3. B2+/C1 | Je t'aime — moi non plus ! 250 years of passionate relationship between France and the US | In-Person

Time Slots

Tuesdays, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

For members / For non-members

PART 1 - $300 / $350 (Sept 15 - Oct 13)

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For members / For non-members

PART 2 - $300 / $350 (Oct 20 - Nov 17)

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For members / For non-members

PART 1 & 2 BUNDLE - $550 / $650 (Sept 15 - Nov 17)

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About this Class

For more than two centuries, France and the United States have maintained one of the most fascinating relationships in modern history. Born from a common revolutionary heritage, the two nations have continuously influenced one another through politics, culture, intellectual life, technology, and the arts.

This course explores the major moments, personalities, and ideas that have shaped Franco-American relations from the eighteenth century to the present day. Beginning with the American and French Revolutions, we will examine the experiences of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson in France; the Louisiana Purchase and the enduring legacy of French-speaking culture in the United States; the gift of the Statue of Liberty; and the observations of French intellectuals such as Alexis de Tocqueville, Marguerite Yourcenar, and Bernard-Henri Lévy.

The course will also investigate two centuries of cultural and technological exchanges, rivalries, and mutual fascination, from aviation and cinema to public transportation and fashion. Special attention will be given to the many American writers, artists, and cultural figures who found inspiration in France, including Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and Josephine Baker. We will also revisit the decisive alliance between the two countries during World War II and conclude with a discussion of contemporary Franco-American relations.

Participants may enroll in either 5-week section or in the complete 10-week course. Through historical documents, photographs, film excerpts, anecdotes, and discussion, this class offers an accessible introduction to the rich and often surprising dialogue between two nations whose histories have remained closely intertwined for more than 250 years.



Course Structure
Part I (Weeks 1–5)
1) The foundations: the American and French revolutions
2) Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson: these Founding Fathers who lived in France
3) The Louisiana Purchase and French-speaking culture in the US
4) The gift of the Statue of Liberty
5) Alexis de Tocqueville, Marguerite Yourcenar and Bernard-Henri Lévy: three French intellectuals in the US and what they had to say

Part II (Weeks 6–10)
6) From cinema and aviation to public transportation: two centuries of technological and cultural rivalries
7) From Edith Wharton's Gilded Age to Jackie Kennedy to Hollywood celebrities: France as the paragon of chic
8) WWII: allied against fascism
9) From Hemingway and Gertrude Stein to Josephine Baker: France as an American artists' colony
10) Franco-American relations today

Choose your path:
· Part I (5 weeks) — Delve into the groundbreaking origins of the Franco-American relationship, spanning from Benjamin Franklin’s presence in Paris to pivotal events like the Louisiana Purchase, the Statue of Liberty, and Alexis de Tocqueville’s insightful observations.

· Part II (5 weeks) — Unravel how France and the United States have continually inspired, captivated, and challenged each other through various avenues, including technology, fashion, war, the arts, and contemporary politics.

· Full 10-week journey — Embark on a comprehensive exploration of 250 years of Franco-American history, culture, rivalries, and mutual influence, all at an exclusive discounted rate!

Class objectives:
• Acquire and actively use vocabulary related to history, politics, diplomacy, the arts, technology, and cultural exchange.
• Enhance your fluency and confidence when discussing historical events, cultural trends, and contemporary issues in French.
• Practice expressing agreement, disagreement, comparison, cause and consequence, and personal interpretation in spoken French.
• Improve your comprehension of authentic French-language materials through guided reading, listening, and discussion activities.
• Develop greater accuracy, sophistication, and spontaneity in oral communication while exploring major themes in Franco-American relations.