France

This interdisciplinary seminar explores the temporal and territorial entanglements in Brazil and Argentina since their consolidation as nation-states in the first third of the 19th century until contemporary times. Some of the materials worked with, in addition to theoretical texts, are films, short stories, political and aesthetic manifestos, and architectural and urban projects. The course analyzes and discusses political, social, aesthetical, and literary expressions that, in a variety of ways, address and/or develop what is one of the critical issues in the discursive construction around these countries: the apparent need to narratively connect the present moment to a colonial and pre-colonial past and a future to come, not rarely using fiction as a methodology. The comparative focus on these two countries, in addition to being widely used in the Humanities in specific studies on each country, is justified by the way in which the issues to be explored in the course occur in their similarities and differences, shedding light on the constructions of time and space in what are the two most extensive countries in South America, not only individually but in relation to each other. Furthermore, the methodological and theoretical foundation developed throughout the semester helps consider temporal and spatial issues in other contexts within Latin America and, generally, the Global South. An intermediate knowledge of Latin America's political and social contexts is recommended but not mandatory.

This course presents the current debate on the opening of borders at the time of globalization. Through a comparative analysis of the trade policies of the major powers (Europe, the United States, and China), it allows us to measure the stakes and risks associated with the current resurgence of protectionism. The course studies the evolution of trade since 1948, exposes the main theories of international trade, and presents a comparative analysis of the trade policies in Europe, the United States, and China. It provides an understanding of the challenges of trade relations between nations in the context of both the economic crisis and globalization. Should economies be opened or closed? The course presents economic and political doctrines as well as current events that shed light on the current confrontation between free trade and protectionism.

This course analyzes the major upheavals that have shaped the Middle East and North Africa's strategic landscape in the post-Cold War era. It is structured around three key modules. The first provides a chronological overview, from the 1990s "Unipolar Moment" to the collapse of the Syrian regime in December 2024. The second focuses on the persistence of authoritarianism, along with the violent backlash and counterrevolutions that followed the Arab Spring. The third examines U.S. foreign policy and the Global War on Terror. Special attention is given to the Proxy Wars and Culture Wars that will define the future of the region, to the shifting alliances within a context of competitive multipolarity, and to civil societies, literature, cinema, cultural and intellectual fault lines.

The observed correlation between economic growth on one hand, and a worsening environmental situation on the other, calls for greater consideration of ecological issues in economic thinking. In this respect, and in parallel with the reflections on a hypothetical "decoupling" that would reconcile continued growth and decarbonization of the economy, it may be useful to look at the competing hypothesis: an exit from growth. It is this second hypothesis that this course studies, by taking stock of various works in economics and political science that help us to think about a post-growth society. After briefly recalling the main foundations of the critique of growth, the course sketches out the contours of an economic and social organization that breaks with the imperative of growth. The course addresses the various difficulties that would be posed by an end to growth: unemployment, how to organize production, and how to define what should and shouldn't be produced. The course provides a better understanding of current and future debates around the concepts of green growth and degrowth, questions current growth models, and engages in critical reflection on post-growth perspectives.

This policy oriented course focuses on the European Union's security and defense politics. With the re-election of Donald Trump, questions on how the EU is going to defend itself are high on the political agendas. How well is the EU prepared to take on more responsibility? To answer the question, the course looks at how the EU addresses security and defense policy issues and identify difficulties in the evolution of the EU's security and defense policy. It covers the functioning of the EU's security and defense policy; examines the concepts of security; introduces the different tools of the EU's security and defense policy and the key issues of deeper EU integration. In addition, the course develops presentation and writing skills, ability to understand public documents, research on open source, and work in teams.

This course is dedicated to the study of Dramaturgy of Romantic Drama, a genre that came to the forefront of French stages with the Romantic revolution of the 1830s. After the presentation of the major theoretical texts that founded Romantic Dramaturgy, it focuses on dramaturgical analysis of three major plays from the repertoire covering almost the entire 19th century, from the Golden Age of the 1830s with Hugo and Musset, to the late avatar represented by CYRANO DE BERGERAC in 1897. Theoretical knowledge is mobilized--the poetics of the genre, plot construction, the character system, the management of time and space--and applied to specific to specific works and themes. The transition from text to stage is also addressed with the help of video recordings of historical and modern stagings.

This course illuminates the landscape of counter-revolutionary efforts in the Middle East and North Africa region and the restoration—or reconfiguration—of autocracy through notable cases of human rights violations. Each session focuses on one emblematic case study in a different country; and from there, reconstructs the recent trajectory of said country, examining how the national power structure was reshuffled, in line with geopolitical transformations and to the detriment of human rights aspirations.

From the magic lantern to the early cinema, this course explores the context of the 19th-century history of Europe and the United States, told through the various European avant-garde movements. Moving forward, it observes the modernization of filmmaking with a focus on contemporary French cinema, by combining aesthetic and narrative considerations. Learning outcomes include: knowing film history focusing on this major period of its history; mastering specific filmmaking vocabulary; acquiring film analysis and basic methodology. 

This course deals with collective mobilizations of working class men and women (riots, strikes, syndicalism, demonstrations) from the 18th century to today. In history, the study of revolts and revolutions has raised the question of the people's participation in national politics. The revolting working classes are indeed a strong representation, full of meaning, images, and symbols. This image is perhaps all the more central in France where the national narrative is built on the legacy of the French Revolution, when the people imposed democracy. This course presents the very history of these mobilizations, of their action patterns and objects of contestation, while focusing on men and women who revolt. It outlines the history of ideas and political movements (socialism, communism, anarchism, etc) along with the history of political and union organizations that structured part of the popular protests. This course examines collective and popular mobilizations from the revolutionary period to today and analyzes the role of these mobilizations on political, social, and cultural history of contemporary France.

Taking advantage of the fresh perspective that being abroad offers, this course explores writing in another language, using the specific format of short stories. Themes, places, and formal constraints are given to guide students in discovering the city and producing their own short stories, to make this semester in Lyon not a tourist trip but a unique opportunity to reflect. The workshop, led by a teacher-researcher who is also an author, literary translator, and collection director, provides precise information on the French literary and publishing scene, professions, must-know places, important events, and more. Students are first asked to research stories in their own language, and then to share them with others, each bringing examples from their own cultural background to understand the structure of these short stories. Students then produce their own short stories in French and sharpen them. Lastly, students hand in a portfolio that includes their readings and analysis of literary devices, short stories they have written themselves, and proposals for creative ways of sharing their work. This is not a French writing course but a creative writing workshop; thus, an interest in reading literature (in any language) and an artistic sensibility (in any field) is necessary.