Contemporary France through the Media: Penn-in-Tours

This course offers a socio-cultural survey of contemporary France through its media. It acquaints students with the daily press, magazines, and television, while tracing emerging cultural trends through music, cinema, video, advertising and comics. Students follow recent developments in French society, and look into the current cultural forces at work today. This summer, particular attention will be given to youth culture and French cinema. Cultural events such as the "Fête de la musique" will also be discussed. Readings and documents introduce new vocabulary in context, and provide a better grasp of the changes shaping daily life in France in 2009. This course may also be taken for 300-level credit (additional work required). Class meets four days a week for a total of six hours a week.