What is the content of a French civilization course?

A cross-curricular teaching

The French civilization courses offered by the CCFS (Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne) consist of a study of French culture and society from different angles including history, literature, philosophy or even science.

The objective of this teaching is to provide students with a cross-disciplinary and exhaustive knowledge of what constitutes the French civilization heritage. A discovery that will also lead to a better understanding of French society as it is today.

Historical aspects

From a historical point of view, French civilization courses cover key periods and events such as monarchy, French Revolution and the emergence of the Fifth Republic.

Students have here the opportunity to better understand the philosophical, political and legal foundations that structure French society. The course will also allow students to find out about several French historical figures.

A literary discovery

The study of French civilization also involves an approach towards major literary and philosophical currents that have shaped France, and made it a cultural outreach symbol

Novels, poetry or theater can thus be selected as part of a course in French civilization through the work of great French writers such as Balzac, Victor Hugo, Camus or Maupassant.

Students might also discover some major French philosophers who have set the foundation of existentialist, surrealist or neoclassicist schools.

Combine civilization discovery and French language study

The French language and civilization courses offered within the framework of the CCFS enable students to deepen their knowledge in French language, both in writing and orally through the approach of literary texts.

French civilization teachings at the CCFS also include phonetics courses designed to improve the understanding, expression and pronunciation in French
The French civilization course is thus characterized by its extensive content which combines discovery of the French cultural heritage and learning the language