La France

Edward Ousselin est professeur de francais a la Western Washington University et redacteur en chef de The French Review.

La France: histoire, societe, culture Table des matieres Introductions: (in French for instructors / in English for students) Culture / cultures / cross-cultural patterns / culture shock & reverse culture shock Why this textbook is not about French "civilization" Chapter 1: The basics: geography, demographics, centralization (importance of Paris) Associated concepts: nationalism / universalism; human condition / dignity; society / individual; tradition / modernity; stability / revolution; le people / elite; Paris / la province; rural heritage / urban realities; multiculturalism / communautarisme Chapter 2: History: 1870-1945 Why this textbook takes the year 1870 as its starting point Political / social / cultural history: the need to understand the consequences of past events and trends in order to examine the current society and culture of France Chapter 3: History: Since 1945 Decolonization / Trente Glorieuses / May 68 and the end of utopian impulses Chapter 4: The Constitution / administrative structure / l'outre-mer / legal system / elections / political parties Chapter 5: The European Union: achievements, setbacks, and controversies Chapter 6: The educational system: the role of the Ministry of Education / the importance of the baccalaureat / universities and grandes ecoles Chapter 7: The economy: stereotypes and realities / working in France / the role of government and the unions / transportation and telecommunications / current economic trends and challenges Chapter 8: The Francophone world / the long-term consequences of colonialism / Organisation internationale de la Francophonie Chapter 9: Religions in France / the importance of la laicite / immigration / ethnic and cultural diversity Chapter 10: Women and feminism / minorites sexuelles Chapter 11: la natalite and the importance of children / families and their evolution / "la Secu" and the healthcare system / vacations and leisure Chapter 12: The media (from print to internet) / historical importance of "high-C" culture (literature, of course, but also architecture, painting, cinema, music, etc.) / recent trends in terms of popular culture Looking Ahead: The aftermath of the 2015-16 wave of terrorist attacks / The consequences of the 2017 presidential and legislative elections / Is there a Catholic resurgence in France? / Has France become an "ordinary" country? Appendices: List of acronyms Index

"This excellent volume provides a comprehensive coverage of contemporary France while presenting much historical background on the themes addressed. There is enough material to enable instructors to select the content they wish to emphasize, depending on the course focus, student level, and methodology used. The author exhibits an impressive breadth of knowledge on France... La France. Histoire, societe, culture represents a major contribution and is without a doubt one of the best textbooks currently available on contemporary French society and culture." --Marie-Christine Koop, Professor of French and Director of the French Summer Institute, Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, University of North Texas "This is an amazingly comprehensive yet reader-friendly guide to French history, culture, politics, and contemporary concerns. It is the best French Civilization textbook I have seen and will be useful at so many levels as an introduction to French culture. It will become a must-have for the modern university French studies classroom." --Peter Schulman, Professor of French and International Studies, Department of World Languages and Cultures, Old Dominion University