Course Description:

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the richness, depth, and diversity of the French culture. We will focus on three questions: What does it mean to be Alsatian? What does it mean to be French? What does it mean to be European? Each of these strands of identity, shaped by overlapping geographical boundaries, produces distinct cultural influences.

 

While this course will focus on common elements of the broader French culture, much of our time will be spent in Strasbourg and its surrounding region of Alsace. The region of Alsace is particular in that it has been influenced by outside forces yet remains true to “French” culture. Bordering Germany, Alsace has changed hands between the Germans and French numerous times. Strasbourg is a symbol of the violent rivalry between the two countries, but also of an enduring process of peace building since World War II. Thus, Strasbourg, and Alsace more largely, have had a distinct and unique regional history.

 

Today’s French culture can be characterized by its love for the past and its respect for the present. The French are immersed in their own history as they live with daily reminders of it through architecture, museums, parks, and monuments. Literature, art, and philosophy remain as important knowledge for all French citizens. The French “joie de vivre” is a testament to the pride they have for their culture and a symbol of their resilience.

 

Located on a border that has many times been contested, Strasbourg is sometimes referred to as the “capital of Europe,” as it is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. The formation of international and supranational governments has been characterized by the challenge of collaborating across cultural differences and often patterns of historical conflict. For these institutions to be effective, individuals across Europe must be able to see a common identity beyond the country in which they live and be willing to give up some freedoms in exchange for greater economic cooperation and security.

Estimated Course Fee: $6340

Faculty Biography:
Robin Lauermann, Ph.D., Professor of Politics, Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania, USA. Specializes in American and Comparative politics, with regional expertise in Europe and Latin America, and thematic emphasis in political change, behavior, institutions, teaching in these various areas including courses that travel internationally. Her book, The Constituent Perspective of Representation (Palgrave: New York, 2014), examines the American representative system in historical and comparative context. Member of Phi Beta Kappa, the New York State Political Science Association, Pennsylvania Policy Forum, as well as reviewer for several publishers. Away from academic pursuits, she enjoys reading, language development and civic engagement


Other Information:
France Cross Cultural syllabus 2025.pdf