and social structures. The course also studies the origins and meanings of national symbols, monuments, myths, and political manifestoes. Materials include readings and media drawn from primary French sources, designed to place contemporary French culture in historical perspective. It is recommended for students preparing to study abroad. As with other MIT OpenCourseWare offerings, all course materials are freely available online, with no certificate offered since MIT OCW does not provide credentials.