Thursdays 10-12 Noon
October 2 through November 20, 2003
D.O.C. House
France is a country that fascinates Americans. Often we love it, other times we despair of it. We admire the art and cuisine, the wines and joie-de-vivre, the history, monuments, and beauty. But we often cringe when the French government or people criticize the United States and disagree with our policies and programs.
In this course, we will examine contemporary France, how it ticks, and why it sometimes takes contradictory positions to our own. We will review the political system, economy, and social services. We will discuss culture, ideas, and the way of life of ordinary French people. The purpose is to better understand the country and provide a framework helpful to the consideration of daily events. This is not a history course or preparation for tourist visits, although these will be touched upon. And it is not a language course; discussions and readings will be in English.
No background or knowledge of France is necessary for participants to enjoy and profit from this course. Those who have experience are encouraged to share their knowledge with us. Course format is lecture with extensive discussion. Each participant is encouraged to give a brief oral report on a pertinent subject of interest to them, selected in collaboration with the course leaders from a wide list of possible topics. Readings will be provided and recommended from a variety of sources.
Class is limited to 20 participants.
Josette Malley was born, raised, and educated in France, then emigrated to the United States and earned her Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology at the University of California. Her career has been in economic and social development of Third World countries, notably with the World Bank in Washington, DC. She also worked several years in Francophone Africa. She and her husband Raymond reside both in Hanover and near Washington, D.C., and they are often in France visiting her parents and other family members.
Raymond Malley was born in the United States of French-Canadian parents. He has degrees in economics and diplomacy from American and European universities. He retired as a Senior Foreign Service Officer from the U.S. Department of State, with service in many countries including France, Francophone Africa, and Asia. As a business executive he has often negotiated with French companies. He and his wife Josette have three children and three grandchildren.
