French and Francophone Studies 320: French Beyond France

In 2014, the Observatory of the French Language excitedly announced that, by the year 2070, population growth in African nations would make French the second most widely spoken language in the world. The Observatory has since backed away from that prediction, but French remains a significant world language, with a large majority of French speakers living outside of France. This course will examine the widely varying roles French plays in countries across the globe, functioning as a language of education, commerce, culture, diplomacy and everyday life. We will also explore some of the variations in the language itself as it appears in other settings and coexists with other languages. Students will refine advanced French language skills through the critical exploration of text and media content. Coursework will include frequent short writing assignments, active participation, and a final project. Three class meetings per week plus one half-hour conversation session with a French Language Assistant. Conducted in French.