France

This course focuses on the emergence and early structure and function of international institutions. It discusses the various departments or “organs” within the United Nations and the responsibilities they hold.

This course presents various methods of drawing using pencil, charcoal, ink, and pastel, under constant supervision and instruction. Exercises focus on the perspective of depth, and students go outdoors to draw various things from real life. Students receive critique on style and on the ability to follow instructions.

This course studies two major components of political, social, and cultural life in France in the age of democracy. The development of public media lends to ideological debates and participates in the forming of public opinion as well as reflecting it. Mass media, diversified in the 20th century, accompanies the changes in French society. Between freedom of tone and public control, media is a player in political and social crises that France has seen. In the era of television and internet, the new media has strengthened its role in the forming of public opinion.

This interdisciplinary course, which draws on social psychology, political and social theory, and sociology, explores what it is to live in a multicultural world where identities are in flux. The first part of the course introduces the main debates of one of the most dynamic areas of contemporary inquiry: multiculturalism, diversity, and gender. It explores how categories of difference (race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, and sexuality) are complex and interrelated. It considers the theoretical underpinnings of multiculturalism to explore the normative as well as pragmatic arguments for and against it. The concept of culture is explored in depth by drawing on sociological studies that try to help better understand cultural differences. The course then considers the question of intercultural dialogue and how it can be used as a resource to facilitate communication between different cultural groups. The second part of the course considers actual cross-cultural case studies to explore how states have developed diverse policies related to cultural pluralism. It also explores how gender and other categories of difference interact with modern institutions in contemporary society. Throughout, the course analyzes various ways of looking at power and political culture in modern societies with the objective of developing the ability to think critically about mechanisms for change. Students read relevant texts from a wide diversity of literature. Each session focuses on a particular theme and includes a student presentation that communicates and argues persuasively one's viewpoint on a topic.