Bridging Words and Worlds: Spain and France

This course explores the social, political, and historical context of the languages and dialects found within France. From the regional languages of Catalan, Occitan, Provençal, and Breton to languages like Arabic and Wolof, we will examine the linguistic and cultural specificities that have shaped and continue to shape French literature, culture, and society by focusing on the Mediterranean as a site of exchange and long history. Drawing on certain key historical, cultural, and social developments such as the French Revolution, the Jules Ferry education laws that standardized French and repressed regional languages, and French colonization, we will make connections to contemporary debates related to language, culture, politics, and identity in France. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and field trips, students will develop a deeper understanding of the ways in which language shapes individual and collective identities.

The course begins with a focus on the historical ties between France and Spain, briefly examining the history of the French language, transitioning to the formation of the French Republic, covering the French Revolution, and the roles of education and laïcité. Midway through the course, students will study the complex legacies of colonization and decolonization, with a focus on migration and diaspora, including the importance of Marseille as a port city shaped by North and West African diasporas. The final week focuses on contemporary French culture, including music and cinema, while also considering regional revivals such as Provençal literature through the works of Frédéric Mistral, a Nobel laureate and champion of the Occitan/Provençal language.

This course on the Civilization of Spain explores the medieval and early modern periods of the Iberian Peninsula, with particular attention to linguistic diversity, cultural exchange, and the construction of identity. By adopting a historical lens, we challenge contemporary notions of the nation-state as embodied by modern Spain, encouraging students to reflect on how a country’s identity extends beyond present-day borders.

A central focus will be the role of myth-making and legend in shaping ideas of “nationhood.” From the feats of Hercules in today’s Cádiz, to the tale of La Cava and the fall of the Visigothic kingdom in 711, to the enduring legend of the Camino de Santiago—first a magnet for pilgrims worldwide and later a powerful symbol of the Reconquista and the conquest of the New World—students will examine the blurred boundaries between history and fiction, and the meanings constructed in that in-between space.

The Mediterranean setting provides a comparative framework, situating Spain within broader patterns of exchange and conflict. Site visits will bring course content to life, creating a dialogue between classroom learning and the historical landscapes themselves. Special emphasis will be placed on how stories, people, and objects circulated across the Peninsula, highlighting the coexistence and tensions among diverse faiths, cultures, and languages that defined medieval and early modern Iberia.

Prerequisites: All applicants must fulfill the general eligibility requirements.