Author Description

Product DescriptionFrench Cultural Studies: An Introduction challenges received theories about France and French culture. The book takes into account the major changes which have been taking place in the context of French Studies in both secondary and higher education, with the focus shifting to a broader range of cultural forms. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach in its wide-ranging study of French culture and society since 1870, emphasizing recent and contemporary developments, and it suggests new ways of looking at France and the French-speaking world through the ideas, images, and narratives of more than a century of turbulent history and political change.As well as looking at the literary, artistic, and intellectual culture for which France is renowned, the authors examine audio-visual media, popular culture, and cultural policy. They follow the stages of French history through periods of industrialization and war, reconstruction and modernization, and the crises and revolutions of post-colonialism and postmodernity. Also explored are the development of interconnecting patterns and cultural forms, in addition to the ways in which culture has shaped and reflected social and historical change.Copiously illustrated, and with guidance for further reading, this fascinating and authoritative work is essential reading for anyone interested in modern and contemporary French society and its culture.Review`Excellent produced, clearly written, introductory book which all students of French should digest.' A.B. Hunt, Oxford University`If contemporary French studies is concerned with exploring the interface between francophone culture and society, then this book provides a stimulating introduction to this approach... fascinating channels of enquiry are opened up.' Times Higher Education Supplement`This excellent study provides a far-ranging and interdisciplinary guide to the main developments which have taken place in French culture since 1870... the work does constitute a coherent whole. Moreover, it is a highly user-friendly work; the reader can either gain an entire view of French culture or can simply look into particular aspects which are specific to his/her interests.' Rachel Edwards, University of Newcastle, Modern & Contemporary France (1997) 5(1)`Excellently produced, clearly written, introductory book which all students of French should digest.' A.B. Hunt, Oxford University`wide-ranging book... it accurately reflects recent changes in our French Departments.... the editors... take a survey approach, lucidly and informatively.... the table of contents and acknowledgements allow clear attribution by the active reader - this is a very post-modern textbook.' MLR, 92.3, 1997About the AuthorJill Forbes is the author of INA for Innovation (1984), The Cinema in France after the New Wave (Macmillan, 1992, Indiana UP, 1994); Contemporary France: Politics, Economics, Society (with Nick Hewlett and Francois Nectoux, Longman, 1994), and forthcoming Les Enfants du Paradadis: A Study (BFI/Indiana UP). Michael Kelly is the author of several publications, including Pioneer of the Cathlic Revival: Emmanuel Mournier (Sheer & Ward, 1979), Modern French Marxism (Blackwell & John Hopkins University, 1982), and Hegel in France (Birmingham Modern Languages Publications, 1992).