The specific availability for this course is not currently known. If you would like to know if this course will be offered during your session, please contact us.
This course offers an interdisciplinary approach of the relationship between France and Islam as religion, civilization and cultural representations and practices.
Students will be introduced academically to the different subjects in class as well as practically by special sessions held on location. These special sessions are designed to explore and discover diverse aspects of Islam in France and more specifically in Paris area. They will include tours on historical immigrant neighborhoods in Paris ( the Goutte d’or and the 18th arrondissement), its suburbs (St Denis and Montreuil), monuments (the Great Mosque of Paris, the Arab World Institute), museums (the new Cité de l’immigration), and much more.
Course structure:
The focus of this course is on three aspects of French Islam:
A: The Muslim population in France
• Early history
• Colonial times and decolonization struggles
• Labor immigration
• The “second generation” and the new multicultural French society
• Diversity among French Muslim population
B: Integration / Assimilation issues
• The social, political, and religious issues raised by immigration
• The confrontation between “laïcité”, secular culture and the diverse manifestations of Islam in today's France
• Political Islam
• Tensions and riots in the suburbs
C: Representations in Mass Media
• The literary, artistic and ideological images and perceptions of Islam in France from the
Middle Ages to the contemporary period
• The representation of African and Northern African immigrants in television from late 50’s through the late 90’s
• The role of cinema and literature in the self expression of French Muslims
Texts:
All the documents will be handed out in class.
You are expected to read every document handed out.
Assignments:
Oral presentation: each student will give a 10 minutes presentation.
Quizzes: A short quiz with immediate grading will occur at the beginning of each class.
Final paper: This is a 5-6 pages typewritten research paper that should present a specific point related to the class. The paper should include both academic analysis and personal insights on the subject.
Grading:
Students will be graded on the significance and seriousness of their efforts in every aspect of the class. Students must complete all assignments and are required to participate in all class discussions. The presence of all students is also mandatory when activities are held on location. Attendance is paramount and punctuality for class is highly important.
Attendance/ Participation in discussions: 30%
Oral presentation: 20%
Quizzes: 20%
Final Paper 30%
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