Topics in Modern French Literature and Culture: Global Paris
Paris serves as the case study for this MIT course on the city's status as a global capital, taught entirely in French. Students examine the historical events, urban transformations, immigrant communities, and artistic movements that have shaped Paris and consider how the city continues to define itself within French and global culture today. Course materials include readings drawn from literature, film, and cultural criticism, along with discussion-based sessions and writing assignments that build French language proficiency alongside cultural analysis. The syllabus moves through different eras and neighborhoods of the city, using Paris as a lens for broader questions about globalization, migration, and national identity. Offered through MIT OpenCourseWare, the course materials are free to access, including the syllabus, readings list, and assignment prompts, though no certificate is issued.