3. B2 | Les Badinter: histoire d'un couple iconique | Online

Time Slots

Wednesdays (Jan 14 - Feb 11), 6:40 PM - 8:10 PM

For members

$280

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For non-members

$330

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About this Class

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the lives, ideals, and historical significance of Robert and Élisabeth Badinter, a couple whose intellectual and moral partnership shaped modern France. Far beyond being a “celebrity couple,” they represent a shared commitment to justice, human rights, and cultural progress. Through historical analysis, biographical study, and critical discussion, participants will understand why their story culminates in Robert Badinter’s entry into the Panthéon in 2025 — a symbolic recognition of his lifelong fight against injustice and their enduring influence as a duo.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Identify the key milestones in the lives of Robert and Élisabeth Badinter.
Analyze the social and political context of their major battles for justice and equality.
Understand the symbolic meaning of Robert Badinter’s panthéonisation and its impact on French collective memory.
Reflect on the role of intellectual partnerships in shaping public policy and cultural ideals.

Course Outline:
1- Introduction: Qui sont Robert et Élisabeth Badinter ?
Overview of their biographies and cultural significance.
The concept of an “iconic couple” in French history.

2- La rencontre et les fondations (années 1960)
How their personal and intellectual bond was formed.
Early influences and shared values.

3 - Deux combats, un même idéal (années 1970)
Robert’s fight against the death penalty and Élisabeth’s feminist activism.
Intersection of their causes: justice, equality, and human dignity.

4- Un engagement commun : Au-delà du couple célèbre
Their collaboration as a moral and intellectual force.
Public and private dimensions of their partnership.
Robert Garde des Sceaux under Mitterrand, political context and landmark reforms.
Why this period solidified their iconic status.

5 - Le Panthéon et la symbolique de la panthéonisation (2025)
The national tribute and its meaning for France.
Love and legacy after death (2024–2025).