Free Online Culture Course

[audreyc]

Many of your probably know about MIT's OpenCourseWare where they have free online versions of various classes online. (You can download the syllabus, class handouts, articles, etc.) If there is a book needed, there's a link to buy it on Amazon.

I was browsing them today and found a course I thought I would share with everyone, as it seems apt!

Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Contemporary French Society

Course description:

This course is an intermediate subject designed to help students gradually build an in-depth understanding of France. The course focuses on French attitudes and values regarding education, work, family and institutions, and deals with the differing notions that underlie interpersonal interactions and communication styles, such as politeness, friendship and formality. Using a Web comparative, cross-cultural approach, students explore a variety of French and American materials, then analyze and compare them using questionnaires, opinion polls, news reports (in different media), as well as a variety of historical, anthropological and literary texts. Throughout the course, attention is given to the development of relevant linguistics skills. This course is recommended for students planning to study and work in France and is taught in French.


Of course you don't get credit or anything for it--just the benefit of knowledge. Hope someone finds this useful.

[AnnaEmmet]

This looks great! Thanks for sending this along. It seems that all the course materials are in French so if your reading level is barely passable, like mine, it may be more difficult. Thanks again!

Anna

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[nomad41]

Well since I moved to France a month ago, I am constantly receiving a bloody real life French culture courses from my neighbours starting with "no DIY after 7.30 pm, during lunch breaks (12 am - 2.30 pm) and Sunday afternoons@, continuing with "get your kids immediatelly out of that 1m2 grass patch between the batiment and parking area", ending with "what the hell your washings are doing on the balcony"... I am just waiting what will be my next sin against French rules, regulations and culture...