FR 197A/FR 497B, "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité? Human Rights in the French Context."

This course examines the concept of human rights in France, from the Enlightenment to the present. It explores the development and resolution of 19th and 20th century controversies in France over the notions of liberty, equality, property and sovereignty. Topics covered include the Dreyfus Affair, the Algerian War, and contemporary issues concerning immigration.

FR 197A, "Antisemitism in Modern France."

This seminar considers antisemitism in modern France both as a touchstone for understanding French history and culture and as a form of prejudice that transcends national borders. Through a study of four historical periods (the French Revolution, the Dreyfus Affair, World War II, and the post-World War II era), and relying on a great variety of documents (verbal and visual propaganda, films, etc.), we will explore the roots and manifestations of this prejudice, as well as the actions of those who have chosen to combat it.

FR 453W/FR 597D, "La Belle Epoque: Politique, Société et Culture en France de 1880 à 1914."

This course presents and analyzes the period of extraordinary changes in all domains known nostalgically as "la Belle Epoque."Structured around a consideration of notions of 'progress' and 'decadence,' and privileging artistic and literary representations, the course considers two broad themes: changes in French society at the turn of the century and Paris as cultural mecca.

FR 597B, "History of the Book in Modern France."

This course examines the printed word as a force in history from the Ancien Régime to the present. It considers the history of the book as a complex field, integrating authors, readers, publishers, booksellers, printers, the media and the government. It advances a broadly interdisciplinary approach, integrating sociopolitical, intellectual, cultural and economic history, sociology, literary studies, and other disciplines.

FR 597D, "Représentations de la Révolution française."

This course considers the problematic of representation as it relates to one of the seminal events in modern French history, the Revolution. After surveying the historiography of the Revolution, the course considers various of its cultural representations (songs, iconography, literature, film, festivals). The last unit of the course concerns the relationship between the history of the Revolution and its memory, as expressed in commemorations of this event.