Center: 
Paris
Discipline(s): 
Sociology
Course code: 
SO 368
Terms offered: 
Fall
Credits: 
3
Language of instruction: 
French
Instructor: 
Sophie Fesdijian
Description: 

This course focuses on identifying and analyzing social transformations in France in recent decades and assessing the impact of these changes on the family, youth, cities and immigration. (3 credits)

Method of presentation: 

Lecture and discussion, student presentations. Use of various resources: scholarly works and research, newspaper and magazine articles, radio and television programs, documentaries and films.

LANGUAGE OF PRESENTATION: French

Required work and form of assessment: 

Oral presentation (10%), written essay (25%), mid-term exam (25%), final exam (25%), and class participation (15%).

content: 

In order to facilitate sociological analysis, each of the main themes is examined chronologically with an emphasis on demographic, economic, and political characteristics of each decade.

1. The characteristics of changing family models: Marriage customs, birth rate, higher life expectancy, social status of women.
2. Redefining the status of young people: Social status of adolescents and post-adolescents and social representations of youth.
3. Urban growth: The transition from rural to urban society after World War II and its effects on
communities and neighborhoods.
4. The integration of immigrants: An examination of the different patterns of immigration in France’s history and current immigrant groups.

Required readings: 

Sullerot, E. Quels pères? Quels fils? Fayard, 1992. (family)
Galland, O. Les jeunes. La Découverte, 1987. (youth)
---. Sociologie de la jeunesse. A. Colin, 1991. (youth)
Roman, J.,ed. Ville, exclusion et citoyenneté, Entretiens de la ville II. Editions Esprit, 1993. (city)
Bernard, P. L’immigration. Le Monde Editions, 1993. (immigration)